The UAE has a privileged position when it comes to natural resources. The world’s sixth-largest reserves of oil and the fifth-largest of natural gas have equated with economic benefits since its formation in 1971.
Besides being an important supplier of energy, the country is now also ranked as an increasingly relevant consumer of energy. However, ecological scarcities and continuously rising demand and consumption have led to thought and action to reduce dependency on oil and focus instead on sustainable development.
With global energy demand expected to double or even triple by 2050, the UAE is demonstrating an unyielding commitment to a sustainable future, with a host of initiatives aimed at replacing or reducing traditional energy sources, lowering its carbon footprint and increasing its standing in the global energy market.
One of the most notable examples of the country’s approach to sustainability was the establishment of Masdar in 2006. The Abu Dhabi-based multifaceted renewable energy company has placed itself at the forefront of various eco-strategies that impact research, development, innovation and implementation. Its commitment to alternative sources of energy is best exemplified by Masdar City, a gigantic project being built by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company. Aspiring to be one of the most sustainable cities in the world, the high-density, pedestrian-friendly Masdar City will showcase both renewable energy and clean technologies. Forty thousand residents are expected to live a fully integrated eco-friendly lifestyle that is replete with solar panels and a multi-storey wind tower in the vicinity of a research-driven university, Masdar Institute.
Concurrently, Masdar Power — a developer of renewable power generation operations — is building the 100 megawatts (MW) Shams 1 Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant, a 30 MW wind farm and a photovoltaic (PV) array in the emirate.
“The UAE, as a responsible energy player, is taking the steps necessary to maintain its leadership position in the future energy market,” Dr Sultan Ahmad Al Jaber, UAE Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change and CEO of Masdar, tells GN Focus. “Abu Dhabi, through Masdar, is committed to advancing and encouraging the adoption of renewable energy technologies.
“Masdar is also committed to diversifying the UAE’s economy and energy sources to ensure the country’s sustainable growth. Over the past six years, Masdar has developed large-scale solar and wind projects within Abu Dhabi and also across the globe. Today, we are prepared to share our expertise and contribute to achieving the region’s renewable energy ambitions.”
In September, the UAE’s Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) launched a public-private partnership project to design 100 per cent renewable energy micro-grids in Abu Dhabi. Working with the Masdar Institute and South Korea’s Research Institute for Industrial Science and Technology (Rist), GGGI plans to design a cost-effective micro-grid that is capable of operating exclusively on renewable energy. The final model will be highlighted at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi in January.
Solar park
Dubai is studying its abundant natural resources, many of which can expedite the delivery of renewable energy. In the past decade, the Government of Dubai has announced various plans to tap into this resource endowment, and one of the most ambitious is the creation of a solar energy park. Managed by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park intends to reach a capacity output of 1,000 MW by 2030.
“The first phase of Dubai’s $3.3 billion (Dh12.11 billion) solar park will be in operation by the end of 2013,” Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, Vice-Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Energy Council, said on the side lines of October’s World Energy Forum.
Under the Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy, the emirate will have diversified its fuel mix by 2030 by adding new energy sources. About 5 per cent will come from renewable energy including solar power, 12 per cent from clean coal, 12 per cent from nuclear power, and 71 per cent from gas.
Earlier this year, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) poured the first nuclear safety concrete for Unit 1 in Barakah, an important step in bringing the UAE’s first commercial nuclear reactor online in 2017.
“The UAE’s nuclear energy programme is a key piece in the nation’s quest to move to a high-technology, knowledge-based economy. The UAE is a young nation, born of immense and rapid change. Responsible development of commercial nuclear energy is the next step in this evolution,” says Mohammad Al Hammadi, CEO of Enec.
Enec also spearheads industry education through nuclear-specific educational facilities in the country. “Enec has aggregated international expertise in the development of safe, clean, reliable nuclear power. This expertise could cultivate the first generation of Emirati nuclear scientists, engineers and technicians,” he adds.
In a first for the country, Solar Energy International has partnered with PTL Solar Academy and the British University in Dubai to establish a renewable energy training institute to provide on-site and hands-on training on solar sustainability.
The Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence (DCCE) plays a key role in boosting the emirate’s energy security, offering a wide range of carbon diminution services to both public and private organisations. On a related note, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority is pursuing sustainability in transportation; the electrically operated, driverless Dubai Metro is considered a stellar global example of public transport that uses clean energy.
Green standards
The other emirates are also adopting and embracing energy sustainability protocols. The Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority plans to use research by the Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology United Arab Emirates (CSEM-UAE) to create sustainable energy for projects such as Al Hamra Village. The CSEM-UAE collaboration between Neuchâtel’s Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology and the government of Ras Al Khaimah has already led to the construction of a prototype offshore solar island.
In Sharjah, the Sharjah Islamic Affairs and Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority recently partnered to educate people and organisations about conserving water and electricity and implementing green standards. In a unique initiative, they are using mosques as their models.
Shaikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Department of Islamic Affairs, explained that the mosque as a model building had an important role in societal awareness, and that energy and water conservation programmes conducted in mosques will save between 30 and 40 per cent of consumption.
The UAE’s exponential infrastructure growth, remarkable safety record, and visionary leadership have made it a global leader in sustainable development. The country now seeks a greater role by taking strategic leaps towards a greener environment and economy. By its efforts to accelerate the development and implementation of alternative energy sources, the country will continue its tradition of responsible energy stewardship.
