DEWA CEO HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer delivered the opening address

The 49th edition of Middle East Energy opened its doors today at the Dubai World Trade Centre, inviting industry stakeholders to engage in fruitful discussions on the future of energy. The event is taking place from 7-9 April this year.

At the opening ceremony, DEWA CEO HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer delivered an address highlighting the UAE's transformative commitment to sustainable energy and climate action.

At the core of his speech was the nation's ambitious vision to revolutionise its energy landscape by transitioning to cleaner, more sustainable power sources.

The speech emphasised the UAE's strategic approach to energy transformation, driven by the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Currently, the UAE has already established 6 GW of renewable energy and 5.6 GW of nuclear power, with a bold target to reach 20 GW of green energy by 2030.

Key highlights include the UAE's Energy Strategy 2050, which sets aggressive targets for renewable capacity, energy efficiency, and clean energy integration. The strategy aims to increase clean energy's share in the total energy mix to 30% by 2030 and reduce carbon emissions significantly.

A groundbreaking initiative is the National Hydrogen Strategy, positioning the UAE as a global leader in low-carbon hydrogen production. The country plans to produce 1.4 million metric tons of mixed blue, green, and pink hydrogen by 2031, scaling up to 15 million metric tons by 2050.

"We believe in innovation and partnerships as a key force to achieve our shared vision for tomorrow," he concluded.

World leaders address the gathering

Later at the ceremony, HE Nani Juwara, Minister of Petroleum and Energy of The Gambia, highlighted his country's ambitious energy transformation journey.

The Gambia has completed its first 225 kV transmission line, inaugurated a national Control Center, and launched a 23 MW utility-scale solar project with an 8 MW battery system.

Their vision is to provide universal electricity access by 2026, currently reaching 645 out of 1900 communities. The country is actively pursuing renewable energy development, including a 150 MW solar park and plans to expand to 250 MW.

They are also solarising 1000 schools and public health facilities, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable infrastructure and technological innovation.

Ziad-Alexandre Hayek, president of the World Association of PPP Units and Professionals and vice chair of the Working Party on PPP at the United Nations, emphasised the critical role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in technological innovation.

He argued that technology alone is insufficient to meet global challenges, and only through synergistic collaboration between public vision and private ingenuity can technological innovations achieve their full potential.

Hayek stressed the importance of flexible partnership frameworks that balance stability with adaptability, incorporate performance metrics that reward innovation, and maintain a focus on public benefit.

Mohamed Ouhmed, secretary-general, Department of Energy Transition, at Morocco’s Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, highlighted the UAE-Moroccan strategic partnerships.

He also spoke of the Moroccan climate efforts as they have adopted several programmes to accelerate energy transition, and want to triple renewable energy investment and quadruple the adaptability of electric goods. He emphasises the need for PPPs for this purpose.

Lastly, Francesco La Camera, director-general of IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency), highlighted the organisation's commitment to innovation, showcasing their Innovation Week 2025 and the New Generation Renewable Energy Accelerator Programme.

He emphasised the need to accelerate renewable energy deployment to meet global climate targets, supporting young innovators and entrepreneurs in sustainable energy solutions.

The new Perkins 2606 diesel engine offers excellent load acceptance, fuel efficiency and versatility. (image source: Perkins)

Perkins will showcase two new energy-efficient engines delivering dependable prime and standby solutions for the power generation industry at Middle East Energy, taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 7-9 April

The new Perkins 2606 diesel engine offering excellent load acceptance, fuel efficiency and versatility and the Perkins 5012, the latest full-authority electronic 5000 Series engine optimised and purpose built for power generation applications, will take centre stage on the Perkins booth at Middle East Energy in Sheikh Saeed Hall 3, stand S2.A30.

Perkins 2600 Series: a high-performance power solution

Available in the second half of 2025, the new Perkins 2606 diesel engine is optimised and purpose-built for electric power generation applications, offering excellent load acceptance, fuel efficiency and ambient / altitude capability.

Initially available for use in lesser and currently non-regulated territories, this 13-litre, six-cylinder engine delivers a powerful 350–550 kVA for 50 Hz applications and 320–450 kWe for 60 Hz applications and is engineered to meet NFPA110 and ISO G3 standards, with the capabilities of meeting G4.

