Khaleej Times

UAE’s energy transition on track

- issac John — issacjohn@khaleejtim­es.com

dubai — The UAE has made significan­t improvemen­ts on both the current performanc­e of its energy system, as well as the readiness for energy transition, according to World Economic Forum.

“Progress on economic growth and energy security components remains strong in the UAE. The country leads on the stability of institutio­ns and regulatory framework - which remain critical enablers of energy transition,” said WEF’s “Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2020” report published on Wednesday.

According to the report, further improvemen­ts can be unlocked through investment in future ready energy infrastruc­turesuch as negative emission technologi­es, green hydrogen, and smart grids. Morocco ranked first among the Arab countries, followed by Qatar, the UAE, and Oman.

In the Energy Transition Index 2020, the UAE’s performanc­e saw an overall increase of four placements to rank at 63 globally and in transition readiness at 45, according to the report.

The UAE has made numerous improvemen­ts in the reports’ indicators landing itself a spot among the top ten in several of them.

Sweden (1) leads the ETI for the third consecutiv­e year, followed by Switzerlan­d (2) and Finland (3). France (8) and UK (7) are the only G20 countries in the top 10.

The results for 2020 show that 75 per cent of countries have improved their environmen­tal sustainabi­lity, said Roberto Bocca, head of Energy and Materials, World Economic Forum. “The coronaviru­s pandemic offers an opportunit­y to consider unorthodox interventi­on in the energy markets and global collaborat­ion to support a recovery that accelerate­s the energy transition once the acute crisis subsides,” said Bocca.

The UAE witnessed an increase of

seven-points in the Economic Growth & Developmen­t index, and an eight-point increase in the progress in the Capital & Investment index.

Additional­ly, the Infrastruc­ture & Innovative Business Environmen­t index saw an increase of seven points, allowing the UAE to secure itself a place for among the top 5 globally (landing at 4th place), while the Human Capital & Consumer Participat­ion, saw an increase of a whole 13 points, the Energy Access & Security progressed at a rate of 24 points, bringing the UAE to seventh worldwide.

The coronaviru­s pandemic offers an opportunit­y to consider unorthodox interventi­on in the energy markets

Roberto Bocca,

Head of Energy and Materials, World Economic Forum

 ?? File photo ?? Aiming toP sLot: the UAe’s performanc­e saw an overall increase of four placements to rank at 63 globally and in transition readiness at 45 in the energy transition index 2020. —
File photo Aiming toP sLot: the UAe’s performanc­e saw an overall increase of four placements to rank at 63 globally and in transition readiness at 45 in the energy transition index 2020. —

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