Energy in the United Arab Emirates

Energy in the United Arab Emirates describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE has 7% of global proved oil reserves, about 100 billion barrels.[1] Primary energy usage in 2009 in the UAE was 693 TWh and 151 TWh per million persons.[2]

The UAE is currently transitioning from an electricity generation system nearly 100% powered by gas power plants (2010) to 100% powered by solar, other renewables and nuclear in order to substantially reduce its carbon emissions. It is also rolling out electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Overview

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Energy in the United Arab Emirates[3]
Population
million 		Prim. energy
TWh 		Production
TWh 		Export
TWh 		Electricity
TWh 		CO2-emission
Mt
2004 4.32 510 1,907 1,273 49.0 103
2007 4.37 601 2,074 1,267 70.5 131
2008 4.48 680 2,100 1,196 75.8 147
2009 4.60 693 1,963 1,084 79.5 147
2010 7.51 723 2,050 1,129 83.0 154
2012 7.89 769 2,211 1,246 83.8 166
2012R 9.21 785 2,260 1,252 93.7 171
2013 9.35 809 2,345 1,316 98.6 168
Change 2004-10 73.8% 41.8% 7.5% 11.3% 69.5% 49.4%
Mtoe = 11.63 TWh, Prim. energy includes energy losses

2012R = CO2 calculation criteria changed, numbers updated

Oil production

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Main article: Oil reserves in the United Arab Emirates
A map of world oil reserves according to U.S. EIA, 2017

In June 2010 UAE had 6th top global proved oil reserves, about 100 billion barrels, behind Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait. The crude oil production of UAE was more than 4 and less than 5 million barrels daily.[1]

UAE was 4th top crude oil net exporter (108 Mt in 2008) and 10th top crude oil producers (120 Mt in 2009).[4]

Gas production

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UAE has 7th top global proved natural gas reserves, above 6 trillion cubic metres. The global gas production in 2009 was 3 trillion cubic meters.[1]

Solar

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Main article: Solar power in the United Arab Emirates

The UAE has massive solar generation potential, and its energy policy has shifted substantially due to the declining price of solar. The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy aimed to provide 7% of Dubai's energy from clean energy sources by 2020 and planned to increase this target to 25 per cent by 2030 and 75 per cent by 2050.[5] The country, however, generated only 3,8% electricity from solar in 2020, reaching the target three years late.[6]

Nuclear

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Main article: Nuclear power in the United Arab Emirates

The UAE is installing nuclear power plants to meet its electricity needs.[7] It has signed an agreement with the U.S. on nuclear cooperation,[8] and is also a signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.[9] As of October, 2022, three reactors (out of 4) in the Barakah nuclear power plant are finished, loaded with fuel, and operational. Once all 4 reactors are fully operational they will provide about 5600 MW, or about 25% of electricity energy in United Arab Emirates.

As of August 2020, unit 1 is operational,[10] and as of September 2021, unit 2 is operational. Unit 3 became operational in February 2023.

Climate change

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United Arab Emirates was 6th top carbon dioxide emitter per capita in the world in 2009: 40.31 tonnes per capita. Top countries were (tonnes/capita): Gibraltar 152, U.S. Virgin Islands 114, Qatar 80, Netherlands Antilles 51 and Bahrain 43.[11] All emissions from building and cement production are local but some people may argue that some United Arab Emirates produced fuels and/or goods are consumed abroad.[12] The UAE has begun acting aggressively to reduce its carbon emissions. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) plans a 250 MW pumped-storage hydroelectricity at Hatta using 3,300,000 cubic metres (880,000,000 US gal) of water and 300 meter above a lower dam.[13]

UAE is planning to generate half of its electrical energy by 2050 from solar and nuclear sources, targeting 44% renewables, 38% gas, 12% clean coal, and 6% nuclear energy sources.[14]

The UAE intends to introduce electrification into the vehicle park. By 2030, the UAE wants to have 40.000 electric cars on its roads.[15] As of September 2020, there were only 1.900 electric cars registered in the UAE.[16]

In February 2024, British firm Hycap opened offices in Abu Dhabi, UAE, planning a hydrogen-focused complex in the region.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c 2011 report on oil and gas companies, Promoting revenue Transparency[dead link‍] Transparency International 2011 p.113-114, 116
  2. ^ IEA Key energy statistics 2011 Archived 2011-10-27 at the Wayback Machine Page: Country specific indicator numbers from page 48
  3. ^ IEA Key World Energy Statistics 2015 Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, 2014 (2012R as in November 2015 Archived 2015-04-05 at the Wayback Machine + 2012 as in March 2014 is comparable to previous years statistical calculation criteria, 2013, Archived 2014-09-02 at the Wayback Machine 2012, Archived 2013-03-09 at the Wayback Machine 2011, Archived 2011-10-27 at the Wayback Machine 2010, Archived 2010-10-11 at the Wayback Machine 2009 Archived 2013-10-07 at the Wayback Machine, 2006 Archived 2009-10-12 at the Wayback Machine IEA October, crude oil p.11, coal p. 13 gas p. 15
  4. ^ IEA Key statistics 2010
  5. ^ "Dubai Ruler wants solar panels on every roof by 2030". 29 November 2015.
  6. ^ "Share of electricity production from solar: United Arab Emirates". Our World in Data. 2024. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  7. ^ "Nuclear Power in the United Arab Emirates". Country Briefings. World Nuclear Association (WNA). January 2011. Archived from the original on 2013-02-24. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  8. ^ "US-UAE 123 Agreement". Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  9. ^ "UAE NPT Signatory". Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  10. ^ "Updated maps of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are now ready for your viewing".
  11. ^ World carbon dioxide emissions data by country: China speeds ahead of the rest Guardian 31 January 2011
  12. ^ Which nations are most responsible for climate change? Guardian 21 April 2011
  13. ^ "Dubai to build Persian Gulf's first hydroelectric plant, 880 million gallon 'battery'". Electrek. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
  14. ^ "UAE's clean energy goals are not limited to solar, says energy minister". World Nuclear News. 23 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  15. ^ electric, Hamdan bin Saeed / 2nd January 2020 / Leave a comment / (2020-01-02). "Electric car incentives in United Arab Emirates (2021)". eGear.ae. Retrieved 2021-02-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ electric, Hamdan bin Saeed / 30th September 2020 / Leave a comment / (2020-09-30). "How many electric cars are there in the United Arab Emirates?". eGear.ae. Retrieved 2021-02-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ "UK's Hycap Group collaborate to set-up hydrogen-focused industrial complex in Abu Dhabi". Gulf News. February 5, 2024.
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