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As the urgency to reach net zero emissions by 2050 intensifies, nuclear energy has emerged as a crucial pillar in the global transition away from fossil fuels.

At a panel during ADIPEC 2025 titled "Nuclear Energy Opportunities" in the UAE, experts from regulatory, industry, and technology backgrounds explored how advanced nuclear solutions, particularly Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and fusion technology—can accelerate progress while addressing perennial challenges.

Christa Victorsson, director general of the UAE’s Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), emphasised early engagement with industry and global collaboration as vital for regulatory efficiency and innovation. “Early engagement is very, very essential,” Victorsson encouraged. “Approach us. Come to us if you have any ideas or needs in this topic...Collaboration is the new currency.”

Veteran energy policy expert Nobuo Tanaka, CEO of Tanaka Global and former executive director of the International Energy Agency, spoke to the complex public perception issues nuclear must overcome, especially after events like Fukushima. Tanaka highlighted, “There are three major conditions for deploying new technologies: safety or risk minimisation, waste management, and addressing proliferation risks.” He stressed that public trust depends on transparent communication about how new reactor designs can make nuclear power safer and more sustainable.

Enhancing energy security

On the frontier of clean energy technology, Hideki Yoshino, CEO of Clean Planet in Japan, introduced the promise of solid-state fusion, which his company is working to commercialise. “Our type of fusion makes abundant scalable energy, with no CO₂ and no radiation,” Yoshino explained. He envisions this technology eventually being deployed everywhere from homes to schools and industries, supporting both decarbonisation and energy security.

Providing a strategic industry perspective, Giovanni Sale, Senior Vice President of Corporate and Business Strategy at MAIRE, outlined the enormous energy demand driven by decarbonisation goals, automation, and the rise of data infrastructure. “SMR in the future, the advanced nuclear reactor, definitely, they need to take a place, because otherwise we cannot match the inspiration that nowadays we can read in any newspaper,” Sale stated. He stressed that SMRs have the flexibility to serve private investors, data centres, and heavy industry alike.

Beyond technical and commercial considerations, the panellists all agreed that robust regulation, international cooperation, and transparent communication with the public are critical to building trust and ensuring proliferation resistance. Victorsson described the UAE’s journey explaining, “Transparency was principle number one. Security, safety, non-proliferation, and long-term sustainability. These are very important principles.”

As the panel concluded, the path forward for nuclear energy became clear: work together globally, communicate benefits and risks openly, and continue developing game-changing technologies like SMRs and fusion. Only then can nuclear fully realise its promise as a safe, scalable tool for a sustainable energy future.

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AI and energy leaders unite to drive digital sustainability

ADIPEC 2025 calls for AI-driven energy growth

The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), in collaboration with Presight, unveiled the brand identity and phased roadmap of its pioneering artificial intelligence platform, AD.WE, during GITEX Global 2025 in Abu Dhabi. The Department also presented five new AI-driven applications for resource management, further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global leader in energy and water innovation.

The launch ceremony was attended by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Hamid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy; His Excellency Mansour Al Mansouri, Vice Chairman of Presight; and Thomas Pramotedham, CEO of Presight.

Showcased at the Abu Dhabi Government Pavilion, AD.WE was a centrepiece of GITEX Global, featuring a live, interactive dashboard demonstrating how Abu Dhabi had become a world leader in applying artificial intelligence to enhance government services and citizen wellbeing.

AD.WE represented a world-first AI-powered platform designed to optimise energy and water use by consolidating billions of live and historical grid records into a secure, UAE-hosted cloud. The platform provided operators with a unified view of all energy and water networks across the Emirate. Real-time AI analysis identified efficiency opportunities, enabling savings of up to 30% in water and 20% in energy, and more than AED 100 million in financial savings. It also supported outage reduction and the achievement of sustainability targets.

Powered entirely by sustainable, carbon-free electricity, AD.WE would gradually expand beyond electricity and water to integrate district cooling and petroleum products. Once fully operational, the platform was projected to save 160 million cubic metres of water annually and 1.9 TWh of electricity each year, enough to power over 37,000 homes by 2035.

The DoE also showcased early use cases at GITEX, including farm irrigation optimisation, intelligent leak detection, consumption intelligence, and network planning. These demonstrations showed how AI could cut water and electricity usage by up to 10%, ease grid pressure, accelerate leak response, and support more efficient long-term planning.

The roadmap for AD.WE’s development was presented in three phases. Phase One (2025) would focus on validating core platform capabilities; Phase Two (2025–26) would expand integration across utilities; and Phase Three (by GITEX 2026) would introduce advanced, agentic AI for next-generation applications.

