Dr Nawal Al-Hosany is permanent representative of the UAE to the International Renewable Energy Agency
July 06, 2021
In a conversation I had recently with Francesco La Camera, the Director General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), he said something which struck a resonant chord.
“When I first moved to the UAE [in 2019], I was not surprised by what was happening here, in terms of the modernisation of the nation,” he said. “But I didn’t expect the pace.”
I was talking to Mr La Camera about the UAE’s role in accelerating the global energy transition and securing a future of clean energy access for all, on the latest episode of On Renewables, the UAE Mission to Irena’s videocast (which you can watch here).
The reason Mr La Camera’s observation about the pace of the Emirates’ transformation hit home is this: it serves well to be reminded of how much our nation has achieved in such a short time, and how much we can achieve in the critical years ahead.
The UAE has become the global convener of choice for urgent international dialogues. This is especially the case when it comes to renewable energy solutions and the global energy transition. A natural next step in this direction is hosting the 2023 UN Conference on Climate Change, or Cop28.
We’ve become so accustomed to our achievements in the fields of renewable energy and climate action that we should not forget what those achievements are. Not only for what has been done, but for what can be done.
That the UAE is home to three of the world’s biggest solar plants has become so integral to our identity as an incubator of renewable energy solutions.
With 3.2 million solar panels installed across 8 square kilometres, Noor Abu Dhabi can produce 1.2 gigawatts of clean electricity, and meet the energy demands of up to 90,000 people. And soon, the Al Dhafra Solar Project, which set a record low tariff of $1.35 cents per kilowatt hour, is set to be almost double the size of Noor.
And in Dubai, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which set the original benchmark for the world’s largest single-site solar park, spread over 77 square kilometres, has just seen the inauguration of a first-of-its-kind green hydrogen project.
It is worth noting that these projects were made possible thanks to international collaborations. In the instance of the two Abu Dhabi solar projects, that’s with leading Chinese firms – Jinko Solar Holding and China Machinery Engineering Corp for Noor and Al Dhafra, respectively. And in the case of the green hydrogen project, it is with close technology- and knowledge-transfers with Germany’s Siemens Energy.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai set the benchmark for the world's largest single-site solar park. Reuters
We’ve become so accustomed to our achievements in the fields of renewable energy
And that’s just for projects at home. The UAE has been a pioneer in bringing clean energy to countries around the world. To date, the UAE has invested $16.8 billion in renewable energy ventures in more than 70 countries around the world. And in small island developing states and least-developed states alone, it has invested more than $1bn.
Countries from the Caribbean to Eastern Europe have benefitted from the UAE’s mission to make clean energy more accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic circumstance. The nation’s leadership has pursued this model for good reason. What we see when we collaborate across borders is that costs come down, economic opportunity goes up and society at large reaps the rewards.
Having provided the headquarters of the world’s leading authority on the global energy transition for more than a decade, the UAE is perfectly situated to host the world’s biggest climate change conference.
In short, the UAE has become the de facto home of international collaboration when it comes to facilitating the global energy transition and renewable energy solutions fit for the modern world. This is also evidenced by the fact that Irena’s membership has grown from 85 member states to 164 in the 11 years the agency has been headquartered in Abu Dhabi.
Furthermore, Irena’s policy advocacy efforts, knowledge base and depth of analysis of the real-world impact of renewable energy has never been greater. Papers such as the Global Renewables Outlook: Energy Transformation 2050, which was the first report of its kind to provide a roadmap for the next three decades, have directly shaped public opinion on the need to accelerate renewable solutions at greater pace and scale.
Given this context, it seems a natural, almost evolutionary move that we should be the convener of the most important climate change conference on the planet.
The UAE officially launched its candidacy to host Cop28, on May 24, 2021. Since then, the support we have received from the international community has been substantial and reassuring in equal measure. Our international partners are cognisant of the pace of change here in the UAE. But perhaps more importantly, they are aware of the direction we are going in.
For, pace is nothing without direction. Ask any sportsperson or athlete. Any chief executive of any company, big or small. Ask any leader. What is pace without direction? It is merely energy expended without use.
Having the raw instruments at your disposal is only half the equation. Harnessing your speed and power into a single, coherent direction with a clear goal in mind is the other, and most crucial, half of the equation.
We are fortunate to have benefitted from the guidance and direction laid out by a leadership who intuitively knew that we must turn what we have into something that benefits everyone, and not just those capable of moving fast. Indeed, it is when these two parts of the equation – speed and direction – meet, that things get done. And that’s why the Emirates has become a place for those who do.
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All matches in Bulawayo Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
An exchange traded fund is a type of investment fund that can be traded quickly and easily, just like stocks and shares. They come with no upfront costs aside from your brokerage's dealing charges and annual fees, which are far lower than on traditional mutual investment funds. Charges are as low as 0.03 per cent on one of the very cheapest (and most popular), Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, with the maximum around 0.75 per cent.
There is no fund manager deciding which stocks and other assets to invest in, instead they passively track their chosen index, country, region or commodity, regardless of whether it goes up or down.
The first ETF was launched as recently as 1993, but the sector boasted $5.78 billion in assets under management at the end of September as inflows hit record highs, according to the latest figures from ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm.
There are thousands to choose from, with the five largest providers BlackRock’s iShares, Vanguard, State Street Global Advisers, Deutsche Bank X-trackers and Invesco PowerShares.
While the best-known track major indices such as MSCI World, the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, you can also invest in specific countries or regions, large, medium or small companies, government bonds, gold, crude oil, cocoa, water, carbon, cattle, corn futures, currency shifts or even a stock market crash.
Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Results
STAGE
1 . Filippo Ganna (Ineos) - 0:13:56
2. Stefan Bissegger (Education-Nippo) - 0:00:14
3. Mikkel Bjerg (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:21
4. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 0:00:24
5. Luis Leon Sanchez (Astana) - 0:00:30
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) - 4:00:05
2. Joao Almeida (QuickStep) - 0:00:05
3. Mattia Cattaneo (QuickStep) - 0:00:18
4. Chris Harper (Jumbo-Visma) - 0:00:33
5. Adam Yates (Ineos) - 0:00:39
Know before you go
Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
Saturday March 5, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy (all matches start at 9.30am)
Sunday March 6, Oman v Namibia, ICC Academy
Tuesday March 8, UAE v Namibia, ICC Academy
Wednesday March 9, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy
Friday March 11, Oman v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Saturday March 12, UAE v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri, Muhammad Waseem, CP Rizwan, Vriitya Aravind, Asif Khan, Basil Hameed, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Karthik Meiyappan, Akif Raja, Rahul Bhatia
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
