The Middle East’s renewable energy sector is entering a new phase, shifting from rapid capacity expansion to smarter integration of generation, storage, and grid systems, according to energy expert Dr Mutasim Nour of Heriot‑Watt University Dubai. The region has already made headlines with projects such as the UAE’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Green Hydrogen Project, and it aims to triple renewable capacity to 150GW by 2030. However, challenges including grid congestion, supply-demand mismatch, and intermittent generation are prompting a focus on solutions like energy storage systems, hybrid energy setups, and flexible electricity grids.

Dr Nour highlights that artificial intelligence is playing a growing role in managing variable generation, improving forecasting, and optimising grid operations. Meanwhile, financing, regulatory clarity, and standards for storage and hybrid systems remain critical to sustaining growth.

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