Could the Middle East become a solar energy exporter?Nations of the Middle East could readily transform themselves from the world’s major oil exporters to significant exporters of solar-generated energy, according to modelling by researchers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE 1 . This bold vision could reduce the region’s reliance on oil and gas, while providing a clean and sustainable alternative.
How much energy does the Middle East generate?According to the Energy Institute’s Statistical Review of World Energy 2024, natural gas accounted for more than 75% of generation in the Middle East region (i.e. excluding North Africa) in 2023. Oil-fired power stations provided a further 23%. Coal is generally of fairly peripheral importance, providing just 1.3% of total Middle East generation.
How much oil is used in electricity generation in the Middle East?The use of oil in electricity generation peaked in the Middle East in 2013, at 380TWh, according to the Energy Institute figures. Since then, it has been on a slow but steady decline, reaching 309TWh in 2023.
What is energy storage system deployment in MENA?Energy Storage System deployment in MENA Energy Storage Systems (ESS) play a critical role in the integration of VRE into the power grid, as these systems manage the intermittencies of renewable energy resources and mitigate potential power supply disruptions.
What role does energy play in the Middle East & North Africa?The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is one where the energy sector plays an outsized role. Around half of the economies are net energy exporters, accounting for 35% of the world’s oil and condensate production and around 22% of global gas output, according to figures from the Energy Institute.
Which energy storage technology has the most installed capacity in MENA?Pumped hydro storage (PHS) has the largest share of installed capacity in MENA at 55%, as compared to a global share of 90%. Pumped hydro storage is one of the oldest energy storage technologies, which explains its dominance in the global ESS mark
Jun 13, 2025 · Business News EIA Sees Energy Shifts Through 2026: Challenges and Openings for MENA U.S. oil forecasts show falling prices and rising
The Paperwork Gauntlet (and How to Beat It) Exporting energy storage systems to the Middle East isn''t for the faint-hearted. It''s like trying to fit a Tesla Powerwall through the eye of a
Additionally, DEWA is studying the idea of building a 400MW pumped-storage hydropower station in the Arabian Gulf that has a 2,500MWh storage capacity in an effort to diversify DEWA''s
Dec 6, 2024 · MENA Region Accelerates Energy Transition, Solar+Storage & Grids Seize Growth Opportunities MENA has huge sunlight potential and has
Jan 29, 2025 · Tomaz Guadagnin, Country Manager of the GCC and Pakistan for ENGIE, talks to The Energy Year about bringing renewable energy and
Jun 9, 2023 · In order to meet renewable energy targets in MENA, the deployment of wide-scale energy storage will be crucial. As the Arab
Dec 9, 2024 · Within the next 25 years, the Middle East and North Africa will be a global leader in renewable energy production and a hub for international
Jun 24, 2025 · Battery Market Landscape The Middle East and Africa battery market is experiencing transformative growth amid rapid industrialization and economic diversification
Aug 7, 2025 · AN EXCLUSIVE REPORT FOR THE WORLD FUTURE ENERGY SUMMIT BY Grid connected solar PV capacity in the Middle East is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.9%
6 days ago · Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has begun electricity exports trials from its pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant in Hatta to Dubai. This milestone marks the
Aug 19, 2025 · The Middle East holds some of the lowest-cost oil and gas resources in the world, and in 2024 provided around 30% of global oil
Nov 8, 2021 · Nations of the Middle East could readily transform themselves from the world''s major oil exporters to significant exporters of solar-generated
1 day ago · For 50 years, Middle East Energy has been a cornerstone of the region''s energy sector growth and innovation. This golden milestone is more than a celebration — it''s a
Sep 20, 2023 · An excellent example of a battery storage project in Australia is the Hazelwood Battery Energy Storage System As the world embraces
12 hours ago · As solar capacity scales into the tens of gigawatts, utilities are being tasked with building flexible grids, integrating storage, and ensuring reliable supply from an increasingly
Jan 28, 2025 · The Middle East and Africa (MEA) Energy Storage Outlook analyses key market drivers, barriers, and policies shaping energy storage
Apr 18, 2025 · Despite technological readiness, power export ambitions hinge on improved regional interconnections and the creation of functional electricity
Feb 17, 2025 · The debate around energy production and low carbon technologies is of vital importance to Qatar, for two reasons.
