2:37 pm - September 2, 2025
Dubai is positioning itself as a global hub for clean energy investment, backed by liberal ownership rules, a zero personal income tax regime, and a corporate tax framework. With the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and the Net Zero 2050 strategy, the emirate is attracting Indian and international investors to a rapidly expanding renewables value chain.
Dubai is shaping itself not just as a trading hub but as a truly global centre for clean energy investment and deployment. The city’s ambition — to draw a majority of its power from non‑fossil sources by the middle of the century — is underpinned by a set of policy levers, sizable public investment, and a climate for foreign‑owned enterprise that stands out in the region. For Indian entrepreneurs and investors, this convergence of market opportunity and policy clarity has been described as a “golden moment” to start and scale renewable energy ventures in Dubai.
Dubai’s energy ambitions sit atop a clear, evolving policy framework designed to speed up decarbonisation while keeping a business‑friendly environment intact. The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 aims to supply 75% of the emirate’s energy from clean sources by 2050, and that target has driven a broad portfolio of projects and regulatory reforms. A flagship element of this programme is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which authorities say will reach more than 5,000 MW of capacity by 2030. The project has progressed in phases, expanding from early 2010s installations to multi‑hundred‑megawatt blocks and, in 2023, adding a hybrid CSP/PV component as part of the plan to 5 GW. When fully complete, the park is designed to curb millions of tonnes of carbon emissions annually and to anchor Dubai’s 100% clean energy mandate by 2050. Independent observers and official briefings consistently stress the project’s role as a platform for innovation, manufacturing, and export‑oriented growth. (dewa.gov.ae, dewa.gov.ae)
At the national level, the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy further codifies the direction, proposing more than 25 programmes across six sectors and aiming to create around 200,000 jobs while contributing roughly 3% to GDP. The initiative seeks to mobilise climate finance, deploy advanced technologies, and upskill the workforce to deliver measurable emissions reductions across power, industry, transport, buildings, waste and agriculture. The strategy is designed to act as an economic springboard as the UAE diversifies away from hydrocarbons and strengthens its energy security through renewables and low‑carbon solutions. Updated public materials indicate the objective of a comprehensive national programme coordinated by multiple ministries and regulatory bodies, with broad stakeholder involvement. (u.ae)
Policy clarity on ownership and the tax environment also strengthens the Dubai opportunity for foreign investors. The UAE’s framework permits 100% foreign ownership for many onshore activities, subject to aligning with restrictions for activities deemed of strategic impact. Government portals emphasise that Federal Decree‑Law No. 26 of 2020 amended the Commercial Companies Law to remove the general requirement for local Emirati ownership in most onshore activities; individual emirates can, however, define activities of strategic importance where limits may apply. This liberalisation sits alongside a business‑friendly taxation regime: personal income tax remains zero, while a federal corporate tax regime was introduced with a headline rate of 9% on profits above a threshold, effective for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023, with multiple exemptions for qualifying entities and free zones. These elements collectively reinforce Dubai’s appeal for investors seeking scale in renewables, energy efficiency, hydrogen, storage, and related sectors. (u.ae, mof.gov.ae)
The public policy backdrop is complemented by practical incentives and the infrastructure needed to execute large projects. Beyond regulatory access, Dubai’s climate plan is tied to concrete, well‑funded programmes such as the MBR Solar Park and a broader energy‑infrastructure programme designed to diversify away from fossil fuels. The park operates on an Independent Power Producer (IPP) model and is framed as a catalytic platform for innovation, job creation and export‑oriented green growth. Its ongoing expansion and announced phases highlight a steady, phased approach to building out utility‑scale renewables as a backbone for the emirate’s energy mix. (dewa.gov.ae, protocol.dubai.ae)
What this means for Indian entrepreneurs and investors
