The UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, has announced the launch of the world’s first renewable energy facility capable of delivering continuous power at scale. Speaking at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, Dr Al Jaber highlighted the UAE’s leadership in renewable energy and called for a united global approach to balance energy access with sustainability.
Dr Al Jaber addressed an audience that included 13 heads of state and over 140 ministers. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, attended the event, which also marked the awards ceremony for the Zayed Sustainability Prize.
A Pivotal Moment for Energy Transformation
Dr Al Jaber described the current era as a “nexus of next,” driven by emerging markets, artificial intelligence (AI), and energy system transformations. He emphasised that these global trends are creating unprecedented power demands.
“Before AI’s exponential growth, energy demand was already set to rise from 9,000 to 15,000 GW by 2035. With AI-driven technologies like ChatGPT consuming up to 10 times the energy of a Google search, demand could surge to 35,000 GW by 2050,” he explained.
To address these challenges, the UAE is diversifying its energy portfolio. The newly announced facility will combine 5.2 GW of solar capacity with 19 GWh of storage, providing 1 GW of uninterrupted clean power. This marks a milestone in overcoming the intermittency of renewable energy.
UAE’s Role in Energy Innovation
Dr Al Jaber outlined the UAE’s achievements in renewable energy, including world-leading solar and wind projects, nuclear power advances, and AI innovation. He also highlighted the UAE’s contribution to space exploration and its role in multilateral diplomacy, citing the recent UAE-led COP28 consensus.
“Our ability to balance tradition and transformation makes the UAE a leader at this pivotal moment,” he said.
The minister introduced XRG, a new energy investment company aimed at meeting emerging global energy demands. XRG will focus on gas, chemicals, low-carbon fuels, and energy infrastructure.
A People-Centric Approach
Dr Al Jaber stressed the importance of placing people at the heart of progress, as exemplified by the Zayed Sustainability Prize. The award supports initiatives that bring clean water, solar-powered lighting, and sustainable farming to underserved communities worldwide.
“This is not just about generating power; it’s about empowering people,” he said.
Call for Unity and Innovation
Dr Al Jaber urged policymakers to adopt a balanced “and-and” approach, ensuring energy access while accelerating sustainability. He argued that framing energy and sustainability as opposing forces stifles progress.
“The choice is not between two paths—it’s about creating a new path together,” he concluded.
The UAE continues to demonstrate its leadership in global energy innovation, paving the way for sustainable progress and economic growth.