Ahmed Bahri Al Muhairbi, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Energy in Dubai, has announced that clean energy currently constitutes 26% of the total energy mix in the emirate. He emphasised that this figure is set to rise to 36% by 2030 and reach an ambitious 100% by 2050.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park: A Premier Example
Speaking at the Global Summit on the Green Economy 2026, Al Muhairbi highlighted that the current production capacity of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park stands at 4,660 megawatts. This capacity is expected to exceed 8,000 megawatts by 2030. The solar park is recognised as a pioneering model, incorporating the latest in clean energy technologies including solar power, concentrated solar power techniques, artificial intelligence solutions, and energy storage systems. This makes it a replicable and beneficial model for worldwide application.
Facilitating the Transition to a Green Economy
Al Muhairbi pointed out that the Global Summit on the Green Economy aims to accelerate the transition towards a greener economy. He attributed Dubai’s success in expanding renewable energy projects to the existing supportive legislative and regulatory frameworks, along with the crucial role played by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and visionary leadership in driving the shift towards a more sustainable economy.
Declining Solar Energy Costs and Economic Benefits
The Secretary General noted that the cost of solar energy has significantly declined, dropping from approximately 5.5 cents per kilowatt-hour to around 1.62 cents per kilowatt-hour according to the latest figures. He believes this positive trend will reflect in the prices available in the emirate. Furthermore, the collaboration between the public and private sectors has resulted in savings of around 50 billion dirhams for Dubai. Al Muhairbi explained that the green economy extends beyond merely financing energy projects; its impact permeates the entire economy of the emirate.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
Regarding the role of artificial intelligence, Al Muhairbi stated that it has become a key enabler in attracting technology and transforming projects into successful ventures. AI is instrumental in supporting and accelerating the transition to a green economy. He stressed that the expansion of AI applications will increase the demand for energy to support these technologies, necessitating energy complexes capable of meeting such needs. He concluded by noting that energy must not only be sustainable but also flexible, highlighting that clean energy has demonstrated its ability to provide the necessary adaptability to meet national energy requirements.