In 2024, the world’s top 10 solar photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers shipped a record 500 gigawatts (GW) of modules, nearly doubling the previous year’s volume, according to Wood Mackenzie’s Global Solar Module Manufacturer Rankings 2025 report.

Despite this milestone, the industry faced significant financial strain, with leading players reporting collective losses of US$4bn due to declining revenues and aggressive pricing.

For the Middle East, however, the report highlights a strategic pivot as manufacturers target the region for expansion to navigate global trade challenges and tap into growing demand.

The Middle East is becoming a critical growth frontier for solar PV manufacturers.

Wood Mackenzie notes that several top 20 manufacturers are planning to establish production facilities in Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

This move is driven by the need to diversify geographically amid rising trade tensions and market barriers globally.

“Establishing production in the Middle East allows manufacturers to bypass tariffs, meet local content mandates, and capitalise on the region’s increasing solar adoption,” said Yana Hryshko, head of global solar supply chain at Wood Mackenzie. “It’s a strategic play to remain competitive in a fragmented global market.”

The push into the Middle East aligns with the region’s ambitious renewable energy targets, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where solar projects are scaling rapidly.

By setting up local production, manufacturers aim to secure a foothold in these high-growth markets while mitigating risks from import restrictions and trade policies elsewhere.

Top manufacturers leading the charge

The 2024 rankings, led by Jinko Solar (90.6/100), JA Solar (89.8), and LONGi Green Energy (86.5), reflect the dominance of Chinese manufacturers, but the report underscores the growing geographic diversification of production.

Seven of the top 10 manufacturers now operate facilities in three or more countries, with the Middle East emerging as a key focus alongside regions like Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, and Vietnam.

The top 10 manufacturers maintained a robust average utilisation rate of 69%, showcasing operational resilience despite market pressures.

Their focus on the Middle East is expected to strengthen supply chains tailored to regional needs, particularly as demand for high-efficiency N-type modules grows.

The industry’s shift to N-type modules, which accounted for over 87% of Jinko Solar’s shipments, is particularly relevant for the Middle East, where high-efficiency technologies like TOPCon (24%+ efficiency) and heterojunction (HJT, 24%) are well-suited to the region’s harsh climatic conditions.

Additionally, top manufacturers are pursuing vertical integration, with investments in wafer production to control costs and quality—an advantage for establishing cost-competitive operations in the Middle East.

As solar PV module prices remain under pressure, the Middle East offers a strategic opportunity for manufacturers to balance cost reduction with market expansion.

The region’s growing solar market, supportive policies, and strategic location make it a pivotal hub for the industry’s next growth cycle.

“Despite financial challenges, the solar industry is repositioning for global growth, with the Middle East playing a central role,” Hryshko concluded. “Technology leadership, supply chain control, and regional agility will define success in this dynamic market.”

Internationally, the nuclear renaissance is gaining momentum. (Image source: Alain Charles Publishing)

The UAE has emerged as a global leader in nuclear energy deployment, showcasing a remarkable journey of strategic vision, technological innovation, and commitment to sustainable development.

This success was highlighted at a panel discussion during the World Utilities Congress, held in Abu Dhabi.

Mohammed Al Braiki, general manager, ENEC consulting vice president, ENEC Strategy, emphasised the country's transformative approach. 

"We were ambitious, bold, and committed," he stated, reflecting on the nation's nuclear journey that began in 2009. 

The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant now supplies 25% of the UAE's electricity, avoiding 22.4 million tons of CO₂ emissions, which is equivalent to taking four million cars off the road.

What sets the UAE's approach apart is its comprehensive strategy. The country has not just built nuclear infrastructure but created an entire ecosystem around it. "We invested a lot in outreach programs," Al Braiki explained, highlighting their commitment to public education and acceptance. Remarkably, the program maintains an 85% public acceptance rate, a testament to transparent communication and strategic implementation.

The global nuclear landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Dr. Sama Bilbao y León, director general of the World Nuclear Association, noted the industry's newfound pragmatism. "It's simply not possible to reach Paris Agreement goals, energy security, and economic development without nuclear energy," she emphasised.

The timing couldn't be more critical. With the rising demands of artificial intelligence and data centers, nuclear energy is becoming increasingly attractive. Mohammed Al Braiki shared a striking projection: data center power consumption could grow from 2.5% of global power in 2025 to 8% by 2035, creating an unprecedented need for stable, clean energy sources.

The UAE's success extends beyond electricity generation. The nuclear program has created a robust industrial ecosystem, with $4.9 billion localised in supply chains. Companies are now exporting expertise and components to nuclear projects in the UK, Korea, and beyond.

Internationally, the nuclear renaissance is gaining momentum. Thirty-one nations have pledged to triple nuclear capacity, with 14 major banks committing to support this expansion. 

Dr. Bilbao y León captured the essence of this transformation. "We are not just building power plants; we are creating an entire ecosystem of clean energy professionals," she said.

Other perspectives

Karim Amin, board member, Siemens Energy, said, "Nuclear energy is not a stop and go technology. We need to show it's not just a technology, but an important pillar for climate resilience, energy sovereignty, and economic development. If we communicate properly, we will find traction with the younger generation."

