IRENA will share its latest analysis on the shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics. (Image source: IRENA)

The 29th meeting of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Council will convene on 11 September in Abu Dhabi, bringing together more than 400 government officials from 169 countries and the European Union.

Over two days, delegates will provide strategic guidance on IRENA’s work programme while tackling critical issues driving the global energy transition.

A central focus will be energy security, with discussions on diversifying supply chains, advancing next-generation technologies, and boosting regional manufacturing capabilities.

IRENA will share its latest analysis on the shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics of renewable energy supply chains, with particular attention to the solar PV sector.

The agenda also includes accelerating investment in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which IRENA highlights as essential to decarbonising long-haul aviation.

The Agency will present new initiatives to support SAF projects and channel financing through its platforms, enabling developers and governments to progress projects from early-stage concepts to bankable ventures.

The meeting will conclude with Members outlining future priorities for IRENA, addressing institutional matters, and preparing for the upcoming 30th session.

“Diverse, resilient and transparent supply chains are essential to achieve the tripling renewable power capacity target by 2030,” said IRENA director-general Francesco La Camera. “While the shift toward renewables is a key enabler for energy security and independence, global supply chains remain concentrated in a few nations. Efforts to diversify them, however, must contend with complex economic realities, making the 29th IRENA Council an important opportunity to advance this discussion collectively.” 

In his capacity as 29th IRENA Council Chair, H.E. Mr Francisco Chacón Hernández Ambassador of Costa Rica to the UAE, KSA and Jordan said, "IRENA has been and is a successful, inclusive vehicle of a universe of countries in their quest to find solutions towards a sustainable energy of the future. A future, envisioned to fulfill, in time, human aspirations for shared prosperity to all, the younger generations in particular. As a Costa Rican chair of the 29th Council, topics as energy transition, decarbonisation and renewable energies will be on the forefront of our aims and thoughts. True to our Costa Rican idiosyncrasy, we will never impose. We will seek to listen with respect to all, and team up together to get going, always in good faith."

Rheem Centurion supports energy-smart building technologies in line with regulatory requirements

Rheem Middle East, a global leader in HVAC and water-heating solutions, has introduced Rheem Centurion, a next-generation system designed to set new performance standards in heating and cooling across the MEA region.

Engineered for maximum efficiency, Rheem Centurion delivers up to 84% energy savings by recycling waste heat from air conditioning units to produce hot water while cooling indoor spaces at the same time. This dual functionality helps reduce energy costs, cut carbon emissions, and ensure reliable year-round performance for residential, commercial, and hospitality applications.

Tailored to the region’s climate and sustainability priorities, Rheem Centurion supports energy-smart building technologies in line with regulatory requirements and long-term green goals. As urbanisation, population growth, and large-scale developments accelerate across the MEA, the system offers developers and operators a future-proof solution that balances comfort with sustainability.

Versatility is central to its design. Rheem Centurion integrates seamlessly into a wide range of building types and can heat water up to 70°C, making it particularly suitable for high-demand facilities such as hotels, hospitals, resorts, and multi-family housing. Its advanced smart controller enables users to optimise efficiency through three operating modes—cooling, heating, or simultaneous use—while maintaining whisper-quiet operation to enhance indoor comfort.

By capturing and reusing otherwise wasted energy, Rheem Centurion not only supports cost savings but also delivers measurable environmental benefits, positioning it as a key innovation for sustainable infrastructure across the MEA region.

Brian Hempenstall, vice president and general manager at Rheem Middle East, said, “Rheem Centurion is more than a product launch; it represents a significant step forward for the built environment in this region. By combining air conditioning and hot water generation in a single, highly efficient system, we are helping developers, hoteliers, and homeowners meet today’s demands while preparing for tomorrow’s sustainability standards. At Rheem, our mission is to deliver comfort without compromise — comfort that is smarter, cleaner, and built for the future of the Middle East and Africa.”

While the Gulf states dominate headlines with their giga-scale renewable projects, other countries across the Middle East are also making decisive strides in solar deployment, says Sania Aziz.

From Iraq’s urgent energy recovery plans to Jordan’s pioneering policy frameworks, and even Syria’s reliance on decentralised solar for essential services, these markets illustrate both the diversity of approaches and the pressing need for clean energy outside the Gulf.

Iraq: turning crisis into opportunity

Iraq’s fragile electricity system has long been defined by chronic shortages, blackouts, and reliance on ageing thermal plants. With grid losses and limited connectivity compounding the problem, solar energy has emerged as a critical tool in the country’s recovery strategy. The government has set a target of 10 GW of solar by 2030, with more than 2 GW already under signed agreements.

International partnerships are at the heart of this growth. Masdar is spearheading a 1 GW solar framework, while TotalEnergies is pursuing similar-scale projects across multiple governorates. Smaller hybrid systems, combining solar with diesel generation, are being rolled out in remote areas and displaced communities to improve reliability and reduce dependence on costly fuel imports. Rooftop solar is also gaining traction in Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra, where businesses and households seek backup power.

Jordan: a regional solar leader

Jordan stands out as one of the most mature solar markets outside the Gulf, having embraced renewables early with a strong mix of policy and private sector participation. The country has installed over 2.1 GW of solar capacity to date, supported by successful net metering and wheeling programmes that empower both households and industries to self-generate clean power.

Flagship projects such as the Baynouna Solar Park and the Quweira PV plant have established Jordan as a hub for international investors. In parallel, Jordan has taken a leadership role in deploying solar in humanitarian contexts, with the Zaatari refugee camp powered by a large solar facility that cuts costs while ensuring reliable supply for vulnerable populations. As solar penetration deepens, battery storage pilots are being tested to reduce curtailment and enhance grid resilience.

