Dr. Ahmed Handam On The Middle East Writing A Sustainable And Climate Forward Future

Almost 26% of the region's primary energy supply might come from renewables by 2050, according to the analysis conducted for IRENA's World Energy Transitions Outlook (WETO), and this share could rise to 53% in the power sector. This would lead to a decrease in emissions of about 1.1 Gt CO2 per year. According to the Transforming Energy Scenario, the number of jobs in the renewables industry in the region will grow to 2 million by 2050, from 542,000 in 2017. IRENA predicts that hydrogen will provide up to 12 percent of world energy consumption by 2050 in response to the climate emergency and countries' promises to net zero. As a result, various local plans are in the works to meet demand from export markets and hard-to-abate sectors, turning the Middle Eastern market for green hydrogen from a distant possibility into a hopeful reality.

Stretching further on that line, Dr. Ahmed Handam, Academic and expert in energy affairs from Jordan stated, “The future that I see for the renewable energy sector is fully consistent with what was stated by the International Energy Agency in its latest report issued last week, which stated that the global energy crisis sparked by Russia’s war in Ukraine has "sparked unprecedented momentum" for renewable energy capacity, which will increase by 2,400 gigawatts between 2022 and 2027—an 85 percent jump in comparison to the growth rate in the last five years. The most important thing that the report indicated, in my opinion, is that the five-year growth forecast for renewables is 30 percent higher than what the IEA projected in last year’s report, marking the group’s largest upward revision and giving a new indication that confirms and increases the importance of renewable energy in energy security and, thus, the security of countries and their access to sustainability.”

Embedding More Sustainable Solutions Will Lead To A Healthy Future

Concerns about the future, such as climate change, are receiving increased attention from the general public, and more people are calling for long-term, effective answers. While lawmakers are bogged down by political pragmatism and sometimes unable to reach quick consensus on difficult global issues, corporations are often poised and ready to undertake beneficial change quickly. While the considerable focus is placed on how governments respond to environmental concerns, businesses can make a difference right now. Enterprises that want to scale their sustainability initiatives might learn from the proactive, nimble, and intrinsic approach used by platform businesses.

“There are many suggestions in this aspect, and many experts and specialists in this field have preceded me, and they are very important suggestions that will be really useful if they are applied, whether they are related to the production of electricity through renewable energy or what is related to construction, insulation, recycling, etc. Therefore, in my opinion, the most important thing is what makes these proposals applicable, the foremost of which is convincing investors of the importance of such solutions, in addition to decision-makers and society itself, and the impact of this on the world, especially health, which today is witnessing dire consequences due to increased pollution,” said Dr. Ahmed. 

Middle East Rightly Poised To Lead The World

The Middle East has the potential to become the global leader in the field of clean energy due to its abundance of renewable resources. The countries of the Middle East region have great ambitions in the field of renewable energy, which may lead them to achieve an energy transition, thanks to the vast empty spaces of the desert, abundant solar radiation, strong winds, and the orientation of decision-makers through the recent climate summit COP27. High-grade iron ore, DR-grade pellets, low-carbon DRI, and green hydrogen production facilities have recently been announced by a number of large global steelmakers and iron ore miners in the Middle East region. for instance, The United Arab Emirates' largest steel and construction materials manufacturer, Emirates Steel Arkan, revealed in October 2022 that it is attempting to begin DRI production in Abu Dhabi. In the beginning, the project's technology would be a gas-based direct reduction, but eventually, it might switch to employing green hydrogen to lessen its impact on the environment. Not only will renewable energy sources like wind and solar be in operation by the end of 2025, but also a 2GW solar facility that will be the largest in Saudi Arabia and among the biggest planned in the Middle East. It sweeps through the Middle Eastern deserts, mountains, and coastlines, and is being harnessed by massive construction projects. The Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba, Jordan, the northwest corner of Saudi Arabia, and the southeastern coast of Oman are all quite windy and therefore a great location for harnessing the region's abundant wind resources. Wind farms can be built without facing objections from nearby residents, unlike in many parts of Europe.

Highlighting some major obstacles in achieving sustainable goals, Dr. Ahmed commented, “There are certainly a number of barriers that must be overcome before more sustainable solutions can be incorporated into the system, but it is evident that these barriers are being gradually removed as people become more aware of the benefits of using renewable energy sources, the role that they play in ensuring energy security, the use of alternative energy sources, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, the Middle East lacked clear policies for renewable energy initiatives at least ten years ago. The circumstance is considerably different today. The global tendency to change to dependence on renewable energy sources is supported by regulatory and encouraging policies, whether for investors or citizens.”

When it comes to encouraging investment in the renewable energy sector and setting appropriate policies that lead to the stability of the energy market, the two most pressing issues that must be addressed immediately are the lack of awareness in this regard and the lack of a connection between the industrial and academic sectors in order to prepare qualified cadres capable of keeping pace with market needs and the necessary skills for that.

If reports of energy-focused organisations are to be believed then expanding the renewable energy industry throughout the region is both essential and urgent. Efforts to grow the renewable energy sector across the region are necessary to preserve the environment and cut down on carbon dioxide emissions.

Active Promotion Of Sustainable Solutions Could Prove A Master Stroke For Middle East

If the right policies are implemented and professional cadres capable of educating and qualifying engineers are drawn to the Middle East region, the region will become a leader in the sustainable energy industry. There is no resistance to the development of massive and enormous projects that will allow the Middle East to export electricity and connectivity with neighbouring countries, which will have a beneficial effect on the energy price in the Middle East and be felt by citizens and investors.

“I believe that the transformation has already begun through the major projects that I mentioned before, and this is certainly the beginning. The Middle East has many intercontinental projects in the near future in the field of renewable energy,” Dr. Ahmed opined. 

The increasing success of solar energy projects in 11 Arab countries including Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, the Kingdom of Morocco, Oman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the United Arab Emirates shows that the Middle East is a leader in the solar energy field. Solar energy is also playing an increasingly important role in the region's ability to produce hydrogen and ammonia.

Commenting further on the developments, Dr. Ahmed said, “I was born in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where, coincidentally, a massive sustainability project known as the NEOM is currently under construction. In that sense, without a doubt, my ideal city is one that eliminates all carbon emissions while maintaining a beautiful green space for its residents to enjoy.”