His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, stated, “From its leading position in the energy and water sector, and through the AD.WE platform, Abu Dhabi is delivering a first of its kind solution that advances sustainability, energy efficiency, and digital transformation. Powered by artificial intelligence and 100% carbon-free electricity, AD.WE strengthens energy and water resilience and supports Abu Dhabi’s strategic framework for utilities, charting a clear course toward a secure and sustainable future.”

Thomas Pramotedham, CEO of Presight, added, “AD.WE represents a bold leap forward in how data and AI can transform the utilities sector. At Presight, we are proud to co-create this pioneering and world leading platform with the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, showcasing the power of AI to drive sustainability, efficiency, and resilience.”

Two 102 sq m homes in Buena Vista, Colorado, were built using A1-rated 3D printed concrete walls that provided the highest level of fire resistance and did not fuel combustion at any stage. This marked a significant step forward in fire-safe construction, particularly in a state where nearly half the population lived in wildfire-prone regions.

The project showcased the advantages of COBOD’s open-source 3D printing technology, which allowed real concrete to be used and material mixes to be customised for local conditions. This adaptability made the structures more resilient to wildfires, seismic activity and extreme temperature fluctuations.

The superstructure of one home was completed in just 16 days, highlighting the remarkable speed and efficiency of automated 3D construction.

The printer followed a precise, predefined path, reducing manual labour and ensuring consistent quality. This rapid process saved weeks of traditional construction time and improved overall project cost efficiency. Known as the VeroVistas, the two homes demonstrated 3D printing’s flexibility in design, one retained the distinctive layered concrete aesthetic, while the other adopted a traditional stucco finish.

“In an era of fast housing, VeroTouch is creating legacy homes that can be passed down, rather than torn down,” said Grant Hamel, VeroTouch’s Chief Executive Officer. “Beyond merely great design, we’re proud that VeroVistas homes offer a level of resilience to natural disasters like wildfires unmatched by any other product in this region. Because of that, we expect these homes to be standing strong 100 years from now.”

Priced at about $625,000 (which is comparable to average homes in Colorado’s mountain communities) the 3D printed houses offered modern design, superior fire resilience and market competitiveness. VeroTouch collaborated with local contractors, supporting regional employment and introducing cutting-edge building methods. The company received support from Colorado’s Innovative Housing Incentive Program (IHIP), which aimed to facilitate construction of 7,500 homes within three years.

Governor Jared Polis stated, “We are proud to accelerate innovation in housing to better address Colorado’s housing needs. The unveiling of these 3D printed homes is a great example of how we can support new building methods to create more housing now.”

Following the project’s success, VeroTouch began work on a 32-home community in Salida, expanding its workforce to meet rising demand. “3D construction printing provides a safer, more efficient, and sustainable way to build,” said Philip Lund-Nielsen, Co-founder and Head of Americas at COBOD International. “Colorado investing in broader application of 3D construction printing shows that this scalable method can help address the housing crisis, not only in Colorado, but across the U.S.”

Maaden Bauxite and Alumina Company (MBAC), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden), has signed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Emerge, the joint venture between Masdar and EDF.

The deal will see the development of a solar power facility to supply clean energy to the Al Baitha Bauxite Mine for the next 30 years.

The project will integrate an 8 MWp ground-mounted solar photovoltaic array with a 30 MWh battery energy storage system, ensuring stable, round-the-clock power supply.

Expected to generate around 17,300 MWh of electricity annually, the facility will cut approximately 13,800 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year, comparable to removing over 3,000 cars from the road.

With the new system, the Al Baitha Bauxite Mine will be able to operate almost entirely on renewable energy, making it one of the region’s first large-scale mining operations powered predominantly by clean sources.

The agreement aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy by advancing the Kingdom’s energy transition, lowering industrial carbon emissions, and supporting sustainable economic growth.

Emerge will deliver the project on a full turnkey basis, overseeing financing, design, procurement, construction, operations, and maintenance.

The initiative underscores Maaden’s growing role as one of the world’s fastest-expanding mining companies while positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in sustainable mining practices.

Ali Al-Qahtani, executive vice-president, of Maaden’s aluminum business, said, “This partnership supports our ambitions to drive renewable energy across our operations, as well as reinforcing our committment to advancing sustainable solutions that benefit both our businesses and the communities we serve. We look forward to working with Emerge to deliver this integral pillar of our operations.”

