United Arab Emirates Electricity: Generation Mix, Demand and Emissions
The United Arab Emirates generated 177 TWh of electricity in 2024, according to Ember. Gas was the largest source at 68.3%, followed by nuclear (22.9%) and solar (8.6%). Demand was 177 TWh and each kWh generated emitted 468 gCO2/kWh. These are annual statistics for 2024; they are compiled from national sources and are not real time.
Key Facts
- The United Arab Emirates generated 177 TWh of electricity in 2024.
- Gas supplied 68.3% of the United Arab Emirates' electricity in 2024.
- Nuclear supplied 22.9% of the United Arab Emirates' electricity in 2024.
- Solar supplied 8.6% of the United Arab Emirates' electricity in 2024.
- Low carbon sources (nuclear and renewables) supplied 31.7% of the United Arab Emirates' generation in 2024.
- The carbon intensity of the United Arab Emirates' electricity was 468 gCO2/kWh in 2024.
- The United Arab Emirates' carbon intensity in 2024 was 31% lower than in 1985, when it was 677 gCO2/kWh.
- The United Arab Emirates had the 26th highest electricity demand among the 197 countries with Ember data for 2024.
Key Figures, 2024
| Measure | Value | As of / source |
|---|---|---|
| Total generation | 177 TWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Electricity demand | 177 TWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Demand per person | 16.05 MWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Net imports | -240 GWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Carbon intensity | 468 gCO2/kWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Power sector emissions | 82.9 MtCO2 | 2024 · Ember |
| Demand rank (countries with 2024 data) | 26 of 197 | 2024 · Ember |
Generation Mix, 2024
Year by Year
Ember annual statistics, 1985 to 2024| Year | Gas | Nuclear | Solar | Bioenergy | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 12.2 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1986 | 12.8 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1987 | 13.7 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1988 | 14.8 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1989 | 15.6 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1990 | 17.1 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1991 | 17.2 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1992 | 18.7 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1993 | 21.7 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1994 | 23.7 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1995 | 25.0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1996 | 26.6 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1997 | 28.5 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1998 | 33.4 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 1999 | 37.1 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2000 | 39.9 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2001 | 43.2 TWh | n/a | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2002 | 46.9 TWh | n/a | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2003 | 49.5 TWh | n/a | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2004 | 52.4 TWh | n/a | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2005 | 60.7 TWh | n/a | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2006 | 62.4 TWh | n/a | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2007 | 78.8 TWh | n/a | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2008 | 80.5 TWh | n/a | 0 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2009 | 85.7 TWh | n/a | 10.0 GWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2010 | 93.9 TWh | n/a | 20.0 GWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2011 | 99.1 TWh | n/a | 20.0 GWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2012 | 106 TWh | n/a | 20.0 GWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2013 | 110 TWh | n/a | 90.0 GWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2014 | 116 TWh | 0 TWh | 310 GWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2015 | 127 TWh | 0 TWh | 300 GWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2016 | 129 TWh | 0 TWh | 320 GWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2017 | 134 TWh | 0 TWh | 750 GWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2018 | 135 TWh | 0 TWh | 1.20 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2019 | 135 TWh | 0 TWh | 3.66 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2020 | 130 TWh | 1.63 TWh | 5.18 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2021 | 129 TWh | 10.6 TWh | 6.25 TWh | 0 TWh | 0 TWh |
| 2022 | 128 TWh | 20.1 TWh | 7.74 TWh | 10.0 GWh | 0 TWh |
| 2023 | 118 TWh | 34.4 TWh | 14.4 TWh | 210 GWh | 60.0 GWh |
| 2024 | 121 TWh | 40.6 TWh | 15.2 TWh | 210 GWh | 200 GWh |
| Year | Generation | Demand | Carbon intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 177 TWh | 177 TWh | 468 gCO2/kWh |
| 2023 | 168 TWh | 167 TWh | 484 gCO2/kWh |
| 2022 | 155 TWh | 155 TWh | 559 gCO2/kWh |
| 2021 | 149 TWh | 149 TWh | 605 gCO2/kWh |
| 2020 | 137 TWh | 137 TWh | 646 gCO2/kWh |
| 2019 | 138 TWh | 138 TWh | 660 gCO2/kWh |
| 2018 | 136 TWh | 136 TWh | 671 gCO2/kWh |
| 2017 | 135 TWh | 134 TWh | 673 gCO2/kWh |
| 2016 | 130 TWh | 130 TWh | 675 gCO2/kWh |
| 2015 | 127 TWh | 127 TWh | 675 gCO2/kWh |
Full year by year history for United Arab Emirates, 1985 to 2024
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2024.
United Arab Emirates Electricity FAQ
What is the main source of electricity in the United Arab Emirates?
Gas was the largest source of electricity in the United Arab Emirates in 2024, supplying 68.3% of generation, followed by nuclear (22.9%) and solar (8.6%). Figures are Ember annual statistics.
How much electricity does the United Arab Emirates use?
The United Arab Emirates used 177 TWh of electricity in 2024, about 16.05 MWh per person.
How clean is the United Arab Emirates' electricity?
Generating a kilowatt hour of electricity in the United Arab Emirates emitted 468 gCO2/kWh in 2024, and low carbon sources supplied 31.7% of generation. That is close to the world average of 472 gCO2/kWh.
Does the United Arab Emirates import electricity?
No. The United Arab Emirates was a net exporter in 2024, exporting 240 GWh more than it imported.