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According to new research by IDC, nearly half of the region's organisations are either already transitioning away from SF₆ or planning to do so within the next two years.

The Middle East is on the cusp of a significant shift in its medium-voltage infrastructure.

According to new research by IDC, nearly half of the region's organisations are either already transitioning away from SF₆ or planning to do so within the next two years.

WETEX serves as a crucial platform for discussing the future of utility infrastructure, and this year, the spotlight is firmly on the move towards SF₆-free technologies. The newly published IDC White Paper, titled "SF₆-Free MV Switchgear: Industry Readiness, Decision Drivers, and the Way Forward", surveyed 700 medium-voltage infrastructure decision-makers globally.

Readiness and regulatory expectations

The survey, spanning electric utilities, data centres, electro-intensive industries, and physical infrastructure sectors, paints a clear picture of a region anticipating swift regulatory changes.

In the Middle East, the findings reveal a strong appetite for modernisation:

• 14% of organisations have already commenced their transition to SF₆-free equipment.

• 32% anticipate beginning this transition within two years.

• Nearly all remaining respondents expect to make the change within five years.

• 99% consider it likely that SF₆ regulations will be introduced in their countries within the next half-decade.

Despite this forward-looking approach, there are hurdles to overcome. Decision-makers in the Middle East pointed to several barriers:

• Technical readiness (58%)

• Supply chain availability (47%)

• Product availability (46%)

• Cost (42%)

Interestingly, the perception of cost is heavily influenced by how lifecycle expenses are calculated. At present, only 29% evaluate the full lifecycle cost of their equipment, which includes the complex end-of-life handling of SF₆. However, across the entire global sample, 92% rate the management of SF₆ at the end of its lifecycle as a major or moderate cost. Factoring these long-term expenses into initial procurement decisions substantially narrows the perceived cost gap between traditional and SF₆-free alternatives.

The pivotal role of national utilities

Utilities are undeniably setting the pace. Globally, 73% of survey participants stated that guidance from utilities or grid operators directly influences their own procurement strategies. Furthermore, IDC identifies national utilities within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as being among the markets expected to transition most rapidly once clear guidance is established.

Electric utilities are leading across every readiness metric measured in the study. Currently, 79% express a willingness to adopt SF₆-free equipment, and 62% are proactively piloting new technologies ahead of formal regulations.

The IDC study was sponsored by Schneider Electric. Emphasising the importance of these trends:

“Utilities across the Gulf are making decisions today about how their grids will run for decades to come,” said Amel Chadli, Gulf Cluster and Countries President at Schneider Electric. “This research tells us the region is ready to move, and that it is looking to its utilities to set the direction. WETEX brings those decision-makers together in one place, which is why we chose to share these findings here, alongside the technology that makes the transition practical.”

Practical solutions across the asset lifecycle

At WETEX, the practical application of this transition is being showcased comprehensively. Demonstrations follow the complete lifecycle of energy and water assets, moving seamlessly from the initial design phase through to building, operation, and maintenance.

Organisations can deploy proven SF₆-free medium-voltage ranges that utilise pure air and vacuum interruption, enhanced with digital monitoring. Modern switchgear solutions, including RM AirSeT, GM AirSeT, and MCSET with EvoPact, are proving their viability, with over 150,000 similar functions active worldwide.

Alongside switchgear, the transition to smarter grids is supported by an array of digital technologies:

• ETAP’s electrical digital twins tailored for grid design.

• The One Digital Grid Platform and EcoStruxure Power Automation System for real-time grid operation.

• EcoCare, EcoFit, and EcoConsult services for the maintenance and modernisation of installed assets.

For water operators facing similar modernisation challenges, new digital twin tools allow for the comprehensive planning of networks before any capital is committed. Smart pumping stations, built on Altivar Process drives and EcoStruxure Automation Expert, alongside the AVEVA Digital Water Platform, offer in-depth smart water network analytics. This enables the operation of an entire water system from a single, unified digital environment. With technology now running in over 40,000 water and environment installations across more than 150 countries, and partnerships with ten of the world’s largest electric grid operators, the pathway to sustainable, efficient infrastructure is clearer than ever.

Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and ALEC Engineering and Contracting LLC - SPC (ALEC), a subsidiary of ALEC Holdings PJSC, have formally launched a pioneering three-year mangrove hydrological restoration pilot project.

Mangroves and coastal ecosystems are increasingly recognised as fundamental components of environmental resilience, functioning as vital habitats that sustain biodiversity and mitigate climate impacts.

In the United Arab Emirates, advancing science-led approaches to protect these ecosystems is a key national objective. Championing this cause, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and ALEC Engineering and Contracting LLC - SPC (ALEC), a subsidiary of ALEC Holdings PJSC, have formally launched a pioneering three-year mangrove hydrological restoration pilot project. The initiative aims to determine whether reinstating the natural hydrological conditions of degraded mangrove areas can successfully guide the ecosystem back to long-term ecological health.

The science of mangrove hydrological restoration

Rather than focusing solely on traditional replanting methods, this collaborative three-year project prioritises the underlying environmental conditions necessary for mangrove habitats to recover and thrive autonomously. By examining how hydrological restoration interacts with ecological protection, the initiative seeks to deliver durable, nature-positive outcomes. The pilot is expected to establish crucial baseline data that will strengthen the scientific understanding of mangrove hydrology across Abu Dhabi. Ultimately, the insights gathered will be instrumental in shaping the planning and execution of future ecosystem restoration initiatives throughout the region.

Collaborative roles and project implementation

To ensure the project yields robust and actionable data, EAD is spearheading the scientific planning and practical implementation of the pilot. The agency's comprehensive approach includes several targeted phases:

• Conducting rigorous ecological and hydrological assessments.

• Managing precise site selection to identify areas in critical need of restoration.

• Identifying and executing the necessary restoration interventions on the ground.

• Monitoring and reporting on the project’s outcomes against strictly defined biodiversity indicators.

A corporate commitment to natural heritage

As a major engineering and construction group whose activities extensively interface with land and water resources, ALEC acknowledges the importance of enhancing natural habitats. Earlier in 2026, the organisation signed the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative Partners Pledge, cementing its dedication to conserving blue carbon ecosystems and minimising its environmental impact. This current partnership represents ALEC’s first flagship investment in nature restoration that features measurable biodiversity outcomes, further integrating environmental considerations into its broader sustainability strategy. The collaboration was formalised following the fourth annual Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative Partners Meeting, held on 8 October 2026 at the Rixos Saadiyat Hotel.

Institutional perspectives

Highlighting the environmental significance of the collaboration, Maitha Mohamed Al Hameli, Acting Executive Director, Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, stated: “We welcome ALEC’s support for this pilot, which reflects the kind of long-term, science-based commitment the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative was established to encourage. The findings will strengthen our understanding of how mangrove sites respond to restored hydrological conditions and will inform how we plan future restoration in the emirate. Through this pilot, we aim to build the scientific evidence needed for long-term solutions that safeguard Abu Dhabi’s mangroves, a defining feature of the emirate’s natural heritage.”

Furthermore, Sean McQue, Managing Director - ALEC, noted: “Abu Dhabi is a capital defined by extraordinary ambition, creating next-generation cultural and visitor experiences while protecting the natural heritage that gives the emirate its identity. For ALEC, this partnership is an important step in turning our commitment to nature into tangible action. As our first biodiversity restoration investment, the project enables us to contribute directly to the protection and restoration of Abu Dhabi’s mangrove ecosystems, while supporting a science-led approach that will generate measurable biodiversity outcomes. Through this pilot, we are supporting the development of the knowledge, evidence and practical understanding needed to help these vital ecosystems recover and thrive. In doing so, we are proud to support Abu Dhabi’s ambition to protect its natural heritage and contribute to a more resilient future for the emirate.”

