The fully automated system handles everything. (Image source: NIO)

NIO, which provides premium smart electric vehicles, is transforming how UAE drivers power their EVs through the successful rollout of its Power Swap Station technology.

This innovation offers a seamless alternative to traditional EV charging, allowing drivers to swap out a depleted battery for a fully charged one in as little as three minutes.

This cutting-edge infrastructure provides a faster and more energy-efficient solution to two major barriers hindering EV adoption in the UAE, such as long charging times and limited charger availability.

Unlike conventional charging, where energy delivery slows as the battery nears capacity, NIO’s battery swapping provides instant energy delivery through a charged replacement, eliminating delays and making EVs more practical for everyday use.

The fully automated system handles everything, from parking the vehicle inside the station to removing and replacing the battery.

A comprehensive health check is also performed on the battery, motor and electric systems during each swap, ensuring optimal performance and safety. Every swapped battery is charged under ideal conditions and monitored for peak reliability.

Battery swapping also brings a range of advantages for users.

A better way of charging EVs

The process is as fast as traditional refuelling, fully automated without requiring the driver to leave the vehicle, and each swap includes a complete system check.

This ensures only healthy batteries remain in circulation. Batteries are charged in optimal conditions, which helps extend their lifespan, and swappable batteries are easier to reuse or recycle.

The UAE’s first Power Swap Station was launched in February 2025 at Yas Marina Circuit.

Since then, around 15% of NIO drivers in the country are already using the service, with this number expected to grow as more stations are added. NIO’s data shows strong adoption and rising local interest in battery swapping as a viable energy delivery solution.

For comparison, charging a 100kWh battery from 5% to 95% would take around eight hours on an 11kW AC charger, two hours on a 50kW DC charger, and 45 minutes on a 120kW DC charger.

NIO’s battery swapping reduces that to just three minutes, resulting in up to 99% time savings.

So far, more than 1,749 kilowatt-hours of electricity have been delivered through battery swaps. Delivering the same amount with a 120kW DC charger would take roughly 15 hours, while NIO’s Power Swap Station has achieved it in just 1.4 hours of total swapping time.

A second Power Swap Station is due to open in Dubai in the coming weeks, with more to follow across the country by the end of the year.

The expansion reflects growing demand and highlights NIO’s role in supporting the UAE’s mobility goals.

The deployment of Power Swap Stations aligns with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which encourages investment in sustainable and innovative mobility solutions to meet the needs of the UAE’s rapidly expanding population.

More than 130 international speakers will participate. (Image source: WUC 2025)

The 4th World Utilities Congress will take place from 27–29 May 2025 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.

The congress will convene the world’s foremost utility and energy leaders under the theme Innovating for a New Age of Utilities.

The strategic conference at this year’s World Utilities Congress will serve as a key platform for high-level dialogue and international cooperation, addressing the rise in global energy demand and the need for more diversified utility systems.

With electricity demand expected to grow by 3.4% annually until 2026, and the rising importance of the energy-water nexus, utility leaders are being called upon to design systems that are smarter, cleaner, more resilient, and equitable.

With a strong emphasis on transformation, the event is designed to fast-track the shift to a digitally enabled and collaborative global utilities ecosystem.

More than 130 international speakers will participate in over 30 sessions alongside ministers, policymakers, CEOs, and senior decision-makers to define the path toward a low-carbon, tech-driven, and water-secure future.

2025 programe

This edition will spotlight digital transformation, artificial intelligence, smart grid flexibility, and sustainable financing. Global energy leaders will examine critical issues, from deploying AI while managing its energy consumption to unlocking the US$1.5 trillion needed annually for renewable energy via new investment models and enhancing flexibility in an increasingly solar and wind-powered world.

Christopher Hudson, president of dmg events, said, “As utilities evolve to meet rising demand and climate objectives, the World Utilities Congress offers a focused environment for global leaders to assess priorities, share insights, and align on the actions needed to deliver tangible progress. This year’s strategic conference brings a stronger emphasis on practical outcomes, with ministers, CEOs, and technology pioneers gathering to strengthen partnerships and help shape a more connected, efficient, and sustainable future.”

Looking ahead to her global leadership panel on transforming water scarcity into opportunities, Hebah Abbas, chairwoman of the sustainability committee at the Kuwait Water Association, said, “The World Utilities Congress is a unifying force for collaboration, ushering in a new era of regenerative practices and systems innovation. This event gathers visionary leaders and forward-thinkers, where digital, circular, and decentralised solutions converge to redefine energy, water, and utilities. To tackle the systemic challenges in water management, we must forge effective multi-stakeholder partnerships that drive meaningful progress.

