Innovation showcase highlights Oman’s energy transition.

AtkinsRéalis, a leading global engineering and nuclear services company, in collaboration with Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals, hosted the “Powering the Future: Oman Electricity Innovation Showcase” on December 10, 2025

The event convened senior leaders from government, utilities, regulators, and the private sector to explore strategies for meeting Oman’s rapidly growing electricity demand driven by AI-enabled economic development. Discussions focused on a balanced energy mix incorporating nuclear power, renewables, AI-ready grids, and storage solutions, all aligned with the nation’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

H.E. Mohsin Hamed Saif Al Hadhrami, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, commented, “A secure and sustainable power system is central to our industrial strategy and economic ambitions, which includes recently announced initiatives like the Oman Digital Triangle, a gigawatt scale group of three AI superclusters under the National Digital Infrastructure Roadmap. This collaboration highlights technologies and delivery models that can help Oman diversify its energy mix, enhance grid resilience, and accelerate progress toward our national targets.”

The showcase featured sessions on decarbonisation pathways, grid resilience for AI-intensive economies, economic growth opportunities, and the complementary role of reliable nuclear energy alongside intermittent renewables. Lightning talks highlighted the importance of regional grid interconnections, hydrogen, financing, and policy frameworks. Participants engaged in interactive simulations to explore managing a diverse electricity supply mix and examined global case studies on nuclear project delivery and refurbishment.

Todd Smith, vice-president of marketing and business development at CANDU Energy Inc., added, “Reliable, clean, baseload power is the anchor for a modern grid, serving both people and a data-driven economy. Nuclear provides the dispatchable, low-carbon capacity that helps Oman scale renewables without sacrificing stability or affordability. The question is how to design the right mix, attract and sequence investments, drive new industry capacity and growth, and build the institutional capability to deliver at pace.”

The event was timely as Oman’s electricity demand grows at 6.1% annually, with MENA-wide consumption projected to increase by 50% by 2035. Data centre expansion, with installed capacity potentially tripling to 3.3 GW in the next five years and market growth expected to reach US$9.5bn by 2030, underscores the need for scalable, practical solutions to ensure energy security, economic competitiveness, and climate resilience.

Matthew Tribe, global market lead, buildings & places at AtkinsRéalis, said, “Our ambition with this showcase was to rise above the noise and illuminate innovative pathways grounded in evidence, strategic choices, and informed trade-offs. Today, cities, industries, and digital ecosystems converge on a singular imperative: abundant, resilient, and clean energy. In partnership with the Ministry, we have articulated a forward-looking roadmap that harmonises renewables, advanced storage, and grid-forming technologies with proven nuclear solutions, empowering Oman to accelerate near-term growth while steadfastly advancing toward a net-zero future.”

AtkinsRéalis combines extensive global nuclear and grid design expertise with a strong regional presence, drawing on decades of experience delivering CANDU reactors and managing a 7,000-person nuclear workforce. CANDU technology provides Oman and the broader region with a proven pathway to secure, low-carbon baseload power, supporting both grid stability and large-scale renewable integration. AtkinsRéalis remains committed to partnering with governments and industry stakeholders across the Middle East to identify opportunities and co-develop solutions that promote sustainable growth and deliver resilient, future-ready energy and infrastructure systems.

DEWA & Dell Technologies collaborate for sustainable utility. (Image credit: DEWA)

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has taken another decisive step towards shaping the future of smart and sustainable utilities by exploring strategic collaboration opportunities with Dell Technologies.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, welcomed a senior Dell Technologies delegation led by Adrian McDonald, President for Europe, Middle East & Africa; Walid Yehia, Managing Director – Gulf; and Mohammad Amin, Senior Vice President – CEEMETA. The meeting was also attended by Marwan Bin Haidar, Executive Vice President of Innovation and the Future at DEWA, and Mohammed Bin Sulaiman, CEO of Moro Hub, part of Digital DEWA.

