{
  "id": 4838478,
  "title": "UAE, Gulf urged to accelerate renewables, grids and storage as energy security risks rise",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/uae-gulf-urged-to-accelerate-renewables-grids-and-storage-as-energy",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T10:08:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/business/energy/uae-gulf-urged-to-accelerate-renewables-grids-and-storage-as-energy-security-risks-rise-1.500659288"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The head of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Dubai has urged the Gulf region and its neighbors to accelerate the adoption of renewables, grids, and storage solutions as energy security risks continue to rise. Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, emphasized during the 50th edition of Middle East Energy that geopolitical tensions have exposed vulnerabilities in global energy supply chains, making diversification, flexibility, and secure energy systems increasingly important.\n\nLa Camera highlighted that the worldwide addition of 692GW of renewable capacity in 2025 established renewables as the leading source of new power generation, accounting for 49% of global installed power capacity and 85% of new additions. This transition has led to a reduction of $480 billion in fossil-fuel costs and a significant decrease in carbon dioxide emissions.\n\nThe Gulf region, with its abundant solar resources, is uniquely positioned to play a significant role in this shift. With average annual global horizontal irradiation of 1,700 to 2,500 kilowatt hours per square meter, GCC countries have already installed almost 24GW of renewable energy capacity by the end of 2025, primarily led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. However, the potential of the Gulf goes beyond generating electricity, as it can become a major center for renewable-based industrial development, system integration, and energy-intensive industries.\n\nWhile expanding solar capacity is essential, La Camera stressed that every new renewable project needs robust infrastructure to connect it to consumers and balance supply and demand. He urged the medium-term focus on accelerating investment in grids, storage, and system flexibility to remove structural bottlenecks and ensure reliable electricity supply for various sectors, including industry, cooling, water services, and transport.\n\nIRENA is also calling for faster electrification across transport, buildings, and industry to remain on a 1.5°C pathway. By 2035, electrification should reach 35% of total final energy consumption, and by 2050, it should exceed 50%. La Camera emphasized that electrification cannot occur in isolation; renewables, grids, storage, flexibility, and sustainable fuels must all scale up simultaneously.\n\nThe EU Ambassador to the UAE, Lucie Berger, echoed similar sentiments, stressing the interconnectedness of energy security between Europe and the Middle East. She highlighted the Middle East's vast renewable energy potential, stating that it could become a hub for technologies, industries, and services supporting the new energy economy.\n\nBerger called for mutual learning and co-investment in renewable energy, grid coordination, and private-sector investment between the Middle East and Europe to create greater resilience and overcome traditional energy supplier limitations.",
  "summary": "Dubai: The Gulf's abundant solar resources are giving the region an opportunity to strengthen energy security while building new industries around renewable power , the head of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said in Dubai, as geopolitical tensions expose vulnerabilities in global energy supply chains. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances Francesco La…",
  "key_points": [
    "UAE and Gulf urged to accelerate renewables, grids, and storage",
    "IRENA Director-General emphasizes diversification and secure energy systems",
    "Gulf region with abundant solar resources can become major renewable hub"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}