Installed Solar Capacity
The UAE’s total installed solar photovoltaic capacity reached approximately 5.6 GW by the end of 2024, making it the largest solar market in the GCC region. Solar energy accounted for roughly 14% of total installed electricity generation capacity and contributed an estimated 7.5% of actual electricity generation, reflecting the high capacity factors achieved in the UAE’s desert climate.
Major Solar Projects
| Project | Location | Capacity (MW) | Status | Commissioning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noor Abu Dhabi (Sweihan) | Abu Dhabi | 1,177 | Operational | 2019 |
| Al Dhafra Solar PV | Abu Dhabi | 2,000 | Operational | 2023 |
| Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park (Phase V) | Dubai | 900 | Operational | 2023 |
| Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park (Phase VI) | Dubai | 1,800 | Under construction | 2025 |
| EWEC Solar Programme (Phase 2) | Abu Dhabi | 1,500 | Tendering | 2027 |
Tariff Benchmarks
The UAE has achieved some of the lowest solar energy tariffs globally, driven by high irradiation levels, economies of scale, and competitive procurement processes.
| Project | Year Awarded | Tariff (USD cents/kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Noor Abu Dhabi | 2017 | 2.42 |
| Al Dhafra | 2020 | 1.35 |
| DEWA Phase V CSP | 2019 | 7.30 (CSP component) |
| DEWA Phase VI PV | 2023 | 1.62 |
Capacity Growth Trajectory
| Year | Installed Solar Capacity (GW) | Solar Share of Generation (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2.6 | 3.8 |
| 2022 | 3.8 | 5.4 |
| 2024 | 5.6 | 7.5 |
| 2030 (target) | 14.2 | 18.0 |
| 2050 (target) | 40+ | 44.0 |
Policy Framework
The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 targets a clean energy share of 44% in the national power mix by 2050, with solar PV expected to be the primary contributor. The strategy is complemented by emirate-level initiatives, including Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 targeting 75% clean energy in the emirate’s power mix.
Net metering regulations, green building codes, and rooftop solar incentive programmes are gradually expanding distributed solar deployment alongside utility-scale procurement.
Outlook
Solar deployment is expected to accelerate through the late 2020s as Phase 2 EWEC procurements materialise and Dubai scales its Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park toward its ultimate 5 GW capacity target. Battery storage integration and green hydrogen production from solar-powered electrolysis will further expand the role of solar energy in the UAE’s energy system.