RENEWAB

LE ENERGY
SOURCES
IN THE UAE
TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT:...................................................................................................2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:............................................................................3

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................4

IMPORTANCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY..............................................6

RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES...............................................9

RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE UAE.................................................10

SOLAR ENERGY.................................................................................12

WIND POWER GENERATION IN THE UAE...................................13

CONVERSION OF WASTE INTO ENERGY....................................14

NUCLEAR ENERGY............................................................................15

ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY – THE WAY FORWARD FOR

DUBAI.......................................................................................................16

RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY IN ABU DHABI.................................17

EXISTING BARRIERS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RE................17

TOWARD A COMPREHENSIVE RE POLICY FOR ABU DHABI......18

BARRIERS OF DEPLOYING RE OPTIONS.............................................19

RISKS INVOLVE IN DEPLOYING RE.....................................................23

THE UAE’S FUTURE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY..................................24

CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY..............................................................52

REFERENCES..............................................................................................56
ABSTRACT:

Abstract Power is a critical infrastructure input and the lifeblood of the

development and growth of the economy of any country. Renewable Energy
(RE) supplies are of increasing environmental and economic importance in
all countries. Moreover, RE forms an important component in future energy
supplies for the electricity supply industry. This research looks into moving
energy policy in the UAE in the direction of sustainability to turn the UAE
into a leading country in a new environmental field. The research covers
UAE's current energy policy especially relevant to RE as well as the current
situation and future targets. Furthermore, the research looks into different
countries and different case studies that have used RE. Moreover, best
practices and applicable strategies to the UAE will be highlighted. A plan
for the same was proposed and feedback from concerned authorities and
stakeholders in the UAE was being considered to come up with a revised
plan that can promote RE in the country. The findings showed that the
implementation of RE technologies are possible and can be applied in the
UAE through different stages gradually. A draft policy was prepared and
was revised based on stakeholder feedback. Moreover, the plan proposed
was designed to be implemented in three stages (short, medium, and long
term). Some of the main components include a deregulation move in the
emirate, country, and gulf levels through different stages. Other components
of the policy include access to the grid, which is improved at each stage, as
well as financial incentives and implementation of a Feed-In Tariff.
Stakeholder Feedback from the Federal Ministry and Dubai Electricity and
Water Authority was used to refine the policy
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is an oil-rich country, which is located in

the eastern part of the Arabian Gulf. The country is considered among the
highest energy consumer in the world. Likewise, of the other GCC
countries, UAE‫׳‬s economy mainly depends on the oil, gas, and other fossil
fuels. In the recent timings, a continuous increase in the UAE‫׳‬s population
require further demand in its energy production, which is essential for its
economic growth. However as fossil fuels are limited sources, consequently
additional sustainable and renewable energy (RE) resources are necessary to
be explored. In this context, the UAE is considering alternative RE resources
to overcome such issues as well as to reduce environmental pollution and its
carbon emission. The present work addresses the issues and challenges
related to the RE resources technologies, in the scenario of UAE. The
possible current, RE resources choices for UAE and potential future
prospects of such technologies are mentioned. Further, at present timings,
renewable energy resources such as photovoltaic energy, concentrated solar
power, wave energy and fuel cell energy, etc., which UAE‫׳‬s is mainly
focusing on, are reviewed. Similarly, the past and ongoing research work
conducted on such technologies has been also discussed. It is expected that
by exploring RE technologies, with proper utilization and with better
planning these renewable energy sources will provide a suitable solution for
the UAE‫׳‬s energy, economy, and environmental issues
INTRODUCTION

Living standards of the growing population, supported by urbanization, are

influencing the demand for power around the world. Conventional power
generation methods like thermal power plants are finding it hard to meet
this increase in demand, thus paving way for the growth of renewables.
Another factor that is aiding the renewable industry is the efficient
collaboration between the governments and the private sector. There is a
growth in industrial investments backed by supportive government policies
in renewable technologies. This is resulting in affordable technologies for
applications ranging from power plants to small rooftop installations.
Growing concerns regarding greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants
have led to consequences like environmental damage and global warming.
This is prompting governments to look for cleaner power generation
options, which is again proving to be beneficial to the renewables industry.

Renewable energy generation is hindered by various factors. Solar and

wind, which are the most popular renewable sources today, are heavily
dependent on factors such as the weather, making them unreliable. Power
generation from these sources is also intermittent. In addition to these
factors, some of the renewable energy plants have a large space
requirement. For example, a thermal power plant would require only 10%
of space than that of a solar power plant generating the same amount of
electricity would require. These factors are however not hindering the
growth of the renewables industry, as can be seen from the growing
investments and technological advancements in the industry. 
There is a growth in small-scale power generation such as from solar
rooftop photovoltaic installations. Smart grids, which are gaining
popularity around the world, help integrate renewable sources effectively
to the power grid. Battery technologies are also improving. All these
factors will help in the long term to overcome the hindrances that the
renewable energy sector faces today.

The United Arab Emirates Renewable energy market report provides a

comprehensive analysis of the market for wind, solar, hydro, and other
renewable energy sources. This report also includes key project
information for both pipeline and upcoming projects. Key drivers and
restraints that are affecting the growth of this market are discussed in
detail. The study also elucidates on competitive landscape and key market
players (both domestic and international) across various types of renewable
energy sources.

Key Words: Renewable Energy (RE) Renewable Energy Sources (RES)

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Instruments Mechanism
Deregulation Avoided Cost Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) Policy terms
IMPORTANCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

Renewable energy is a major contributor to the transition to the low carbon

economy. It also addresses wider issues of sustainability, such as reducing
pollution, improving energy security, and enabling access to energy.

The IPCC estimates that renewable energy accounted for 12.9 percent of the
total primary energy supply in 2008, and around 19 percent of global
electricity supply. Of the approximately 300 GW (gigawatts) of new
electricity-generating capacity added globally in 2008 and 2009, 140 GW
came from renewable energy additions. Traditional biomass (17 percent),
modern biomass (8 percent), solar thermal, and geothermal energy (2
percent) together accounted for 27 percent of the total global demand for
heat. Developing countries already host 53 percent of global renewable
energy electricity generation capacity (IPCC, 2011).

This report addresses skills in the renewable energy sector as a whole. For
those who have a particular interest in small-scale renewable installations, it
should be read in conjunction with its companion report on skills in green
building, as building scale renewable energy installations frequently form a
part of green building projects. Reasons for wishing to transition to
renewable energy include the following.

