Urbanization and economic diversification will drive energy demand in the UAE – News

Energy demand in the UAE is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades, driven by urbanization, economic diversification and the UAE’s ambition to become a global leader in sustainable energy, an industry expert said.

The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation by 70 percent while increasing the contribution of clean energy. “As electricity demand continues to grow, there is an urgent need to deploy advanced network infrastructure that supports both conventional and renewable energy sources,” Dr. Mostafa Al Gezeri, Hitachi Energy’s managing director for the Persian region, told Khaleej Times. Gulf and Maghreb.

Rising global temperatures significantly increase global electricity demand, especially for cooling systems such as air conditioning. Demand for cooling energy could triple by 2050 due to climate change, with the Middle East, including the UAE, among the hardest hit regions, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). In the UAE, demand for electricity increases sharply during the summer months due to extreme heat, putting enormous strain on the power grid. “At Hitachi Energy, we believe that electricity will become the backbone of the entire energy system. Together with stakeholders from different sectors and regions, we are driving the digital transformation needed to accelerate the energy transition to a carbon-neutral future,” said AlGuezeri.

Hitachi Energy’s Gulf Interconnection Project, which interconnects the power grids of Gulf countries, has improved energy security by allowing electricity to be distributed across borders, reducing dependence on individual national grids.

Dr. Mostafa Al Gezeri, Managing Director, GCC and Maghreb, Hitachi Energy

Reducing the load on electric power systems requires a multifaceted approach, AlGuezeri noted. “Firstly, it is necessary to improve energy efficiency on both the demand and consumption sides. This can be achieved by adopting solutions that increase network flexibility and solutions that help manage demand-side loads more dynamically. Secondly, it is critical to integrate renewable energy sources into the energy mix. In the UAE, solar energy offers significant potential to offset high daytime electricity demand. Hitachi Energy supports these efforts with digital grid management solutions, power electronics and advanced control systems that help stabilize the grid during fluctuating renewable energy supplies,” said AlGuezeri.

The outlook for renewable energy in the UAE is very favorable, with investments planned in renewable energy projects such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, one of the world’s largest solar energy facilities. By 2050, the UAE aims to generate 50 percent of its electricity from clean energy sources. “We at Hitachi Energy are proud to play our part in achieving this ambitious goal. Our grid edge solutions and digital substation technologies help more effectively integrate renewable energy into the national grid. As the UAE transitions to a sustainable energy future, we are committed to being a key partner. Together with customers and partners, we are delivering a sustainable energy future for everyone by ensuring that electricity is at the core of the entire energy system,” said AlGuezeri.

Somshankar Bandyopadhyay

Somshankar Bandyopadhyay is a news editor with nearly three decades of experience. He currently heads the business section, ensuring that the day’s top economic and business news reaches readers.