Dubai also has major solar ambitions, but in contrast with Abu Dhabi is looking to achieve them through small as well as large-scale plant. It could install 1.5GW of rooftop solar capacity by 2030, according to regional solar agency Mesia.

State firm Dewa’s Etihad Esco subsidiary last month awarded an engineering, procurement, construction and operation contract to install solar panels by end-2018 on 640 villas being built for UAE nationals at Hatta, 135km southeast of Dubai city. (CONTINUED - 91 WORDS)