 Energy supply is the sector with the highest greenhouse gas

emissions. It accounts for 25.9 percent of overall carbon emissions
(IPCC, 2007). While renewable energy technologies emit some
carbon over their lifecycle, it is far less than for fossil fuels.
 Skills and Occupational Needs in Renewable Energy. While the cost
of electricity generated by renewable energy technologies is still
 frequently above that from fossil energy sources, long-run
environmental benefits and energy security concerns make investing
in renewable energy attractive to society as a whole. Many
governments intervene with mechanisms to allow producers of
renewable energy to capture economic returns based on societal
benefits.
 Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources offsets
pollution from combustion.
 Off-grid renewable energy solutions (meaning in areas not connected
to a central grid) often already make economic sense without
subsidies or policy support.
 In situations where the electricity grid is not reliable, renewable
energies can serve as back-up systems (for example for hospitals),
and can also stabilize electricity grids.
 Several renewable energy technologies are already competitive at
market prices, depending on resource conditions and other factors.
There is a long-run downward trend in the cost of energy from each
renewable technology, which is likely to make renewable energy
technologies, in general, more competitive with fossil fuel
technologies over time.
 Concerns about future energy prices and energy security have
increased interest in renewable energy investments.
 Decentralized electricity supply through renewable energies allows
for mobilizing small-scale private investments in energy supply.

As a consequence, interest and activity in renewable energy are growing

rapidly, both in developed and in developing countries.
Developed countries are leading the effort in research and development.
Policy support has led to high rates of investment and growing numbers of
people employed in the sector. For a number of important technologies,
manufacturing is limited to a small number of developed and emerging
economies. Emerging economies are rapidly catching up, and have
surpassed developed countries in deployment and the number of installed
capacity in some areas.

Most developing countries still have low rates of deployment of renewable

energy technologies, while in rural areas traditional use of biomass for
cooking and heating remains important. Governments are only starting to
put in place support measures for renewable energy. So far, much of the
support for promoting new forms of renewable energy in developing
countries comes from non-governmental Section 1 – Introduction 3
organizations (NGOs) and international development partners. Technology
imports remain expensive. Development of local capabilities and research
and development to adapt renewable energy for local solutions is still in its
infancy.
RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES

Primary energy sources are converted into energy services in a number of

different ways, using different energy carriers (electricity or fuels), and
conversion types (thermal or kinetic) and usable energy flows (heat or
work). Figure 1.1 provides an overview and shows how renewable energy
sources are positioned alongside fossil fuels and nuclear fission. Renewable
energies offer the full range of energy services – heat, light, electricity, and
mechanical energy.

Different types of technology are applied to convert renewable energy

sources into energy supplies.
RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE UAE
The UAE has always championed the cause of sustainability. The various
initiatives for sustainable developments in the UAE have time and again
focused on the conservation of the environment through clean energy,
green development, and finding alternative eco-friendly solutions for the
increasing demand for water and electricity in the country.

One of the most prominent objectives of the UAE Energy Strategy 2050

is to increase the use of clean energy to constitute 50% of the total energy
usage in the country. Clean energy is derived from renewable or
sustainable energy sources that are not harmful to the environment.
Renewable energy is derived from the earth's natural resources like the
sun, wind, and water.

There are different types of renewable energy around us – the most

prominent ones being the wind, hydro, and solar energy.

While the UAE is void of rivers to produce hydropower, it has worked

tirelessly to introduce wind, solar and nuclear power as alternative
sources of energy in the country. 
SOLAR ENERGY

SOLAR ENERGY IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFICIENT SOURCES OF

POWER GENERATION WORLDWIDE

Solar energy is one of the most reliable sources of sustainable energy in

the UAE and it is popular across the world for its abundance. In 2013, the
UAE ranked third in the world for the production of concentrated solar
power (CSP) with a production capacity of about 140 MW.

SHAMS 1 STATION IN ABU DHABI

Spread over an area of 2.5 sq.m, Shams 1 by Masdar City was one of the
first renewable energy projects launched in the UAE. With an installed
capacity of 100 megawatts, the Shams 1 solar plant is considered one of
the largest renewable energy projects in the UAE. The plant produces 7%
of the total power needs of Abu Dhabi using renewable solar energy and
powers 20,000 homes in the emirate. 

MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM SOLAR PARK

Launched in line with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, Mohammed
Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is a one-of-a-kind renewable energy
project in Dubai. Also known as the Dubai Solar Park , it is the largest
single-site concentrated solar energy plant in the world. By 2030, the
project is expected to produce up to 5,000 MW of electricity. 

WIND POWER GENERATION IN THE UAE

When it comes to low-cost sources of renewable energy, wind energy is
one of the most widely used alternative energy sources. This prominent
type of renewable energy is found in abundance on the UAE’s coastal
belt. Wind energy in the UAE can be used to convert the kinetic energy of
the wind into mechanical or electrical energy. 
WIND ENERGY WILL SIGNIFICANTLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE
ACHIEVEMENT OF THE UAE RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET

Masdar Company will build the country's first wind turbine to generate
electricity on Sir Bani Yas Island. This plant will have the capacity to
produce 850 kW of energy per hour.

CONVERSION OF WASTE INTO ENERGY

As a part of the UAE’s Vision 2021, sustainable power generation in the
country remains an important agenda. While the use of natural sources of
energy contributes significantly to the cause, the conversion of waste into
energy is a valuable addition to the existing sources of renewable energy
in the UAE. 

By 2021, the UAE hopes to increase the use of waste for power
generation by 75%, with several partner companies helping it reach the
UAE renewable energy target. 

Work on the construction of a waste-to-energy plant in the Al-Warsan 2

area of Dubai is already underway. With the help of this plant and the
efforts for recycling in Dubai , the emirates aim to produce 7% of its
electricity needs through waste conversion.

Similar efforts in Abu Dhabi are undertaken by Tadweer – the waste

management center in Abu Dhabi
NUCLEAR ENERGY
Nuclear energy has emerged as an ideal source of renewable energy in the
UAE. It is economically feasible and uses safe, environment-friendly, and
reliable technology to produce electricity. Once the Baraka Nuclear
Energy Plant in Al Dhafrah, Abu Dhabi is completed, the nuclear energy
produced there will help diversify the energy supply in the UAE. 

It is predicted that the use of nuclear energy in the UAE will support
economic development, provide job opportunities for the people, and
ensure energy security for the country in the future.
ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY – THE WAY FORWARD FOR
DUBAI
While the development of renewable energy sources in the UAE has
powered its efforts towards achieving long-term sustainability in every
aspect of its governance, Dubai has been at the helm of this movement.
The emirate has been the longstanding trailblazer for environment-
friendly living. There are specific eco-friendly districts in Dubai  that rely
on renewable energy sources in the UAE including:

 Dubai Sustainable City

 Dubai South

 Al Barari

 Dubai Silicon Oasis

Besides that, the emirate’s Roads and Transport Authority is soon
expected to launch flying cars in Dubai  – an imminent reality that until
now only seemed like a figment of our imagination. 

