Abstract
The growth of Dubai and the constantly increasing electricity consumption put significant
pressure on the future sustainability of the energy supply. The coursework examines the trends in
electricity consumption in Dubai and proposes alternative energy sources that can generate
sufficient electricity in the future. The coursework examines the potential of solar and wind
energy as sustainable energy sources in the future. The policies of Dubai in the field are
examined closely as the many investments in solar and wind energy have already been
undertaken. The coursework also provides a list of recommendations that can improve the
production of sustainable solar and wind energy in Dubai.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction...................................................................................................................................1
2 Current electricity supply market in Dubai: description and critical assessment..........................3
2.1 Sustainability and sustainable development...........................................................................5
3 Alternative electricity generation technologies.............................................................................6
3.1 Wind power............................................................................................................................7
3.2 Solar energy............................................................................................................................9
4 Recommendations........................................................................................................................10
Bibliography...................................................................................................................................13
1 Introduction
The paper focuses on analysing the case of Dubai. It is one the biggest cities in United Arab
Emirates (UAE) with a fast-growing local economy. The case of Dubai is intriguing because of
the city’s relentless energy consumption growth over the last several decades and the recent
policies for energy consumption reduction and introduction of more sustainable energy solutions.
1
, As already mentioned, the energy consumption growth dynamics is one of the highest in the
world. Fig. 1 demonstrates the total UAE since 1980. The growth for the 1980-2006 period is
almost 10-fold (McDonald, 2009). Today, UAE has one of the highest per capita energy
consumption levels. The role of Dubai in defining the trend is decisive as ¼ of the total UAE
population are inhabitants of the city. Recently, the energy demand growth in Dubai alone has
been stabilised at a level of 5% per annum (Saadi, 2014). Yet, the growth rate results in energy
consumption double approximately every 14 years, which is much higher than the average global
levels and represents a challenge to electricity producers in Dubai.
Fig. 1 UAE energy consumption (1980-2006)
Source: McDonald (2009)
The significant growth can be explained by not only with the population excessive consumption
habits, but also with some macro factors. For example, the Dubai population growth is quite high
as the city attracts many expatriate workers, predominantly from Asia and Europe. According to
official data by Dubai Statistics Centre, the city population size reached 2.17 million in 2012 by
increasing with 200,000 new inhabitants since 2010 (Kapur, 2013). In addition, tourism growth is
projected to increase with 6.5% per annum between 2011 and 2021 which additionally inflate
2
The growth of Dubai and the constantly increasing electricity consumption put significant
pressure on the future sustainability of the energy supply. The coursework examines the trends in
electricity consumption in Dubai and proposes alternative energy sources that can generate
sufficient electricity in the future. The coursework examines the potential of solar and wind
energy as sustainable energy sources in the future. The policies of Dubai in the field are
examined closely as the many investments in solar and wind energy have already been
undertaken. The coursework also provides a list of recommendations that can improve the
production of sustainable solar and wind energy in Dubai.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction...................................................................................................................................1
2 Current electricity supply market in Dubai: description and critical assessment..........................3
2.1 Sustainability and sustainable development...........................................................................5
3 Alternative electricity generation technologies.............................................................................6
3.1 Wind power............................................................................................................................7
3.2 Solar energy............................................................................................................................9
4 Recommendations........................................................................................................................10
Bibliography...................................................................................................................................13
1 Introduction
The paper focuses on analysing the case of Dubai. It is one the biggest cities in United Arab
Emirates (UAE) with a fast-growing local economy. The case of Dubai is intriguing because of
the city’s relentless energy consumption growth over the last several decades and the recent
policies for energy consumption reduction and introduction of more sustainable energy solutions.
1
, As already mentioned, the energy consumption growth dynamics is one of the highest in the
world. Fig. 1 demonstrates the total UAE since 1980. The growth for the 1980-2006 period is
almost 10-fold (McDonald, 2009). Today, UAE has one of the highest per capita energy
consumption levels. The role of Dubai in defining the trend is decisive as ¼ of the total UAE
population are inhabitants of the city. Recently, the energy demand growth in Dubai alone has
been stabilised at a level of 5% per annum (Saadi, 2014). Yet, the growth rate results in energy
consumption double approximately every 14 years, which is much higher than the average global
levels and represents a challenge to electricity producers in Dubai.
Fig. 1 UAE energy consumption (1980-2006)
Source: McDonald (2009)
The significant growth can be explained by not only with the population excessive consumption
habits, but also with some macro factors. For example, the Dubai population growth is quite high
as the city attracts many expatriate workers, predominantly from Asia and Europe. According to
official data by Dubai Statistics Centre, the city population size reached 2.17 million in 2012 by
increasing with 200,000 new inhabitants since 2010 (Kapur, 2013). In addition, tourism growth is
projected to increase with 6.5% per annum between 2011 and 2021 which additionally inflate
2
