Abu Dhabi Launches Solar Self-Supply Policy for Customers

The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has launched the Solar (Photovoltaic) Energy Self-Supply Policy, allowing customers to improve electricity efficiency during the daytime and increase their use of clean and renewable energy.

This policy is part of Abu Dhabi’s wider efforts to improve how electricity is generated and consumed. It supports the goals of the Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030 and aims to encourage responsible electricity use across the emirate. The policy also supports the UAE’s national transition toward clean energy, especially for sectors that depend heavily on electricity in daily operations.

Alongside the new policy, the Department of Energy will also introduce a guidance manual for high-efficiency appliances. The manual is designed to help households, businesses, and institutions reduce energy and water consumption by choosing and operating energy-efficient appliances and systems. It will include practical guidance based on performance data and life-cycle cost.

The manual covers major areas of electricity use, including:

• Cooling systems

• Water heating

• Lighting

• Electrical equipment

• Motors and pumps

• Irrigation systems

It also promotes smart control solutions and best operating practices to reduce peak demand, lower long-term costs, and support emissions reduction.

Under the new Solar Self-Supply Policy, customers can choose either to continue using electricity from the grid or adopt flexible energy solutions. These solutions include:

• Installing photovoltaic (PV) solar panels for self-supply and self-consumption

• Using solar-powered water heaters

• Adding battery energy storage systems to support solar use, including during evening hours

The Department said the policy will help improve grid efficiency, strengthen the security of electricity supply, and support Abu Dhabi’s long-term energy sector growth plans. It also aligns with the emirate’s direction to expand the use of renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources, apply global best practices, and deliver value to consumers.

The policy will first be applied to the agricultural sector, as well as owners of rest houses, ranches, and similar facilities. The aim is to help these groups access renewable energy more easily and reduce electricity costs. Users in these categories are expected to benefit from solar solutions such as PV panels, solar water heaters, and battery storage systems that can power facilities during the evening.

His Excellency Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Obaidli, Director General of Regulatory Affairs at the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, said the new policy is one of the most important regulations introduced for the sector. He noted that it supports the emirate’s goal of building a strategic energy mix, with a stronger role for renewable energy, while also allowing the community to contribute to the targets of the Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030.

He added that the Department focuses on designing policies that deliver direct value, remain scalable over time, and strengthen infrastructure efficiency, resilience, and future readiness. He also highlighted the importance of increasing public awareness about environmentally responsible and economically sustainable energy consumption.

The Department confirmed that this policy is part of a broader set of enabling policies and guidelines for different customer groups. These include the Energy Efficiency Appliances Policy, as well as more policies expected to be announced during 2026. The new policy is also aligned with the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy, which aims to increase clean energy use, reduce emissions, and improve sector efficiency while ensuring reliable services at a reasonable cost.