The UAE is set to reduce carbon emissions from electricity and water production by more than 45 per cent by 2035, according to the country’s long-term energy system planning. Emissions are projected to decline from around 42 million tonnes in 2019 to approximately 23 million tonnes by 2035, even as electricity demand is expected to increase by about 70 per cent between 2026 and 2033, as reported by Emirates News Agency (WAM), a partner of TV BRICS.
The reduction will be supported by the expansion of renewable energy and the transition towards more efficient water production technologies. Abu Dhabi plans to increase solar generation capacity to 14 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and more than 35 GW by 2035, alongside the deployment of up to 15 GW of battery storage capacity.
The development of utility-scale solar photovoltaic generation, battery storage and reverse osmosis desalination is expected to strengthen water and energy security while supporting growing demand.
The shift towards renewable energy is expected to reduce the role of gas-fired generation in the country’s power mix. Gas-based facilities will continue to provide flexibility for the energy system as renewable generation expands, helping maintain a reliable electricity supply alongside growing solar capacity.
Reverse osmosis is also set to play a larger role in water production. By 2035, reverse osmosis facilities are forecast to account for more than 95 per cent of total water production, supporting greater efficiency and contributing to lower emissions from the sector.
The measures support Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Strategic Target 2035 for electricity production and align with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategy. The country’s long-term planning combines renewable energy development, energy storage and efficient desalination to meet rising demand while advancing the transition towards a lower-carbon energy system.