emirates7 - International officials at the 15th session of the IRENA Assembly have praised the UAE's outstanding leadership in energy transition efforts and its contributions toward achieving the global goal of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Speaking to Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the assembly, which is taking place in Abu Dhabi as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, officials highlighted the UAE's regional leadership in solar energy and photovoltaic solar projects. The country has led significant initiatives that bolster its position as a key global hub for renewable energy production.
Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, emphasized the collaboration with governments and companies across the Middle East to meet ambitious global renewable energy targets, many of which are focused on photovoltaic solar energy and storage. She noted that the UAE’s renewable energy projects, both nationally and across the GCC, reflect the nation’s leadership and ambition. However, she pointed out that the GCC and the broader Middle East still need additional projects to meet global targets.
Dunlop also shared that in 2024, around 600 gigawatts of solar energy were generated worldwide, with expectations that demand for solar-generated electricity will exceed 650 gigawatts this year.
Regarding the ongoing Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which runs until 18th January, Dunlop emphasized the significance of the event and the UAE's role in advancing renewable energy initiatives globally. The event highlights the international push to achieve sustainable energy goals.
Jakob Lau Holst, CEO of the Global Wind Organisation (GWO), which specializes in training technicians for the renewable energy sector, also spoke about the importance of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in raising awareness about scaling up renewable energy sources. He expressed his hope to attract more skilled technicians from both the UAE and globally to the renewable energy industry through the organization’s involvement in workshops during the event.
Holst explained that GWO has already trained around 590 technicians from the Middle East, representing 50 countries. Given the limited use of wind energy in the Middle East, the GWO is working with the Global Solar Council to expand its network in the UAE and the region, especially by enhancing its engagement with solar energy communities and developing training standards for solar energy.
Speaking to Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the assembly, which is taking place in Abu Dhabi as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, officials highlighted the UAE's regional leadership in solar energy and photovoltaic solar projects. The country has led significant initiatives that bolster its position as a key global hub for renewable energy production.
Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, emphasized the collaboration with governments and companies across the Middle East to meet ambitious global renewable energy targets, many of which are focused on photovoltaic solar energy and storage. She noted that the UAE’s renewable energy projects, both nationally and across the GCC, reflect the nation’s leadership and ambition. However, she pointed out that the GCC and the broader Middle East still need additional projects to meet global targets.
Dunlop also shared that in 2024, around 600 gigawatts of solar energy were generated worldwide, with expectations that demand for solar-generated electricity will exceed 650 gigawatts this year.
Regarding the ongoing Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which runs until 18th January, Dunlop emphasized the significance of the event and the UAE's role in advancing renewable energy initiatives globally. The event highlights the international push to achieve sustainable energy goals.
Jakob Lau Holst, CEO of the Global Wind Organisation (GWO), which specializes in training technicians for the renewable energy sector, also spoke about the importance of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in raising awareness about scaling up renewable energy sources. He expressed his hope to attract more skilled technicians from both the UAE and globally to the renewable energy industry through the organization’s involvement in workshops during the event.
Holst explained that GWO has already trained around 590 technicians from the Middle East, representing 50 countries. Given the limited use of wind energy in the Middle East, the GWO is working with the Global Solar Council to expand its network in the UAE and the region, especially by enhancing its engagement with solar energy communities and developing training standards for solar energy.