Abu Dhabi launches Solar Energy Self-Supply Policy to boost clean energy
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy has launched the Solar Energy Self-Supply Policy, enabling customers to improve daytime electricity efficiency and increase reliance on clean and renewable energy sources through the adoption of smart and flexible energy-consumption solutions. Experts from the government and Uniqus reflect on the policy’s introduction and objectives.
The launch of the new policy forms part of Abu Dhabi’s efforts to deliver a significant transformation in energy generation and consumption in line with the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030. It also aims to raise public awareness of the importance of responsible electricity consumption, while supporting the national transition towards increased reliance on clean and renewable energy sources.
Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Obaidli, Director General of Regulatory Affairs at the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, said: “We are pleased to announce the launch of the Photovoltaic Energy Self-Supply Policy in Abu Dhabi, which represents one of the most significant policies governing the sector.”
“The policy reinforces our efforts to establish a strategic mix of energy generation sources, particularly renewable energy, and enables the local community to play a key role in supporting national efforts to achieve the ambitious targets set out in the Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030.”
The rollout of the policy occurred in two major phases:
Phase 1 (Launched February 2026): Initially focused on high-electricity-demand sectors, allowing farms, ranches, and rest houses to implement solar-plus-storage solutions to decrease grid reliance.
Phase 2 (Launched March 2026): Expanded the policy to the residential sector, enabling villa owners and applicable residential buildings to generate electricity through rooftop solar systems and efficiently integrate it with the emirate’s grid.
Commenting on the phase approach, Anu Chaudhary, Partner and Global Head of ESG Consulting at Uniqus, said: “Anchoring the launch in the agricultural sector and owners of rest houses and ranches is a pragmatic starting point: these are off-gridprone, daytime-heavy consumers where photovoltaic panels, solar-powered water heaters, and battery energy storage solutions deliver the strongest economic and operational case.”
Flexibility for energy users
Under the Solar Energy Self-Supply Policy, customers may choose between adopting flexible solutions or continuing to consume electricity directly from the grid. Flexible solutions include the installation of photovoltaic panels for self-supply and self-consumption of electricity, in addition to solar-powered water heaters, as well as the option to support systems with battery energy storage solutions.
The policy aims to contribute to improving grid efficiency, enhancing security of supply, and supporting growth plans for Abu Dhabi’s energy sector, in line with Abu Dhabi’s direction to increase reliance on renewable energy generated from clean and environmentally friendly sources.
“The policy’s design rightly preserves consumer choice as customers may choose between adopting flexible solutions or continuing to consume electricity directly from the grid, while making the flexible path materially more attractive,” said Chaudhary .
“Combining self-supply and self-consumption of electricity with battery energy storage solutions enables greater reliance on photovoltaic energy for electricity consumption beyond daylight hours, which is the critical step that turns rooftop solar from a partial offset into a credible alternative. This is what will ultimately shift behaviour at scale, rather than awareness campaigns alone,” she continued.
In parallel with the rollout, the Department of Energy will also launch a guidance manual on high-efficiency appliances to help rationalize and enhance energy consumption across all sectors, covering key end-uses such as cooling, water heating, lighting, electrical equipment, motors, pumps, and irrigation systems.
Chaudhary: “Crucially, the policy is not a standalone measure. Pairing it with the guidance manual on highefficiency appliances will ensure that demand is rationalized before it is met with new generation.”
