Dubai Emphasizes Solar Gains As Cop Commences

1 Dec 2023 Issue: 66 / 48 By: Jamie Ingram

The main venue for the Cop28 climate talks in Dubai will be powered by renewable energy from the emirate’s expanding solar facilities. But gas still provides 90% of Dubai’s electricity and a major new gas-fired plant reached full capacity this month.

The doors have opened at Cop28, with delegates from around the world descending on Expo Dubai City for two weeks of climate discussions. A week before the official 30 November opening, it was announced that Expo City will from now on receive all of its electricity from renewable energy sources as the UAE’s authorities seek to burnish their environmental credentials for the event.

In a 22 November announcement, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) stated that “Expanding on Expo City’s current on-site renewable energy capacity, Dewa will now permanently provide solar energy to the entire site through International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-RECs) sourced from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum [MBR] Solar Park. This initiative aligns with the central mission of Cop28.” (CONTINUED - 827 WORDS)