The 2606 engine provides flexibility by easily switching between 50 and 60 Hz. It is ideally suited to the power demands of critical applications of data centres, hospitals, power plants, commercial, industrial and residential installations among other installations.

Numerous design enhancements result in low fluids consumption and extended oil and fuel filter service intervals as long as 1,000 hours, reducing operating costs and downtime.

The 2606 engine is compatible with renewable liquid fuels such as 100% hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO), B100 distilled Biodiesel, and up to B100 fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) standard biodiesel by working with your Perkins distributor. Additionally, the engine’s core architecture supports the future development of spark-ignited natural-gas and hydrogen fuel capabilities.

Perkins 5012: optimised for power generation

Delivering 1275–1875 kVA for 50 Hz applications and 1125–1500 kWe for 60 Hz applications the engine features a V12 configuration in a compact package, making it ideal for data centres, hospitals, power plants and other locations where space is limited.

Engineered to meet ISO G3 and NFPA110 standards to handle demanding load acceptance challenges, the 5012 uses a pair of smaller turbochargers on each bank that reduce transient response time when compared with a single large unit. Its exhaust manifolds are engineered to optimise gas flow to the turbochargers, further reducing ramp-up time and enhancing load acceptance.

Built to world-class standards for high efficiency and low fuel consumption, the 5012 60 Hz configuration meets the U.S. EPA Tier 2 Emergency Stationary emission standard. The 50 Hz version is available in noncertified configurations that emits equivalent to Tier 2. The engine uses a unique low-pressure fuel system developed specifically for the 5000 Series that is more tolerant of variations in fuel quality and can run with biodiesel up to B20 based on a 20 percent dilution of biodiesel with standard diesel or on 100% HVO.

Electronically controlled injectors can alter both timing and pressure to accommodate a broad range of ambient temperatures and altitudes without sacrificing performance.

Connectivity and condition monitoring

Perkins is also highlighting its comprehensive connectivity and condition monitoring solutions that provide valuable enhanced insights and support for original equipment manufacturers and end users, enabling them to minimise downtime through faster service response times and an increased first-time fix rate, along with significant cost savings.

Perkins Interlink, a low maintenance cellular telematics device, will be displayed alongside the 5012 engine. The device communicates via cellular networks, relaying a more frequent full suite of health data, which is used to proactively identify issues that may affect operations, enabling a quick response to any events that may occur.

Additionally, to support the wider engine range, Perkins Clarity - an application programming interface (API), is available to share enriched engine data and insights with pre-existing OEM telematics systems.

Full life-cycle support

Perkins will also present its full suite of power generation systems and life cycle support available from the company’s global network of 88 distributors, including Perkins Hypercare, combining customisable agreements for parts and services with comprehensive repair and maintenance plans tailored to equipment buyers’ unique machine lifecycles; and Perkins Platinum Protection, offering extended coverage beyond the standard warranty.

Organised by Informa Markets, MEE 2025 will take place from 7-9 April. (Image source: Middle East Energy)

The 49th edition of Middle East Energy (MEE), a key platform shaping the energy sector in the Middle East and Africa, is set to expand its industry insights by more than doubling its conference tracks, increasing from three to six for 2025.

Organised by Informa Markets, MEE 2025 will take place from 7-9 April at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), bringing together over 150 energy leaders and experts from across the region and beyond to explore innovative solutions and transformative sector advancements.

Newly introduced tracks include the Global Innovation Forum, Africa Business Leaders Forum, IEEE Technical Seminar sessions, and The Battery Show Conference. These will run alongside the well-established MEE Leadership Summit, and the Intersolar and ees Middle East Conference.

"Middle East Energy has always been a catalyst for progress, and our 2025 edition will raise the bar with an unmatched depth of insights and knowledge-sharing opportunities," said Mark Ring, group director, energy events at Informa Markets. "With six dedicated conference tracks and the addition of pivotal new forums, we are offering a comprehensive agenda that will empower stakeholders to navigate the rapidly evolving energy landscape."

