Exploring the Potential of Wind Energy in the United Arab Emirates
Keywords: United Arab Emirates, off-shore wind, renewable energy, global warming, electricity demand, onshore wind, energy potentials, energy future | Study published: November 2023
This study assesses the country’s potential for wind power generation from both onshore and offshore plants and contrasts it to other regions. Based on the potential identified, it discusses the future role wind energy can play for the UAE, considering its benefits for decarbonisation, energy diversification, system integration, and green hydrogen production. Finally, it derives recommendations for policy makers how to capitalise on the UAEs wind energy potential and making it a steppingstone on the country’s path to net zero.
Driven by spiking electricity use in industry, growing cooling demand, and electrification of transport, the UAE expect domestic power demand in the year 2050 to be close to three times the current levels.
- This study shows that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offers favorable onshore wind conditions to accommodate up to 80 gigawatts (GW) of generation capacity.
- The offshore wind energy potential in the UAE is limited because of low wind speeds and high technology costs.
- The development of onshore wind diversifies the energy mix and supports the system integration of renewables.
- Combining wind and solar resources allows for a higher utilisation of electrolysers to produce renewable hydrogen, resulting in lower levelized costs of hydrogen (LCOH).
