São Paulo – The Middle East saw a 5% increase in its renewable energy capacity last year, which stood at 24,224 megawatts (MW). Despite the growth, there was a slowdown in the results compared to previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic affecting ongoing projects, according to information published in the Saudi Arabian newspaper Arab News’s website. In the photo above, a solar panel plant in Saudi Arabia.
In 2018 and 2019, the growth in local renewable energy capacity had been 13%. According to a report by the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), the goal for the region is to reach 80-gigawatt capacity by 2030.
The global agency reported that the growth of regional renewable energy is in line with the Middle East’s ambition to diversify its economy. According to Irena, the region recognizes the socio-economic benefits of renewable energy.
Amid the countries, the United Arab Emirates increased its capacity from 13 MW, in 2011, to 2,540 MW last year. Saudi Arabia’s capacity has increased from 3 MW to 413 MW.
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