The discussions centred on strengthening cooperation to deploy advanced digital solutions that support Dubai’s smart infrastructure ambitions, accelerate green initiatives and transform utility services through innovation. Both parties examined how emerging technologies can play a pivotal role in redefining operational excellence across the energy and water sectors.

Al Tayer affirmed that, in line with the vision and directives of Dubai’s wise leadership to make AI the cornerstone of future initiatives and services in the emirate, DEWA is harnessing the latest Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, particularly AI, to enhance performance and productivity. He emphasised the critical role of robust IT infrastructure, AI and Big Data analytics in building more resilient, efficient and customer-centric utility services.

The meeting highlighted opportunities for Dell Technologies to contribute its global expertise in digital transformation to support DEWA’s ambitious road maps for sustainable energy, integrated water management and smart city development. Discussions explored modernising critical infrastructure through next-generation IoT, edge computing and advanced data centre solutions to enhance grid reliability, seamlessly integrate renewable energy and optimise water distribution networks.

Both sides also examined how AI, advanced analytics and machine learning can unlock new operational efficiencies through predictive maintenance, intelligent demand forecasting and personalised customer engagement. Sustainability emerged as a core focus, with an emphasis on green data centres, energy-efficient system designs and innovative cooling technologies aligned with Dubai’s environmental goals.

The dialogue concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring the long-term security, resilience and reliability of Dubai’s critical utility infrastructure in an increasingly digital future.

Wind energy is becoming a strategic pillar of renewable energy development in several Middle Eastern nations. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The wind energy sector in the Middle East is expanding rapidly as countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman push forward with ambitious renewable energy goals

As wind projects grow across the region, the need for a highly skilled and safety-focused workforce becomes increasingly important. Wind turbine technicians play a central role in this transition because they keep turbines operating efficiently and safely. One of the most widely recognised qualifications for these technicians is GWO certificates, which provide an international benchmark for technical ability and safety awareness in the wind industry. This article explores why these certificates are essential in preparing a qualified workforce for the Middle East’s evolving wind energy landscape.

The growing need for skilled technicians in Middle East wind energy

Wind energy development in the region brings unique challenges due to harsh climates, expanding infrastructure and the technical demands of modern turbines. Technicians must work at significant heights, handle mechanical and electrical systems and operate in extreme temperatures. They also need the skills to inspect equipment, troubleshoot issues and perform regular maintenance to avoid operational downtime.

GWO certificates offer standardised and comprehensive safety training that prepares technicians for these conditions. The training includes essential modules such as working at heights, manual handling, fire awareness and first aid. For companies building or maintaining wind farms in the Middle East, workers trained under GWO certificates provide a reliable and competent foundation for meeting regional project demands.

GWO certificates for wind technician safety and competence

Achieving GWO certificates has become an industry requirement for technicians working on wind turbines worldwide. This training ensures workers understand both routine safety practices and emergency response techniques that are crucial in a high-risk environment. Programme modules address working at height procedures, safe movement in turbine towers and how to react during unexpected situations.

For the Middle East, adopting GWO certificates is key to aligning wind energy operations with global safety and performance expectations. Many countries in the region are still expanding their wind energy infrastructure, making it essential to build a trained workforce from the outset. Certification gives employers confidence that technicians possess the correct skills to meet international standards and handle the environmental challenges specific to the region.

How GWO training supports wind energy growth in the Middle East

Wind energy is becoming a strategic pillar of renewable energy development in several Middle Eastern nations. As large-scale wind farms are introduced, project success increasingly depends on having well-trained personnel capable of maintaining turbine availability and performance. GWO-based training provides practical capabilities that technicians rely on daily, from climbing and rescue procedures to safe handling of equipment during routine inspections.

In addition, GWO certificates support broader industry goals by promoting a consistent safety culture across the region. As more companies adopt these certifications, teams gain shared knowledge and practices that reduce risk and improve reliability. This consistency is especially important for international firms entering the Middle East market since it ensures alignment with the safety expectations used worldwide.

