Dubai: Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) hosted its first panel discussion of 2026 in Dubai, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and youth to examine challenges and opportunities in integrating renewable energy while maintaining grid stability and resilience.
According to Emirates News Agency, in her opening remarks, Dr. Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Co-Founder and Chairperson of EEG, emphasized the transformative shift in the global energy landscape, with renewable energy becoming central to economic competitiveness, climate action, and energy security. She cited the International Energy Agency’s forecast that renewables will account for nearly 90 percent of global power capacity additions by 2030, underscoring the challenge of integrating these resources into existing power systems.
Dr. Al Mar’ashi highlighted several key challenges facing energy systems, such as intermittency, grid congestion, storage limitations, digital infrastructure gaps, and regulatory readiness. She called for coordinated planning, investment in smart grids, advanced storage solutions, digitalization, and regional cooperation to address these issues effectively.
The event also featured EEG’s first inter-school debate of 2026, illustrating the organization’s commitment to engaging youth in sustainability education. Students discussed renewable energy systems’ opportunities and limitations, showcasing critical thinking and environmental awareness, and underscoring the role of youth in shaping energy dialogues.
The expert panel included representatives from the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the University of Sharjah, the American University of Sharjah, and the private sector. Discussions focused on energy storage, smart grids, demand response mechanisms, and the emerging role of green hydrogen as a long-duration storage solution. Panellists explored how surplus renewable power can be effectively stored and utilized, addressing infrastructure readiness, cost, and regulatory challenges.
The session highlighted green hydrogen’s potential to enhance grid flexibility and support decarbonization, calling for supportive policies, targeted investment, and regional collaboration. The event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment, advocating for closer cooperation between governments, industry, and academia to align policy and investment in resilient energy systems.
Supported by McDonald’s UAE as the main contributor, with Two Seasons Hotel and Apartments hosting the venue, the event was reinforced by partnerships with the Emirates Green Building Council, the Clean Energy Business Council, the Swiss Business Council, Capital Club Dubai, and the Arabia CSR Network.
The session marked the beginning of EEG’s 2026 panel discussion series, setting the stage for ongoing dialogue on sustainability, climate action, and clean energy transitions.