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The Middle East is undergoing a sweeping transformation in its energy landscape, with solar power and storage technologies taking centre stage, writes Sania Aziz.

Once reliant almost exclusively on hydrocarbons, the MENA region is now positioning itself as a global hub for renewable energy innovation, investment, and large-scale deployment. National strategies, government tenders, and corporate adoption are aligning to create a diverse, multi-track approach to clean power, with solar at the heart of every plan.

At the regional level, the shift is being propelled by several core trends: rapid expansion of utility-scale solar plants often integrated with storage, the introduction of localisation requirements to build domestic supply chains, and a growing reliance on corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs). Green hydrogen ambitions are also reshaping energy agendas, with solar-powered electrolysis expected to anchor future exports. Alongside these efforts, cross-border interconnections are emerging as vital tools for enhancing grid flexibility and enabling energy trade across the Gulf and Levant.

UAE: setting global benchmarks

Among Middle Eastern markets, the UAE has established itself as a clear front-runner. With installed solar capacity of nearly 7 GW in 2024 and a target of 48.9 GW by 2030, the country is scaling up at a remarkable pace. Flagship projects such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai and Noor Abu Dhabi exemplify this leadership, combining cost reduction with cutting-edge technology deployment. At the same time, smaller emirates like Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah are expanding distributed solar, while Abu Dhabi pursues integrated hydrogen development.

Policy support has been critical. The UAE’s Clean Energy Strategy and Net Zero 2050 Initiative place solar at the centre of its diversification goals. Rooftop installations, corporate PPAs, and energy service company models are becoming common, while storage pilots are paving the way for dispatchable renewable systems.

Oman: building a hydrogen hub

Oman is carving out its place as a green hydrogen leader, leveraging its solar resources to develop integrated export platforms. Projects like HYPORT Duqm and SalalaH2 highlight the Sultanate’s ambition to become a global supplier of solar-backed hydrogen and ammonia. With a goal of meeting 30% of domestic electricity demand from renewables by 2030, Oman is coupling power sector reforms with investor-friendly independent power project tenders.

Saudi Arabia: scaling ambition

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 encapsulates the region’s boldest renewable energy programme, targeting 58.7 GW of renewable capacity by the end of the decade, with 40 GW from solar alone. The Sudair, Al Shuaiba, and Sakaka projects are early milestones, but the scale of ambition extends much further. By embedding localisation mandates into procurement rules, the Kingdom is stimulating domestic manufacturing while advancing giga-scale clean energy projects such as NEOM and Red Sea Global, which combine solar with hydrogen and storage at unprecedented scale.

Emerging markets: Iraq, Jordan, and beyond

Other Middle Eastern countries are also advancing their solar agendas, albeit at different speeds. Iraq, battling a fragile grid and frequent blackouts, has turned to solar as a rapid-deployment solution, targeting 10 GW by 2030. International partnerships with Masdar, TotalEnergies, and Chinese developers are central to this build-out. Jordan, an early adopter of solar, has already surpassed 2 GW of capacity and continues to refine net metering and wheeling frameworks, while piloting battery storage to strengthen its grid.

Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait are taking more measured steps. Bahrain, constrained by land availability, is focusing on rooftop solar and carports. Qatar, having commissioned the 800 MW Al Kharsaah plant, is beginning to integrate solar into desalination and industrial facilities. Kuwait is leaning on its Shagaya Renewable Energy Park while updating frameworks to attract private investment.

Challenges and opportunities

The region’s solar surge is not without hurdles. Grid integration, financing models, and long-duration storage remain pressing challenges. Political instability in the wider region has slowed progress, although decentralised solar systems are offering lifelines in underserved communities. Nevertheless, the scale of opportunity is immense. International investors are increasingly attracted to the region’s vast solar potential, low costs, and ambitious government roadmaps.

Taken together, these developments underline a regional energy transition that is no longer aspirational but firmly underway. The GCC, once defined solely by its fossil fuel wealth, is now carving a parallel identity as a renewable energy powerhouse. By 2030, the collective capacity additions, hydrogen ventures, and interconnection projects underway could establish the region as one of the world’s most dynamic solar and storage markets.

KROHNE, a global leader in precision instrumentation and measurement solutions, will showcase its latest innovations for the water and wastewater sector at the Global Water Expo 2025, taking place from 2-4 September 2025 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre.

Exhibiting within the Germany Pavilion, the company will present advanced flow, level, pressure, and analytical instrumentation designed to enhance efficiency and resilience in Saudi Arabia’s water infrastructure.