The Dubai opportunity framework aligns with the Shuraa India perspective that Indian entrepreneurs can capitalise on 100% ownership access, tax advantages, and a streamlined setup regime in Free Zones or onshore Dubai. The Indian business community is already well represented in the emirate, with a sizable presence of SMEs and significant cross‑border investment flows that help foster partnerships and project delivery capacity. In this broader context, Dubai’s renewables value chain — from solar installation and maintenance to energy efficiency services, hydrogen, battery storage, EV charging networks and advisory services — appears well placed to absorb a rapid influx of capital and expertise as public orders and private tenders scale up. Industry data and policy analysis underscore that the emirate’s (and the UAE’s) decarbonisation drive is designed not only to meet climate targets but also to drive job creation, skills development and export opportunities. (u.ae)
A note on the practicalities and costs
For entrepreneurs weighing a Dubai entry, the lead guide’s outline of Mainland vs Free Zone setup remains a useful baseline, with typical licence cost ranges but with substantial caveats depending on activity and location. Mainland LLCs can now be wholly foreign‑owned in many activities, while Free Zones continue to offer 100% ownership, simplified licensing, and full profit repatriation. In practice, cost structures vary widely by Free Zone and by the scope of the business, with annual licence fees often in the tens of thousands of dirhams, plus costs for visas, office space and regulatory approvals. Confirming insights from official sources, the government’s general stance is to balance ease of doing business with sector‑specific considerations and regulatory approvals (for example, those related to power, water, or environmental compliance). (u.ae, mof.gov.ae)
Beyond the numbers, the macro environment remains dynamic
Recent public disclosures and policy updates in 2024–25 signal continued refinement of the UAE’s tax and ownership regimes in line with global standards and regional growth ambitions. The UAE has begun implementing corporate tax for business profits with a 9% rate above a AED 375,000 threshold, while maintaining Free Zone incentives for compliant activities. At the same time, the Net Zero 2050 strategy has sustained momentum, with government statements and industry reporting framing decarbonisation as an engine of sustained growth and job creation. For those assessing a Dubai‑based renewable energy venture, the message from official channels is that climate targets, capital deployment, and a stable, investor‑friendly framework are mutually reinforcing: public investment is aimed at reducing emissions, while the business environment remains committed to attracting and sustaining private sector participation. (mof.gov.ae, u.ae)
Implications for today
– Strategic anchor projects and growth markets: The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park remains a cornerstone of Dubai’s energy strategy, with a clear trajectory to 5 GW by 2030 and ongoing expansion into storage and hybrid technologies. This provides a predictable pipeline for developers, equipment suppliers and service providers. (dewa.gov.ae, mbrsic.ae)
– Regulatory clarity and investment climate: The 100% foreign ownership framework for many activities, together with Free Zone advantages and a zero personal income tax regime, continues to lower barriers to entry for foreign investors. The introduction of a 9% corporate tax on profits above a low threshold, while maintaining Free Zone incentives, is a salient fiscal reform that investors will want to model in project economics. (u.ae, mof.gov.ae)
– Economic and employment upside: Net Zero 2050 projections of hundreds of thousands of new jobs and a several‑point share of GDP underscore the macro opportunity set for firms that can contribute to energy efficiency, grid integration, hydrogen, storage and related services. This adds a layer of macro risk management and long‑term demand forecasting to project planning in Dubai. (u.ae)
Source Panel
– Shuraa India: Start a Renewable Energy Company in Dubai (lead article)
– The Official UAE Government Portal: Full foreign ownership of commercial companies (Federal Decree‑Law No. 26 of 2020) and 100% ownership guidance
– UAE Ministry of Finance: Corporate Tax regime and key announcements
– The Official UAE Government Portal (Net Zero 2050 Strategy): The UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy and its economic and employment forecasts
– Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA): Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park (policy and project updates)
– The UAE Government and related energy ministries (MOEI/MOE) on energy strategy and decarbonisation roadmaps
Notes on dates and context
– The corporate tax regime took effect for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023, with a 0% rate up to AED 375,000 and 9% beyond that threshold; free zones may offer qualifying exemptions. This regime has been clarified and updated on official government portals as part of ongoing tax reforms. For complete, up‑to‑date details, consult the government’s corporate tax introduction and the MOF’s official notices.
– The Dubai‑level and UAE‑level energy strategies, including the 2050 targets and the MBR Solar Park milestones, have been continually updated through 2023–2025, with COP28‑era briefings and subsequent reaffirmations of aims to achieve higher shares of clean energy and create jobs in green sectors.
