UAE Advances Environmental Protection and Clean Energy Transition with Landmark Initiatives in 2025

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: Throughout 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) rolled out a series of high-impact initiatives in environmental protection and clean energy, further strengthening its position as a global leader in climate action and sustainability.

The wide-ranging projects reflect the UAE’s national vision to build a low-carbon economy, lead international sustainability efforts, and expand environmental protection and biodiversity conservation across land and marine ecosystems.

The year began with the launch of the world’s first large-scale, round-the-clock gigascale renewable energy project in Abu Dhabi, combining solar power generation with battery storage. Capable of delivering up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of renewable baseload power daily, the facility is set to become the world’s largest integrated solar and battery energy storage system (BESS).

In marine research, the specialised vessel Jaywun carried out the first comprehensive modern seabed sediment survey off the coast of Abu Dhabi, aimed at assessing the impacts of climate change on the Arabian Gulf’s marine ecosystem.

Significant progress was also recorded in the circular economy. BEEAH announced plans to establish the Middle East’s first commercial-scale waste-to-hydrogen plant, targeting daily production of seven tonnes by 2027. In parallel, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology launched a national initiative to recycle used tyres for industrial manufacturing purposes.

To enhance water security, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure introduced the Geospatial Data Platform for Agriculture and Water Resources. The initiative aims to reduce groundwater use in agriculture by 2 percent and increase reliance on unconventional water resources by between 8 and 13 percent by 2027. Additionally, the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative partnered with the World Bank to accelerate global innovation in addressing water scarcity.

Environmental conservation efforts reached notable milestones, including the discovery of three new plant species in Sharjah and the inclusion of the Khor Kalba Mangrove Centre in the Wetlands Link International network.

In Abu Dhabi, the Environment Agency launched the “Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens,” a 1,200-square-kilometre initiative involving the deployment of 40,000 eco-friendly artificial reef structures to support marine biodiversity. The agency also announced a project to plant more than four million coral colonies by 2030 and expanded the emirate’s protected natural reserves to cover 20 percent of its total land area.

Sustainable transport initiatives also gained momentum in 2025. The UAE confirmed plans to install 500 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations nationwide by year-end. DP World deployed an electric freight solution at Jebel Ali Port, expected to transport more than 204,000 twenty-foot equivalent containers while reducing carbon emissions by over 14,600 tonnes. Etihad Rail reported that construction of the solar-powered Ghuwaifat freight terminal remains on track for completion by the end of the year.

On the international front, the UAE expanded its global clean energy footprint, developing 446 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity in Albania, Italy, and Spain, alongside major projects in Indonesia and a 2 GW solar power plant in Saudi Arabia. Additional solar initiatives were advanced in Madagascar, Yemen, Egypt, and Chad.

Masdar strengthened its international partnerships by collaborating with Austria’s OMV to develop and operate a new 140 MW green hydrogen plant in Austria. The company also secured contracts for two solar photovoltaic projects with a combined capacity of 2 GW in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Mubadala invested €300 million in renewable energy projects across Central and Eastern Europe through a partnership with Actis.

Domestically, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company marked one year of full commercial operations at the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, which now supplies 25 percent of the UAE’s electricity demand and prevents an estimated 22.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

In support of global climate resilience, the UAE committed $10 million to enhance disaster-resilient infrastructure and climate adaptation efforts across the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring its continued commitment to international climate cooperation and sustainable development.