Renewable energy installations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region reached 30.3 GW by the end of 2024, reflecting a 119% growth since 2020, according to the Renewables, Hydrogen, and Energy Storage Insights 2030 report by Dii Desert Energy. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) led the region with 6.3 GW, followed by Egypt at 4.6 GW and Saudi Arabia at 4.5 GW, with the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park playing a major role in the UAE’s capacity. Solar power dominates MENA’s solar power capacity stood at 22.3 GW, with the UAE contributing 5 GW, including the 1.5 GW Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and the 2 GW Al Dhafra project in Abu Dhabi — one of the world’s largest single-site solar installations. Industrial and commercial rooftop solar installations are expected to cross 600 MW by the end of 2024. Saudi Arabia leads ongoing solar development with large-scale projects like the 2,030 MW Al Shuaiba 2, while Oman plans to commission its 500 MW Manah 1 and 2 projects in 2025. Wind power expansion MENA’s wind power capacity reached 6.2 GW, with Egypt and Morocco each contributing over 2 GW. The UAE added 100 MW across four sites in 2023. Around 15 GW of wind projects are under development, including a 10 GW project in Egypt by UAE-based Masdar. Hydrogen projects surge The region saw a sharp increase in hydrogen projects, rising from 75 in 2023 to 117 in 2024, with 90% focused on green hydrogen. Egypt leads with 29 projects, and the region’s planned electrolyser capacity is set between 200 GW and 230 GW, with commissioning expected beyond 2030. Energy storage gains momentum MENA currently has nine operational energy storage projects totalling 13,000 MWh, mostly using battery energy storage systems (BESS). Eleven more projects, including two pumped hydro storage systems, will add 16,750 MWh. Saudi Arabia’s 500 MW/2,000 MWh Bisha BESS project was commissioned in January 2025, with more projects under tender across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Morocco, targeting a combined 25,000 MWh. 2030 outlook The region’s renewable energy target for 2030 is set at 236 GW, with projections indicating 131 GW in a conservative scenario, 165 GW in a balanced scenario, and 290 GW in an optimistic scenario. Solar PV targets 115 GW, with the current project pipeline at 75 GW, while onshore wind aims for 75 GW, including two 10 GW mega projects in Egypt. Saudi Arabia is expected to contribute nearly half of the MENA target, with 100–130 GW of renewable capacity and a 45–50% share in the energy mix. Oman aims for 30% renewable capacity (3.8 GW) by 2028, and Egypt targets 45 GW of renewables, including 28 GW from wind by 2030. The region also aims to produce 10 million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030, requiring an additional 128 GW of renewable energy capacity. With more than 110 hydrogen projects announced, MENA’s total renewable energy requirement for these projects exceeds 450 GW, though most completions are slated beyond 2030. In 2024, TotalEnergies and Aljomaih Energy & Water Company secured a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Saudi Power Procurement Company for the 300 MW Rabigh 2 solar project in Saudi Arabia, reflecting continued investment in the region’s renewable future. (Mercom)