If you’d like, I can tailor this into a concise briefing for an investor audience, or expand the “steps to start a renewable energy company in Dubai” section with updated, jurisdiction‑specific checklists drawn strictly from official guidance.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.shuraa.in/start-renewable-energy-company-dubai/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.wam.ae/en/details/1395288628606 – Dubai has announced the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, aiming to provide 75% of the emirate’s energy from clean sources by 2050. The plan reflects the city’s ambition to become a global hub for clean energy and a low‑carbon economy, supported by substantial public and private investment. It foregrounds large‑scale projects such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and a broader energy infrastructure programme designed to diversify away from fossil fuels. The strategy integrates regulatory reform, funding, skill development and environmental considerations to accelerate adoption of solar, wind and other non‑carbon technologies across buildings, industry and transport.
- https://dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/strategic-initiatives/mbr-solar-park – Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is a flagship clean energy project being delivered by DEWA. It is planned to reach more than 5,000 MW of capacity by 2030 and is being developed through an Independent Power Producer model, backed by substantial public investment. The park is designed to cut carbon emissions by millions of tonnes annually and to support Dubai’s shift to 100% clean energy by 2050. Ongoing phases combine photovoltaic and concentrated solar power technologies, expanding capacity gradually and creating a platform for innovation, job creation and export‑oriented green growth. It underpins resilience and leadership.
- https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/strategies-initiatives-and-awards/strategies-plans-and-visions/environment-and-energy/the-uae-net-zero-2050-strategy – The UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy sets out a comprehensive national programme to reach net zero emissions by mid-century. The plan is designed to stimulate economic and social development while reducing greenhouse gases, and it is backed by more than 25 programmes across six sectors: power, industry, transport, buildings, waste and agriculture. Key enablers include climate finance, advanced technology, and upskilling the workforce. The strategy emphasises collaboration with ministries, government entities and industry champions to deliver measurable improvements, create jobs — around 200,000 — and contribute about 3 per cent to the national GDP, aligning with broader sustainable development goals.
- https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/business/doing-business-on-the-mainland/full-foreign-ownership-of-commercial-companies – The Official UAE Government portal explains that foreign investors can now own commercial companies fully, with 100% ownership permitted under Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020 amending previous shareholding rules. The reform removes the requirement for a local Emirati partner or agent in many activities, enabling onshore companies to be wholly owned by non‑UAE nationals. Dubai and Abu Dhabi authorities publish lists of qualifying activities where 100% ownership is allowed, while some strategic sectors remain restricted. The change extends to joint stock companies and supports ease of doing business, ownership rights and investment incentives across the UAE, for global investors.
- https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/finance-and-investment/taxation/other-taxes/income-tax – The UAE does not levy personal income tax on individuals, a virtuous feature highlighted on the official government portal. This tax policy remains a cornerstone of the country’s competitive business environment and is complemented by other tax measures such as VAT and selective corporate taxation. While some taxes apply to specific activities or sectors, individuals are not taxed on wages or salaries at the federal level. The absence of personal income tax is often cited as a key factor attracting international talent and investment to the UAE, though corporate tax and other fiscal regimes continue to evolve, with ongoing reforms.
