Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2026 will begin next week in Abu Dhabi.

Hosted by Masdar, the event will bring together Heads of State, ministers and senior government officials alongside business leaders, investors and innovators to address pressing sustainability challenges and outline a roadmap for global progress.

Speaking at a press conference, Masdar Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi said ADSW has grown into the world’s largest sustainability gathering, with the 2026 edition set to be its biggest and most ambitious yet. He highlighted the urgency of aligning today’s systems with future needs as countries confront climate, energy and development pressures.

“We stand at a critical moment: we need to align the systems we rely on today with those we urgently need tomorrow. ADSW 2026’s theme ‘The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go,’ reflects the opportunity we have to lead global systemic change and shape our collective future,” he said. “The energy transformation will be central to these discussions, and at ADSW Masdar will celebrate 20 years of renewable energy leadership. Partnership lies at the heart of Masdar’s mission, and at the heart of ADSW, and we look forward to welcoming partners, old and new, to drive the change the world needs.”

ADSW 2026 aims to set a new benchmark for collaboration and measurable impact, encouraging leaders across energy, finance, food, water and nature to rethink how these interconnected systems can scale together and reinforce one another.

The press conference also featured H.E Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); Mohamed Saleh Alhadhrami, Energy and Water Efficiency Performance Director at the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and ADSW’s principal partner; Ali Alshimmari, Managing Director and CEO of Global South Utilities; Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director for Brand and Strategic Initiatives at Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize; and Leen Alsebai, General-Manager of RX Middle East and Head of the World Future Energy Summit.

La Camera underlined the significance of the coming decade for the energy transition, noting that electricity is projected to become the dominant energy carrier by 2050. He said, “The global energy transition is entering a decisive decade… Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week has become a leading platform for advancing sustainable energy solutions. IRENA is a proud partner, and we are looking forward to kickstarting an exciting ADSW 2026 with our General Assembly.”

Other speakers emphasised the role of smarter infrastructure, artificial intelligence and coordinated action across the Global South, reinforcing ADSW 2026’s focus on moving from ambition to implementation through partnership, innovation and investment.

Kalmar introduces Gen 2 lithium-ion battery, boosting operating time, safety and sustainability for electric straddle carriers. (Image sources: Kalmar)

Kalmar has launched a second-generation lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery solution for its electric straddle carriers, marking a significant upgrade in energy performance, safety and operational efficiency

The new Gen 2 battery is designed to deliver higher energy capacity, improved thermal stability and longer operating hours, and is now available to customers worldwide.

Developed in response to increasing demand for safer, more efficient and sustainable cargo-handling equipment, the Gen 2 battery incorporates advanced cell chemistry that extends battery lifespan and reduces replacement frequency. This results in a lower total cost of ownership for customers, while also improving lifecycle sustainability compared with previous-generation technology.

The new battery offers a nominal capacity of 533 kWh, representing a 25% increase over its predecessor, with a usable capacity of 453 kWh. This enhanced capacity enables longer operating cycles and greater flexibility in charging strategies. Operators can combine scheduled depot charging during breaks with hands-free opportunity charging during operations, supporting hot-seat usage and continuous workflows. Depending on energy consumption, electric straddle carriers equipped with the Gen 2 battery can achieve up to 10 hours of net operating time.

Alongside the battery launch, Kalmar has also commissioned a megawatt charging system (MCS) at its test facility in Tampere, Finland, supporting faster and more efficient charging for high-capacity electric equipment.

“Gen 2 represents a major step forward in terms of battery energy capacity, safety and operational lifespan. With longer operating times and improved reliability, our customers can transition to fully electric fleets without compromising performance.”

The introduction of the Gen 2 battery reinforces Kalmar’s commitment to advancing electrification and decarbonisation in port and terminal operations, supporting customers as they move toward fully electric cargo-handling fleets.

Regeny EV Charging, a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging network operator in the UAE, has launched a major new fast-charging hub at the Mövenpick Grand Hotel Al Bustan, close to Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Strategically located near one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, the facility is designed to support the growing demand for rapid, reliable EV charging along a high-traffic transport corridor used by private motorists and commercial fleets alike.

