United Arab Emirates: The UAE aims to triple renewable capacity to 14GW by 2030 while increasing oil production to 5 million barrels per day. Its diversified energy mix includes solar, nuclear, and gas with $55bn investment driving innovations to meet net zero goals by 2050.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is navigating a complex yet forward-thinking energy strategy that seeks to secure its position both as a global energy leader and a pioneer in sustainable development. Central to this vision is the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, initially launched in 2017 and regularly updated to reflect global energy trends and climate imperatives. This strategy embodies the UAE’s ambition to balance its role as a major oil producer with urgent commitments to renewable energy expansion and carbon emissions reduction.
The country aims to triple its renewable energy capacity to approximately 14 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, with solar power as the principal driver. Renewable sources are projected to form 44 percent of the total energy mix by 2050, accompanied by natural gas, clean coal, and nuclear energy in a diversified portfolio. This move is backed by substantial investments estimated between AED150 billion and AED200 billion (around $40-$55 billion), targeting solar projects like the Noor Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra, and Al Ajban solar plants, as well as the development of nuclear power via the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, the first in the Arab world. The nuclear sector alone is expected to contribute about 6 percent of the energy mix by mid-century.
The UAE is simultaneously expanding its traditional oil and gas production to maintain economic stability and energy security, reflecting a pragmatic dual-energy approach. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has charted an ambitious expansion plan, aiming to increase crude oil production capacity from 4 million barrels per day (bpd) to 5 million bpd by 2030. Parallel to upstream expansion, ADNOC is also investing $15 billion in low-carbon technologies, including carbon capture and storage (CCS), electrification of operations, and energy efficiency improvements—all central to its Net Zero by 2050 pledge and a target to cut carbon intensity by 25 percent by 2030.
Despite significant emphasis on renewables and decarbonisation, fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, continue to play a central role in the UAE’s energy equation. In 2023, natural gas accounted for roughly 72 percent of electricity generation, underpinning grid stability and complementing the intermittency of solar power. The development of the Hail and Ghasha offshore gas fields will enhance gas self-sufficiency, supporting domestic power demand and industrial growth. However, this growth in fossil fuel production poses challenges to climate goals, and experts caution the heavy reliance on CCS technologies—which are not yet proven at scale—should not delay the transition toward cleaner energy sources.
The UAE’s renewable energy progress has been remarkable; the country doubled its renewable capacity between 2019 and 2022, and by 2023, it reached 6.1 GW, marking a 70 percent growth year-on-year. The clean energy share in the total energy mix rose to 27.83 percent in 2023, approaching the interim target of 32 percent by 2030. This progress is accompanied by efforts to foster innovation, smart grid deployment, and private sector involvement, further solidifying the UAE as a regional renewable energy hub.
Moreover, the UAE is diversifying beyond solar and nuclear, investing in emerging technologies such as wind power—with its first 104 MW wind project launched in late 2023—and hydrogen, through its National Hydrogen Strategy 2050, which aims to position the UAE among the top global producers by 2031. The country also hosts the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and champions sustainability through initiatives like Masdar City, a model for sustainable urban development.
UAE leadership has made sustainability a national priority; His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared 2023 the “Year of Sustainability,” under the theme “Today for Tomorrow,” reinforcing a holistic approach that links energy policy with economic diversification and job creation in the clean energy sector, projected to create 50,000 jobs by 2030.
Looking ahead, the UAE faces the complex task of accelerating renewable deployment, phasing down fossil fuel dependency in power generation, and scaling up innovation and regulatory frameworks to meet its net zero ambitions by 2050. This balancing act between economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability places the UAE at the forefront of the global energy transition, exemplifying a nuanced model that other oil-producing nations might study.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://economymiddleeast.com/news/how-is-uae-balancing-oil-production-growth-with-renewable-energy-ambitions/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/strategies-plans-and-visions/environment-and-energy/uae-energy-strategy-2050 – The UAE Energy Strategy 2050, launched in 2017 and updated to align with global energy dynamics and climate commitments, aims to meet the country’s growing energy demand through a diversified mix balancing economic growth, environmental stewardship, and energy security. A key goal is to triple the contribution of renewable energy by 2030, investing between AED150 and AED200 billion in clean energy projects, targeting solar power, nuclear energy, and emerging clean technologies, with a target of 44% clean energy capacity by 2050. The strategy also seeks to reduce the carbon footprint of power generation by 70%, achieving a grid emission factor of 0.27 kg CO2 per kWh by 2030, and aligns with the UAE’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement.
- https://www.moei.gov.ae/en/media-center/news/15/9/2024/uaes-clean-energy-investments-exceed-aed45-billion-suhail-al-mazrouei – Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, announced that the UAE has made significant progress in increasing the contribution of clean energy to the total energy mix, reaching 27.83% in 2023, within the target of 32% by 2030. From 2019 to 2022, the UAE succeeded in doubling its renewable energy capacity as part of the UAE Energy Strategy to triple the installed capacity by 2030. In 2023, the UAE achieved a 70% growth in installed renewable energy capacity, reaching 6.1 GW, and improved its position in renewable energy competitive indicators, including a leap from sixth to second place in per capita energy consumption from renewable sources.