“By designing water infrastructure beyond traditional pipes and pumps, we create climate-resilient, inclusive systems that adapt to future shocks. This holistic approach is essential for turning obstacles into opportunities and securing a sustainable future in water management and utilities.”

The 2025 programme will also reexamine water’s crucial role in climate adaptation, the promise of AI in operational optimisation, and how capital reallocation and financial innovation can accelerate investment in grid and clean water infrastructure.

Through these themes, the strategic conference continues to guide the global utilities sector through uncertainty toward a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and interconnected.

As momentum builds around the world’s climate goals, Abu Dhabi will once again take centre stage as a hub for strategic thinking, collaboration, and actionable innovation.

The agreement tackles long-standing land-related issues

Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), Al Dahra Agriculture Trading, and Fujairah Municipality have entered into a cooperation agreement to drive sustainable development across the Emirate of Fujairah.

The three-way partnership leverages the combined institutional strengths of each party to support key infrastructure, enhance community services, and foster long-term environmental and economic resilience.

The agreement tackles long-standing land-related issues while laying the groundwork for future infrastructure projects. EtihadWE has been instrumental in facilitating the implementation process, helping to prioritise key developments and ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential utility services to residents.

This joint initiative enhances integrated planning between the entities and aligns with national objectives, particularly in the areas of water conservation, food security, and the expansion of green employment opportunities.

It also opens the door for continued collaboration on strategic sustainability efforts in the future.

Eng. Yousif Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of EtihadWE, said, “This agreement reflects our continued commitment to enabling infrastructure and sustainability in Fujairah. The new land lease allows us to move forward with key projects that modernise utility services in the emirate—enhancing resilience and meeting future demand. By working closely with Al Dahra and Fujairah Municipality, we are fostering a collaborative model that delivers tangible impact for the community.”

Arnoud van den Berg, Group CEO of Al Dahra, stated, “This agreement signifies our commitment to working together to create a more sustainable future.”

H.E Mohamed Al Afkham, Director General of Fujairah Municipality, said, “We welcome this collaboration and are confident in the positive outcomes it will bring to Fujairah’s development.”

Bin Ghalita was welcomed by Faris Saeed, CEO of Tadweer. (Image source: Tadweer)

His Excellency Marwan bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, recently visited Tadweer, one of Dubai’s flagship waste management facilities.

The visit reflects the emirate’s continued efforts to promote the circular economy, support environmental sustainability, and reduce dependence on landfills.

Accompanied by a senior delegation from Dubai Municipality, Bin Ghalita was welcomed by Faris Saeed, CEO of Tadweer, alongside other key executives.

During the visit, the delegation toured the facility’s key operational areas, which have been serving the city for two decades and now form a vital part of Dubai’s integrated waste management infrastructure. His Excellency was briefed on the facility’s processes, advanced technologies for waste collection, sorting, and recycling, and innovative methods for converting waste into valuable resources.

The itinerary included a stop at Tadweer’s pilot biogas plant, which demonstrates how organic waste can be transformed into energy—a clear example of utilising local resources to support the UAE’s energy sustainability and security goals.

Bin Ghalita highlighted the critical role of circular economy frameworks and public-private collaboration in expanding sustainable practices. He praised Tadweer for its contributions to addressing environmental challenges and turning them into strategic opportunities for a more sustainable Dubai.

Dubai's strategy

Bin Ghalita said, “Dubai has established itself as a leader in adopting integrated waste management and circular economy practices through a long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability and resource conservation. This includes leveraging modern technologies, advanced systems, and innovation to enhance the efficiency of waste collection, sorting, and treatment in sustainable ways. Dubai Municipality remains committed to supporting and advancing environmental and technological solutions that align with national strategies, most notably, the Dubai Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2021–2041, which focuses on implementing global best practices and long-term infrastructure, and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to position Dubai as a global hub for clean energy and the green economy.”

Faris Saeed, CEO of Tadweer and Chairman of SEE Holding, added, “Tadweer is a real-world embodiment of sustainability, diverting millions of tons of waste from landfills and providing a practical, scalable model for implementing the circular economy. Our vision is rooted in the belief that technology is not just a tool but a strategic partner in realising the UAE’s environmental transformation goals. With the continued support of Dubai Municipality, we are confident in our path toward a future defined by innovation, regeneration, and zero waste.”

Since its launch, Tadweer has handled over 5.2 million tons of municipal solid waste, easing the strain on landfill sites and converting substantial volumes into useful products. This includes the creation of more than 90,000 tons of premium organic compost for use in agriculture and green urban spaces.

In parallel, environmental education forms a core part of Tadweer’s strategy. The company has conducted more than 1,200 awareness campaigns, engaging over 30,000 students across the UAE to cultivate a culture of sustainability among future generations.