82 J. KRANE
countries to reduce emissions intensity of manufacturing sectors and electricity grids. Adding coal-fired capacity to an already fossil fuel-dominated
power mix only reduces the UAE’s carbon competitiveness.
Finally, the fragmentation of the UAE’s 2050 energy strategy appears
likely to undermine its longevity. A revision in strategy, particularly in
regards to stated goals for expanded coal use, would be less painful if
achieved before sunk costs increase the barriers to change.
Acknowledgements The author expresses his gratitude for research and data
assistance from Rice University’s Elsie Hung, as well as assistance from Geoffrey
Lakings and Zainab Zamani of i2 Enabled in Houston, which provided data on
power projects displayed in the Annex and cited in the narrative. Gratitude is also
due to Robin Mills of Qamar Energy in Dubai, Li-Chen Sim at Khalifa University
in Abu Dhabi, as well as two UAE energy officials who I will not name, all of
whom read and provided comments and input on an earlier draft of this article.
Notes
1. In 2019, a major new offshore field straddling the Dubai-Abu Dhabi
boundary near Jebel Ali was discovered that could reduce these costs.
2. Author interviews with UAE energy sector experts based on condition of
anonymity, January 2020.
3. Anthony DiPaola, “U.A.E. Finds World’s Biggest Gas Field Since 2005.”
Bloomberg, February 3, 2020; https://www.bloomberg.com/news/art
icles/2020-02-03/abu-dhabi-dubai-make-gas-discovery-in-push-for-selfsufficiency?sref=Q77DYrNe.
4. “Electricity Consumption per Capita.” IEA Atlas of Energy, International
Energy Agency, 2019; http://energyatlas.iea.org/.
5. Jim Krane, “Rationalizing Energy Demand Through End-User Prices in
the GCC.” Oxford Energy Forum, no. 101 (November 2015).
6. “Countries in and Around the Middle East Are Adding Coal-Fired
Power Plants.” U.S. Energy Information Administration, May 11, 2018;
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=36172.
7. Mills, pp. 122–3.
8. Global Energy Monitor, “Coal Plants by Country (MW).” Database,
Global Coal Plant Tracker (Global Energy Monitor, July 2019); https://
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1W-gobEQugqTR_PP0iczJCrdaR-vYk
J0DzztSsCJXuKw/edit#gid=0.
9. Author email and telephone conversations with UAE-based energy officials and analysts on condition of anonymity, 2019 and 2020.
10. BP 2019.
countries to reduce emissions intensity of manufacturing sectors and electricity grids. Adding coal-fired capacity to an already fossil fuel-dominated
power mix only reduces the UAE’s carbon competitiveness.
Finally, the fragmentation of the UAE’s 2050 energy strategy appears
likely to undermine its longevity. A revision in strategy, particularly in
regards to stated goals for expanded coal use, would be less painful if
achieved before sunk costs increase the barriers to change.
Acknowledgements The author expresses his gratitude for research and data
assistance from Rice University’s Elsie Hung, as well as assistance from Geoffrey
Lakings and Zainab Zamani of i2 Enabled in Houston, which provided data on
power projects displayed in the Annex and cited in the narrative. Gratitude is also
due to Robin Mills of Qamar Energy in Dubai, Li-Chen Sim at Khalifa University
in Abu Dhabi, as well as two UAE energy officials who I will not name, all of
whom read and provided comments and input on an earlier draft of this article.
Notes
1. In 2019, a major new offshore field straddling the Dubai-Abu Dhabi
boundary near Jebel Ali was discovered that could reduce these costs.
2. Author interviews with UAE energy sector experts based on condition of
anonymity, January 2020.
3. Anthony DiPaola, “U.A.E. Finds World’s Biggest Gas Field Since 2005.”
Bloomberg, February 3, 2020; https://www.bloomberg.com/news/art
icles/2020-02-03/abu-dhabi-dubai-make-gas-discovery-in-push-for-selfsufficiency?sref=Q77DYrNe.
4. “Electricity Consumption per Capita.” IEA Atlas of Energy, International
Energy Agency, 2019; http://energyatlas.iea.org/.
5. Jim Krane, “Rationalizing Energy Demand Through End-User Prices in
the GCC.” Oxford Energy Forum, no. 101 (November 2015).
6. “Countries in and Around the Middle East Are Adding Coal-Fired
Power Plants.” U.S. Energy Information Administration, May 11, 2018;
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=36172.
7. Mills, pp. 122–3.
8. Global Energy Monitor, “Coal Plants by Country (MW).” Database,
Global Coal Plant Tracker (Global Energy Monitor, July 2019); https://
docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1W-gobEQugqTR_PP0iczJCrdaR-vYk
J0DzztSsCJXuKw/edit#gid=0.
9. Author email and telephone conversations with UAE-based energy officials and analysts on condition of anonymity, 2019 and 2020.
10. BP 2019.