Just like the use of electric cars in the UAE , it is anticipated that flying
cars will reduce traffic congestion and its consequent pollution in the city.
The futuristic Dubai Sky Pod Transportation System  is also a massive
step towards accomplishing the emirate’s lofty sustainability goals. 
The renewable energy sources in the UAE will prove monumental in the
coming years to reduce the country’s carbon footprint and help it achieve
its overall sustainability milestones. 

RENEWABLE ENERGY POLICY IN ABU DHABI

The only operating RE solar PV plant in Abu Dhabi is the 10 MW plant in

Masdar City, which is also registered as a CDM project for carbon credit
purposes. The 10 MW plant, consisting of 87,777 panels (50% thin film and
50% crystalline silicon) is projected to generate 17,500 MWh of clean
energy each year (with a single kWh of clean energy being the carbon-offset
equivalent of 0.8 kg depending on an area's network and its energy-
producing source). The cost of kWh produced in the 10 MW PV plant is 48
US cents (2009).

EXISTING BARRIERS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RE

In [27], Patlitzianas made an overall review of the existing barriers that can
impede the development of RE in the Gulf countries and including the UAE.
The barriers of the UAE are grouped into three main categories: market
technology, policy legislation, and cost. All of these categories are related to
infrastructure and institutions. As a conclusion, the authors argue that the
barriers that unfairly discriminate against RE are mainly the lack of
commercial skills and information, the absence of relative legal and policy
framework, the high initial capital costs coupled with lack of fuel-price risk
assessment, as well as the exclusion of environmental externalities in the
cost.
 TOWARD A COMPREHENSIVE RE POLICY FOR ABU
DHABI

Currently, the Abu Dhabi Government has set a target that 7% of its
electricity generation is to come from renewable sources. Solar power is the
most favorable source of RE for Abu Dhabi. The 10-MW PV solar plant is
already installed and operating, and supplying power to Masdar City
operations and connected to the existing Grid. It is a small amount of
electricity generated but its success opens the market to have individuals,
private builders, and property owners to consider RE technologies.

As a result of our analysis, we recommend having a mixed policy between

Fee-in-Tariff (FIT) and the Quota system in order to share the RE electricity
generation. Currently, the Abu Dhabi government through the Abu Dhabi
Executive Affairs Authority (ADEAA) is reviewing the energy policy in
general and electricity generation in particular in conjunction with all the
actors. In order to ensure that this policy is effective we need to take many
things into considerations:

1. There has to be continuous political support to encourage the adoption

of RE.
2. Through the Masdar Initiative, the main RE technologies that can
comply with the policy mechanism are Solar and Wind (mainly
offshore). The market has to develop the most effective options.
3. Must ensure that the electricity provider, ADWEC, buys the
electricity generated from RE sources. Transco, the power
transmission company, provides the grid connection of all RE sources.
 4. Develop a trading mechanism between RE generators and ADWEC.
5. 5. Using a Guarantee of origin certificates is a good example to use as
a proof of generation and compliance under a more controlled
environment.

BARRIERS OF DEPLOYING RE OPTIONS

Transition to RE in the GCC member states faces a number of barriers.

Barriers differ among the region for a number of reasons:

1. The type of non-renewable source used for electricity generation

2. whether solar energy is well utilized and preferred over other RE
options
3. whether RE is decentralized in the GCC member state
4. The cost-effectiveness of the RE technologies.

 The prominent factor in determining any deployment of modern and

new technology is its cost compared to existing technologies. The
decision about the deployment of RE technology has continuously
confronted more problems than most of the other existing
technologies. This is mainly because of the long lifecycles of RE
technologies on one hand and the relatively long payback period that
is needed to recover the deployment high initial installation cost on
the other. Previous studies suggest that for GCC states the lifecycle
cost could be lower than those of other regions but to date, the GCC
states have not utilized the available RE sources efficiently. The
reason for which is the GCC member states energy market structure,
specifically the way energy is priced domestically and subsidized.
 The below factors characterize the political economy of energy prices
in the GCC member states. Availability of conventional sources of
energy in the form of oil and gas on a large scale.
 The significant role that has been played in the economic
development of the GCC region by the wealth generated through
hydrocarbon in most of the GCC member states since the 1960s.
 The implicit social contract in the GCC member states. This refers to
where it has been considered that it is the government’s responsibility
to provide electricity to the public for no charge or at a reduced price,
which constitutes only a small fraction of the generation cost.

These factors collectively are hindering the utilization of RE technologies in

the GCC states. However, awareness of energy security and climate change
issues seems to be low in GCC states [8]. This is an additional factor, in fact,
does not allow conservation of energy in GCC, states, thus contributes
towards increased energy consumption and wastes.

Consequently, prices of energy in GCC states differ across various fuel

options. In general, these prices are relatively low and this is a problem-
facing uptake of renewable energy investments. This problem extends to
involve the implicit and explicit government payments to subsidize fossil
fuels products provided directly to the consumers. It is recognized that
governments of GCC states implemented high-energy subsidy rates for a
number of reasons.

1. Being oil and gas-rich nations, expanding access to energy by local

citizens, particularly those who are financially less able, is one of the
main welfare-driven reasons for such subsidies.
2. In order to foster industrial growth GCC states implemented special
energy subsidies to the industrial sectors.
3. Political and social justice reasons where parts of the oil and gas
revenues incurred to the government can be shared with the citizens.
As a practical example, in 2012, in one of the leading GCC economy
i.e. Saudi Arabia’s the domestic selling price for electricity calculated
on the basis of its assumed input costs, taking place at
$0.013/Kilowatt/hour for the housing, while for the commercial users
it was $0.036/kilowatt. The Saudi Electricity and Cogeneration
Regularity Authority (ECRA) confirm that none of the prices reflects
the actual production cost. Therefore, despite the fact that the cost of
deploying RE sources has fallen significantly over the previous years,
still it is hard to propose a commercially eye-catching opportunity.

It is widely accepted that with globalization and international/regional

integration, energy generation through renewable sources has
increasingly become less costly and has gained a competitive advantage,
but many of these technologies have not yet passed through the stage of
full commercialization in GCC states.

Lilliestam and Patt [10] suggested that a significant barrier in utilizing

RE technologies in GCC states is the deficiency of proper support
framework for renewables, and if pooled with fossil oil and energy utility
subsidizations, can results in gainful business today. This barrier has
been mentioned as “super-barrier” in the way of preventing profitable RE
related investments in GCC states [10]. Therefore, there is a prompt need
for devising policies to create incentives in the GCC for RE sources and
to overcome the potential commercial risks faced by investors and
lenders.

Inefficiencies in bureaucracy and red tape culture are both barriers and
risks, which are hindering potentially profitable and attractive investment
opportunities. Furthermore, a lack of awareness among potential
investors regarding existing opportunities has been identified amongst
thoughtful but easy-to-solve obstacles. Finally, corruption has not been
mentioned as a major barrier in the way of deploying renewable energy
in GCC member states in the literature about the topic is under
consideration.

