Pursuant to the UAE’s Energy Plan 2050 announcement, and as key players from hundreds of public and private sector entities gather at the tenth annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi this week, the Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF) [1] is looking to expand collaboration and push forward its 100% Renewable Energy Vision for the UAE – 2050 project. Designed as a comprehensive study, the project will assess the feasibility of transitioning to 75-100% levels of renewable energy for power generation in the UAE by 2050.
Commenting from the World Future Energy Summit, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, head of WWF International’s [2] Climate and Energy Practice, said: “Renewable energy – a key focus at the World Future Energy Summit this year – presents the best opportunity for closing the gap between what science demands and what countries have committed to in terms of reducing CO2 emissions. The world’s energy system is in transition, driven by the demand for clean, sustainable energy. WWF believes that a world powered by 100 percent renewables is possible by 2050.
Pulgar-Vidal continued: “If we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change we must limit global temperature rise to well below the 1.5°C threshold agreed to in Paris. To achieve that we must significantly scale up the roll out of renewable energy.”
Tanzeed Alam, Director of Climate and Energy at EWS-WWF, added: “The UAE recognises that planning for a post-oil future based on renewable energy is crucial to ensure the sustainability of the country’s growth. EWS-WWF welcomes the launch of the new UAE Energy Plan for 2050 and the new long-term targets for renewables and energy efficiency, which if implemented will bring large environmental, social and economic benefits. The UAE is now uniquely positioned to push forward renewable energy innovation as it scales up its clean energy ambition, and has the opportunity to drive even greater ambition for renewable energy here and across the region. Locally, we recognise that this opens incredible opportunities for industry, civil society and the government to work in synergy to identify the full potential for renewable energy and build practical and realistic recommendations to realise this.”
The EWS-WWF project, officially known as the ‘100% Renewable Energy Vision for the UAE – 2050’, in collaboration with Baringa Partners [3], was announced by EWS-WWF in November 2016, during its participation at the 22nd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the UNFCCC which took place in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Reaffirming the importance of cross-sector collaboration in support of the UAE’s goals to decarbonise its power sector— and with an eye on long-term economic growth and energy security— EWS-WWF is urging businesses and government entities alike to take action, by partnering with the organisation and funding its project.
Alam added: “The UAE has the vision to one day have a unified GCC energy strategy; we see the valuable role the UAE plays in driving greater ambition for clean energy across the region. Our renewable energy feasibility project supports the latest UAE Energy Plan and renewable energy targets and we hope it will contribute to the development of a policy framework to implement steps across all Emirates, and in reviews of The Plan to increase the level of ambition. We look forward to collaborating and contributing positively towards these goals.”
Alam continued: “Now is the opportune time to explore scaling up renewable energy and innovation and we’re inviting all entities looking to partner with us on this project to approach us throughout Abu Dhabi Sustainability week, at the World Future Energy Summit.”
EWS-WWF’s 100% Renewable Energy Vision project will highlight the environmental, economic, political and social positive outcomes of the UAE’s commitment to a shift to renewable energy sources. Additionally, the analysis will provide cross-sectoral short and long-term recommendations, on a federal and emirate level, that the UAE can realistically implement to reach these ambitious levels of renewable energy generation.
To find out more about the project, please contact Nour Mezher, Senior Renewable Energy Officer, EWS-WWF, nmezher@ewswwf.ae