Analyzing feasible renewable energy policies: Uae electricity authorities

Abstract

Over the past few decades, the impact of energy demand on the environment has increased global nations focus on sustainability efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that required intervention and a shared sense of responsibility. The need for a long-term sustainable energy policy became of high importance due to the increasing CO2 emissions and the rising marginal cost of natural gas supply, which is the primary backbone of the UAE domestic energy system. The UAE government recognized the need to deploy renewable energy to address climate change and CO2 emission problem by diversifying their energy resources, but the critical challenge is to minimize the gap between RE policy formulation and actual implementation. This study conducts intensive research to support solar energy deployment in the UAE by introducing a framework to promote feasible RE policy mechanisms that can be implemented to break up the monopoly. Therefore, the research intends to assist UAE electricity authorities in considering RE policies to meet the energy demand by taking advantage of UAE's abundant solar irradiance, which reduces the dependence on fossil fuels. However, the paper's main findings indicate RE policies to promote sustainability deployment, including feed-in-tariffs (FIT), net metering, RE auctions (tendering), quotas, and tax credits. In contrast, a mixed FIT policy and quota policy is recommended for the UAE's electricity sector whereas the significant factors influencing RE development are geographical, economic, technological, environmental, and political factors.