Abu Dhabi sets benchmark for clean energy and water at World Utilities Congress 2025

The opening of the World Utilities Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi delivered a clear message to global policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders: the future of utilities lies in decisive leadership, digital transformation, and radical collaboration.

Across keynote speeches and a high-level ministerial panel, the UAE positioned itself not only as a hub of energy production but as a global catalyst for smarter, more sustainable, and efficient utilities.

Policy reform

In his keynote address, His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, challenged governments to move faster and smarter.

“The industry is very progressive,” said His Excellency. “But the regulators are not adapting at the same speed. Without policy reform, this transformation is incomplete.”

H.E. Al Mazrouei rejected traditional subsidy models, calling them “a hole that keeps getting deeper,” particularly as population growth increases strain on government resources. He emphasised that the real breakthrough lies in embracing private sector innovation, investing in energy efficiency, and integrating advanced technologies like AI and smart metering.

Reflecting on the UAE’s journey, he pointed, “we went from a gas-dependent model to a diversified system powered by renewables, nuclear, and battery storage. Today, we have one of the lowest costs of power generation in the world.”

Abu Dhabi's strategic shift

His Excellency Eng. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, expanded on the UAE’s energy vision, stating that Abu Dhabi now sources 48% of its energy from clean sources — up from just 1% a decade ago.

“In Abu Dhabi, energy and water are more than utilities. They are a national imperative,” His Excellency added. “We lead not by reaction but by clarity and commitment.”

He introduced the Abu Dhabi Water and Energy AI Solution (ADWE), an integrated platform that leverages artificial intelligence to optimise operations across power, water, and district cooling systems. The platform is expected to deliver over AED1 billion in value by 2028 through demand forecasting, asset efficiency, and consumer engagement.

H.E. Eng. Al Jarwan also revealed that Abu Dhabi’s electricity demand is projected to double in the next ten years, from 110 terawatt-hours currently, highlighting the urgency of scalable, intelligent systems. “The scale of this change cannot be met by capacity alone,” he said. “We are redesigning how we plan, manage and consume energy and water.”

Challenges transforming into opportunities

Jassim Thabet, CEO of TAQA, brought a global perspective to the stage, highlighting the massive potential for innovation in the utilities sector.

“We are now at the centre of the stage,” he said. “Water scarcity is rising. Power demand is surging. The time for incremental change is over.”

Thabet cited that over 1,650 gigawatts of renewable capacity is currently waiting for grid connection, equivalent to six times Germany’s total capacity. He stressed that investment in grid infrastructure is no longer optional but rather essential.

TAQA’s roadmap includes tripling total power capacity to 150 gigawatts by 2030, with two-thirds from renewables. It is also pioneering a first-of-its-kind hybrid mega project in Abu Dhabi, combining 5 GW of solar PV, 19 GWh of battery storage, and 1 GW of flexible gas backup. On the water front, TAQA is shifting to low-carbon desalination and expanding wastewater recycling through 43 advanced treatment plants.

“Perhaps the greatest opportunity the utility sector has ever seen is right now,” Thabet concluded. “But we must act faster and think smarter.”

From COP28 to COP30

A ministerial panel discussion titled ‘Looking Ahead to COP30: Strengthening the Role of Energy in National Plans’ spotlighted the disparity between ambition and implementation.

H.E. Al Mazrouei reiterated the UAE’s commitment, noting that the integration of solar and batteries is now delivering base load power at prices lower than liquefied natural gas (LNG). “This is no longer theoretical,” he said. “It is happening, and it is commercially viable.”

Her Excellency Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus, offered a contrasting view from the European frontline. She spoke openly about structural challenges — outdated grids, limited storage, regulatory bottlenecks — and acknowledged the gap between targets and reality.

“We want to be ambitious, but we also need to be realistic,” H.E. Panayiotou said. “Cyprus faces real constraints, but we are committed to a green transition that is inclusive and fair.”

She also thanked the UAE for providing emergency desalination units during Cyprus’s ongoing drought, describing the gesture as a model of regional solidarity. “This cooperation is vital. If we face these issues now, other nations will soon follow.”

Interconnection as a necessity

The panel also tackled the role of global energy interconnectivity. H.E. Al Mazrouei made the case for cross-border electricity sharing as a key pillar of efficiency and resilience.

“We use only one-third of our installed capacity in winter,” he explained. “If interconnected with countries that peak at different times, we can all optimise and reduce costs.”

Projects connecting the GCC grid to Iraq, and plans to extend links to Egypt, Europe, and India were highlighted as transformative moves. He highlighted, however, that many countries lack investment in upstream infrastructure and outdated systems remain widespread. “The real risk is not just climate change,” he said. “It’s doing nothing to modernise what we already have.”

A model for global utility transformation

The World Utilities Congress 2025 made it clear that the UAE is not just adapting to change; it is setting the pace. Through decisive investments, pioneering technology, and regulatory reform, the country has positioned itself as a global leader in smart utilities.

The “Abu Dhabi Way” is not a slogan; it is a method: act early, integrate deeply, and invest heavily in innovation. Whether through AI-powered optimisation or record-breaking renewable deployment, the emirate has demonstrated that scalable change is possible.

As the world prepares for COP30, the message from Abu Dhabi is clear. The energy transition is no longer a distant goal. It is a present-day mandate, and nations must act together — faster, smarter, and with courage.

“Together, we can build systems that not only power economies but empower lives,” said H.E. Al Jarwan. “Let’s make it happen… the Abu Dhabi way.”