World Utilities Congress returns to Abu Dhabi

In line with the UAE’s forward-thinking leadership and commitment to sustainability, the World Utilities Congress 2024 returns to Abu Dhabi from 16-18 September, positioning the nation as a global leader in the evolving energy landscape.

The event will centre its Strategic Conference on pivotal themes, focusing on the utilities sector’s vital role in the global energy transition. The event aims to advance progress in challenging areas while seizing opportunities to meet net-zero goals. Held 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, and hosted by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), this third edition builds on previous successes to provide a robust platform for utilities and their value chains to drive action towards a low-carbon, resilient future.

With the theme ‘Enabling a Secure and Sustainable Utilities Future’, the event is supported by the UAE’s Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). The Strategic Conference will cover topics from grid modernisation to water scarcity, with insights from global voices in power, water, and district cooling utilities aimed at powering a thriving, sustainable future.

Accelerating progress

Featuring 24 high-level sessions, the conference boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, including Jasim Thabet, group CEO and MD of TAQA; Francesco La Camera, director general of IRENA; Luc Rémont, chairman and CEO of EDF; Fabrizio Fabbri, CEO of Ansaldo Energia SpA; Alistair Phillips-Davies, CEO of SSE; Eng. Khaled Alqureshi, CEO of SWPC; Izumi Kai, CEO of JERA Asia Pte. Ltd., and Ben Backwell, CEO of Global Wind Energy Council, among others.

“The near future will require flexible and dynamic solutions from the power generation industry to ensure stable, affordable, and increasingly decarbonised energy production in the face of worldwide growing electricity demand. I see Ansaldo Energia Group's participation in the World Utilities Congress as an extremely valuable opportunity to share knowledge and visions that effectively address these challenges,” said Fabrizio Fabbri, CEO of Ansaldo Energia SpA.

“As the Middle East advances ambitious initiatives in renewable energy and water security, Schneider Electric remains dedicated to supporting the region’s energy transition through innovative solutions and digital transformation. The World Utilities Congress presents a critical opportunity for both the public and private sectors to collaborate in leading decarbonisation efforts and accelerating progress towards transforming the Middle East’s utilities and energy sector,” commented Amel Chadli, president of Gulf Countries, Schneider Electric.

The World Utilities Congress features four programming tracks, offering diverse session formats. The Strategic Conference will bring together high-level policy, regulatory, and strategic insights from around the world, while the Technical Conference showcases the brightest engineering minds, delivering the latest updates on projects, research, and innovation. Co-located with this year's event is the 6th Arab Water Forum, organised by the Arab Water Council and the League of Arab States, which will address urgent challenges around water scarcity and security. The Innovation Theatres, open to all, will host perspectives from across the energy value chain.