Solar and wind power were once considered ‘alternative’ energy, but no more. Today, they are spearheading the future of energy. Sustainable, increasingly efficient and important assets in the quest for energy security, these two sources have moved mainstream.

In 2017, about 61 per cent of all new power generation capacity installed globally was renewable, more than double the level of new fossil fuel power capacity. And with technological advances driving efficiency in both energy consumption and generation, solar and wind energy are now the primary sources of power capacity in several regions worldwide.

However, despite the uptake of solar power in the UAE and the commitments made by governments across the region to significantly increase the contribution of renewables to their energy mix, the Gulf lags behind global renewables leaders, with progress disappointingly slow in key markets such as Saudi Arabia. 

Even so, the energy transformation is spreading, driven primarily by cost. The cost of generating solar and wind energy is now on a par with oil and gas power, making the technology a viable means of diversifying the energy supply.

However, solar and wind are not destined to become the sole sources of power any time soon. While they provide vital additional capacity, their inconsistent supply means they cannot provide a steady baseload. This can currently only realistically be provided by fossil fuels or nuclear.

The missing link in the development of solar and wind power is efficient storage systems that can retain energy for later use. With Jordan and Dubai both actively involved in pioneering large-scale solar energy storage projects, the Middle East already has a foothold in the next phase of the rise of renewable energy.

More from this month's Agenda

Cover story: Growing support for renewables leads to lucrative opportunities

Expert opinion: Region inches closer to renewable targets

Infographic: Renewables investment soars amid falling costs