In summary, five proximate barriers have been identified.

1. Due to the present structure of the market for energy in the GCC
member states, where fossil fuel is heavily subsidized, along with
imperfect market structure which makes entry difficult to the energy
market. The market for RE does not function well.
2. 2. Lack of a suitable investment framework and support policies and
mechanisms for RE production; grid connectivity and financial
support are also worth mentioning.
3. Significant resistance being exercised by authorities working in the
fossil fuel industry.
4. Lack of technical know-how of renewables.
5. Lack of awareness of key issues such as energy security, energy
conservation, green energy, economic securities, and climate change.
RISKS INVOLVED IN DEPLOYING RE

Project management literature offers a variety of definitions for risk and

barriers and differentiates between these two concepts. Risk reflects a
situation where damage or loss may occur and which is caused by internal or
external exposures, and which may be avoided via preemptive actions. Risk
is different from barriers as this last represent obstacles and difficulties that
may face certain projects. Contrary to risk, these barriers do not necessarily
lead to loss and damage occurrence as these can be prevented. Risk and
barriers can be industry, company, or location-specific and there may not be
a one-size-fits-all seven policy to deal with risk and barriers. However,
earlier risk analysis and barriers identification coupled with response
planning techniques should eliminate, or at least minimized, the negative
impact of risk and barriers. Whilst identifying risks and barriers and policies
and techniques to tackle these is an important subject, this falls beyond the
merit of this article.

A number of risk factors impact the utilization of RE options in the GCC

states. These are political risk, financial risk, technological risk, institutional
risk, operational risk, construction risk, and human capacity risk.
Unfortunately, the non-availability of desired data for GCC member states
makes it difficult to analyze all of the factors.
THE UAE’S FUTURE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
Renewable energy is a key requirement for sustainability and stands at the
forefront of Dubai's and the UAE's strategic priorities. The UAE leads the
efforts to adopt the latest innovations that address climate change, mitigate
the effects of global warming, and plays a major role in supporting the
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

The UAE has taken early steps to bid farewell to the last barrel of oil, and
achieve a balance between economic development and maintaining a clean,
healthy, and safe environment. The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 aims to
achieve an energy mix that combines renewable and clean energy sources to
balance economic requirements and environmental goals. The UAE will
invest AED 600 billion until 2050 to meet the growing energy demand and
ensure the sustainable growth of the economy.

DUBAI CLEAN ENERGY STRATEGY 2050

Dubai has become an international pioneer in developing a clean and
renewable energy sector. It has developed a number of techniques and
practices to enhance the efficiency of the energy sector while rationalizing
consumption and finding alternative solutions to conventional energy. This
supports the sustainable development of the Emirate. The Dubai Clean
Energy Strategy 2050, which was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and
Ruler of Dubai, aims to provide 7% of Dubai’s total power output from
clean energy by 2020. This target will increase to 25% by 2030 and 75% by
2050. Dubai is the only city in the region to have launched such a promising
strategy, with set goals and timelines that map the future of energy until
2050.

The strategy consists of five main pillars: infrastructure, legislation, funding,

building capacities and skills, and having an environment-friendly energy
mix. The infrastructure pillar includes initiatives such as the Mohammad bin
Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is the largest single-site solar power
project in the world, with a planned capacity of 5,000 megawatts (MW) by
2030, and a total investment of AED 50 billion.

DUBAI’S CARBON FOOTPRINT TO BECOME THE LOWEST

IN THE WORLD BY 2050
“The UAE views sustainability as a global priority and is committed to
combating the impacts of climate change through relevant strategies and
policies as per the UN's Sustainable Development Goals 2030. In Dubai, we
are working to achieve the goals of the Eight Principles of Governance and
the 50 Year Charter launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, which includes improving the quality of life,
developing Dubai's society, and ensuring a brighter future for generations to
come. Dubai is a pioneer in the transition towards a green economy through
two parallel courses of action. The first is to reduce energy and water
demand by 30% by 2030, by promoting efficiency and conservation
programs; whereas the second is improving the supply side by diversifying
the energy mix, especially clean energy, increasing the efficiency and
reducing the power and water network losses," said HE Saeed Mohammed
Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).
“Our efforts contributed to a significant reduction in carbon emissions in
Dubai. Net carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have also achieved a
considerable reduction of 19% by the end of 2018. This great achievement is
two years ahead of the target date set by the Carbon Abatement Strategy
2021 to reduce carbon emissions by 16% by 2021. The UAE in general and
Dubai, in particular, has always been a pioneer in implementing solutions to
enable it to have the lowest carbon footprint in the world by 2050," added Al
Tayer.

"DEWA is guided in all its projects and initiatives by the vision of HH

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to make Dubai a global model
for clean energy and green economy by using the disruptive technologies of
the Fourth Industrial Revolution such as Artificial Intelligence (AI),
unmanned aerial vehicles, energy storage, blockchain, the Internet of Things
and many more,” added Al Tayer.

LAUNCHING THE SOLAR PARK

In January 2012, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
announced the launch of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
in Dubai.
1ST PHASE (13MW PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PLANT)
The 13MW first phase became operational on 22 October 2013, comprising
around 152,000 photovoltaic cells, connected to 13 transformers in inverter
buildings. The output is transformed to 33 kilovolts (kV) and generates
nearly 28 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually. The first
phase contributes to an annual reduction of about 15,000 tons of carbon
emissions.

2ND PHASE (200MW PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PLANT)

On 20 March 2017, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
launched the 200MW photovoltaic second phase of the solar park, which is
the largest and first project of its kind in the region, based on the IPP model.
DEWA implemented the project in partnership with a consortium led by
ACWA Power from Saudi Arabia as the main developer, and Spain’s TSK
as the main contractor, with an investment of AED 1.2 billion. The efforts of
Shuaa Energy 1, which was established by DEWA and the consortium led
by ACWA Power and TSK, were vital in completing the work efficiently
and professionally, with over 1.5 million Safe Man Hours without Lost Time
Injury.

The 200MW second phase of the solar park will provide clean energy to
50,000 residences in the Emirate, reducing 214,000 tons of carbon emissions
annually. This phase installed 2.3 million photovoltaic solar panels over an
area of 4.5 square kilometers. DEWA set a world record by obtaining the
lowest price globally at USD 5.6 cents per kWh for the second phase of the
park at the time of the tender.
3RD PHASE (800MW USING PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR
PANELS)
In June 2016, DEWA announced the selection of the Masdar-led consortium
as the best bidder to develop the 800 MW third phase of the solar park.

