Image credit: Masdar

Dubai is planning the development of a large scale solar power generation facility, that once completed, will generate power well in excess of the emirate's needs, providing export electricity for the surrounding regions. Billions of dollars will be invested in the coming years for numerous solar power projects.

During a regional economic workshop, attended by many participants, the representative of Dubai stated that Dubai and othe UAE states will be developing green building legislation, to be the first in the region. A clean energy project is already in the process of development by Masdar, the Masdar City, which will create the region's first urban area powered exclusively by clean energy.

Dubai is hoping to become a sustainable building pioneer, and has started including green building practices into various development projects since 2008. Foreign companies are also expressing interest in clean energy in the region. The German MAN industrial concern for example, through its affiliate MAN Middle East, has established a solar energy subsidiary MAN Solar Millenium, and already invested millions in renewable energy projects throughout the region. The company plans to develop solar energy facilities in the UAE.