UAE’s Undersecretary Takes the Lead in Driving Clean Energy Transformation

His Excellency Eng Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), made a significant impact at the Solar and Clean Energy Conference during the World Future Energy Summit 2024 in Abu Dhabi. In his opening speech, he emphasized the urgent need for a sustainable energy transition on a global scale, stressing the importance of collaboration.

Eng Al Olama highlighted the imperative of driving economies forward while reducing emissions and ensuring energy security. He called for accelerated momentum, especially in addressing energy poverty in developing regions, emphasizing that providing access to energy is not only a matter of equity but also essential for collective prosperity and sustainability.

Proudly showcasing the UAE’s leading role in the energy transition, Eng Al Olama revealed that the country has invested over AED 600 billion in local clean energy initiatives and is on track to achieve a clean energy capacity of 19.8 GW by 2030. The UAE is already home to some of the world’s largest and most cost-effective solar plants, with plans to triple its renewables capacity by 2030 in alignment with COP28 directives.

Furthermore, Eng Al Olama discussed the UAE’s investments in nuclear energy, clean hydrogen technologies, and carbon capture facilities to mitigate emissions. He announced the UAE’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, with an additional investment of US$50 billion in clean energy ventures domestically and internationally. The Undersecretary’s vision and leadership set a clear agenda for clean energy transformation, positioning the UAE as a global leader in sustainable energy initiatives.