UAE ramps up drive on clean energy

At a time when the world is reeling under the damaging impact of climate change, the clamour for renewable or clean energy has grown louder than ever. Climate change, triggered by burning coal, oil and gas, is wreaking major havoc on countries across the planet. Whether it is floods in Pakistan, bush fires in California, or melting ice sheets in Antarctica, the scenario appears to be very gloomy and far from showing any sign of let-up.

To stem the adverse effects, countries are making efforts to boost clean energy. The UAE is also revving up the drive on this issue.

Last year, the nation announced the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, making the Emirates the first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) nation to do so. There are some other bodies that are focusing on renewable energy. The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) is adopting innovative policies to achieve its vision for a more sustainable future, Ahmed Al Rumaithi, Undersecretary of the DoE, said recently. He revealed that the DoE is currently working on developing the Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Policy and Regulatory Framework, including the Low Carbon Hydrogen Certification Regulatory Policy, technical standards, and licensing procedures.

With the emergence of hydrogen as a clean energy option, Abu Dhabi is relying on its resources and capabilities to form a national hydrogen strategy and become a leader in the international hydrogen market. Emerge, a joint venture between the UAE’s Masdar and France’s EDF, has signed an agreement with Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, to deploy on-site solar energy systems at the SeaWorld Abu Dhabi theme park currently under construction on Yas Island.

Sharjah too is pulling out all stops to boost a clean environment. His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated recently the Sharjah Waste to Energy plant, the first of its kind in the Middle East.

The plant is the first project of Emirates Waste to Energy, a joint venture established by BEEAH Energy, the renewable energy business of BEEAH Group, and Masdar, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies.

BEEAH Group has achieved a qualitative achievement in the Emirate of Sharjah by raising the diversion of waste away from landfills at a rate of 76 per cent, the highest in the Middle East, with the support of various recycling facilities that receive various types of waste.

A few days ago, the Netherlands-based firm Lightyear displayed one of its latest solar-electric cars, Lightyear 0, during a ceremony held at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP). The car is the world’s first long-range production-ready solar electric vehicle and was unveiled by Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SRTI Park.

Hussain Al Mahmoudi said, “This is a great day for SRTIP as we are the first in this part of the world to unveil this unique car that is making waves globally. Having Lightyear at the SRTI Park boosts the UAE’s position as a nation at the frontline of transition to sustainable mobility, and in doing so, contributes to combating climate change through innovative technologies.

“The UAE is already the world’s third largest producer of solar power, making it the perfect place to test and prove Lightyear’s solar extender solutions for EVs.”

The vehicle has a top speed of 160km per hour and a battery range of 625km. It also has an additional daily solar range of up to 70km and annual solar yield of up to 11,000km. In the pursuit of truly clean mobility, Lightyear puts energy efficiency at the forefront of its design philosophy. It all goes to show that Sharjah’s, and by extension the UAE’s, focus on clean energy is all-pervasive.