MENA shifts toward renewables, nuclear, and gas as energy demand surges

Thursday 18 September 2025 - 15:50

By: Dakir Madiha

MENA shifts toward renewables, nuclear, and gas as energy demand surges

The International Energy Agency (IEA) released a new report analyzing energy diversification strategies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The report highlights that MENA has become one of the fastest-growing contributors to global electricity demand since 2000, with demand tripling by 2024. This surge is driven by rising population, higher incomes, rapid urbanization, and industrial expansion.

The report emphasizes that the region’s unique climate challenges, particularly the need for desalination and cooling, are shaping energy policy priorities. Oil-based power is gradually being phased out in favor of renewable sources, nuclear power, and natural gas. By 2035, the share of renewables in the regional electricity mix is projected to increase tenfold, while nuclear capacity is expected to triple.

Policy momentum is building across MENA as governments adopt ambitious strategies to diversify their energy portfolios. Morocco stands out in the report for its sustainability programs. It plans to raise renewable energy production to cover 52% of its electricity needs by 2030. The country also targets an annual increase of 1.7 billion cubic meters in desalination capacity by the same year, underscoring its dual approach to energy transition and water security.

The IEA warns that electricity demand in MENA is likely to climb another 50% by 2035, intensifying the need for rapid deployment of alternative energy sources. The report suggests that the region’s shift away from oil will be crucial to meeting both domestic consumption and environmental commitments.