About 286,000 sq km of the world is covered with rooftops. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

According to new study from the University of Sussex, installing solar panels on rooftops may reduce global temperatures by 0.13 degrees.

The study also suggested that this could end up supplying the majority of the world's electricity.

About 286,000 sq km of the world—an area comparable to that of Italy or New Zealand—is covered with rooftops.

According to the study, photovoltaic solar (rooftop PV) could provide 19,500 TWh of power annually if every appropriate roof was employed. If combined with load shifting and battery-electric storage, this would nearly entirely replace fossil fuel-based electricity and cover 65% of current world demand.

The impact of widespread solar deployment by 2050 was simulated by the researchers using sophisticated climate models. 0.13 degrees Celsius is a substantial portion of global warming. According to a 2023 Nature study, an additional 140 million people will be exposed to harmful heat for every 0.1 degree of warming beyond current levels.

The researchers urge politicians to give this technology top priority, arguing that solar electricity is more cost-effective for taxpayers than nuclear.

A shift toward PV

University of Sussex climate and policy researcher Prof Felix Creutzig, said, “Solar is now outcompeting nuclear power in cost, deployment speed and environmental risks. Given its immediate carbon reduction benefits governments should consider shifting incentives toward rooftop PV instead of nuclear. This goes for cooler countries like the UK as well as those with more obvious solar potential.

“Beyond carbon savings, reducing fossil fuel dependence also means cleaner air and better energy security. With so much untapped potential in solar it’s hard to see how governments can justify investing in nuclear, or as yet unproven carbon capture projects.”

Over the past ten years, the cost of solar power has drastically decreased. According to IRENA data, new nuclear projects like Small Modular Reactors are expected to cost between £100 and £150 per MWh, whereas the levelized cost of power for solar is now between GBP£30 and £50 per MWh.

In order to place solar panels where they can be most effectively utilised, the paper promotes international cooperation. Only 1% of rooftop PV installations are in Africa, despite the region having the greatest solar energy resources in the world. This underscores the need for investment. East Asia has the most potential for rooftop PV to mitigate climate change due to its high carbon intensity and vast building stocks.

Meanwhile, North America and Europe, despite lower solar intensity, have a high combined installation potential of over 4,300 GW or 25% of global capacity based on their high building stock.

According to the International Energy Agency, the UAE's low-emissions power generation share increased from 3% in 2019 to 35% last year due to the growth of nuclear and solar power. While the UAE is continuing to grow its nuclear capacity, its solar PV capacity continues to grow as well. 

Also read: UAE, France partner for clean energy expansion

The Battery Show will showcase game-changing battery technology. (Image source: Informa Markets)

The 49th Middle East Energy trade show will run from 7-9 April across 16 DWTC halls – two more than the previous edition. The additional space will include a host of new features, including a sixth product sector – Battery & eMobility – and a dedicated hall for exhibitors within the battery and eMobility space.

“Middle East Energy has always been at the forefront of innovation, and 2025 is no exception,” said Mark Ring, group exhibition director for the energy portfolio at Informa Markets.

With our expanded footprint, showcasing regional and global market-leading products and services, the addition of The Battery Show, and a strong line-up of conferences, Middle East Energy 2025 is set to redefine how we address the region’s energy needs and promises to power the future, connect innovators, and drive meaningful change across the entire spectrum of the global energy landscape from a single location.

The event will be held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, reinforcing it as a cornerstone of innovation and collaboration in the energy industry, and underlining its commitment to fostering collaboration, driving advancements, and supporting the Middle East and Africa’s energy transition.

Battery show debuts with entire hall takeover

Spanning an entire hall, this 13-year-old global platform – The Battery Show will showcase game-changing battery technology and powerful solutions. Bringing together engineers, business leaders, industry leading companies, and disruptors.

The Battery Show Conference will dive into crucial topics such as the impact of electrification on the automotive sector, advanced materials for electric vehicle manufacturing, and alternative battery technologies, offering attendees a rare chance to connect with industry thought leaders.

The exhibition’s expansive knowledge programme will host six CPD-accredited, free-to-attend conferences. They are: The Middle East Energy Leadership Summit; the Technical Seminar; Intersolar & ees Middle East Conference; Global Innovation Forum; Africa Business Leaders Forum; and The Battery Show Conference.

The 2025 event has also accrued an impressive line-up of major sponsors, including Alfanar, The Riyadh Cables Group, Baudouin, MEMF, Bahra Electric, Ducab, Su-Kam, Al Ojaimi, LTC Group, Eastman, Riello UPS, Jeddah Cables Company, and AquaVolt Solutions.