Community engagement and future outlook

The initiative extends beyond scientific research, creating avenues for community involvement. Employees across the ALEC Holdings group will have opportunities to participate in environmental awareness programmes, educational workshops, and volunteering activities. Through citizen-science monitoring, this endeavour complements the UAE’s national climate targets and ensures that Abu Dhabi's blue carbon ecosystems are preserved.

Global energy security, industrial development, and critical capital deployment will take centre stage this November as Abu Dhabi hosts ADIPEC 2026.

Global energy security, industrial development, and critical capital deployment will take centre stage this November as Abu Dhabi hosts ADIPEC 2026.

Running from 2 to 5 November, the world’s benchmark energy gathering convenes against an increasingly volatile economic and geopolitical backdrop, where securing reliable supply whilst scaling future power systems has become a pressing international imperative.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and hosted by ADNOC, the event will welcome an unprecedented gathering of ministers, executives, and technical pioneers to the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Surging international interest has prompted organisers to relocate the Opening Ceremony to the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre, unlocking vital additional capacity across ADNEC’s 16 exhibition halls and four specialised industry zones.

Scale, Reach, and Strategic Alignment

As the Middle East reinforces its long-standing role as a cornerstone of world energy supply, ADIPEC 2026 connects regional industrial capability with global capital and technological innovation:

• Attendance: An anticipated 239,000 attendees travelling from more than 170 nations.
• Exhibition: Over 2,250 exhibiting organisations, alongside 30 dedicated country pavilions.
• Knowledge Exchange: More than 1,800 expert speakers across 13 conference programmes and 380 strategic sessions.

Abdulmunim Saif Al Kindy, Chair of ADIPEC, noted: "This year’s ADIPEC comes at a defining moment for the global energy industry. We face the challenge of a more disrupted and exposed system, meeting a more energy intensive economy. But, while shocks and conflicts disrupt the system, the world needs more energy, in more forms, delivered more reliably to meet rising demand. And we need the investment, advanced technology and partnerships to make that happen. That is the agenda for action at ADIPEC 2026."

He added: "The continued growth of ADIPEC also reflects confidence in Abu Dhabi as a trusted destination for business, investment and international engagement. At a time when uncertainty is creating challenges across markets, bringing people together to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships build partnerships and conduct business has never been more important."

Unlocking Cross-Border Capital and Security

Addressing sustained infrastructure investment is vital to maintaining operational resilience. Through state-backed entities including ADNOC, XRG, Masdar, TAQA, and Mubadala Energy, the UAE continues to extend its international footprint across natural gas, chemicals, renewables, and core transport infrastructure.

Mohamed Al Aryani, President, International Gas at XRG, explained: "Building secure, resilient energy systems takes more than capital. It requires partnerships that connect resources, infrastructure and customers across markets and geographies. At XRG, we bring financial discipline, long-term capital and deep energy expertise to investments across gas, chemicals and energy infrastructure, working alongside experienced local and international partners. That is why ADIPEC is more important than ever as a forum for the industry to unlock investment and forge the partnerships needed to strengthen energy security and support global growth."

Major global corporations—including Shell, bp, TotalEnergies, Eni, Equinor, SLB, Baker Hughes, Siemens Energy, and GE Vernova—will also participate to forge crucial cross-sector alliances.

Commercial Deployment of Advanced Technology

Beyond macroeconomic policy, practical execution will dominate the trade floor. ADIPEC’s expanded AI Zone, co-hosted by AIQ, demonstrates the commercial implementation of robotics, machine intelligence, and automation across downstream and upstream operations. Key participants—including Honeywell, EY, Gecko Robotics, Stone Ridge Technology, and Sinaha—will highlight applications ranging from reservoir modelling and subsea robotics to autonomous facility inspections and predictive power-grid management.

