The third edition of the World Utilities Congress is underway in Abu Dhabi, uniting global ministers, CEOs and industry pioneers to address critical challenges in energy transitions, grid modernisation and water security.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the congress, co-located this year with the 6th Arab Water forum, serves as a platform for leaders across the utilities value chain to accelerate progress towards a secure and sustainable future.

The congress was inaugurated with an opening ceremony, held in the presence of VIPs, dignitaries and global CEOs. During the session, keynotes were delivered by His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Jasim Husain Thabet, Group CEO and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company's (TAQA); His Excellency Mahmoud Abu-Zeid, President of the Arab Water Council; and Professor Loic Fauchon, President of the World Water Council.

Speaking on how the UAE addresses energy and water challenges, His Excellency Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei said: “Together with the private sector, we invested AED150 billion locally, of which AED45 billion was invested in renewable energy projects.

"And we plan to invest another AED500 billion in the overall energy sector over the next 30 years to deliver our net-zero target.

“Today, our solar energy accounts for 6GW, wind for 110MW, and nuclear energy for 5.6GW, making our grid the cleanest in the Middle East in terms of carbon intensity. In 2023, the share of clean energy reached 27.8% of the energy mix, and we target over 30 per cent by 2030.

"We doubled our renewable capacity since 2019 and plan to triple the installed capacity to over 14GW of renewable energy by 2030. In water desalination, we managed to cut the cost by 75% when we adopted the best in class RO technologies compared with the thermal process.”

The Ministerial Panel on ‘From COP28 to COP29: Fast-Tracking Climate Action from Pledges to Reality’ brought together global ministers to discuss the mechanisms needed to turn climate pledges into actionable outcomes.

Her Excellency Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Max-Kyne, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation in Sierra Leone; and Dr. The Hon. William F. Duguid, J.P., M.P. Senior Minister for Infrastructure in Barbados, discussed the policies, plans, and goals being implemented in their respective countries, highlighting the importance of creating incentives for the private sector and the public in order to promote the use of renewable energy.

Speaking on the significance of the event, Jasim Husain Thabet, Group CEO and Managing Director of TAQA, said: “TAQA is proud to host the World Utilities Congress 2024, a key platform to bring together leading companies, innovators and industry experts to share knowledge and find solutions to meet the growing demand for energy and water while reducing carbon emissions.

"Although progress has been made in addressing the impact of climate change, a lot more needs to be done if the global community is to achieve a successful energy transition and meet the targets to triple global renewables capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, agreed at COP28 in the UAE.

“We want the World Utilities Congress to be a place to foster collaboration, and where innovation, digitalisation and sustainability are embraced to solve challenges and provide a roadmap for a sustainable and prosperous future.”

The congress convened international industry leaders who advanced the dialogue in worldwide cross-industry collaboration.

The Global Leadership Panel titled ‘Industry Leadership on the Road to 2030 and Beyond (UNEZA)’ hosted top executives, including Jasim Husain Thabet, His Excellency Eng Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), and Luc Rémont, Chairman and CEO of EDF.

During the session, Rémont said: “Meeting the ambitious targets for 2030 requires cooperation at every level. By fostering partnerships across borders and industries, we can ensure that the utilities sector plays a leading role in delivering a sustainable energy future.”

Water security also took centre stage with the Global Leadership Panel titled ‘Safeguarding Water Security,’ in which Sabrina Soussan, Chairman and CEO of SUEZ, and other experts addressed the pressing issue of water scarcity.

Soussan said: “Tackling water scarcity is not just an environmental challenge – it is a social imperative. By advancing innovative solutions and working together globally, we can secure water resources for future generations.”

In addition to the strategic discussions, the Technical Conference focused on cutting-edge innovations in clean technology and power generation.

This segment gathered engineers and technical experts to share the latest advancements in energy efficiency, carbon capture, and grid modernisation. A wide range of technical solutions were presented to support the transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future for the utilities sector.

Throughout the three-day event, the Innovation Showcase will feature cutting-edge technologies and new products from international exhibitors.

This showcase is a hub of creativity, offering a platform for start-ups and established players alike to present solutions that will shape the future of the utilities industry.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the latest technologies aimed at lowering emissions, optimising operational efficiency, and enhancing overall business performance.

The World Utilities Congress 2024 will continue until 18 September, providing a vital forum for industry leaders to share insights, collaborate on solutions, and advance progress towards a sustainable and resilient utilities future.