To find out more about Middle East Energy, visit: www.middleeast-energy.com

To register for Middle East Energy, visit: https://middleeast-energy.me/4jduIT1

Several new initiatives and milestones were announced during the event. (Image source: GE Vernova)

Under the patronage of the Ministry of Energy, GE Vernova hosted the exclusive ‘New Era of Energy’ forum at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event brought together Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, and over 200 distinguished senior leaders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors across the energy ecosystem. Participants exchanged ideas, shared solutions, and presented best practices to further strengthen Saudi Arabia’s energy ecosystem in support of Saudi Vision 2030.

In addition to the forum, GE Vernova held its annual Global Supplier Partnership Summit, attended by more than 300 supplier organisations. The summit aimed to deepen the energy sector’s supply chain, drive national industrialisation and economic diversification goals, and foster foreign investments to create greater shared value in the power sector.

Key developments

Several new initiatives and milestones were announced during the event. GE Vernova revealed plans to invest in manufacturing grid solutions in the Kingdom, aligning with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with National Grid in November 2024. The investment will expand the GE Saudi Advanced Turbines (GESAT) facility in Dammam, enabling the local production of high-voltage gas-insulated switchgears. This will establish the first GE Vernova facility of its kind in the Middle East, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 by delivering essential, long-lead equipment for modernising the country’s electrical infrastructure. The investment also underscores GE Vernova’s commitment to enhancing local industrial capabilities and creating employment opportunities for Saudi nationals.

GE Vernova also announced plans to expand production capacity at its GE Manufacturing Technology Center (GEMTEC) in Dammam. This expansion will advance grid automation products, services, and solutions in Saudi Arabia, accelerating grid digitalization and modernisation to support a more efficient, reliable, and sustainable power network.

A significant achievement highlighted at the event was the completion of the first heavy-duty gas turbine outage entirely led by Saudi nationals. Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) and GE Vernova successfully executed the outage at the 8th Power Plant in Riyadh, a strategic facility critical to meeting the Kingdom’s growing electricity demands. This milestone reflects both companies’ commitment to fostering local talent within Saudi Arabia’s energy sector.

“With a clear roadmap for Vision 2030 and beyond, Saudi Arabia is well placed to lead a new era of energy, and GE Vernova is honoured to play a significant role in these efforts,” said Strazik. “We are applying technologies, skills, and knowledge from around the world to the Kingdom – including in our work at the GE Manufacturing and Technology Center campus and the Khobar Integration Facility. GE Vernova is proud to continue our near century of contributions to the Kingdom’s power sector, and today’s announcements underscore our commitment to investing and expanding our work in this important region.”

Attendees included ADNOC, TAQA and others. (Image source: DoE)

The Department of Energy (DoE) hosted the Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Forum, gathering senior officials and representatives from leading government and private sector organisations in Abu Dhabi.

Attendees included ADNOC, TAQA, Masdar, EWEC, Tabreed, FANR, DMT, DoF, EAD, and ADAFSA, showcasing a united effort to tackle energy and water challenges in the region.

H.E. Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, DoE chairman, stated, "This forum serves as a crucial new platform organised by the Department to support communication and cooperation among key stakeholders in the sector, aligning with our endeavors to realise the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Strategy 2050.

This is accomplished by promoting constructive dialogue and coordination between public and private entities to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that ensure supply security, achieve sustainable growth, and build the infrastructure required to bolster Abu Dhabi's local economy."

Our collective undertaking, of paramount strategic importance, centres on tackling energy challenges, including securing supply, providing affordable energy, and enabling sustainable growth."

Abu Dhabi's clean energy goals

Additionally, Al Jarwan highlighted the major transformations taking place in Abu Dhabi’s energy sector, particularly the shift towards renewable energy, which now makes up 45% of the Emirate’s energy mix. This transition has significantly enhanced Abu Dhabi’s global position in clean energy adoption. He also underscored the remarkable progress in the water desalination sector, with reverse osmosis technology playing a pivotal role. By 2030, this technology is expected to provide around 80% of Abu Dhabi’s water supply while reducing carbon emissions by 60%.

His Excellency noted that electricity and water demand is projected to double in the coming years. Recognising this growth early, Abu Dhabi has ensured its readiness through integrated capabilities, a skilled workforce, and diverse resources. This preparedness allows the Emirate to proactively meet rising demands by fostering innovation, improving operational efficiency, delivering smart solutions for sustainable supply, offering affordable energy, and launching targeted projects and initiatives.

He stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to develop innovative technological solutions, drive digital transformation in the sector, and implement policies that support sustainable progress. His Excellency reaffirmed that the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy will continue to lead this transition by modernising policies and regulating the energy and water sector in line with future needs.