To implement the project, DEWA established Shuaa Energy 2 in partnership

with the Masdar-led consortium, and Électricité de France (EDF), through
its subsidiary EDF Energies Nouvelles. DEWA owns 60% of the company,
the consortium owns the remaining 40%, of which Masdar owns 24%, and
EDF Energies Nouvelles owns 16%. The international consortium led by the
renewable energy contractors GranSolar and Acciona from Spain and Ghella
from Italy is handling engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC).

DEWA is building the 800MW 3rd phase of the solar park using PV
technology in three stages, in partnership with a consortium led by Abu
Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and EDF Group, through its
subsidiary, EDF Énergies Nouvelles. This solar plant is the first of its kind
in the MENA region, with an advanced solar tracking system to increase
generation efficiency by 20-30% when compared to fixed installations.
DEWA achieved a world record in the cost of PV solar power for this phase
of the solar park, at a levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) of USD 2.99 cents
per kilowatt-hour, using PV solar panels. The 800MW PV third phase will
be operational by 2020.
4TH PHASE (950MW OF CSP AND PHOTOVOLTAICS)

On 16 September 2017, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

launched the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar
Park. The project was awarded to a consortium comprising Saudi Arabia’s
ACWA Power, The Silk Road Fund, and China’s Shanghai Electric as the
main contractor.

On 3 November 2018, DEWA signed an amendment to the Power Purchase

Agreement (PPA) to add 250MW of photovoltaic solar panels, increasing
the total capacity of the fourth phase from 700MW to 950MW. The fourth
phase of the solar park is the largest single-site solar IPP project in the world
that combines CSP and PV technology with a capacity of 950MW. It will
use 700MW of CSP; 600MW from a parabolic basin complex and 100MW
from a solar tower; and 250MW from PV solar panels.

RECORD NUMBERS

The fourth phase of the solar park has achieved many world records. It will
have the world’s tallest solar tower, at 260 meters, and the largest thermal
energy storage capacity in the world of 15 hours, which allows for energy
availability round the clock. It also achieved the lowest Levelized Cost of
Electricity (LCOE) of 2.4 US cents per kilowatt-hour (kW/h) for the
250MW photovoltaic solar panels technology and USD 7.3 cents per kW/h
for the 700MW CSP technology, the lowest worldwide.
 FIFTH PHASE (900MW USING PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR
PANELS)

In November 2019, DEWA announced that the consortium led by ACWA

Power and Gulf Investment Corporation is the Preferred Bidder to build and
operate the 900MW 5th phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Solar Park for using photovoltaic (PV) solar panels based on the
Independent Power Producer (IPP) model.

DEWA has achieved a world record by receiving the lowest bid of USD
1.6953 cents per kilowatt-hour (kW/h) for this phase. DEWA has released
the tender for the 5th phase in February 2019 and received 60 Requests for
Qualifications (RFQ). The 900MW 5th phase of the solar park using PV
solar panels based on the IPP model will become operational in stages
starting Q2 of 2021.

TRIPLE-BOTTOM LINE SUSTAINABILITY

The solar park implements the triple-bottom-line (TBL) related to

sustainability in DEWA's strategic map. These include the three key aspects
of sustainability: economy, environment, and society. DEWA's long-term
priorities include:

 Environment: The solar park will contribute to enhancing the

efficiency of using natural resources and reducing the carbon footprint.
 Society: The solar park supports DEWA’s commitment to
governance, work ethics, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It also
provides job opportunities to citizens and residents by 2020.

 Economics: The solar park will play a role in improving the efficiency
of costs and outcomes. It attracts investments while supporting economic
sustainable growth in Dubai and diversifying the local supply chain.
DUBAI CONTRIBUTES TO REDUCING GLOBAL SOLAR
POWER COSTS

The UAE’s interest in producing renewable energy has contributed to a

reduction in its global cost, according to a Japanese study published by the
Nikkei Asian Review. DEWA’s major projects in cooperation with the
private sector, based on the IPP model, contribute to the economic growth of
the Emirate. Meeting the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 targets requires
a capacity of 42,000MW of clean and renewable energy by 2050. DEWA
has attracted huge investments to the UAE from the private sector and
foreign banks, resulting in increased cash flows to the economy of Dubai
and the UAE. DEWA has attracted investments around AED 40 billion from
the IPP model, which strengthens public-private partnerships. Through this
model, we received the lowest global solar energy prices for five
consecutive times, making Dubai a global benchmark for solar energy
prices.

The capacity of the solar power projects completed at the Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is 713MW and is due to exceed its target of
1,000 megawatts in 2020, with new phases currently under construction and
design that will reach 2,863 megawatts by 2023.

Companies established by DEWA and its private sector partners focus on

employment and knowledge transfer to Emirati employees, thus directly
benefiting the local community. DEWA has signed several agreements with
local and international bodies, institutions, and companies in research and
development to establish the latest developments in energy, water, and
environment. These include agreements with the National Renewable
Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the US Department of Energy, the Spanish
National Renewable Energy Center (CENER), Korea Electric Power
Corporation (KEPCO), the United Arab Emirates University, and Khalifa
University.

Further proof of solar solutions can be found in the rise of businesses and
homes in Dubai building photovoltaic plants to also use solar power. As of
today, there are more than 134 megawatts of rooftop solar photovoltaic
capacity installed across Dubai.

This initiative, Shams Dubai, has the legislation and regulations in place to
enable solar power to spread across the city and provide additional clean
capacity. Yet clean energy continues to evolve as well as grow, which is
why Research and Development are so important. The R&D Centre at the
solar park focuses on solar power, energy efficiency, smart grid integration,
and solar-powered water desalination. This includes testing a range of
photovoltaic and concentrated solar power technologies, as well as solutions
that increase their efficiency and reliability.
 DIGITAL DEWA

DEWA launched Digital DEWA as its digital arm, making DEWA the
world’s first digital utility to use autonomous systems for renewable energy,
storage, and expansion in AI adoption, and providing digital services.

Digital DEWA seeks to operate a renewable energy network using

innovative energy storage technologies. The pillar includes several sub-
initiatives.

1. The largest concentrated solar power plant in the region with 24-hour
thermal storage

2. A hydroelectric power plant in Hatta, the first of its kind in the region
to generate electricity by using stored hydroelectric power

3. Testing energy storage technologies such as different batteries and

energy from hydrogen

Digital DEWA will expand its digital services through MORO, a digital
platform that was launched in 2018 to provide hosting and data storage
services as well as digital services management in the cloud. This pillar goes
beyond cloud computing to provide global, standardized services and
multiple solutions from a single location, according to the highest quality
standards, to enhance the customer experience.
CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER (CSP):

Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants use mirrors to concentrate the sun's

energy to drive traditional steam turbines or engines that create electricity.
The thermal energy concentrated in a CSP plant can be stored and used
to produce electricity when it is needed, day or night.

Most CSP technologies will have an efficiency somewhere between 7 and

25 percent. To compare this to the electricity conversion efficiencies of
other renewable energy technologies, wind turbines can achieve up to 59
percent efficiency and hydropower systems can have efficiencies of up to 90
percent.