The new site is equipped with four 160 kW DC ultra-fast chargers, enabling drivers to significantly reduce charging times and minimise disruption to their journeys. Its proximity to DXB allows users to access the hub without entering airport premises, offering a convenient solution for airport-bound traffic, ride-hailing services, logistics operators and hotel guests. The hub operates around the clock, reflecting the continuous nature of airport activity and travel demand.

Electric vehicle adoption in the UAE continues to accelerate, supported by both consumer demand and public policy. Nearly 24,000 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles were sold in the country in 2024, positioning the UAE as one of the fastest-growing EV markets in the Gulf. In the first half of 2025, EVs accounted for approximately 7.7 per cent of total new vehicle sales, with forecasts suggesting this figure could rise to around 15 per cent by 2030. Lower operating costs, environmental considerations and improving charging availability are increasingly influencing purchasing decisions.

Government-led initiatives have played a central role in driving this growth. National and emirate-level policies have introduced unified technical standards, expanded public charging networks, standardised tariffs and regulations encouraging the electrification of commercial and taxi fleets. Together, these measures aim to reduce range anxiety and create a supportive ecosystem for electric mobility.

As a homegrown operator, Regeny is positioning itself as a key enabler of this transition by focusing on high-demand urban locations and transport nodes. The airport hub has been designed to accommodate frequent, back-to-back charging sessions, making it suitable for fleet operators as well as individual users. The site has also been planned with future expansion and digital support services in mind, ensuring long-term scalability.

“Our mission is to make electric mobility effortless and accessible,” said Anish Racherla, CEO of Regeny. “This new airport hub eliminates barriers for EV drivers passing through one of the busiest travel corridors in the country and positions Dubai at the forefront of smart, sustainable mobility.”

Christopher Kramer, General Manager of Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan, said the partnership aligns with the hotel’s broader sustainability goals. “For us, sustainability is not about one project or one moment — it’s a mindset we live by every day. Along with the many sustainable initiatives already in place at the hotel, welcoming Regeny’s EV fast-charging hub is another meaningful step in supporting cleaner mobility and a more responsible future. We value partnerships that share our commitment to the community, to Dubai, and to doing the right thing for the environment.”

The launch highlights the growing role of public-private collaboration in supporting the UAE’s shift towards cleaner, smarter transport solutions.

Trinasolar is accelerating its expansion in Saudi Arabia through strategic collaborations with ACWA Power, strengthening its role in the Kingdom’s clean energy transition and supporting the objectives of Vision 2030. The partnerships focus on delivering large-scale solar projects, expanding local manufacturing, and deploying high-performance photovoltaic and tracking technologies across the country.

The company is working alongside ACWA Power, described as the world’s largest private water desalination company and a leader in energy transition and green hydrogen, as well as China Energy International Group on several flagship developments. These collaborations underline Trinasolar’s long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy ambitions and localisation agenda.

Todd Li, Head of Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa at Trinasolar, said, “Saudi Arabia is leading one of the world’s most ambitious clean energy transitions, and we are honored to contribute to this vision. Our long-term partnerships with ACWA Power, along with key collaborators such as China Energy International Group reinforce Trinasolar’s strategic commitment to the Kingdom. By combining world-class solar technologies with local manufacturing and on-the-ground execution, we are proud to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of energy diversification, sustainability, and economic growth.”

As part of the Public Investment Fund’s PIF4 programme, Trinasolar is supplying its Vertex N high-efficiency modules to the 1.15GW Haden Solar Photovoltaic Independent Power Plant, developed by ACWA Power and executed by China Energy International Group. Module deliveries began in late 2024.

The project is scheduled for completion in July 2026, with grid connection expected in February 2027, making it one of the largest solar projects currently under development in the Kingdom.

Designed for harsh desert conditions, the Vertex N modules feature bifacial technology, a high-density layout and multi-busbar design, delivering efficiency of up to 23.3% and stable output in high-temperature environments.

Trinasolar is also supplying 900MW of Vanguard 1P smart trackers to the Al Khushaybi PV Project under Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Program. The project, led by ACWA Power, marks Trinasolar’s first deployment of locally compliant tracker solutions in the Kingdom. Supporting this effort, TrinaTracker’s manufacturing facility in Jeddah is now fully operational and supplying tracker control units to PIF4 projects.

The Vanguard 1P system has been engineered to perform reliably in high heat, strong winds and sandy conditions, with tracker deliveries completed in five months to maintain project timelines.