Abu Dhabi accelerates climate plans with bold power sector emissions target for 2035

Abu Dhabi is stepping up its climate ambitions, aiming to cut emissions intensity in its power sector by about 75% come 2035. The emirate is increasingly leaning into renewable energy, digital innovation, and tighter management of resources to get there.

Dr. Abdulla Humaid Saif Al Jarwan, who heads up the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, highlighted that environmental sustainability isn’t just a side policy anymore , it’s become central to long-term development. In a talk released to mark World Environment Day, he pointed out that climate pressures are mounting quickly and that the response needs to be well-rounded , better governance, smarter infrastructure, and more efficient use of both energy and water.

He mentioned that Abu Dhabi is managing these sectors through a cross-cutting framework that aims to keep services reliable but greener. Plus, he added, the emirate is trying to nurture a culture of responsible consumption, all whilst its economy continues to grow.

This new target fits within a larger strategy that’s been in the works for quite a few years now. As per earlier info from the Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 has a goal of producing 60% of its electricity from clean and renewable sources by that year, alongside a commitment to cut carbon emissions per megawatt-hour of power generated by 75%. The recent statement reaffirms those objectives but makes a more explicit link to overall climate and economic resilience.

Getting that 60% renewable electricity target is a joint effort between the Department of Energy and the Environment Agency , Abu Dhabi, under the emirate’s Climate Change Strategy. These agencies say the plan aims to cut total emissions by about 22% compared to 2016 figures, while also boosting resilience across sectors like energy, health, infrastructure, and the environment.

It’s quite a hefty transition for an economy that’s growing fast yet still relies on reliable and affordable utility services. Abu Dhabi claims to have already lowered carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 42.5 million metric tonnes since 2016, which is considered the baseline. Officials see this reduction as proof that good policy, investments, and regulation can push emissions down even as demand keeps rising.

The Department of Energy has also connected this 2035 power goal to its broader Abu Dhabi Energy Outlook 2050, a planning document released ahead of COP28 UAE. It lays out a few different pathways , one sticking close to current policies and others involving deeper technological shifts and quicker emissions reductions. The takeaway? Abu Dhabi will need ambitious policies on clean energy and new tech to stay on the path to net zero by 2050.

Lately, the department’s messaging seems to shift from treating these ambitions as distant dreams to recognising that it’s now more of an actual systems challenge. Mr. Al Jarwan stated that the authority is continually refining policies and regulations aimed at boosting resilience in both water and power sectors, all while supporting infrastructure built to handle the future. The goal, he explained, is to balance expansion with conservation and safeguard natural resources for future generations.

Another vital part of Abu Dhabi’s approach involves reducing demand. The Demand Side Management and Energy Rationalisation Strategy (or DSM 2030) aims to cut electricity use by 22% and water consumption by 32% by the year 2030. The department estimates this could save around 19 terawatt-hours of electricity and 485 million cubic metres of water , quite significant figures.

For policymakers and planners in the UAE’s utility sector, these numbers matter because they show a clear strategy of combining supply-side decarbonisation with efforts to cut back on consumption. The synergy reduces stress on the grid, trims costs, and means less need for building new capacity. Honestly, it’s pretty interesting , the cleanest unit of electricity is often the one that isn’t used in the first place.

Technology also gets a lot of emphasis. Mr. Al Jarwan pointed out that components like artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced digital tools are becoming more integral to sustainability. They can, in practice, boost operational efficiency and help make critical infrastructure more resilient. Think smarter monitoring, better forecasting, more adaptive management of water and electricity , those kinds of improvements.

Engineer Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, the under-secretary at the Department of Energy, added that the UAE continues to be quite active in global climate efforts. With the worsening effects of climate change, he argued, international cooperation is more urgent than ever, especially if we want to keep global temperature rise to 1.5°C. Progress, he believes, hinges on governments, industries, and communities all working together on efficiency, water security, and emissions reduction.

Meanwhile, Abdulaziz Mohamed Alhammadi, the department’s director-general for regulatory affairs, said that Abu Dhabi is advancing towards what he called one of the fastest and most sophisticated energy transitions in the region. The mix of nuclear power, renewables, and expanding solar capacity , he claimed , is helping bolster energy security while also fostering lower-carbon growth.

This approach demonstrates a model Abu Dhabi has championed for some time: a transition that doesn’t rely on just a single technology but instead employs a diverse portfolio combining various power sources, demand reduction measures, and regulatory reforms. For the UAE’s clean tech sector, the opportunities aren’t only about building more renewable generation but also about the software, controls, analytics, and operational systems that make entire networks smarter and more efficient.

The department’s message is pretty clear: Abu Dhabi isn’t just aiming to cut emissions. They want a power system that’s more adaptable, more efficient, and more resilient , all while supporting the ongoing growth of one of the Gulf’s most dynamic economies.