Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), one of the 7 emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates (UAE), plans to add 1,200 MW of renewable energy capacity to its grid by 2040, with most of it coming from solar power. Andrea Di Gregorio, director of energy efficiency and renewables office in the RAK Municipality, said a little of it will come from waste to energy, according to a report in The National.
Utility scale solar power plants will add 600 MW, and an equal amount will come from rooftop solar installations, said Gregorio as the emirate launched its energy efficiency program called Barjeel. This program makes it mandatory for new buildings to target 30% energy savings and 20% water savings with minimal impact on construction costs.
To encourage adoption of this program, the first phase of Barjeel will commence with voluntary adoptions for a year, and these early movers will be incentivised by the municipality by waiving their permit fee.
Even though the emirate has a small population of some 300,000, it is home to energy guzzling industries as cement, ceramic tiles among others. The National reports that RAK municipality will aim for the industrial sector to especially embrace its energy management initiatives as this segment consumes 40% to 45% of its total power demand of 5.3 TWh. The main source of electricity here is gas.
In January 2019, another UAE emirate Umm Al Quwain signed an agreement with the Federal Electricity and Water Authority to develop a 200 MW PV project (see 200 MW Solar Project In Umm Al Quwain).