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.[http://www.transparency.org/content/download/59374/951162/TI_PRT_2012_report_FINAL_EN.pdf 2011 report on oil and gas companies, Promoting revenue Transparency]{{dead link|date=April 2017}} Transparency International 2011 p.113-114, 116 Primary energy usage in 2009 in the UAE was 693 TWh and 151 TWh per million persons.[http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2011/key_world_energy_stats.pdf IEA Key energy statistics 2011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027013037/http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2011/key_world_energy_stats.pdf |date=2011-10-27 }} Page: Country specific indicator numbers from page 48

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

! Population million ! Prim. energy TWh ! Production TWh ! Export TWh ! Electricity TWh ! CO₂-emission Mt
class="wikitable" style="text-align:right" \|+ Energy in the United Arab EmiratesIEA Key World Energy Statistics [http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyWorld_Statistics_2015.pdf 2015] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040322/http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyWorld_Statistics_2015.pdf \|date=2016-03-04 }}, [http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/keyworld2014.pdf 2014 (2012R as in November 2015] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405035039/http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/keyworld2014.pdf \|date=2015-04-05 }} + 2012 as in March 2014 is comparable to previous years statistical calculation criteria, [http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyWorld2013.pdf 2013], {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902105825/http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/KeyWorld2013.pdf \|date=2014-09-02 }} [http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/kwes.pdf 2012], {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309143010/http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/kwes.pdf \|date=2013-03-09 }} [http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2011/key_world_energy_stats.pdf 2011], {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027013037/http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2011/key_world_energy_stats.pdf \|date=2011-10-27 }} [http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2010/key_stats_2010.pdf 2010], {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011091637/http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2010/key_stats_2010.pdf \|date=2010-10-11 }} [http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2009/key2009.pdf 2009] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007042901/http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2009/key2009.pdf# \|date=2013-10-07 }}, [http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2006/key2006.pdf 2006] {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012043312/http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2006/key2006.pdf \|date=2009-10-12 }} IEA October, crude oil p.11, coal p. 13 gas p. 15
align="left" \| 2004	4.32	510	1,907	1,273	49.0	103
align="left" \| 2007	4.37	601	2,074	1,267	70.5	131
align="left" \| 2008	4.48	680	2,100	1,196	75.8	147
align="left" \| 2009	4.60	693	1,963	1,084	79.5	147
align="left" \| 2010	7.51	723	2,050	1,129	83.0	154
align="left" \| 2012	7.89	769	2,211	1,246	83.8	166
align="left" \| 2012R	9.21	785	2,260	1,252	93.7	171
align="left" \| 2013	9.35	809	2,345	1,316	98.6	168
align="left" \| Change 2004-10	73.8%	41.8%	7.5%	11.3%	69.5%	49.4%
align="left" colspan=7 \| Mtoe = 11.63 TWh, Prim. energy includes energy losses 2012R = CO₂ calculation criteria changed, numbers updated

Oil production

File:Map-of-countries-by-proven-oil-reserves-(in-millions-of-barrels)---2017---US-EIA---Jo-Di-graphics.jpg 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.

UAE was 4th top crude oil net exporter (108 Mt in 2008) and 10th top crude oil producers (120 Mt in 2009).IEA Key statistics 2010

Gas production

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.

Solar

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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/dubai-ruler-wants-solar-panels-on-every-roof-by-2030|title = Dubai Ruler wants solar panels on every roof by 2030|date = 29 November 2015}} The country, however, generated only 3,8% electricity from solar in 2020, reaching the target three years late.{{cite news |date=2024 |title=Share of electricity production from solar: United Arab Emirates |url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-electricity-solar?tab=chart&country=~ARE |access-date=2024-10-05 |publisher=Our World in Data |page=}}

Nuclear

The UAE is installing nuclear power plants to meet its electricity needs.{{cite web |url= http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/UAE_nuclear_power_inf123.html |title= Nuclear Power in the United Arab Emirates |date= January 2011 |work= Country Briefings |publisher= World Nuclear Association (WNA) |access-date= 2011-03-22 |archive-date= 2013-02-24 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130224134859/http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/UAE_nuclear_power_inf123.html |url-status= dead }} It has signed an agreement with the U.S. on nuclear cooperation,{{cite web |url= http://www.uae-embassy.org/uae/energy/nuclear-energy |title= US-UAE 123 Agreement |access-date= 5 May 2010 |archive-date= 8 December 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151208001708/http://www.uae-embassy.org/uae/energy/nuclear-energy |url-status= dead }} and is also a signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.{{cite web |url=http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/UAE_nuclear_power_inf123.html |title=UAE NPT Signatory |access-date=5 May 2010 |archive-date=24 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224134859/http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/UAE_nuclear_power_inf123.html |url-status=dead }} 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,{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/science/updated-maps-of-dubai-and-abu-dhabi-are-now-ready-for-your-viewing-1.72975254|title = Updated maps of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are now ready for your viewing}} and as of September 2021, unit 2 is operational. Unit 3 became operational in February 2023.

Climate change

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.[https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2011/jan/31/world-carbon-dioxide-emissions-country-data-Co2 World carbon dioxide emissions data by country: China speeds ahead of the rest] Guardian 31 January 2011 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.[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/apr/21/countries-responsible-climate-change?intcmp=122 Which nations are most responsible for climate change?] Guardian 21 April 2011 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 {{convert|880000000|usgal|m3|order=flip}} of water and 300 meter above a lower dam.{{cite web|url= https://electrek.co/2016/12/23/dubai-to-build-persian-gulfs-first-hydroelectric-plant-880-million-gallon-battery/ |title=Dubai to build Persian Gulf's first hydroelectric plant, 880 million gallon 'battery'|date=23 December 2016|work=Electrek |access-date=24 December 2016}}

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/UAEs-clean-energy-goals-are-not-limited-to-solar-s |title=UAE's clean energy goals are not limited to solar, says energy minister |publisher=World Nuclear News |date=23 September 2020 |access-date=27 September 2020}}

The UAE intends to introduce electrification into the vehicle park. By 2030, the UAE wants to have 40.000 electric cars on its roads.{{Cite web|last=electric|first=Hamdan bin Saeed / 2nd January 2020 / Leave a comment /|date=2020-01-02|title=Electric car incentives in United Arab Emirates (2021)|url=https://egear.ae/incentives/|access-date=2021-02-28|website=eGear.ae|language=en-GB}} As of September 2020, there were only 1.900 electric cars registered in the UAE.{{Cite web|last=electric|first=Hamdan bin Saeed / 30th September 2020 / Leave a comment /|date=2020-09-30|title=How many electric cars are there in the United Arab Emirates?|url=https://egear.ae/number-of-electric-cars/|access-date=2021-02-28|website=eGear.ae|language=en-GB}}

In February 2024, British firm Hycap opened offices in Abu Dhabi, UAE, planning a hydrogen-focused complex in the region.{{cite web |title=UK's Hycap Group collaborate to set-up hydrogen-focused industrial complex in Abu Dhabi |url=https://gulfnews.com/business/markets/added-uks-hycap-group-collaborate-to-set-up-hydrogen-focused-industrial-complex-in-abu-dhabi-1.100863984 |publisher=Gulf News |date=February 5, 2024}}