Neil Wilmshurst is SVP, Chief Nuclear Strategy Officer and MD of EPRI Gulf, along with being chair - U.S. Member Committee, World Energy Council. 

"We need to change how we communicate about nuclear energy - stop apologising and start leading with its benefits. The dream is to have common codes and standards across the world, which would rationalise components and make supply chain management more efficient," he said. 

Loyiso Tyabashe, group CEO South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), said, "The nuclear industry has been very good at talking to itself, and it's time to broaden the conversation. Advocacy is crucial, where we show the pros and cons of the technology, just like any other technology. We need to engage academia, industries, and influential community members to change perceptions."

The agreement was formalised at the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi. (Image source: ENEC)

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) has signed an MoU with GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GVH) to jointly evaluate the international deployment of the BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) technology.

The agreement was formalised during a private ceremony at the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi, where ENEC’s managing director and CEO, HE Mohamed Al Hammadi, and Maví Zingoni, CEO of GE Vernova’s Power segment, exchanged signed MoUs.

“As we continue to power the UAE with clean, baseload electricity around the clock, we are glad to move to the next level of cooperation with GE Vernova Hitachi to accelerate the deployment of new advanced nuclear reactor technologies in the UAE and internationally,” said Al Hammadi.

“This MoU will bring together our complementary expertise to identify a clear roadmap for deployment, which is essential to ensure safe, efficient and quality-led nuclear delivery, as we have experienced here in the UAE. As global power demand continues to grow at pace, we look forward to advancing new solutions to meet this growth in a sustainable manner.”

New collaborations

The two companies will collaborate on a development roadmap that includes identifying sites, navigating licensing pathways, outlining investment and commercialisation strategies, and expanding supply chain capabilities.

“Small modular reactors have an essential role to play in an energy secure future and we are pleased to advance our collaboration with ENEC as the UAE seeks to be an early mover for nuclear innovation,” said Zingoni.

“With projects moving forward in Canada and in the United States, collaborating with ENEC further strengthens our ties with the UAE and ability to deliver this technology and achieve a more sustainable energy future.”

ENEC, which successfully developed and operates the four-unit Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi, powers 25% of the UAE with nuclear energy.

The company has been recognised for aligning with international safety and operational standards through its membership in the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) Atlanta Centre.

Each Barakah unit was brought online in an average of just 7.9 years.

The ENEC-GVH teams will now work together to create a detailed roadmap for potential deployment of the BWRX-300, with the ADVANCE programme providing the framework for evaluating next-generation nuclear solutions on a global scale.

The fully automated system handles everything. (Image source: NIO)

NIO, which provides premium smart electric vehicles, is transforming how UAE drivers power their EVs through the successful rollout of its Power Swap Station technology.

This innovation offers a seamless alternative to traditional EV charging, allowing drivers to swap out a depleted battery for a fully charged one in as little as three minutes.

This cutting-edge infrastructure provides a faster and more energy-efficient solution to two major barriers hindering EV adoption in the UAE, such as long charging times and limited charger availability.

Unlike conventional charging, where energy delivery slows as the battery nears capacity, NIO’s battery swapping provides instant energy delivery through a charged replacement, eliminating delays and making EVs more practical for everyday use.

The fully automated system handles everything, from parking the vehicle inside the station to removing and replacing the battery.

A comprehensive health check is also performed on the battery, motor and electric systems during each swap, ensuring optimal performance and safety. Every swapped battery is charged under ideal conditions and monitored for peak reliability.

Battery swapping also brings a range of advantages for users.

A better way of charging EVs

The process is as fast as traditional refuelling, fully automated without requiring the driver to leave the vehicle, and each swap includes a complete system check.

This ensures only healthy batteries remain in circulation. Batteries are charged in optimal conditions, which helps extend their lifespan, and swappable batteries are easier to reuse or recycle.

The UAE’s first Power Swap Station was launched in February 2025 at Yas Marina Circuit.

Since then, around 15% of NIO drivers in the country are already using the service, with this number expected to grow as more stations are added. NIO’s data shows strong adoption and rising local interest in battery swapping as a viable energy delivery solution.

For comparison, charging a 100kWh battery from 5% to 95% would take around eight hours on an 11kW AC charger, two hours on a 50kW DC charger, and 45 minutes on a 120kW DC charger.

NIO’s battery swapping reduces that to just three minutes, resulting in up to 99% time savings.

So far, more than 1,749 kilowatt-hours of electricity have been delivered through battery swaps. Delivering the same amount with a 120kW DC charger would take roughly 15 hours, while NIO’s Power Swap Station has achieved it in just 1.4 hours of total swapping time.

A second Power Swap Station is due to open in Dubai in the coming weeks, with more to follow across the country by the end of the year.

The expansion reflects growing demand and highlights NIO’s role in supporting the UAE’s mobility goals.

The deployment of Power Swap Stations aligns with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which encourages investment in sustainable and innovative mobility solutions to meet the needs of the UAE’s rapidly expanding population.