Total Electricity Consumption
The UAE consumed approximately 146 TWh of electricity in 2024, a 4.8% increase over the previous year. Peak demand reached 32.4 GW during the summer months, driven by intensive air conditioning loads in temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius.
Total installed generation capacity stood at approximately 40 GW, providing a comfortable reserve margin of roughly 23% above peak demand.
Per Capita Electricity Consumption
The UAE ranks among the highest per capita electricity consumers globally, reflecting the extreme climate, energy-intensive desalination requirements, and high living standards.
| Country | Per Capita Consumption (kWh/year) | Global Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Iceland | 52,400 | 1 |
| Qatar | 17,100 | 3 |
| Bahrain | 16,800 | 4 |
| Kuwait | 16,200 | 5 |
| UAE | 15,400 | 6 |
| Saudi Arabia | 10,200 | 14 |
| United States | 12,100 | 10 |
| World Average | 3,500 | - |
Generation Fuel Mix 2024
| Source | Share of Generation (%) | Capacity (GW) |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Gas | 72.8 | 29.2 |
| Solar PV | 7.5 | 5.6 |
| Nuclear (Barakah) | 16.2 | 5.6 |
| Other Renewables | 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Oil & Diesel | 3.0 | 1.3 |
Generation Mix Evolution
| Year | Gas (%) | Nuclear (%) | Solar (%) | Other (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 97.2 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 1.7 |
| 2020 | 93.6 | 0.0 | 3.8 | 2.6 |
| 2022 | 84.1 | 8.2 | 5.4 | 2.3 |
| 2024 | 72.8 | 16.2 | 7.5 | 3.5 |
| 2030 (target) | 52.0 | 22.0 | 18.0 | 8.0 |
Demand Drivers
Cooling accounts for an estimated 60% of peak electricity demand, making the UAE’s power system highly seasonal. Desalination plants consume approximately 14% of total electricity output, supplying over 42% of the country’s potable water. Industrial growth in aluminium smelting, steel production, and data centres is adding significant baseload demand.
Efficiency Initiatives
The UAE has implemented demand-side management programmes targeting a 30% reduction in energy intensity by 2030. Key measures include mandatory building efficiency codes, smart grid deployment in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, tariff reforms to reduce subsidies, and efficiency standards for air conditioning units and industrial motors.
Outlook
Electricity demand is projected to grow at 3-5% annually through 2030, with clean energy sources expected to meet the majority of incremental demand. The full operation of all four Barakah nuclear units and accelerating solar deployment are fundamentally reshaping the generation mix away from gas dependence.