Low oil prices to have ‘no impact on Dubai’s solar ambitions’
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Cheaper crude will not see the emirate drop its clean energy plans, says Dubai Supreme Council of Energy chief
PHOTO: “We are not moving away from our plans to boost solar energy,” said Ahmed Al Muhairbi. Credit: BGreen / Anas Cherur
Dubai will stick to plans to boost its solar energy capability despite the price of crude oil having halved over the last six months, a senior official said.
Crude oil prices slid from around $100 per barrel last summer to about $50 today – but that will not derail plans to invest in renewable energy, Ahmed Al Muhairbi, Secretary General of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, told be BGreen.
“We are not moving away from our plans to boost solar energy in the country. It’s a global commitment. More and more governments across the world are committing themselves to a cleaner environment,” Al Muhairbi said.
Renewables will make up 15% of Dubai’s energy mix by 2030, according to increased targets laid out by officials in January.
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has increased the planned production capacity of the second phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to 200 MW, up from 100 MW.
“The oil market is a volatile market. Therefore, solar is a strategic energy source which can provide stability and complement Dubai power requirements,” Al Muhairbi added.
Read an exclusive interview of Al Muhairbi in the February edition of BGreen.
