9 November 2026Established 2026 · English edition
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UAE solar capacity projected to reach 4,000 kWh per capita by 2031

International Energy Agency forecasts UAE per-capita solar generation will exceed global average threefold by 2031.

Aerial view of solar panel array in geometric formation across desert landscape.Photograph by Tom Fisk on Pexels

Solar electricity generation in the UAE is forecast to exceed 4,000 kilowatt-hours per capita by 2031, according to the International Energy Agency's 2026 Renewables report published in Paris. The figure is more than three times the global average of approximately 800 kWh per capita forecast for the same year. Oman and Qatar are also among the top ten countries for per-capita solar generation, ranking third and fifth respectively, with all ten countries expected to exceed 2,000 kWh per capita by 2031.

Abu Dhabi clean energy output reaches 46 percent#

Clean energy from nuclear, solar and wind now supplies almost 46 percent of Abu Dhabi's power generation, up from under 5 percent in 2020, according to data published by utilities-me.com. The increase represents a more than tenfold expansion in clean energy output over the four-year period. The UAE has set a clean energy target covering renewables and nuclear of 35 percent by 2030 to 2031, according to The National's report of remarks at the Middle East Energy summit in September.

Middle East renewable capacity to triple through 2031#

The Middle East is forecast to triple its renewable energy capacity between 2026 and 2031, matching growth rates projected for Africa and Southeast Asia, the IEA said. Saudi Arabia is forecast to increase its renewable energy expansion fivefold through 2031, followed by the UAE. The agency's forecast for emerging and developing economies has risen by almost 20 percent compared with its Renewables report published a year earlier.

Global renewables market projected at 4,800 GW by 2031#

Global renewable electricity capacity is projected to reach nearly 4,800 gigawatts between 2026 and 2031, a 57 percent increase compared with the previous six years, the IEA reported. Solar power will account for approximately three quarters of the world's total renewable electricity capacity, which is expected to increase by nearly 85 percent by 2031. China is forecast to remain the top market for renewable capacity additions, with India rising to second place, the agency said.

Sources2 sources across 2 domains

  1. thenationalnews.comThe NationalUAE projected to generate over 4,000 kWh solar per capita by 2031, IEA 2026 Renewables report, global average 800 kWh, top ten countries above 2,000 kWh, clean energy target of 35% by 2030 to 2031 announced at Middle East Energy summit in September
  2. utilities-me.comUtilities Middle EastAbu Dhabi clean energy at 46% of power generation, up from under 5% in 2020

Each source above carries the claim it supports. Links open the publisher's own page; their text is not reproduced here beyond what the claim requires, and their rights remain theirs.

Filed underuae solar capacityiea renewables reportabu dhabi clean energymiddle east solar generationper capita solar output

Arabia Tomorrow is published by Arabian Media Network. Pieces are produced by the Infrastructure Capital Desk with AI-assisted synthesis of the cited sources and automated verification against the network's editorial policy. Every piece carries a desk rather than a reporter. Corrections are recorded on the piece and on the corrections page.

The dataset behind this storyThe Energisation Ledger

Every announced MENA data centre and IPP: announced capacity, financing status, EPC awarded, chip licence status, stated energisation quarter, slip to date in quarters.

35 rowsverified 3 September 2026CSV

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