Thomas Löffler, Executive Vice President, dmg events, stated: "ADIPEC brings together a unique combination of energy producers, investors, technology leaders and industrial companies at a scale few events globally can match. At a time of rising demand and significant investment requirements, those conversations and partnerships have never been more important."

He concluded: "The level of industry participation this year shows just how important ADIPEC has become as a global platform for energy. We're seeing strong commitment from across the Middle East and internationally, with leaders coming to Abu Dhabi to discuss shared priorities, explore new opportunities and build partnerships. That's what makes ADIPEC so valuable, particularly at a time when the industry needs to work more closely together."

Held in October at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, and organised by the Sharjah FDI Office in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Investment, the event operated under the theme ‘Building Adaptive Economies’.

Against a backdrop of global economic fluctuations, the United Arab Emirates continues to demonstrate remarkable market resilience.

This enduring strength was highlighted by a 98 per cent property collection rate and an AED 180 billion sales backlog announced by Emaar Properties during the ninth Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF 2026). Held in October at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, and organised by the Sharjah FDI Office in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Investment, the event operated under the theme ‘Building Adaptive Economies’.

Speaking in the presence of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Emaar, provided these figures as compelling evidence of sustained investor confidence in the region's stability.

Navigating Shifts with Robust Fundamentals

Despite temporary regional headwinds, the underlying metrics of the UAE's property and retail sectors remain highly robust. Emaar’s performance data highlights several critical success indicators:

• Sustained Collections: Emaar has maintained a 98 per cent collection rate, mirroring its performance from the previous year.

• Stable Sales Volume: The developer consistently sells approximately 4,000 units on a monthly basis.

• Recovering Cancellations: While cancellations briefly doubled to roughly 1,200 amid changing regional situations, they have since normalised to fewer than 600.

• Hospitality Surge: Activity within the group’s hospitality sector is operating more than 60 per cent above previous levels.

• Retail Consistency: Millions of shoppers on the noon e-commerce platform have continued purchasing without hesitation.

During a fireside chat moderated by radio host and entrepreneur Kris Fade, Alabbar noted the significance of these figures.

"We are still collecting exactly like before. That shows you customer confidence," he stated. He further attributed this steadfast performance to the broader national environment: "We live in an incredible country, with great substance and great leadership. The future looks much better."

Shifting Investment Priorities: Safety Over Tax

As global uncertainty rises, traditional financial incentives are no longer the primary driver for capital allocation. Alabbar identified the UAE's exceptional quality of life, personal security, and education systems as critical advantages.

Investors are increasingly prioritising a stable environment. "Forget about tax. People are moving to countries where life and education are safe," he remarked. He contrasted this secure environment with the instability of major markets, pointing to the United States' debt burden of approximately AED 146.9 trillion.

Acknowledging the reality of frequent global disruptions, he emphasised the necessity of maintaining operational confidence. "History shows a major disaster such as war, famine, earthquake, flood or disease roughly every two years and four months. Earlier Covid was a big surprise, and then the air war was shocking. None of us had gone through this before," he explained. "We are in an unstable world, but that should not stop us."

Agile Leadership and the AI Imperative

To thrive globally, business leaders must abandon rigid frameworks in favour of responsive strategies. "You need to adjust every three months. Five-year budgets should be indicative," he advised.

Furthermore, he championed the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting 'prompting' as essential for enhancing executive decision-making. "Those who adapt to AI will be faster, smarter and cheaper. Educate yourself, stay with it and try different things."

A Legacy of Quality and Talent

When evaluating Emaar’s enduring market dominance, Alabbar was unequivocal about refusing to compromise on product standards. "I don't give discounts. We give quality," he asserted. "The only sustainable thing in life is your name, your family name and your country's name."

He credited his international success across 20 countries to talent acquisition and equitable compensation. "The key to everything in life is amazing people. I learnt late to search for the best people and reward them fairly," he confessed. Asked how he wishes to be remembered, he concluded: "I hope I was able to contribute to a beautiful society, and give hope that tomorrow is a better day."