CSP technologies can be used to generate electricity by converting energy

from sunlight to power a turbine, but it can also be used as heat in a variety
of industrial applications, like water desalination, enhanced oil recovery,
food processing, chemical production, and mineral processing.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) have been showcasing the
construction progress of its first Concentrated Solar Power tower.
The 100MW project will use Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) to heat
molten salt at the top of the 260-meter tower. The residual heat of the salt
will be capable of generating power for 15 hours even once the sun has gone
down.

The installation is part of the fourth phase of the, which combines several
phases of more conventional photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation and
two different solar thermal technology. A further 600MW is being added
using parabolic trough technology, which heats a tube of fluid flowing along
with the focal point of the trough. Another 250MW of PV capacity is also
being added.

The contract for the 700MW of combined solar thermal power is 7.3 cents
per kWh, the lowest achieved worldwide for this class of generation. The
PV portion notched up a joint record low of 2.4 cents per kWh.

Progress on the tower including the leveling and foundations for the project
was summarized by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and
CEO of DEWA during a visit to the desert site. A total of 128 piles have
been set in place. The entire park will reach 5GW once it is complete in
2030.
WIND ENERGY:
Wind energy (or wind power) refers to the process of creating electricity
using the wind, or airflows that occur naturally in the earth's atmosphere.
Modern wind turbines are used to capture kinetic energy from the wind and
generate electricity.

The terms "wind energy" and "wind power" both describe the process by
which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. This
mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or
pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into
electricity.

The UAE has been a driving force in funding wind power overseas, but the
green energy source has found itself in the doldrums closer to home. The
country’s obvious solar potential has also had the effect of putting other
renewables in the shade. That could be about to change as attention focuses
on the wind potential offered by locations such as the power-hungry
Northern Emirates and islands such as Sir Bani Yas, while at the same time
technology to produce power from lower wind speeds improves. Such
technological developments are especially relevant for the UAE, which
typically lacks the gales that drive the largest of existing wind farms in
Europe and North America.
Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s eight-year-old renewable energy company, has taken a
lead in investing in wind projects overseas. After wind mapping the country,
it is also scouting possible locations for turbines at home. The Mubadala
Development unit has more than USD 1 billion invested in energy projects
around the world. It is also a key player in the emirate's attempt to achieve 7
percent renewable energy capacity by 2020. Dubai's renewable target is 5
percent.

The cost of erecting the turbines and their gigantic blades can be prohibitive
without the right infrastructure. To that extent, identifying commercially
viable locations for wind power in the UAE is more challenging than doing
the same for solar projects, where there are fewer variables to consider. "The
commercial viability of a wind project depends on the wind project itself,
the specifics of the project, and where it is located," said Ahmed Al Awadi,
the head of business support at Masdar's clean energy unit. "The Northern
Emirates are mountainous, and so in order to build your plant you may have
to build additional infrastructure to accommodate the vehicles that would
take the blades there." Modern blades made for the largest wind turbines are
vast. The largest rotors made by Siemens extend more than 150 meters,
competing with the wingspan of an Airbus A380 superjumbo.
HYDROGEN ENERGY/ FUEL CELLS TECHNOLOGY
ENERGY:
A fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat, and
water. Fuel cells are often compared to batteries. Both convert
the energy produced by a chemical reaction into usable electric power.

A fuel, such as hydrogen, is fed to the anode, and the air is fed to the
cathode. In a hydrogen fuel cell, a catalyst at the anode separates hydrogen
molecules into protons and electrons, which take different paths to the
cathode. The electrons go through an external circuit, creating a flow
of electricity.

The fuel cell stacks are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle, about

150,000–200,000 miles. At the end of its lifespan, the fuel cell will be
disassembled and the materials recycled, similar to what happens with
vehicle components today. A fuel cell stack is about the size of a roll-aboard
suitcase.

Recently, it has been reported that the United Arab Emirates is considered
one of the highest energy consumers per capita in the world. Consequently,
environmental pollution and carbon emission has been a major challenge
facing the country over the past several years due to an unprecedented high
economic growth rate and abnormal population increase. Utilization of
hydrogen energy to fulfill the UAE's energy needs would be one of the key
measures that the country could undertake to achieve sustainable
development and without any major environmental consequences. Hydrogen
energy, which is an energy carrier, is considered by many scientists and
researchers a major player in fulfilling the global energy demand due to its
attractive features such as being environmentally clean, storable,
transportable, and inexhaustible. It can be used as fuel in the proton
exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, which is an electrochemical device
that generates electric power and it can be utilized in various applications.
Production of hydrogen energy can be carried out either through utilizing
conventional resources or by renewable resources. Conventional resources
such as crude oil and natural gas can produce hydrogen by steam-
reformation while hydrogen can be produced from coal through gasification.
BIOFUELS:
Biofuels are a renewable energy source, made from organic matter or wastes
that can play a valuable role in reducing carbon dioxide
emissions. Biofuels are one of the largest sources of renewable energy in use
today. In the transport sector, they are blended with existing fuels such as
gasoline and diesel.

Unlike other renewable energy sources, biomass can be converted directly

into liquid fuels, called "biofuels," to help meet transportation fuel needs.
The two most common types of biofuels in use today are ethanol
and biodiesel, both of which represent the first generation
of biofuel technology.

There are many plants that could, in theory, be used as a source of

biofuel – a natural renewable fuel with the potential to replace some of
the fossil fuels we currently depend on.

However, extracting this biofuel from plant matter can be difficult,

expensive, and inefficient – making biofuel too expensive to be a
realistic option.

What we need are enzymes to do the job for us, extracting and breaking
down the plant cellulose into useful biofuel. In addition, one good place
to look might be the microorganisms and fungi that already do a similar
job in nature.

If we can find and identify microorganisms that produce cellulose-

degrading enzymes as a normal part of their makeup, the process of
turning plant matter into fuel may be simplified and made more
affordable.

That is why Masdar Institute, through funding from the Sustainable

Bioenergy Research Consortium, is working to identify novel biomass-
deconstructing enzymes in microorganisms native to the UAE that are
suitable for biofuel production from local species of salt-tolerant
plants.

These biofuels can be used in place of many forms of fossil fuels to

help Abu Dhabi reach its goals for sustainability through the production
of clean fuels. With the global biofuel market expected to be worth
more than $180 billion by 2021, this project could also provide Abu
Dhabi with a valuable export product for its knowledge-economy.
BIOMASS ENERGY:
Biomass energy is energy generated or produced by living or once-living
organisms. The most common biomass materials used for energy are plants,
such as corn and soy, above. The energy from these organisms can be
burned to create heat or converted into electricity. The reality is
that biomass may be renewable, but it is not environmentally friendly. ...
Methane emissions from livestock are not allowed to be tracked, toxic
chemicals from fracking are exempted from the Clean Water Act,
and biomass plants can emit 2.5 times as much CO2 as other energy sources.

