UAE Adopts Balanced Approach To Building Cleaner, Smarter Energy System: Sharif Al Olama
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) | Published September 03, 2026 | 01:45 PM
DUBAI (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 03rd Sep, 2026) Eng. Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, highlighted the UAE’s progress towards its 2030 clean energy goals and vision for a cleaner, smarter, and more efficient energy system during the 50th middle East Energy.
He spoke in a session titled "The UAE 2030 Milestones: Accelerating the Clean Energy Mix."
Al Olama emphasized the UAE’s balanced and pragmatic approach to energy transition, combining climate action with energy security, affordability, reliability, and long-term economic growth.
"The question before us is not simply how we generate more energy. It is how we build an energy system that is cleaner, smarter, more efficient, more resilient, and capable of supporting long-term economic growth."
Noting the vital role of energy in industry, technology, mobility, and prosperity, Al Olama stressed the need for energy systems to support data centers, electrification, future mobility, and industrial expansion, given rising demand and technological advancements like artificial intelligence.
He highlighted the UAE’s expanding clean energy portfolio:
- World-class solar projects
- Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant
- Energy storage solutions
- Grid infrastructure upgrades
- Emerging technologies
He also mentioned the UAE's 24/7 renewable energy RTC project, integrating solar generation with large-scale battery storage for continuous clean electricity.
Improving energy efficiency, he said, is both an environmental and economic priority, offering cost savings, enhanced energy security, improved industrial productivity, and meeting growing demand without unnecessary capacity additions.
During the fireside chat, Al Olama discussed the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance (GEEA), launched by the UAE to advance practical energy efficiency implementation globally. The Alliance brings together governments, technology providers, industry, and financial institutions to connect efficiency opportunities with expertise, technology, and financing.
He emphasized the need for stronger connections among existing technologies, solutions, and capital to drive meaningful improvements in energy efficiency.