Syria: decentralised lifelines in conflict zones

Years of conflict and international sanctions have left Syria’s energy infrastructure severely weakened. In this context, solar has become less a matter of policy and more of necessity. Small-scale, off-grid systems, often supported by NGOs and international agencies, are supplying critical power to rural communities, schools, and medical centres.

While Syria possesses strong solar potential thanks to its climate and geography, large-scale projects remain unlikely in the near term due to financing and investment barriers. For now, decentralised solar-battery kits provide lifelines for basic services such as water pumping, lighting, and mobile charging. These deployments, though small in scale, demonstrate the essential role solar can play in humanitarian and recovery contexts.

The non-GCC markets highlight the diversity of solar adoption in the Middle East. Iraq is harnessing solar to stabilise its grid, Jordan is refining innovative policy mechanisms, and Syria is deploying solar as a humanitarian tool. Each country faces unique barriers, whether political, financial, or infrastructural, but all share a recognition that solar must underpin their future energy strategies.

For investors, technology providers, and policymakers, these markets present both risk and reward. While the Gulf may dominate with scale, non-GCC nations demonstrate the versatility of solar, from powering refugee camps to rebuilding fragile energy systems. Together, they remind us that the Middle East’s clean energy transition is not only about mega-projects, but also about how renewable power can be adapted to diverse national realities.

The Middle East is undergoing a sweeping transformation in its energy landscape, with solar power and storage technologies taking centre stage, writes Sania Aziz.

Once reliant almost exclusively on hydrocarbons, the MENA region is now positioning itself as a global hub for renewable energy innovation, investment, and large-scale deployment. National strategies, government tenders, and corporate adoption are aligning to create a diverse, multi-track approach to clean power, with solar at the heart of every plan.

At the regional level, the shift is being propelled by several core trends: rapid expansion of utility-scale solar plants often integrated with storage, the introduction of localisation requirements to build domestic supply chains, and a growing reliance on corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs). Green hydrogen ambitions are also reshaping energy agendas, with solar-powered electrolysis expected to anchor future exports. Alongside these efforts, cross-border interconnections are emerging as vital tools for enhancing grid flexibility and enabling energy trade across the Gulf and Levant.

UAE: setting global benchmarks

Among Middle Eastern markets, the UAE has established itself as a clear front-runner. With installed solar capacity of nearly 7 GW in 2024 and a target of 48.9 GW by 2030, the country is scaling up at a remarkable pace. Flagship projects such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai and Noor Abu Dhabi exemplify this leadership, combining cost reduction with cutting-edge technology deployment. At the same time, smaller emirates like Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah are expanding distributed solar, while Abu Dhabi pursues integrated hydrogen development.

Policy support has been critical. The UAE’s Clean Energy Strategy and Net Zero 2050 Initiative place solar at the centre of its diversification goals. Rooftop installations, corporate PPAs, and energy service company models are becoming common, while storage pilots are paving the way for dispatchable renewable systems.

Oman: building a hydrogen hub

Oman is carving out its place as a green hydrogen leader, leveraging its solar resources to develop integrated export platforms. Projects like HYPORT Duqm and SalalaH2 highlight the Sultanate’s ambition to become a global supplier of solar-backed hydrogen and ammonia. With a goal of meeting 30% of domestic electricity demand from renewables by 2030, Oman is coupling power sector reforms with investor-friendly independent power project tenders.

Saudi Arabia: scaling ambition

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 encapsulates the region’s boldest renewable energy programme, targeting 58.7 GW of renewable capacity by the end of the decade, with 40 GW from solar alone. The Sudair, Al Shuaiba, and Sakaka projects are early milestones, but the scale of ambition extends much further. By embedding localisation mandates into procurement rules, the Kingdom is stimulating domestic manufacturing while advancing giga-scale clean energy projects such as NEOM and Red Sea Global, which combine solar with hydrogen and storage at unprecedented scale.

Emerging markets: Iraq, Jordan, and beyond

Other Middle Eastern countries are also advancing their solar agendas, albeit at different speeds. Iraq, battling a fragile grid and frequent blackouts, has turned to solar as a rapid-deployment solution, targeting 10 GW by 2030. International partnerships with Masdar, TotalEnergies, and Chinese developers are central to this build-out. Jordan, an early adopter of solar, has already surpassed 2 GW of capacity and continues to refine net metering and wheeling frameworks, while piloting battery storage to strengthen its grid.

Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait are taking more measured steps. Bahrain, constrained by land availability, is focusing on rooftop solar and carports. Qatar, having commissioned the 800 MW Al Kharsaah plant, is beginning to integrate solar into desalination and industrial facilities. Kuwait is leaning on its Shagaya Renewable Energy Park while updating frameworks to attract private investment.

Challenges and opportunities

The region’s solar surge is not without hurdles. Grid integration, financing models, and long-duration storage remain pressing challenges. Political instability in the wider region has slowed progress, although decentralised solar systems are offering lifelines in underserved communities. Nevertheless, the scale of opportunity is immense. International investors are increasingly attracted to the region’s vast solar potential, low costs, and ambitious government roadmaps.

Taken together, these developments underline a regional energy transition that is no longer aspirational but firmly underway. The GCC, once defined solely by its fossil fuel wealth, is now carving a parallel identity as a renewable energy powerhouse. By 2030, the collective capacity additions, hydrogen ventures, and interconnection projects underway could establish the region as one of the world’s most dynamic solar and storage markets.