Conclusion

The Middle East’s shift toward renewable energy places wind power at the center of long-term sustainability plans. The success of these projects will depend heavily on the capabilities of technicians responsible for turbine operation and maintenance. GWO certificates provide a structured and globally recognised path to building that skilled workforce and ensuring that safety and performance standards remain high.

Organisations that want to strengthen their workforce can explore training options through providers such as FMTC Safety. For more information about certification programmes suitable for the Middle East wind sector, visit fmtcsafety.com, where you can find course options designed to prepare technicians for the region’s challenging and fast-growing wind energy industry.

IEA reports 76 million employed in energy sector in 2024, but skilled labour shortages pose challenges

Significant global investment in energy infrastructure drove a 2.2% rise in energy-sector employment last year, nearly double the rate of job growth in the broader world economy, according to a new IEA report

The World Energy Employment 2025 report, released today, shows that the global energy workforce reached 76 million in 2024, an increase of over five million roles since 2019. Over the last five years, the energy sector has contributed 2.4% of all net new jobs created worldwide.

The power sector has been a key driver of this growth, accounting for three quarters of recent employment gains and now ranking as the largest employer in energy, overtaking fuel supply. Solar PV remains a major driver, complemented by expanding employment in nuclear power, electricity grids, and energy storage. As electrification spreads across industries, roles in EV manufacturing and battery production surged by nearly 800,000 in 2024.

Fossil fuel employment remained resilient throughout the year. Coal-sector jobs rose in India, China, and Indonesia, lifting coal employment 8% above 2019 levels despite sharp declines in advanced economies. The oil and gas industry has regained most of the jobs lost in 2020, although low prices and economic uncertainty have triggered some workforce reductions in 2025. Early data suggest that overall energy-sector employment growth may moderate to 1.3% this year, as tight labour markets and geopolitical tensions prompt caution among employers.

Despite the sector’s strong growth, the report highlights a worsening shortage of skilled workers. More than half of the 700 companies, unions, and training institutions surveyed through the IEA’s Energy Employment Survey reported critical recruitment bottlenecks that could delay infrastructure projects, slow major initiatives, and increase system costs.

“Energy has been one of the strongest and most consistent engines of job creation in the global economy during a period marked by significant uncertainties,” said IEA executive director Fatih Birol. “But this momentum cannot be taken for granted. The world’s ability to build the energy infrastructure it needs depends on having enough skilled workers in place. Governments, industry and training institutions must come together to close the labour and skills gap. Left unaddressed, these shortages could slow progress, raise costs and weaken energy security.”

Technical and applied roles such as electricians, pipefitters, line workers, plant operators, and nuclear engineers are particularly hard to fill. These occupations have added 2.5 million jobs since 2019 and now represent more than half of the global energy workforce, more than double their share of total employment across the wider economy.

Demographic pressures are also intensifying. In advanced economies, 2.4 energy-sector workers are nearing retirement for every new entrant under 25. Nuclear and grid-related professions face some of the steepest ageing challenges, with retirement-to-new-entrant ratios of 1.7 and 1.4 to 1, respectively.

At the same time, the supply of newly trained workers is insufficient to meet demand. To prevent the skills gap from widening by 2030, the number of new qualified energy workers globally must increase by 40%. Achieving this would require an additional US$2.6bn per year, less than 0.1% of total global education spending.

The report stresses that policy action can help address these challenges. Respondents identified training costs, foregone wages, and limited awareness of programmes as major barriers to entry. Effective measures include financial incentives for learners, expanded apprenticeship schemes, increased private-sector participation in curriculum design, and investment in training facilities. Reskilling within the sector is also essential. While some regions are already seeing declines in fossil fuel employment, targeted retraining programmes could help workers transition to fast-growing areas of the energy system.