• Home
• /
• Opinion

UAE investing in green innovation

Renewable energy is the way to go for the UAE as it diversifies it economy and promotes innovation. It also saves on costs and cuts pollution in the long term. The country hosts the International Renewable Energy Agency headquarters and is leading the way by framing policies for a sustainable future.
The UAE's focus on renewable energy opens the doors to innovation and new ideas, a pet project of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who is keen on creating a knowledge economy. Research and development will be central to this new vision which will move away from oil.
Innovative developments are already underway in Masdar City, which has even taken the solar revolution to Mauritania.
Other projects like Al Shams and Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park are expected to meet the country's growing energy needs when they become operational in a couple of years. This will cut reliance on fossil fuels. By 2030, the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park could produce 3,000 megawatts of power.
The second phase of the project has taken off and more than 2.3 million solar photovoltaic panels will be installed during the phase.
It will produce enough power to light up 30,000 homes. But how do you keep costs low with the price of oil nosediving in recent weeks?
This can be achieved by investing more in renewable energy projects. By 2021, the UAE hopes 24 per cent of its energy would come from green sources.
"Achieving sustainable development and meeting the world's growing demand for energy cannot be met by one source alone,'' said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar.
The country's leaders believe economic and energy diversification are important for sustainable development - an innovative process, which could save the world and help us live healthier lives.