Development of Renewable Energy Sources in UAE

Energy is the dynamic indicator of the developmental level of countries. Countries are currently at acceleration in economic growth. Energy has been a key factor especially on the issue of renewable energy versus the crude oil use in fueling these economies. Renewable energy sources are being used all over the world since 200 BC . Renewable energy, sources show significant promise in helping to reduce the amount of toxins that are by-products of energy use. Not only do they protect against harmful by-products, but using alternative energy helps to preserve many of the natural resources that we currently use as sources of energy .They help to save the energy, the cost and above all the environment. Some of the main forms of renewable energy sources include: bio fuels, geothermal power, solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric power, and nuclear energy.

     The UAE is the first hydrocarbon country in the world to begin investing in renewable energy. Abu Dhabi, the leading monarchy of the United Arab Emirates, has arguably been the most successful policy in the Gulf region in seizing the opportunities brought about by the rise of climate change on the international agenda. MASDAR City, a subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company initiative, in Abu Dhabi, is an emerging clean-technology cluster located in what aims to be one of the World's most sustainable cities. Masdar is committed to the optimum use of natural and human resources so that Abu Dhabi can develop into a global center of excellence for renewable energy research, development, and innovation.  Masdar City seeks to become a global center for innovation, research, product development and light manufacturing in the fields of renewable energy and sustainable technologies. U.A.E, despite its vast fossil-fuel reserves, has opted for a proactive domestic approach to the challenge. Due to its efforts and support to renewable energy, Abu Dhabi in the UAE was chosen to be the Headquarters for The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) winning a tight race with Germany. Located in a hot tropical land, the UAE receives plenty of sunlight all year. Which creates an opportunity for establishing the solar energy. As it could be used as running energy for vehicles, street lights, traffic signals etc.

Understanding these opportunities, the United Arab Emirates have made the solar energy useful in providing energy for parking ticket wending machine, street lights, air conditioned bus stops in Dubai and cars running on solar power. By 2020, the aim is for 7% of Abu Dhabi’s energy will come from renewable energy. While these domestic developments undoubtedly have been influenced by wider changes taking place in the UAE’s external environment, especially in the energy sphere. Evidently, Masdar, the nuclear program, and the IRENA headquarters are all geared to some of the most momentous of domestic challenges: economic diversification and job creation for the growing population in U.A.E.

With the rise of climate change on the international policy, oil producers have been forced to admit that a gradual, long-term shift in global energy sources towards a decarbonised energy economy is needed. Renewable energy technologies have emerged as an attractive option for the U.A.E, facilitating economic diversification and reducing its long-term dependence on oil revenues. Not only can solar energy supplement domestic supply; investing in related technologies will attract foreign franchise and international know-how to the country. If coupled with successful human-resources management policies, this would also gradually build up a local knowledge economy. Furthermore, projects with associated emission reductions would also be potential sources of external rent through sales of carbon credits. With the decarbonisation of oil production seen as imperative in the longer term, investing in carbon capture and storage technologies from their early stages therefore appears a wise choice. Also, Masdar ‘s well-built concept, have already served to raise the United Arab Emirates’ international prestige, while also contributing to consolidating the ruling elite’s domestic legitimacy. Nevertheless, only time will prove whether U.A.E is able to overcome the challenges of climate change by successfully implementing these ambitious goals. However, the UAE has been repeatedly ranked by the World Wildlife Fund as the country with the world’s largest per capita ecological footprint.