Solar Power
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid recently unveiled Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050, and there is a notable renewable energy target: Mandatory use of rooftop solar power by 2030.
“Through this strategy, which is based on innovation, research and development, we aim to explore the future of the energy sector to unveil initiatives that will make use of the scientific and technological developments in this sector and take the lead in their development and application,” said Shaikh Mohammad in a release.
This announcement complements the country’s goal of generating 75% of the city’s energy via solar power by 2050. Ultimately, by 2030, the country hopes to reach 25% of this goal.
In order to accomplish this notable feat, the country is dedicating $27 billion to create the Dubai Green Fund, which will provide low-interest financing for clean energy. Parallel to this initiative, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park project has also been increased to 5,000 MW for 2030.
Sustainable Future
Most of Dubai’s electricity is generated by burning natural gas. “The strategy we are launching today will shape the energy sector over the next three decades. Our goal is to become the city with the smallest carbon footprint in the world by 2050,” says Sheikh Mohammed.
This exceptional vision for clean energy sets a benchmark for countries around the world in terms of how nations can approach a large-scale yet feasible renewable energy goal, especially given Dubai’s incredible solar resource.
To date, the UAE is a major oil producing country. In fact, it has the second-largest oil reserves in the world, and in 2009, the UAE reported higher per capita carbon dioxide emissions (40.31 tons per capita) than all but five other countries in the world.
In recent years, the UAE has begun promoting large-scale adoption of solar power to reduce its carbon footprint, and this most recent development continues in this vein.
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