Expanding forums to drive economic growth

The newly launched Global Innovation Forum will connect investors, corporate mentors, and energy innovators, providing a platform for emerging technologies, investor networking, and scale-up showcases. The forum will bring together private equity firms, venture capitalists, angel investors, family offices, corporations, and startups focused on energy solutions. Discussions will highlight the critical investments needed to support innovation and accelerate the growth of emerging energy ventures.

Catalina Valentino, group CEO of London-based ELIXR, which is developing ecosystem technologies to tackle urban challenges such as data and energy, will address the forum. She commented, "Our technology is designed to unlock real-time insights which are used to enhance energy performance and urban resilience, ensuring smarter, more sustainable cities for the future like how we are unlocking £1bn of development value in Bolton through data-driven regeneration."

The Africa Business Leaders Forum will bring together regional and global stakeholders to explore investment strategies, financial innovations, and collaborative energy projects between Africa and the Middle East. Discussions will focus on mobilising capital and accelerating energy development across the continent.

The IEEE Technical Sessions will provide a high-level knowledge-sharing environment for industry professionals and academics to discuss power grids, energy storage, and cybersecurity. “We are excited to bring together thought leaders from around the world to facilitate a dynamic exchange between academia and industry, where cutting-edge research meets real-world applications, driving impactful progress in the power and energy sector," said Dr. Yasmin Halawani, chair of IEEE CASS/SSCS/PELS - UAE Section and assistant professor at the College of Engineering and IT, University of Dubai. "Through conferences, workshops, and training sessions, IEEE fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration across different fields and supports the professional development of individuals in both academia and industry. It provides a platform for keeping both communities updated on the latest trends and technologies."

Spotlight on MENA’s EV and battery market

With the launch of The Battery Show & Conference, MEE 2025 will focus on one of the fastest-growing energy sectors—electric mobility and battery storage. The conference will explore emerging technologies, supply chain developments, and investment opportunities in the EV and battery industries.

"Electrification and battery technologies are reshaping the automotive and energy sectors globally. The Battery Show Middle East will provide an unparalleled opportunity for experts and businesses to stay ahead of the curve," said Ken Hoffman, senior advisor to McKinsey—Battery Raw Materials.

Middle East Energy will feature an extensive lineup of speakers, including policymakers, corporate executives, and technical innovators. The agenda will include keynote panels, in-depth technical sessions, and interactive discussions addressing the most pressing energy challenges.

Held under the patronage of the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, Middle East Energy 2025 will host more than 1,600 exhibitors from over 90 countries, 17 international pavilions, and is expected to attract over 40,000 energy professionals.

This genset sets a new benchmark in reliability. (Image source: Moteurs Baudouin)

Middle East Energy 2025, taking place from 7-9 April this year, is set to be a defining event for Moteurs Baudouin showcasing its most advanced and powerful lineup to date.

In a world premiere, Moteurs Baudouin will introduce the highest-rated genset available for critical backup power, unprecedented power rating exceeding 6 MVA.

For the first time, this groundbreaking solution will be displayed in real size, giving attendees the opportunity to witness firsthand the most formidable power backup system on the market.

Designed for mission-critical applications such as data centers, this genset sets a new benchmark in reliability, ensuring continuous power supply where it matters most.

“This year’s Middle East Energy event is particularly exciting for us,” says Fabrizio Mozzi, CEO of Moteurs Baudouin.

“We are proud to introduce the sheer scale of our capabilities with the largest genset available for critical backup power. We look forward to engaging with industry professionals and demonstrating our commitment to innovation.”

Alongside this major reveal, Baudouin will also showcase its complete Stage V range.

This advanced lineup has been developed to meet the demanding needs of commercial, rental, and industrial applications, offering superior efficiency, reduced emissions, and unmatched performance.

As always, these engines and gensets come packaged with Moteurs Baudouin hallmark qualities: reliability, durability, and best-in-class lead times, ensuring that customers receive industry-leading solutions with speed and efficiency.

Middle East Energy remains a key milestone for Baudouin each year, solidifying its position as a leader in the power sector. The 2025 edition promises to be the most impressive showcase yet, offering unparalleled insights into the future of energy solutions.

To mark this significant occasion, a company launch event is scheduled for the 7th of april at 11:30 AM.

Attendees are invited to witness the latest advancements in power generation and experience firsthand the technology that will shape the industry’s future.