The UAE should increase its solar PV capacity six-fold to 7.3GW by 2030, according to a new report by Emirates Hydro. In its Statement of Future Capacity Needs 2023-2029: Summary Report, EWEC recommended that the UAE add 4.1GW of solar PV capacity by 2029, including the 1.5GW Al Ajban project scheduled to come online in 2026. It also proposes to add a 300MW battery energy storage system to stabilize power distribution.

EWEC said the increased capacity was necessary due to increased electricity demand and increased supply chain insecurity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, and that solar PV additions were considered to provide significant system cost and emissions reduction benefits.

The report said that the UAE's total electricity demand will grow by about 30% to about 21.6GW by 2029. It suggests that to meet demand, around one-third of new capacity additions from 2026 should be solar PV. It also recommends expanding or reconfiguring thermal power plants to meet demand and developing two reverse osmosis desalination plants to ensure continuous water supply to the country.

Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, said: "Our summary report on future capacity needs demonstrates EWEC's commitment to advancing the UAE's energy transition while continuing to ensure a safe and reliable supply of hydropower in the UAE.

This report provides a strong key reference outlining the future needs of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Our growing portfolio of renewable and clean energy projects is accelerating the decarbonization of the country's energy sector in line with the UAE's strategic initiative for net zero emissions by 2050, while supporting the achievement of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy's 2035 clean energy goals.

In November, Abu Dhabi Ports Group began exploring potential distributed solar opportunities with a subsidiary of TotalEnergies. Abu Dhabi and the UAE more broadly are home to some of the largest photovoltaic plants in the world, such as the 800-megawatt Khalifa Industrial Zone installation that will power a green ammonia plant and Dubai's huge Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park.Editor/XingWentao