There is a wide biomass spectrum in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Twenty-three different biomass and fractions local to the UAE including
lignocelluloses (date palm, Moringa peregrine, mangroves, and garden
trimmings), halophytes (Salicornia sinus-persica, Salicornia bigelovii,
Halodule uninervis, Halophila ovalis, and Halophila stipulacea), macroalgae
(Ulva Sp, Padina boergesenii, and Colppmenia sinuosa), and wastes
(municipal and manures) were analyzed for bioenergy potential. Bioethanol
potential of studied biomass is ranging from 55 to 359 kg ethanol/ton dry
biomass.

The biomethane potential is ranging from 72 to 288 L CH4 / kg VS

biomass. The analysis shows that lignocelluloses biomass tends to give the
highest bioethanol potential. Macroalgae (P. boergesenii) offers the least
bioethanol potential compared with others, while washed Salicornia
bigelovii, lignocellulosic garden trimmings, and camel manure is best suited
for biomethane production. Significant variations in bioethanol and
biomethane potential are noticed between different biomass fractions.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY:
Geothermal energy is heat derived within the sub-surface of the earth. Water
and/or steam carry the geothermal energy to the Earth's surface. Depending
on its characteristics, geothermal energy can be used for heating and cooling
purposes or be harnessed to generate clean electricity.

Experts say geothermal energy is cleaner, more efficient, and more cost-

effective than burning fossil fuels, and it can reduce our dependence on
foreign oil. ... Geothermal plants are also considered to be more reliable than
coal or nuclear plants because they can run consistently, 24 hours a day, 365
days a year.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) is considering utilizing

geothermal energy to power desalination plants. Having led the pack on
solar power development, the city of Dubai is on the chase for other sources
of renewable energy it can make utilization of, for example, the oceans of
the Gulf of Oman and the steam from the earth.

Dewa is asking for proposals for a feasibility study on an early-stage on

delivering electrical power from geothermal energy and its utilization in
desalination – expelling salt from water to make it consumable.

For the first time in U.A.E, the other focus area for the study will be too,
assess the potential for tidal, ocean, and wave currents as a resource for
power generation.

Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy incorporates the goal by the year 20150 is to
create 75 percent of its power supply from clean energy sources.
Geothermal energy from underneath the Earth’s surface, the heat that makes
hot springs, should be at temperatures of more than 200°C to be a prime
contender for power generation. The UAE’s temperatures are much lower
than this, making geothermal more appropriate for applications, for
example, desalination as opposed to power generation, as told by experts.

Vice President for research Mr. Steve Griffiths of Abu Dhabi’s Masdar
Institute, which has been considering the potential for geothermal in the
UAE, said that utilizing this sort of energy for desalination was the most
feasible choice, as the GCC’s resources on geothermal were appropriate for
low-temperature applications, averaging around 100°C.
HYDROPOWER:
Hydropower or waterpower (from Greek: ὕδωρ, "water") is power derived
from the energy of falling or fast-running water, which may be harnessed for
useful purposes.

A hydraulic turbine converts the energy of flowing water into

mechanical energy. A hydroelectric generator converts this
mechanical energy into electricity. The operation of a generator is based on
the principles discovered by Faraday.

Hydropower has the ability to generate electricity without emitting

greenhouse gasses. However, it can also cause environmental and social
threats, such as damaged wildlife habitat, harmed water quality, obstructed
fish migration, and diminished recreational benefits of rivers.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) are building the GCC's
first hydroelectric power plant in Hatta. The 250-megawatt project at Hatta,
134 km east of Dubai straddling the Hajar Mountains bordering Oman, will
use water resources from an existing 1,716 million-gallon capacity dam.

The UAE government is conducting preliminary studies to build a

hydroelectric plant in Ras Al Khaimah to expand its source of future
renewable energy, the top executive of the Federal Electricity and Water
Authority (Fewa).

The hydroelectric plant is also expected to address the growing energy

demand and ensure sustainable growth for the country's economy. While the
UAE has tapped solar, wind, and nuclear sources in its ambitious renewable
strategies to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel, hydroelectricity - which
accounts for around 70 percent of global renewable energy - is yet to be
introduced, mainly because of the country's sparse water supply.

The UAE, however, has an integrated water resources management to

address serious problems that might occur and affect the future supply of
water.

According to government records, there are around 66 dams constructed in

the country with a total capacity of about 114 million cubic meters. The
largest volume of water accumulation is at the Ham dam in Fujairah, which
is about 7.7 million cubic meters and the lowest in the Gulf dam. Dams are
concentrated in the eastern and northern parts of the UAE - in Fujairah and
Ras Al Khaimah - where the rainfall is high compared with other parts of the
country.
WAVE ENERGY:
Wave energy (or wave power) is the transport and capture of energy by
ocean surface waves. The energy captured is then used for all different kinds
of useful work, including electricity generation, water desalination, and
pumping of water.

The Environmental Impact of Wave Energy. These

renewable energy sources are also important because they reduce our
dependence on carbon-based fossil fuels, enhance the energy efficiency, and
reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Wave power is reliable, produces no greenhouse gases, and reduces our

dependence on fossil fuels. Wave power devices absorb energy from waves,
converting it to electricity. On-shore generators usually consist of a partially
submerged shell, where seawater is free to enter and leave as
the waves travel.

Wave energy has the advantage that there is no specific need for tidal basins
or another specific geography of the landscape. In addition, the energy
contained in waves can be overtime a factor larger than tidal energy, and
since there are no dimensional restrictions it is possible to install wave
energy devices over large coastal stretches. Wave energy can be won by
systems based on the change in water height between the wave crest and
trough, or by oscillations of the wave. In UAE, typically waves during
Shamal (northwesterly) winds, which blow along the Gulf, have periods of
7-8 s and a height ranging from 1 to 2 m.
For marine wave energy conditions, this can be good condition. Often the
largest drawback of wave energy generation systems is that they under storm
and high waves, the systems become damaged or get destroyed. The
relatively mild wave climate might be an advantage to the possibility of
wave energy 'farms' in the Gulf.

It has to be noticed that so far, wave energy is not yet commercially viable,
especially with relatively low energy prices in UAE. Although this might
currently be the case, ongoing business development in this field might
lower the costs.
TIDAL ENERGY:
Tidal power or tidal energy converts the energy obtained from tides into
useful forms of power, mainly electricity. Although not yet widely used,
tidal energy has the potential for future electricity generation. Tides are
more predictable than the wind and the sun. Tidal generators (or turbines)
work like wind turbines, except it is ocean currents, not wind, that turns
them. The spinning turbine is connected to another device that
produces electricity. The electricity then travels through wires to a city
where people need it.

