Evaluating renewable energy manufacturing potential in the Arab region: Jordan, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates

This study assesses the potential for manufacturing renewable energy components in Jordan, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates.

All three countries possess strong market potential, combined with existing industrial assets and a degree of prior experience with renewable-based power generation. All three, furthermore, have adopted ambitious national targets and support policies to nurture renewable energy development.  

Conducted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission of Western Asia (ESCWA), the study examines each country’s supply chain, existing industrial structure and export opportunities for technology components in the sector. It identifies the main gaps and barriers each country would have to address to ramp up local manufacturing, specifically for solar photovoltaic (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP) and onshore wind power.  

For each market, the report recommends actions to support and promote component manufacturing for these technologies. It also highlights opportunities for regional technology co-operation, particularly among Arab countries.  

The study expands on similar work on the European Union’s North African partner countries, carried out through co-operation between IRENA and the European Investment Bank (EIB). Evaluating Renewable Energy Manufacturing Potential in the Mediterranean Partner Countries, published in 2015, focused on Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.