“KROHNE’s participation in Global Water Expo 2025 affirms our commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s bold vision for sustainable water infrastructure,” said Jay Gadhavi, general manager, KROHNE Middle East. “We bring decades of expertise in precision measurement, allied with a determination to co-create resilient, energy-efficient solutions that align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals of innovation, environmental stewardship, and infrastructure modernisation.”

Key features

Among the highlights will be the Modular Water Analysis Panel, a flexible multi-parameter system for measuring dissolved oxygen, turbidity, conductivity, pH, and ORP; the Water-Industry Planning Tool, an online platform for configuring devices and generating tender specifications; and a web-based flow tracking service for monitoring non-revenue water, detecting leaks, and identifying usage patterns.

Other featured solutions include the FOCUS-1 Smart Meter Valve, which combines multiple measurement and control functions into a single device; the TIDALFLUX 2300 Electromagnetic Flowmeter for accurate readings in partially filled pipes; and the WATERFLUX 3070 District Metering Solution, designed for potable water and custody transfer applications with integrated leak detection.

Reflecting its commitment to sustainable water management, KROHNE will demonstrate how these solutions can improve energy efficiency, support regulatory compliance, and strengthen long-term infrastructure performance. Visitors can engage with both regional and international experts at the Germany Pavilion to explore how these technologies can help shape the Kingdom’s future water ecosystem.

Also read: Water diplomacy: how UAE supports island nations' water security

Dubai Municipality has carried out more than 25,000 field inspections relating to construction activity in the first half of 2025 – a 36% increase compared to the same period in 2024

The inspections covered over 18,800 buildings under construction, with a total built-up area exceeding 36mn square metres

Compliance rates reached 96%, reflecting the Municipality’s ongoing efforts to safeguard building standards and maintain sustainable urban planning practices, ensuring safety and quality throughout all stages of construction. The approach supports Dubai’s vision to be the world’s smartest and most sustainable city in the construction sector, while reinforcing the emirate’s reputation as an investment-friendly hub with advanced infrastructure and flexible, integrated regulations.

Eng. Maryam Al Muhairi, CEO of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality, said, “Dubai Municipality places great emphasis on precise engineering oversight of construction activities, considering it a key tool to regulate the sector and elevate its standards, in line with our unwavering commitment to developing it into the world’s smartest and most sustainable. We aim to provide a safe and sustainable construction environment, applying the highest quality and safety standards at all stages, which contribute to enhancing residents’ quality of life and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading hub in construction and building.”

The Municipality oversaw the use of more than 1.5 million cubic metres of green concrete, ensuring compliance with environmental standards. Additionally, 16.4 million cubic metres of soil were recycled and transported. The Municipality issued 4,222 permits for sand transport and supply, ensuring optimal resource use, and approved over 1,126 requests for free sand to support Emirati citizens building private villas.

These initiatives form part of Dubai’s broader vision for an innovative and sustainable construction sector, streamlining building procedures, enhancing governance, and ensuring legislative and regulatory flexibility.

Mining and investment ties between the UAE and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) gained significant momentum in 2025 with the signing of a series of strategic agreements.

As the world’s leading producer of cobalt, accounting for over 70% of global output, as well as a major tin supplier and Africa’s top copper producer, the DRC is drawing growing interest from UAE investors looking to secure critical minerals for energy transition and high-tech industries.

With an estimated US$24 trillion in untapped mineral reserves, the DRC is seeking to attract long-term UAE investments to unlock greater value across its mining value chain. African Mining Week (AMW) 2025, one of the continent’s flagship mining events, is expected to provide a key platform for strengthening bilateral cooperation. It will be held in October. 

A dedicated Middle East-Africa Roundtable will convene high-level stakeholders, including UAE investors, DRC policymakers, and regional mining operators, to explore investment-ready projects and policy alignment.

Increased global demand for minerals central to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems has encouraged the UAE to expand its footprint in the DRC’s extractive industries. Recent investments signal a deeper commitment to supporting local beneficiation while securing reliable supply chains.

In July 2025, Congolese mining firm Buenassa entered a partnership with UAE-based NG9 Holding to establish the country’s first integrated copper-cobalt refinery.

Key Africa investments

The facility will produce 30,000 tonnes of copper cathodes and 5,000 tonnes of cobalt sulphate per year, supporting the DRC’s efforts to move up the value chain and capture more revenue from its mineral wealth.

A month earlier, Abu Dhabi’s International Resources Holding (IRH) finalised a US$366mn deal to acquire a majority stake in Alphamin Resources, gaining access to the Bisie Tin Complex, one of the world’s largest and highest-grade tin deposits.