Tidal energy is a renewable source of electricity, which does not result in the
emission of gases responsible for global warming, or acid rain associated
with fossil fuel-generated electricity. The use of tidal energy could also
decrease the need for nuclear power, with its associated radiation risks. Tidal
energy as compared to solar or wind energy generators is much more
efficient. In addition, it has not much effect on the environment as compared
to fossil fuels. Yet, tidal power has not been introduced in the UAE.
However, few students have introduced it on a smaller note but it might take
some time to bring it on to a large scale.
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM
(OTEC):
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a process that can produce
electricity by using the temperature difference between deep cold ocean
water and warm tropical surface waters. OTEC plants pump large quantities
of deep cold seawater and surface seawater to run a power cycle and
produce electricity.

Ocean thermal energy conversion produces energy from temperature

differences in ocean waters. ... Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)
systems use a temperature difference (of at least 77° Fahrenheit) to power a
turbine to produce electricity. Warm surface water is pumped through an
evaporator containing a working fluid.

Two of the biggest advantages of OTEC are that it produces clean

environmentally friendly renewable energy and, unlike solar plants that can't
work at night and wind turbines which only work when it is windy, OTEC
can produce energy at all times.

Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) has the highest potential in

comparison with all ocean energy technologies.

There are around 98 nations and territories have identified that they have
viable OTEC resources in their exclusive economic zones. OTEC
technologies operate based on the temperature difference between the
surface of the ocean (warm seawater), and deep-sea water (cold seawater)
which is commonly at between 800–1,000 m depth to produce electricity.
The warm seawater is used to produce a vapor which is the working fluid
that would drive turbines. The cold water is used to condense the vapor and
ensure the vapor pressure difference drives the turbine. OTEC technologies
are distinguished by the working fluids that can be used. The working fluid
in the open cycle uses seawater. However, a closed cycle, the working fluid
is mostly ammonia.

Only OTEC plants up to 1 MW have been deployed due to the technical

challenges and barriers such as the size of the water pipes that should be
deployed in large-scale OTEC plants. For example, a 100 MW OTEC plant
needs cold water pipes of 10 m diameter or more and a length reaches up to
1,000 m.
CONCLUSION AND SUMMARY
The UAE is making great strides towards the creation of infrastructure for
sustainable development, where the country has turned in recent years into a
global center for the development of many of these foundations, in particular
sources of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power.

The UAE's approach was not confined to the import of technology and
generating oil revenues, as was the case 50 years ago when oil was
discovered and exported in commercial quantities. But, the UAE has
become a key partner in all phases of production and development through
huge investments and the advanced scientific and research centers, such as
the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Arena) in
Abu Dhabi and Masdar City, which plays an important role in training and
development of highly qualified people to work in this area, in addition to its
investments in renewable energy.

Furthermore, the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, World Future Energy

Summit, Abu Dhabi International Water Summit and the Abu Dhabi
International Renewable Energy Conference, which all became annual
global extravaganzas hosted by Abu Dhabi in the presence of global leaders,
scientists and researchers from 150 countries.

The 2013 Future Energy Summit was attended by many world leaders,
including French President Francois Hollande, and where General Shaikh
Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy
Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said in his speech that "the
UAE has provided the world with energy since half a century ago and is
committed to its responsibilities as an effective member of the international
community. We are working to ensure energy, water, and food security to
achieve sustainable development and provide a decent life for present and
future generations."

He said, “Abu Dhabi offers a global platform for cooperation and strategic
partnerships in order to find practical solutions to these challenges.”

Referring to the immense efforts made by the UAE in laying the foundation
and infrastructure for sustainable development, Hollande referred to efforts
that can be made in investing in renewable energy.

He said: “We can act together to create this world of renewable energy. It is
an architectural challenge, an urban challenge, and an economic challenge. It
is our economic duty to promote these kinds of energies like the ones we are
promoting today, and we are obliged to make our planet livable for the next
generation. We can see the demonstration of this here in the UAE.”

The issue was not limited to the talk about it, as a number of practical steps
have been taken to reinforce Abu Dhabi's position as a capital of renewable
energy. To this effect, Masdar and France signed a joint declaration to
cooperate on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, which means the
development of new technologies in the renewable energy sector, exchange
of expertise, and conduct of joint researches.

On the sidelines of the summit, it was announced several projects to boost

infrastructure for sustainable development. Among these was the
announcement of a national work plan for implementing the UAE’s
strategies for green growth to be completed by next September.
Since the concept of sustainable development involves economic and
environmental aspects that are directly related to people's lives and the
future of present and next generations, there have been some studies on
environment and renewable energy studies, including greenhouses and the
importance of breakwater at Port Khalifa, in securing a sustainable system
for sea creatures, which constitute the main food source in the Gulf region
and the world at large.

Due to the status of companies participating in the energy summit, the

promotion of modern technologies in the field of sustainable development
and renewable energy was a highlight of the summit. The giant General
Electric, for example, showcased its advanced concentrated solar panels and
gas-powered engines, among other new innovations in the field of
environmental preservation, which constitutes the cornerstone of sustainable
development.

Swiss companies showcased environmentally friendly multi-use products,

while the Abu Dhabi Electricity and Water Authority exhibited several clean
energy projects, while the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority announced
the implementation of sustainable energy projects, and Sharjah is
implementing environmentally-friendly tourism projects worth Dh 4 billion.

Briefly, the contribution and cooperation of different countries within the

scope of Arena in laying down foundations for sustainable development is
clearly manifested through joint projects — most notably the London Array
project between the UAE and Britain, which was inaugurated by Shaikh
Mohammad as the world’s largest offshore wind farm and the largest project
in the renewable energy sector.
This obviously reflects the important position the UAE occupies in the
development of infrastructure for sustainable development, not only in the
UAE but also in various countries, including the developed countries, such
as Britain, France, and Spain.

It seems that infrastructure for sustainable development is about to be

completed in the UAE through focusing on investment in renewable energy
and environment as well as on the development of new technologies and
qualified human capital capable of management and innovation. This is
besides supporting research and development centers and organization of
international conferences that offer an opportunity to the largest possible
number of countries to benefit from these potential efforts and possibilities.

Despite the UAE is a young country, it has all the potential to turn itself into
a model and a global hub for sustainable development and development of
clean energy sources. Apart from having the financial capacity needed for
the development of renewable energy sources, the UAE has the research and
scientific database for all topics related to sustainable development, which is
impressive for a new country, especially that many matters related to the
development of renewable energy sources pass through Abu Dhabi, which is
playing an increasingly important role at the global level.

All these developments are extremely important for the UAE's future in the
post-oil era, so as to ensure sustainable development and a stable life reliant
on renewable sources, protect the environment and natural resources and
provide inexhaustible sources of renewable energy, which are the most
important foundations for sustainable development.
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