Powering the age of electricity with innovation and collaboration
In an exclusive interview with Energy Connects, H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, emphasises the UAE’s leadership in the global energy transition through investments in clean energy, grid modernisation, and smart technologies, ensuring decarbonisation, security, and economic growth in the Age of Electricity.
Your Excellency, we are entering what many call the ‘Age of Electricity.’ How is the UAE preparing for this shift?
The global energy landscape is evolving rapidly, with electricity becoming the primary carrier of energy. At the heart of this transformation is innovation — rethinking how we generate, distribute, and consume electricity to build a more resilient and sustainable future. The UAE has long anticipated this shift and is actively driving the new age of utilities through bold investments in electrification, grid modernisation, and clean energy technologies. Through the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, we are accelerating the deployment of low- carbon energy, enhancing efficiency, and integrating smart grid management systems to ensure stability and security.
Electricity is not just powering homes and industries — it is enabling new digital economies, advanced manufacturing, and future mobility solutions. Ensuring its affordability, reliability, and sustainability is central to our strategy. That is why we are expanding our portfolio across solar, nuclear, and hydrogen while investing in large-scale energy storage and AI-driven grid optimisation. By pioneering next-generation energy solutions, fostering public-private collaboration, and embracing cutting-edge innovation, the UAE is positioning itself as a global leader in the new age of utilities — one that is smarter, cleaner, and future-ready.
What investments and policy measures are the Ministry prioritising to support this transition in the utilities sector?
Our approach is anchored on three key pillars: decarbonisation, energy security, and economic competitiveness. To advance these objectives, we are making significant investments in electricity infrastructure and implementing forward-thinking policies to drive the UAE’s energy transition. We are expanding the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and advancing our hydrogen roadmap to diversify our energy mix.
A major milestone in this transition is Masdar’s 24/7 Solar PV and Battery Storage Project, the world’s first large-scale initiative combining 5.2 GW of solar PV with a 19 GWh battery energy storage system. Launched in partnership with EWEC, this project ensures uninterrupted clean energy supply, addressing intermittency challenges and reinforcing grid reliability.
Meanwhile, TAQA’s next-generation inflow control technology is set to enhance energy efficiency and optimise resource utilisation, further strengthening our energy infrastructure. In policy development, we are enhancing regulations to encourage private sector participation, fostering international partnerships, and promoting electrification across industries. The updated UAE Energy Strategy 2050 sets ambitious targets, including tripling the contribution of renewables and increasing the share of clean energy to 32% by 2030. We are also working on policy frameworks to integrate advanced grid technologies, energy storage, and smart metering systems to ensure a stable and resilient electricity supply for utilities and consumers alike.
How does the UAE balance decarbonisation, affordability, and security of electricity supply?
The energy trilemma — balancing sustainability, affordability, and security — guides our strategy. Our investments in renewables and nuclear power enable us to decarbonise the electricity grid while maintaining cost-competitiveness. At the same time, we are enhancing energy storage capabilities and grid interconnectivity to ensure a reliable and secure power supply. By leveraging clean electricity for industrial growth and electrifying sectors such as mobility and water desalination, we are reducing emissions without compromising economic development. Additionally, we are strengthening regional grid interconnectivity, advancing energy efficiency initiatives in utilities, and investing in digital solutions to optimise power distribution and demand-side management. These measures collectively ensure a balanced and future-ready electricity system.
Your Excellency, World Utilities Congress 2025 is a key platform for global energy discussions. How will it propel the industry towards a sustainable future?
World Utilities Congress 2025 will be a defining moment for the global utilities sector, highlighting the UAE’s leadership in the Age of Electricity. As electrification accelerates worldwide, the event will showcase our progress in grid modernisation, smart metering, large-scale renewable integration, and AI-driven energy management. It will also serve as a critical forum for collaboration — bringing together policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to shape the policies and innovations needed to future-proof electricity systems. The UAE remains at the forefront of the energy transition, driving advancements in clean hydrogen, next-generation storage solutions, and digital grid technologies. At the Congress, we will demonstrate how these investments are creating a more resilient, efficient, and low-carbon electricity network.
The utilities sector stands at a crossroads. Electrification is not merely an emerging trend — it is the foundation of a thriving and sustainable energy future. To successfully deliver the energy transition, we must work collectively to accelerate investment, scale breakthrough technologies, and ensure reliable electricity access for all. The UAE is committed to leading this charge, and at the World Utilities Congress 2025, we look forward to forging new partnerships and setting the course for the next era of global energy.
