United Arab Emirates Solar Power: Generation, Share and Trend
The United Arab Emirates generated 15.2 TWh of electricity from solar in 2024, 8.6% of its total, according to Ember. That made it the 22nd largest solar power producer in 2024 of the 180 countries with Ember data, comparing each country's latest year. Solar supplied 7.0% of the world's electricity in 2024. These are annual statistics for 2024; they are compiled from national sources and are not real time.
Key Facts
- The United Arab Emirates generated 15.2 TWh of electricity from solar in 2024.
- Solar supplied 8.6% of the United Arab Emirates' electricity in 2024.
- The United Arab Emirates was the 22nd largest solar power producer in 2024 among the 180 countries with Ember data, comparing each country's latest year.
- The United Arab Emirates' solar generation in 2024 was 316% higher than in 2019, when it was 3.66 TWh.
- The United Arab Emirates' solar generation in 2024 was 49 times the 2014 level of 310 GWh.
- 2024 was the United Arab Emirates' highest year for solar generation in Ember's records, which start in 1985.
- The United Arab Emirates' solar share in 2024 was above the world share of 7.0%.
- The United Arab Emirates had 6.50 GW of solar generating capacity in 2024.
Key Figures, 2024
| Measure | Value | As of / source |
|---|---|---|
| Solar generation | 15.2 TWh | 2024 · Ember |
| Share of the United Arab Emirates' electricity | 8.6% | 2024 · Ember |
| World share of solar | 7.0% | 2024 · Ember |
| Rank by solar generation (each country's latest year) | 22 of 180 | 2024 · Ember |
| Solar capacity | 6.50 GW | 2024 · Ember |
Solar Generation Year by Year
Ember annual statistics, 1985 to 2024Annual statistics through 2024, TWh
| Year | Solar |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 0 TWh |
| 1986 | 0 TWh |
| 1987 | 0 TWh |
| 1988 | 0 TWh |
| 1989 | 0 TWh |
| 1990 | 0 TWh |
| 1991 | 0 TWh |
| 1992 | 0 TWh |
| 1993 | 0 TWh |
| 1994 | 0 TWh |
| 1995 | 0 TWh |
| 1996 | 0 TWh |
| 1997 | 0 TWh |
| 1998 | 0 TWh |
| 1999 | 0 TWh |
| 2000 | 0 TWh |
| 2001 | 0 TWh |
| 2002 | 0 TWh |
| 2003 | 0 TWh |
| 2004 | 0 TWh |
| 2005 | 0 TWh |
| 2006 | 0 TWh |
| 2007 | 0 TWh |
| 2008 | 0 TWh |
| 2009 | 10.0 GWh |
| 2010 | 20.0 GWh |
| 2011 | 20.0 GWh |
| 2012 | 20.0 GWh |
| 2013 | 90.0 GWh |
| 2014 | 310 GWh |
| 2015 | 300 GWh |
| 2016 | 320 GWh |
| 2017 | 750 GWh |
| 2018 | 1.20 TWh |
| 2019 | 3.66 TWh |
| 2020 | 5.18 TWh |
| 2021 | 6.25 TWh |
| 2022 | 7.74 TWh |
| 2023 | 14.4 TWh |
| 2024 | 15.2 TWh |
Annual statistics through 2024, % of generation
| Year | United Arab Emirates | World |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1986 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1987 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1988 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1989 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1990 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1991 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1992 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1993 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1994 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1995 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1996 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1997 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1998 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 1999 | 0.0% | n/a |
| 2000 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2001 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2002 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2003 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2004 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2005 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2006 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2007 | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2008 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| 2009 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| 2010 | 0.0% | 0.2% |
| 2011 | 0.0% | 0.3% |
| 2012 | 0.0% | 0.4% |
| 2013 | 0.1% | 0.6% |
| 2014 | 0.3% | 0.8% |
| 2015 | 0.2% | 1.1% |
| 2016 | 0.3% | 1.3% |
| 2017 | 0.6% | 1.8% |
| 2018 | 0.9% | 2.2% |
| 2019 | 2.6% | 2.6% |
| 2020 | 3.8% | 3.2% |
| 2021 | 4.2% | 3.7% |
| 2022 | 5.0% | 4.6% |
| 2023 | 8.6% | 5.6% |
| 2024 | 8.6% | 7.0% |
| Year | Generation | Share | World share | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15.2 TWh | 8.6% | 7.0% | 6.50 GW |
| 2023 | 14.4 TWh | 8.6% | 5.6% | 5.94 GW |
| 2022 | 7.74 TWh | 5.0% | 4.6% | 3.60 GW |
| 2021 | 6.25 TWh | 4.2% | 3.7% | 3.00 GW |
| 2020 | 5.18 TWh | 3.8% | 3.2% | 2.33 GW |
| 2019 | 3.66 TWh | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.94 GW |
| 2018 | 1.20 TWh | 0.9% | 2.2% | 600 MW |
| 2017 | 750 GWh | 0.6% | 1.8% | 350 MW |
| 2016 | 320 GWh | 0.3% | 1.3% | 140 MW |
| 2015 | 300 GWh | 0.2% | 1.1% | 130 MW |
Full year by year history for United Arab Emirates
Source: Ember (ember-energy.org), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data as of 2024. World shares are Ember's World totals; ranks compare each country's latest year, which can differ between countries.