Affordable and clean energy has long been recognized as an engine for economic growth as energy utilization increases in tandem with economic development. With ever higher demands for energy, due to sustained population growth and economic development, amidst concerns about global warming, a number of international studies commissioned energy providers have noted that the era of abundant and cheap hydrocarbon supplies has come to an end. The world is now moving towards an era in which fossil fuels may still dominate temporarily but more energy will have to be obtained from other sustainable resources and in an environmentally friendly manner.

The Emirates Centre for Energy and Environment Research (ECEER) at the United Arab Emirates University was established in 2014 to support of the university’s vision of becoming a research intensive institution. This is in line with government energy strategies such as Abu Dhabi Vision 2030, Dubai Integrated Energy Strategy 2030, the National Innovation Strategy and the Federal Government SP 2021 initiative.

The centre focuses on research and development (R&D) in areas of energy production and the environment. The centre’s current structure consists of a Director’s Office (the Administrative Unit), a Research and Development Unit and the Consultation and Outreach Unit. The centre aims to cooperate with other research centers, institutions and agencies both in UAE and elsewhere in order to research areas related to conventional energy (Oil and Gas), alternative and renewable energy, energy efficiency and policy studies. We aim also to identify and address national challenges in energy production and environmental protection.