- https://www.adnoc.ae/en/news-and-media/press-releases/2023/adnoc-allocates-15-billion-to-low-carbon-solutions – The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced a $15 billion (AED55 billion) allocation for landmark decarbonization projects by 2030, including investments in clean power, carbon capture and storage (CCS), electrification of operations, energy efficiency, and measures to eliminate routine gas flaring. This strategic program supports ADNOC’s Net Zero by 2050 ambition and its goal to reduce carbon intensity by 25% by 2030, reflecting a commitment to responsible energy production and the global energy transition.
- https://www.enerdata.net/publications/daily-energy-news/uaes-energy-strategy-aims-triple-its-renewable-capacity-14-gw-2030.html – The UAE’s updated Energy Strategy 2050 aims to triple its renewable energy capacity to 14.2 GW by 2030, contributing to a target of 30% clean energy in the total energy mix by 2030. The strategy also seeks to achieve a grid emission factor of 0.27 kg CO2/kWh by 2030, aligning with the country’s commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. To meet energy demand and sustain economic growth, the UAE plans to invest AED150-200 billion (approximately $41-54 billion) by 2030, focusing on enhancing energy efficiency and promoting environmental sustainability.
- https://www.uae-embassy.org/discover-uae/climate-and-energy/uae-energy-diversification – The UAE is diversifying its energy sources to include solar, nuclear, carbon capture, wind, and hydrogen. It operates three of the world’s largest solar plants, including the Noor Abu Dhabi solar park, which reduces the UAE’s carbon footprint by 1 million metric tons per year. The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant provides 25% of the country’s total electricity needs. ADNOC is developing the largest carbon capture project in the Middle East and North Africa, aiming to store 1.5 million tons of carbon annually. The UAE launched its first wind power program in October 2023, a 104-megawatt project expected to power over 23,000 homes and displace 120,000 tons of CO2 per year. The National Hydrogen Strategy 2050 aims to enhance the UAE’s position as one of the largest producers of hydrogen by 2031.
- https://www.weforum.org/publications/fostering-effective-energy-transition-2023/in-full/united-arab-emirates/ – The UAE’s National Renewable Energy Strategy 2050, launched in 2017, aims to increase the share of renewables in the total energy mix to 50% by 2050. The country has made significant progress towards this target by investing heavily in renewable energy projects, including the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which currently generates 1.63 GW and offsets roughly 1.4 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, with plans to expand to 5 GW by 2030. ADNOC has also announced a $3.1 billion investment to explore and implement carbon capture and storage technology, seeking to capture 5 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2030.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative was published on 30 June 2025, with an update on 1 July 2025. The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 was launched in 2017 and updated in 2024. ([u.ae](https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/strategies-plans-and-visions/environment-and-energy/uae-energy-strategy-2050?utm_source=openai)) ADNOC’s $15 billion investment in low-carbon solutions was announced on 5 January 2023. ([adnoc.ae](https://www.adnoc.ae/en/news-and-media/press-releases/2023/adnoc-allocates-15-billion-to-low-carbon-solutions?utm_source=openai)) The report includes recent data, but some information may be recycled from earlier sources. The inclusion of updated data may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The narrative appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, if earlier versions show different figures, dates, or quotes, these discrepancies should be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from UAE officials and ADNOC representatives. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from the press release dated 5 January 2023. ([adnoc.ae](https://www.adnoc.ae/en/news-and-media/press-releases/2023/adnoc-allocates-15-billion-to-low-carbon-solutions?utm_source=openai)) If identical quotes appear in earlier material, this may indicate reused content. If quote wording varies, note the differences. If no online matches are found, raise the score but flag as potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from Economy Middle East, a publication that may not be widely recognised. The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and ADNOC’s $15 billion investment are well-documented in reputable sources. ([u.ae](https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/strategies-plans-and-visions/environment-and-energy/uae-energy-strategy-2050?utm_source=openai), [adnoc.ae](https://www.adnoc.ae/en/news-and-media/press-releases/2023/adnoc-allocates-15-billion-to-low-carbon-solutions?utm_source=openai)) However, the reliance on a single outlet with limited verification raises concerns about the reliability of the information.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims about the UAE’s energy strategy and ADNOC’s investments align with known initiatives. The UAE’s commitment to tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030 and investing between AED150 and AED200 billion is consistent with official statements. ([u.ae](https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/strategies-plans-and-visions/environment-and-energy/uae-energy-strategy-2050?utm_source=openai)) The report’s tone and language are consistent with official communications. However, the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets and the reliance on a single source raise concerns about the narrative’s credibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents information that aligns with known initiatives and includes recent data. However, it relies heavily on a single, less reputable source, and some content may be recycled from earlier press releases. The lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets and the potential reuse of content raise concerns about the narrative’s credibility.
