Abu Dhabi, UAE – 28 May 2025 – The fourth edition of the World Utilities Congress 2025 is now underway at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, running until 29 May.
Hosted by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), the congress continues to serve as a premier platform for advancing sustainable energy and water solutions. Brought to you by dmg events, this year’s congress is being held under the theme Innovating for a New Age of Utilities.
The event commenced with a high-profile opening ceremony, attended by dignitaries, ministers, and CEOs from around the world. Keynote speeches were delivered by H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; H.E. Dr. Abdulla Humaid Saif Al Jarwan, Chairman, UAE Department of Energy and Jasim Husain Thabet, Group CEO & Managing Director of TAQA, setting the tone for three days of impactful dialogue and collaboration.
H.E. Suhail Al Mazroui, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said: “The UAE has proven that with bold and decisive leadership, it is possible to set global benchmarks, from record-low renewable generation costs to AI-enabled efficiencies in production and world-class nuclear deployment. The message to global policymakers is clear: do not let the subsidy gap widen. Reform is no longer a future ambition, it is an urgent priority. The UAE is ready to partner, guide and share its expertise to help governments everywhere build more efficient and future-ready utility systems.”
He added: “With strategic partners like TAQA and Masdar, and a policy mindset that prioritises speed and scale, we are not just advancing locally, we are helping to shape global standards. Our message to fellow ministers is simple: work with us. Let us help you build leaner, smarter and more efficient energy ecosystems. The tools already exist, but without reform, progress will remain incomplete.”
His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy said: “To steer the next phase of Abu Dhabi’s utilities transformation, we have introduced a unified sector strategic framework focused on four key pillars: enhancing supply security and reliability, improving efficiency, maximising resource value through AI, and deepening collaboration with global partners. This strategic framework is expected to deliver over AED 1 billion in value annually by 2028 through the adoption of advanced technologies.”
“We are proud to unveil the Abu Dhabi Water and Energy AI Solution (AD.WE), a groundbreaking platform that integrates power, water, district cooling, and petroleum systems into a single AI-enabled decision-making hub. This innovation will drive operational excellence, enable real-time system visibility, and deliver smarter services to millions of customers,” he added.
Meanwhile, he also announced a strategic partnership with Presight, which marks a major milestone in accelerating innovation across Abu Dhabi’s utilities sector. “Together, we will develop advanced AI solutions to optimise power generation, load dispatch, cooling performance, and water infrastructure management — setting a new benchmark for efficiency and resilience,” he said.
“The age of electricity and a future of rising water scarcity present profound challenges. But they also bring opportunity. Perhaps the greatest opportunity our sector has ever seen. To realise this, we must innovate, build and collaborate. We must move faster and think smarter than ever before. Only by working together and finding new ways to innovate can we succeed. That is why events like the World Utilities Congress are so important,” said Jasim Husain Thabet in his opening speech.
A Ministerial Panel, titled “Looking Ahead to COP30,” brought together H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and H.E. Mrs. Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus. The discussion focused on how revised national energy strategies can align with global climate objectives, with both ministers underscoring the urgency for bold and inclusive action.
H.E. Mrs. Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment said: “We are a limited island, facing significant climate challenges due to economic constraints. We are not connected to Europe’s energy grid. We have barriers to storage and while we target 90,000 EVs, we currently have less than 10,000. It’s hard for us to attract large scale green investments.”
She added: “We have significant ambition and there’s only one direction towards a sustainable future. We face a lot of challenges but we are committed to implement our targets of climate change. It’s very important to have a green transition which is just. We need help from countries which have already made significant advancements in sustainability.”
Energy Talks featured rapid insights on the importance of collaboration and inclusive leadership in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the evolving role of multilateral development banks in mobilising resources for national climate commitments, as well as the urgent challenges of accelerating electrification, transforming power systems, and keeping the energy transition on course for 2030.
The day also featured a panel on “Global Power Outlook: Are we on track for 2030?”, where leaders from Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and TAQA shared insights on tackling the structural, regulatory, and financial barriers hindering the energy transition. The conversation focussed on scaling renewables, expanding energy storage, and the evolving role of nuclear in achieving net-zero by 2050.
A second Ministerial Panel: “Shaping the future of utilities: balancing energy access and growth in emerging economies” explored how emerging markets can balance energy security, environmental stewardship, and economic growth to maintain competitiveness in global utilities.
A standout session titled “Transforming Water Scarcity into Opportunity” featured leaders from SUEZ, Etihad Water & Electricity, Kuwait Water Association, and TAQA Water Solutions, who shared innovative strategies to conserve water, enhance resource efficiency, and build resilient systems that align with sustainability goals.
The closing panel, “Road to a New World of Power Interconnectivity”, explored how advanced grid interconnectivity is reshaping the future of energy, unlocking seamless cross-border power flows, enhancing renewable integration, and driving a resilient, efficient, and sustainable global energy network.
The Innovation Hub at the exhibition showcased breakthrough solutions that are shaping the future of utilities. Delegates engaged with emerging technologies through live demonstrations and hands on interactions, gaining insight into how these advancements can directly impact operational efficiency and resource sustainability.
The World Utilities Congress 2025 will continue until 29 May, providing a vital forum for industry leaders to share insights, collaborate on solutions, and advance progress towards a sustainable and resilient utilities future.
