UAE leads solar energy revolution
The UAE with its vast oil resources might seem an unlikely champion for renewable energy, but it has surprised the world by taking the lead with some major projects. Millions are being ploughed into cleaner forms of electricity in an attempt to lower the carbon footprint. The idea is to change the energy mix at home and also lead from the front on the global stage with large-scale projects like the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai and the Zayed Renewable Energy Complex in Abu Dhabi. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai is expected to be the largest concentrated solar power project in the world when completed by 2030. Currently in its third phase, the park will offset 1.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and power 160,000 homes by 2020. And in another decade it will have the capacity to generate enough energy to power 800,000 homes, which is huge by any standards. Dubai just launched the fourth stage of its path-breaking solar park today which could serve as a template for future projects across the world.
What’s driving this renewable solar revolution is the falling prices of photovoltaic cells and technology used to harness solar power efficiently. With the West and some European countries ending subsidies and introducing policies that are counter-productive to the growth of the industry, the UAE is sticking with solar and advancing with confidence. The speed of implementation of projects sets the country apart. What’s commendable is that people are being engaged, too. Take for instance Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s smart initiative that allows citizens and residents in the production of clean energy through Shams Dubai. The scheme encourages building owners to install solar panels to produce electricity. Till December last year, Dewa connected 557 buildings in Dubai with a total capacity of 24.3MW, and is now working to double that number and connect all buildings in the emirate by 2030. With the sun shining all year around, it is only natural to make the best use of it to power the entire country. A cleaner future without oil is closer than we think.