UAE targets 35% clean energy share by 2030-31, says Energy Minister

The UAE has raised its clean energy target to 35% of the country’s energy mix by 2030-31, as the government accelerates efforts to diversify power generation and expand the role of renewable and nuclear energy.

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said meeting the target would require new energy projects, greater competition and increased private-sector participation in power generation.

The UAE is continuing to update its energy strategy in response to falling renewable energy costs and advances in technology. 

The country is also investing in power grids and new generation capacity to reduce transmission losses, improve efficiency and maintain sufficient surplus capacity to meet electricity demand.

Al Mazrouei highlighted the rapid development of energy storage as a key factor supporting the expansion of solar power. Batteries that previously provided only two to three hours of storage can now store electricity for up to 24 hours at increasingly competitive prices, he said.

The development is allowing solar power to move towards round-the-clock electricity supply, bringing it closer to conventional baseload sources such as natural gas and nuclear power while maintaining a lower carbon footprint.

The minister also emphasised the role of the private sector in the UAE's energy transition. Private participation in power generation has been part of the country's strategy for decades, with privatisation helping increase competition, improve governance and reduce electricity costs.

Looking ahead, Al Mazrouei said the UAE's energy strategy would focus on expanding cleaner sources, strengthening electricity interconnections between countries and improving transmission network efficiency to reduce losses.

He also pointed to the capabilities of UAE-based companies, including Masdar and Etihad, which are competing for energy projects internationally.