May 8, 2025 · Saudi Arabia''s ACWA Power has inked a series of agreements aimed at transforming the Kingdom into a central node for renewable energy
Jul 11, 2020 · Middle East oil producers are looking beyond their dependence on fossil fuels to sustain an energy future W ith an abundance of low-cost hydrocarbons, spending on energy
Jul 9, 2025 · The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecast that Brent crude oil prices will average below $70 per barrel in 2025 and around $58 in
Jan 24, 2025 · According to data compiled by the Paris-based IEA, renewable energy provided just 5% of the MENA region''s total power generation in 2023, with variable energy sources
Dec 11, 2024 · To date, the most popular way to store excess energy has been pumped storage hydropower plants, but battery energy storage systems (BESS) and thermal storage in the
May 1, 2025 · This rapid growth positions the Middle East as a leading contributor to global energy storage expansion in 2025, with new installations anticipated to reach 20 GWh, a
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA STATUS/CHARACTERISTICS AND NEEDS: Regional analysis covers major oil and gas exporters as well as net importers, spanning the Gulf States,
Apr 2, 2024 · Middle EastHis Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, laid the foundation stone for the Ras Laffan Petrochemical Complex, one of the largest
Feb 17, 2025 · Saudi Arabia has established itself as a leading player among the top ten global markets in the area of energy storage in Saudi Arabia,
Aug 3, 2025 · As fossil fuels decline, Gulf nations invest billions in AI infrastructure, aiming to make compute power their next global energy export
5 days ago · World Energy Investment 2024 - Analysis and key findings. A report by the International Energy Agency.
5 days ago · This report explores the importance of energy storage in overcoming the intermittency of renewable energy sources in the MENA region. It discusses current energy
Oct 29, 2023 · Introduction The energy and electricity landscape in the Middle East (ME) is in a midst of transition as climate change, and energy security concerns took center hold in 2022.
Mar 27, 2025 · Dubai, UAE – The Middle East energy market is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by ambitious renewable energy targets, declining
Dec 6, 2024 · SmartPropel Energy exports 10KWH rack-mounted lithium iron phosphate energy storage battery to Saudi Arabia. MENA national policies help transform the energy structure
Apr 17, 2021 · The Middle East and North Africa can exploit solar energy resources and export them to Europe and South Asia for a sustainable future of the world. A high voltage direct
A healthy energy mix of renewables and natural gas will achieve the optimal grid stability to supply uninterrupted power to the region''s industries and homes. This will include energy storage
Feb 10, 2025 · New projects emerged for both green hydrogen, produced via water electrolysis using renewable power, and its blue counterpart, made from natural gas with carbon capture
Nations of the Middle East could readily transform themselves from the world’s major oil exporters to significant exporters of solar-generated energy, according to modelling by researchers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE 1 . This bold vision could reduce the region’s reliance on oil and gas, while providing a clean and sustainable alternative.
According to the Energy Institute’s Statistical Review of World Energy 2024, natural gas accounted for more than 75% of generation in the Middle East region (i.e. excluding North Africa) in 2023. Oil-fired power stations provided a further 23%. Coal is generally of fairly peripheral importance, providing just 1.3% of total Middle East generation.
The use of oil in electricity generation peaked in the Middle East in 2013, at 380TWh, according to the Energy Institute figures. Since then, it has been on a slow but steady decline, reaching 309TWh in 2023.
Energy Storage System deployment in MENA Energy Storage Systems (ESS) play a critical role in the integration of VRE into the power grid, as these systems manage the intermittencies of renewable energy resources and mitigate potential power supply disruptions.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is one where the energy sector plays an outsized role. Around half of the economies are net energy exporters, accounting for 35% of the world’s oil and condensate production and around 22% of global gas output, according to figures from the Energy Institute.
Pumped hydro storage (PHS) has the largest share of installed capacity in MENA at 55%, as compared to a global share of 90%. Pumped hydro storage is one of the oldest energy storage technologies, which explains its dominance in the global ESS market.
The global commercial and industrial solar energy storage battery market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with demand increasing by over 400% in the past three years. Large-scale battery storage solutions now account for approximately 45% of all new commercial solar installations worldwide. North America leads with 42% market share, driven by corporate sustainability goals and federal investment tax credits that reduce total system costs by 30-35%. Europe follows with 35% market share, where standardized industrial storage designs have cut installation timelines by 60% compared to custom solutions. Asia-Pacific represents the fastest-growing region at 50% CAGR, with manufacturing innovations reducing system prices by 20% annually. Emerging markets are adopting commercial storage for peak shaving and energy cost reduction, with typical payback periods of 3-6 years. Modern industrial installations now feature integrated systems with 50kWh to multi-megawatt capacity at costs below $500/kWh for complete energy solutions.
Technological advancements are dramatically improving solar energy storage battery performance while reducing costs for commercial applications. Next-generation battery management systems maintain optimal performance with 50% less energy loss, extending battery lifespan to 20+ years. Standardized plug-and-play designs have reduced installation costs from $1,000/kW to $550/kW since 2022. Smart integration features now allow industrial systems to operate as virtual power plants, increasing business savings by 40% through time-of-use optimization and grid services. Safety innovations including multi-stage protection and thermal management systems have reduced insurance premiums by 30% for commercial storage installations. New modular designs enable capacity expansion through simple battery additions at just $450/kWh for incremental storage. These innovations have improved ROI significantly, with commercial projects typically achieving payback in 4-7 years depending on local electricity rates and incentive programs. Recent pricing trends show standard industrial systems (50-100kWh) starting at $25,000 and premium systems (200-500kWh) from $100,000, with flexible financing options available for businesses.