Abdulaziz Alobaidli, chairman of Emerge and chief operating officer at Masdar, commented, “Emerge offers businesses a seamless, cost-effective pathway to transform to renewable energy. This partnership demonstrates the value Emerge brings to industries looking to decarbonise and optimise their energy usage.”

Omar Aldaweesh, CEO KSA of EDF Group and EDF power solutions, and Emerge board member, said, “Emerge’s partnership with Maaden marks a bold step in decarbonising the Kingdom’s mining sector. By delivering a tailored solar power plant and battery storage solution, we are paving the way for a more resilient, low-carbon future while proving that industrial ambition and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.”

At the eighth annual Sharjah Investment Forum – World Investment Conference (SIF–WIC 2025), held in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), H.E. Mohamed Alabbar highlighted the central role of manufacturing in shaping the UAE’s next phase of economic growth.

Speaking during a fireside chat titled “Vision, Venture, Value: Shaping the Region Through Leadership,” Alabbar, the founder of Emaar Properties and Noon.com and Chairman of Eagle Hills, noted that manufacturing already accounted for a greater share of the UAE’s GDP than real estate. “If you look at our economy, real estate is only 12% of GDP, but manufacturing is 15%,” he said. He urged investors and entrepreneurs to “look into manufacturing seriously,” adding that starting small and focusing on product quality and integrity could yield significant long-term rewards.

Alabbar described manufacturing as the foundation of real economic development, explaining that his business ventures were designed to stimulate growth through production, job creation, and local industry support. “Every project we do adds 5% to a city’s GDP. We create jobs, we pay taxes, we help small businesses grow, from the window maker to the cake shop owner,” he said.

He called on the next generation of Emirati entrepreneurs to invest in manufacturing innovation and technology, pointing to opportunities in areas such as advanced materials, digital fabrication, and industrial automation. His message reinforced the view that the UAE’s economic diversification strategy depended on building a strong, sustainable manufacturing base that could compete globally.

Organised by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) in partnership with the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), SIF–WIC 2025 positioned manufacturing as a key pillar of regional economic resilience and sustainable growth, in line with the UAE’s broader development vision. 

Siemens Mobility has opened a new office in Riyadh, strengthening its long-term commitment to advancing smart and sustainable mobility in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

The expansion supports the Kingdom’s goals of developing a resilient and climate-friendly transportation network in line with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI).

The inauguration was attended by Siemens Mobility leadership, senior Saudi government officials, and key executives from customers and partners. Notable guests included a delegation from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Riyadh, ambassador H.E. Michael Kindsgrab, Ms. Julia Nordmann, Head of Economic Affairs, and Ali Dulaim, CEO of E.A. Juffali & Brothers Co.

The new office is part of Siemens Mobility’s broader strategic expansion in the region, following the 2024 appointment of Frank Hagemeier as CEO of Siemens Mobility for Saudi Arabia. Strengthening its local presence is expected to generate in-country value, create jobs, and develop homegrown expertise.

“At Siemens Mobility, we are building on years of transformative contributions globally and since our first contract in Saudi Arabia in 2005 till today in Saudi Arabia’s transportation infrastructure to make mobility in Saudi Arabia faster, safer, and more efficient,” said Frank Hagemeier.

GCC projects

He added, “The opening of our new office in Riyadh will bring us closer to our customers and strategic partners in Saudi Arabia while making us ideally positioned to expand our operations in Saudi Arabia and support key mega projects. It will also enable us to fast-track our growth and reaffirm our position as a crucial player on the region’s mobility landscape.”

Siemens Mobility has developed a significant footprint in the Kingdom. The company implemented the first European Train Control System (ETCS) in the GCC on the East-West Rail Line, connecting Riyadh and Dammam for passenger and freight transport. Its work on the Haramain High-Speed Railway, linking Mecca and Medina, highlights its expertise in high-speed rail solutions, while the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Line project demonstrates its contribution to electrification and transportation for pilgrims.

The company also recently delivered the Riyadh Metro, the region’s largest greenfield metro project and the longest driverless metro system in the world. As part of the BACS consortium, Siemens Mobility provided 67 Inspiro trains, integrated the latest Communications-based Train Control System (CBTC), and delivered the Red and Blue Lines as a turnkey solution. Since December 2024, the metro has transported 100 million passengers, and Siemens Mobility continues to maintain its systems and track infrastructure under a service contract.

Siemens Mobility has further supported knowledge transfer and localisation in the Kingdom through partnerships with institutions such as the Saudi Railway Polytechnic (SRP). This dual education programme combines classroom learning with practical training in rail signalling, electrification, and communication systems, equipping students to maintain advanced digital rail infrastructure.