Solar will help Shell to decarbonise its operations, thereby providing its customers with cleaner energy.
Renewable energy plays a crucial role in net-zero emissions and energy security. That is why Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Shell are exploring ways to achieve clean energy and green economy goals. They are investing in renewable energy and storage technologies, which allow them to create more energy with fewer emissions.
There are benefits to using renewable energy, as it helps fight climate change and lowers carbon emissions. But society is not ready to make the transition to renewable energy.
Power from wind and sun fluctuates depending on the region, weather, and season. However, as renewable energy plays a crucial role in power markets, there is a growing demand for batteries and flexible gas-fired power plants to manage irregular energy supply and yet meet the customer expectations in fewer markets.
The most affordable and low-cost renewable energy source in the market is solar. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimated it might be the world’s single largest source of electricity by 2050.
Solar will help Shell to decarbonise its operations, thereby providing its customers with cleaner energy.
A rapid development of onshore and offshore wind is essential to supply more renewable energy and decarbonise the industry on a larger scale.
More than two decades have passed since Shell made its first move in the wind industry. In 2000, they set up their first offshore wind turbines in the UK and made an onshore wind investment in the USA in 2001.
Fakher Bader, the Country Chair for Iraq and the UAE, led a high-level Shell delegation welcomed by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). Hessa Abdulla, MENA Media Lead, and Geraldine Wessing, Chief Political Analyst-Strategic Insights & Scenarios, were part of the delegation.
They were discussing Shell’s most recent report. The report ‘The 2025 Energy Security Scenarios’ discusses energy and artificial intelligence, explaining how AI can reshape global energy.
In a rapidly changing energy sector, they are essential tools for strategic decision-making as they help stakeholders to identify opportunities, evaluate risks, and anticipate future issues. They were also discussing opportunities for collaboration in promoting a circular and green economy.
Al Tayer mentioned DEWA’s innovative sustainable energy project, the construction of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world’s largest single-site solar park built using the independent power producer (IPP) model. Its capacity is 3,860 megawatts (MW), and by 2030, it will reach 7,260 MW, when the initial target was 5,000 MW.
The sixth phase of the solar park uses the latest bifacial solar photovoltaic technology with single-axis tracking. It will provide clean energy for 540,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by 2.36 million tonnes annually.
Al Tayer also mentioned the Al Shera’a building, the new headquarters of DEWA, which is the tallest and largest net positive energy government structure. They intended to get silver accreditation in the WELL Building Standard and platinum certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The building uses the latest technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to ensure exceptional efficiency.
DEWA devised a strategic roadmap to become the first AI-native utility to integrate AI in its core business. In 2024, DEWA reported the lowest transmission and distribution network losses at 2%, whereas the USA and Europe lost 6% and 7%. Water transmission and distribution losses were the lowest globally, with 4.5%. Additionally, DEWA achieved 0.94 minutes annually, which is less than the EU average of 15 minutes, setting a global record for the lowest customer minutes lost (CML).