Capacity and strategies of energy production from renewable sources in Arab countries until 2030: a review from renewable energy potentials to environmental issues

Slowing and reversing climate change and keeping energy prices at affordable levels are the main important achievements of the use of renewable energy. About 210% increase in energy consumption from 1990 to 2018, reduction in fossil fuel reserves, and high capacity of renewable energy in Arab countries encourage them to increase the use of renewable and sustainable energy sources as a key way to supply the energy in future and have a sustainable economy. There is no a comprehensive review study to focus on the capacity and strategies of renewable energy in Arab countries at the transnational level until 2030. To fill this gap, this article investigates the current and future capacities and strategies of renewable energy production by 22 Arab countries, which are the center of fossil energy production in the world, until 2030. Indeed, it provides a roadmap for advancement towards energy production from renewable sources in these countries. It is observed that Egypt and Morocco with an installed capacity of 5980 and 3447 MW, respectively, had the highest installed renewable energy capacity among the Arab countries in 2020. The results also showed that most ambitious goal is related to Djibouti, where it is targeted to supply 100% of energy from renewable resource by 2035. Finally, it should be mentioned that most Arab countries focus on solar and wind energy, and very little attention is paid to geothermal, biomass, and hydroelectric energy.

Automated summary

The use of renewable energy has achieved important milestones in slowing and reversing climate change and maintaining affordable energy prices. Arab countries, with a significant increase in energy consumption and declining fossil fuel reserves, are encouraged to prioritize renewable and sustainable energy sources to ensure future energy supply and sustainable economies. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the capacity and strategies of renewable energy in Arab countries at the transnational level until 2030. This article fills this gap by investigating the current and future capacities and strategies of renewable energy production in 22 Arab countries, which are major players in fossil energy production worldwide.