UAE set to become world's largest solar energy producer by 2031, says IEA

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted that the UAE will become the world’s largest producer of solar energy by 2031. It noted that renewable energy capacity across the Middle East region is expected to triple during this period. In its 2026 renewable energy report, the agency said the UAE’s per capita solar energy production will reach 4,000 kilowatt-hours over the next six years. The top 10 Middle Eastern countries also include Oman and Qatar, which ranked third and fifth respectively. Australia and Bulgaria came second and fourth, while Greece, Austria, Spain, China and Chile completed the top 10. The agency said all countries in the top 10 are expected to produce at least 2,000 kilowatt-hours per capita by 2031. This is significantly higher than the global average of about 800 kilowatt-hours. The agency added that solar power will account for about three-quarters of total renewable electricity generation capacity worldwide, which is expected to grow by about 85% by 2031. The report stated: “Globally, the average per capita share of solar energy production will double by 2031, but leading countries will still produce many times this average.” It added: “This highlights the persistent disparities in both the deployment of solar energy technologies and access to generation capacity. The UAE has continued to lead the way in promoting the use of renewable energy sources as part of its efforts to diversify its economy.” During the Middle East Energy Summit held in September, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei said the UAE had raised its clean energy target, including renewable and nuclear energy, to 35% by 2030-2031. He said achieving this goal would require launching new projects, enhancing competition and providing broader opportunities for the private sector in power generation. The IEA data comes as the agency expects the Middle East to triple its renewable energy capacity by 2031. Similar projections also apply to Africa and Southeast Asia. The agency said: “New ambitions, energy security advantages, supportive policies, and the increasing competitiveness of wind and solar photovoltaic power have raised expectations for emerging and developing economies by about 20% compared to our renewable energy report issued a year ago.” The agency added that this development is part of a global renewable energy market expected to reach approximately 4,800 gigawatts of generating capacity between 2026 and 2031, representing a 57% increase compared with the previous six years. It also noted that China will remain the world’s largest market, while India will rise to second place. The agency’s analysts wrote that the Middle East region “will significantly increase its contribution to the growth of renewable energy capacity globally, thanks to strong policy support and the development of the renewable energy market.”