- https://mof.gov.ae/corporate-tax – UAE corporate tax was introduced to support a resilient economy, applying a headline rate of 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. The system includes a 0% rate for lower incomes and a qualifying free zone provision that can allow zero taxation on qualifying income. The policy applies to resident and foreign entities, with exemptions for certain government entities, investment funds and other specified categories. Compliance requires registration with the Federal Tax Authority, periodic returns and arm’s length rules. The regime aligns with international BEPS standards and aims to diversify government revenues while maintaining Dubai’s competitive business environment for investors.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
6
Notes:
🕰️ The narrative on Shuraa.in largely reuses established public material (DEWA, UAE government portals, MOF) that has been published over many years — earliest public project details for the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park trace back to 2013 (phase 1) and subsequent major coverage in 2017–2023. ✅ Key factual anchors (5 GW by 2030 target, DEWA phase milestones, Net Zero 2050 job/GDP projections, corporate tax effective 1 Jun 2023) are present on official portals with publication/updates in 2023–2024. ⚠️ The Shuraa web page does not show a clear publication date in the page meta or visible content, which makes it harder to judge whether it is a fresh write‑up or a recycled marketing post. ‼️ Much of the text is a synthesis of government material and industry reporting rather than original reporting; similar wording and claims appear across multiple sites and government pages — some items (e.g. Phase 4 commissioning / CSP details) date to Dec 2023. If the intention is to present breaking or exclusive information, the narrative is recycled; however, if it is a practical how‑to guide referencing established policy, the lack of a visible date and clear attribution should be flagged for editors.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
âś… The page contains very few verbatim, attributable quotes; most language is explanatory or promotional (for example the phrase describing a ‘golden moment’ for Indian entrepreneurs appears to be editorial copy rather than a direct quote from a named official). 🔎 I searched for distinctive direct quotes from the text and found no identical earlier attributions to public figures within the Shuraa content aside from paraphrasing of official claims. ⚠️ Where the narrative references official claims (DEWA, UAE Net Zero 2050), those bodies have their own published statements and press releases (e.g. DEWA on MBR Solar Park, UAE portal on Net Zero 2050); identical wording for technical project facts often originates from those official pages. ‼️ If any quoted language were presented as an exclusive interview, editors should verify provenance; as written here, there is no evidence of unique quoted material that requires additional verification.
Source reliability
Score:
5
Notes:
⚠️ The narrative is published on a commercial business‑services website (Shuraa India) that provides company‑formation and advisory services. This is not a primary government or authoritative energy‑industry publisher, and the page reads in part as promotional guidance. âś… Strength: the piece cites and mirrors information that is verifiable on high‑quality official channels (DEWA, u.ae, MOF) and mainstream reporting (e.g. protocol.dubai, official media office releases). ‼️ Weakness: Shuraa.in does not provide a visible publication date or author attribution on the page, and it mixes factual summaries with marketing for Shuraa’s services. This reduces independence and requires readers to cross‑check the factual claims against the original official pages. ⚠️ Editors should treat the narrative as secondary/derivative summarisation of official policies rather than primary reporting.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
âś… Plausible: core factual claims (Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 targets, DEWA’s 5 GW by 2030 for the solar park, Net Zero 2050 jobs/GDP figures, corporate tax introduction from FY starting on/after 1 June 2023 with 9% above thresholds) match official government pages and DEWA updates (e.g. DEWA project pages and the UAE government portal updated 15 May 2024). 🔎 Coverage check: the technical/project claims (MBR Solar Park phases, CSP/PV hybrid, 950 MW fourth phase commissioning Dec 2023) are widely reported and documented by DEWA and official media (media office, Protocol Dubai). ⚠️ Lack of novel sourcing: the narrative offers no new empirical evidence, contracts, or exclusive interviews — it is a practical guide, not investigative reporting. ‼️ Caution: some numerical figures (e.g. counts of Indian SMEs, investment totals like “$37 billion” cited by Shuraa) are presented without inline citation to a verifiable dataset on the page; editors should request source for those specific numbers before relying on them in formal analysis.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
⚠️ Summary verdict: OPEN — the narrative on Shuraa.in is largely accurate in its high‑level descriptions of Dubai and UAE renewable policy and project milestones, and these claims are corroborated by official government and DEWA materials (âś…). 🕰️ However, the page lacks a visible publication date and reads as derivative marketing content that synthesises established official material rather than producing original reporting. ‼️ Major risks: recycled content (much of the material was publicly available well before 2024–2025), absence of clear publication metadata and author attribution, and a commercial motive (Shuraa’s service promotion) that reduces independent reporting value. ⚠️ Recommendation: treat the narrative as a secondary how‑to/marketing summary that is useful for introductory guidance but verify key figures and timelines directly from the cited official portals (DEWA, u.ae, MOF) before using the material for investment or regulatory decisions. âś… Where the guide repeats official targets (MBR Solar Park 5 GW by 2030, Net Zero 2050 job/GDP projections, corporate tax rules effective FYs starting on/after 1 June 2023), those are corroborated; where Shuraa offers specific numeric claims without inline sourcing (e.g. the Indian SME and investment figures), request primary evidence.