Tin from Bisie currently accounts for about 6% of global supply, and demand is projected to rise 20% by 2035. At AMW, IRH’s investment will feature in a panel discussion titled Cobalt Opportunity: DRC’s Strategic Position in the EV Revolution, aimed at connecting Gulf capital with African resources.

Beyond mining, UAE players are also investing in the DRC’s power infrastructure. NG9 Holding signed an agreement with local utility Kipay Energy to co-develop a 46 MW hydropower plant in Haut-Katanga, contributing to a planned 166 MW capacity.

These developments underscore how UAE-DRC cooperation is expanding across both mining and energy, with AMW 2025 expected to catalyse further deals and partnerships.

The UAE continues to strengthen its footprint in Africa’s mining industry, with a series of strategic investments aimed at boosting production, infrastructure, and energy security across key markets.

Just this February, investment fund Ambrosia Investment Holding acquired a 50% stake in Canadian company Allied Gold’s mining projects in Ethiopia and Mali.

The deal includes a US$375mn capital injection to accelerate project development, increasing gold output in Ethiopia by 290,000 ounces per year by mid-2026 and in Mali by 400,000 ounces per year by 2028.

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the UAE’s largest industrial company and the world’s biggest producer of “premium aluminium”, has completed a debottlenecking expansion at its Al Taweelah alumina refinery, boosting production capacity by up to 50,000 tonnes of alumina per year.

The project centred on the installation of a third ball mill, strengthening operational resilience and paving the way for future output growth at the UAE’s only alumina refinery. Ball mills grind bauxite ore into fine particles for chemical processing into alumina. The additional unit enhances throughput, reduces the risk of unplanned outages, and improves overall availability alongside the two existing mills.

Executed entirely by EGA’s in-house teams, from engineering and project management to construction and commissioning, the project was completed in under two and a half years, recording over 650,000 work hours without a single Lost Time Injury.

Since its commissioning in 2019, Al Taweelah alumina refinery has consistently operated above its nameplate capacity of 2mn tonnes per year. In 2024, the facility supplied 49% of EGA’s total alumina needs, underscoring its strategic role in the company’s integrated value chain.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said, “This expansion is a key step forward for Al Taweelah alumina refinery, unlocking additional production capacity as we reorient our bauxite supply chain beyond Guinea. It further strengthens our operational resilience and unlocks capacity growth. I thank every member of the team who contributed to this success.”

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, reviewed the progress of the Etihad Rail project and took a landmark passenger train journey between Dubai and Fujairah, marking a key milestone in the UAE’s national railway network.

Set to begin commercial operations in 2026, the passenger train service is part of a wider vision to connect the country through sustainable, efficient, and modern infrastructure. The journey underlines Sheikh Mohammed’s commitment to overseeing strategic development projects and ensuring alignment with the UAE’s long-term national goals.

Describing the railway as one of the country’s most significant infrastructure undertakings, Sheikh Mohammed said the project will have broad economic, social, and developmental benefits. The Etihad Rail team briefed him on the latest milestones and expressed pride in the historic visit.

Enhancing connectivity

“Etihad Rail is a vital economic artery that supports the UAE’s journey to the future,” he said. “It is a key pillar in our vision to build an integrated transport network that strengthens the UAE’s position as a leading logistics hub, while facilitating the movement of people and goods.”

With stations planned in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah during the first phase of operations, the railway is expected to serve as a major catalyst for social mobility, tourism, and inter-emirate connectivity. Trains will travel at speeds of up to 200 km/hr, carrying up to 400 passengers per journey, with projected annual ridership reaching 36.5 million by 2030.

^{His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum took the passenger train journey between Dubai and Fujairah. (Image source: WAM)}

The national network will eventually connect 11 cities and regions, stretching from Al Sila in the west to Fujairah in the east. Once fully operational, Etihad Rail will set a new standard for sustainable transport in the region, supporting the UAE’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman of Etihad Rail, said, “We had the honour of hosting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum aboard a passenger train journey between the emirates of Dubai and Fujairah. This exemplifies the unwavering commitment of the UAE's visionary leadership to support national projects that propel the progress of our nation. He has been integral to our journey, witnessing the evolution of our network through its various phases: from the announcement of the ‘Projects of the 50’ in 2021 to the inauguration of the complete national railway network and the commencement of freight train operations in 2023. Today, we stand on the cusp of a transformative era in the UAE's transportation landscape and take immense pride in and deeply appreciate the support we have received for this national project. This is a project that drives us towards a brighter future by strengthening connectivity and economic integration across the UAE, thus, serving the nation’s interests and enhancing its competitiveness on the global stage.”

Also read: Etihad Rail launches its ESG strategy