EJ 14: A GREENER MIDDLE EAST

Milan, July 26, 2019 – With our latest issue of The Energy Journal, the 14th,  we bring our global voyage through the effects and perspectives generated by the energy transition focusing on the Middle East, and the Gulf countries in particular, considered as one of the most interesting and fast-changing areas in the world. Despite their historical role of leadership in the fossil fuel sector, we found out these Countries are all determined to become key players of the renewables revolution, with different interesting objectives. We had the opportunity to deepen the topic with Bahrain’s Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, Dr. Mirza, who underlined the strategic importance of Bahrain’s National Energy Efficiency Action Plan, that set a national energy efficiency improvement target of 6% by 2025. On the other hand, this shift toward decarbonization is fully supported by international bodies such as IRENA. Dr. Francesco La Camera, its Director-General, answered our questions on renewable energy projects in the Gulf region, emphasizing the role of cooperation and concrete policies to help reduce climate change. In this respect, the UAE set the target of 50% green energy generation by 2050 and the goal is 30% by 2030 for Saudi Arabia. That year is crucial, since 2030 is the deadline of “Vision 2030”, Saudi Arabia’s plan to reduce its dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors.
Cities in the Middle East, and first of all Dubai, are working in this direction, becoming day by day smarter and building their new identities around sustainability and innovation. Working in the Gulf  area since 2009, CESI  is directly helping these ​​​countries achieve their energy goals with different projects, from interconnections to smart metering, sure that they will generate  new commercial opportunities for everyone. Check theissue.​​