UAE Clears Law To Grid Connect Distributed Renewable Energy

• UAE has approved a federal law to grid connect distributed renewable energy
• It will be applicable to all renewable energy producers and service providers, including in the economic, free and investment zones
• The idea is to support energy diversification, reduce carbon footprint and cut down peak electricity demand at peak time from distribution networks

The UAE will now link distributed renewable energy to the grid to enable people become prosumers and contribute to the country's 2050 net zero ambition after the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure approved a federal law recently.

The new law now allows anyone with a distributed power generation unit to connect the system to the local grid after securing relevant authority approvals. It will apply to all renewable energy producers and service providers, including in the economic, free and investment zones.

According to the ministry, it will unify the efforts of both federal and local government agencies along with the private sector, with the aim to boost the share of renewables in the national energy mix to 50% by 2050 under the National Energy Strategy 2050.

Measure will also help cut down electricity demand at peak time from the distribution networks, thereby also lead to reduction of carbon footprint.

"We are working on developing the energy strategy, especially clean energy, as part of the vision and directives of the judicious leadership which aim to promote sustainability, innovation and transformation towards a green economy, by increasing the percentage of clean and renewable energy to achieve the goals of the National Energy Strategy 2050 and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, as well as other national targets," said Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohamed Al Mazrouei calling it a proactive step on the part of the government to achieve energy strategy.

The news about distributed energy from the UAE is welcome considering the news that usually comes out of the Emirates is largely focused around large-scale solar and wind energy projects including those for green hydrogen production (see 30 GW Renewable Energy joint Venture In UAE).

A February 2021 report by Rystad Energy claims solar PV is likely to lead the total renewable energy expansion of the UAE to 9 GW by 2025 with most of it being in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, however renewable energy target will fall short of the 50% aimed by 2050, reading 44% (see UAE To Sport 8.5 GW Installed Solar PV Capacity By 2025).