ABB launches UAE training center to upskill talent. (Image source: ABB)

ABB has inaugurated a US$2mn training and customer experience facility in the UAE to develop digital and engineering skills for industrial, power, and utility applications across the Middle East

The center aims to accelerate adoption of advanced digital solutions for energy systems in data centres, utilities, and smart industrial, residential, and commercial buildings, supporting the UAE’s leadership in the regional energy transition.

With electricity demand in the UAE projected to grow by up to 4% annually through 2035, driven by urbanisation, industrial expansion, and the electrification of transport and cooling (source: IEA), the adoption of advanced technologies will be critical. These innovations will strengthen energy resilience, optimise capital investments, and support sustainability goals. As industries scale to meet rising demand, strategic asset management powered by AI enabled technologies will ensure reliability, cost efficiency, and progress toward net zero targets.

Marco Tellarini, senior vice-president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, ABB Electrification Service, said, “The electrification sector faces a dual challenge of an aging workforce and the urgent need for new digital skills. As experienced technicians retire, businesses must equip the next generation with expertise in data driven asset management, remote monitoring and predictive maintenance. Our new UAE facility will help bridge the skills gap by combining practical training with exposure to cutting edge digital and AI technologies. This will enable local engineers and operators to manage the power infrastructure and systems of the future.”

The 2,500 sq m Customer Experience Center, located in Dubai’s Al Quoz Industrial Area, features a state of the art workshop, lecture theater, and collaborative training spaces. The facility is designed to train around 2,000 engineers and technicians annually from across the Middle East. Training will focus on medium and low voltage technologies, digital asset management, AI, and predictive maintenance solutions.

The center will also contribute to energy resilience by sharing knowledge and developing skills to support upgrades and retrofits of older technologies. By adopting the latest digital asset management tools, customers can improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance reliability, ensuring that ABB’s clients, distributors, and installation partners remain ahead of rapid technological change.

ABB has maintained a strong presence in the UAE since 1976, employing approximately 750 colleagues across commercial offices, factories, and innovation centers. Across the six GCC countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, ABB employs around 1,500 professionals.

The partnership marks a significant quantum applications development.

An integrated energy and chemicals company, Aramco, in partnership with neutral-atom quantum computing firm, Pasqal, deployed Saudi Arabia’s first quantum computer for industrial applications

Installed at Aramco's data centre in Dhahran, this marks a significant quantum applications development in multiple sectors in the region, including energy, materials, and industrial.

While aiding Aramco's operational efficiency strategies, the development gives Pascal's quantum exploration solutions a wider reach.

Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter, Aramco EVP of Technology & Innovation, said, “Aramco is an established technology leader, which continues to innovate through the development and deployment of advanced digital solutions that have tangible benefits. We are deploying AI and other technologies at scale to further enhance our operations, maximize efficiency and unlock value across our business. Our partnership with Pasqal is a natural progression and we are thrilled to pioneer next-generation quantum capabilities, harnessing significant opportunities presented by this new frontier in computing.”

Loïc Henriet, Pasqal CEO, said, "This is a historic milestone with Aramco. The deployment of our most powerful quantum computer yet is a piece of history and a landmark for the Middle East’s quantum future. Pasqal continues its expansion, delivering practical quantum power to industry."

Pasqal’s system installed at Aramco’s data center can control 200 qubits arranged in programmable two-dimensional arrays, offering a platform suitable for exploring advanced quantum algorithms and real-world use cases relevant to industrial operations. 

Nokia and Ooredoo Qatar announced the rollout of the first 4G/5G Smart Node femtocell solution in Qatar, marking a regional first for Ooredoo Group affiliates across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia Pacific.

The deployment, showcased during MWC Doha, uses Nokia’s technology to support Ooredoo Qatar’s goal of introducing a slim, highly optimised indoor system that integrates seamlessly with its existing network.

The Nokia Smart Node is a compact indoor small cell with integrated omni-directional antennas, designed to extend LTE and 5G connectivity to businesses and residential units at low cost.

It provides secure, efficient and easily deployed coverage for small and medium indoor environments, offering clear voice quality and high-speed data with scalable capacity. Its plug-and-play design reduces dependence on customer infrastructure, while software-defined parameters can be adjusted remotely via the OAM interface, removing the need for site visits.

Versatile in both dense urban and remote settings, the Smart Node helps create reliable indoor coverage while keeping operational costs low.

For Ooredoo Qatar, the rollout is expected to significantly enhance service for enterprise and VIP/premium customers, reducing churn and strengthening loyalty by ensuring stable, secure 4G and 5G performance across key indoor locations.

Emerson has relaunched the ASCO Series 327C solenoid valve, featuring new Intrinsically Safe and Manual Reset construction versions

The valve is designed with a direct-acting, high-flow technology that offers superior flow-to-power ratios, making it ideal for high-demand industries such as power plants, refineries, and chemical processing facilities.

The ASCO Series 327C offers a balanced poppet construction for high-flow efficiency and is capable of operation in harsh environments, with temperatures ranging from -60 to 90°C. The valve’s unique two-layer dynamic seal technology reduces friction and ensures stiction resistance, providing reliable and consistent performance over its lifecycle.

The Intrinsically Safe and Manual Reset versions provide faster response times and greater reliability. The intrinsically safe model eliminates the need for an electronic booster, enabling more consistent partial stroke testing and faster response times, a significant advancement for these types of valves. Features including a unique electrical test connection, help streamline field commissioning and prevent moisture ingress during storage, providing added value to OEMs and end users.

“Facilities in demanding industries like power and chemical processing need valves that offer long-term performance with minimal maintenance,” said Anne Sophie Kedad, director Marketing Process and Sustainability, Emerson. “With the Series 327C, we are not only providing superior valve performance but also meeting the industry’s growing need for intrinsically safe solutions capable of performing critical operations with minimal downtime and lower maintenance costs. This new IS construction enables our customers to access a much more simple design as there is no electronic booster to operate the solenoid valve.”