The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has officially declared the launch of an extended second phase of their Demand Response (DR) Project during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025. This announcement comes in the wake of the successful conclusion of the project’s initial phase in 2024. This initiative represents a pivotal milestone in accelerating the transformation of the energy sector and underscores the Emirate’s leadership in implementing sustainable energy solutions while improving efficiency.
Strategic framework for energy efficiency
The project is a crucial component of the Load Management Program under Abu Dhabi’s Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030. By issuing the Demand Response Policy, DoE has established an ambitious target of achieving 200 megawatts of DR capacity by 2030. The department is dedicated to enhancing technical and operational expertise among its partners, including consumers, operators, and suppliers within Abu Dhabi’s energy landscape. Long-term forecasts indicate the potential to reach up to 1,000 megawatts of DR capacity in the Emirate.
Commitment to sustainable energy solutions
Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, remarked, “The success of the first phase of the 2024 Demand Response Program reflects the ongoing need for sustainable solutions to enhance energy efficiency, optimize grid flexibility, reduce emissions, and support Abu Dhabi’s Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030, striving towards achieving the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 goals. By expanding the program in 2025, we reaffirm our commitment to operational excellence as well as supporting innovative and sustainable efforts in the energy sector.”
Collaborative efforts in energy transition
Othman Al Ali, chief executive officer of EWEC, stated, “The remarkable outcomes of Abu Dhabi’s 2024 Demand Response pilot are a testament to the innovation and collaborative spirit that define our energy transition journey. At EWEC, we are proud to support the Department of Energy in driving pioneering initiatives like Demand Response, which underscore the importance of flexibility and efficiency in achieving a sustainable, decarbonised energy system. Following the success of the pilot, we are looking forward to going to the market during 2025 to identify the right partners to facilitate the next phase of the long-term Demand Response initiative. Together with the Department of Energy, we are shaping a sustainable energy future that balances operational reliability with environmental stewardship.”
Industrial partnership for sustainable growth
Moreover, Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, group CEO of EMSTEEL, expressed, “As a leading industrial player and partner in Abu Dhabi’s sustainable energy transition, EMSTEEL is proud to support the Department of Energy’s expansion of the Demand Response pilot project. This initiative reflects our shared vision of advancing energy efficiency and resilience while driving sustainable industrial growth. At EMSTEEL, we are committed to integrating innovative practices and championing initiatives that contribute to the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy and strengthen our leadership in sustainable manufacturing.”
Impact of the 2024 pilot program
The 2024 Demand Response pilot program was a crucial initiative for Abu Dhabi’s energy sector, successfully achieving an average peak demand reduction of 106 megawatts across 10 events, with a maximum peak reduction of 210 megawatts. The program further reached these remarkable outcomes with a reliability rate of 80 percent (based on 137 megawatts of contracted capacity) and prevented 1,600 tons of carbon emissions, equating to the environmental benefit of planting 64,000 trees.
Diverse participation and scalability
The pilot engaged a variety of consumer categories from industrial, commercial, and residential sectors, involving 12 significant commercial and industrial facilities from industries such as building materials, steel, district cooling, aviation logistics, and food and beverages, alongside 42 residential consumers. This achievement emphasizes the program’s scalability and effectiveness as a resource for energy supply in the emirate.
Invitation to collaborate in the next phase
Building on the successful outcomes of the first phase, DoE has initiated the second phase, which aims to increase participation numbers, trial new strategies across various sectors, and investigate optimal mechanisms and incentives in partnership with strategic allies. DoE has called upon interested commercial and industrial consumers in Abu Dhabi to engage in the second phase by reaching out to the department, highlighting their crucial role in the program’s success and objectives.
As one of the first large-scale load management programs in the Gulf region, the Demand Response Project sets a benchmark for innovation and collaboration between the public and private sectors. The insights gathered from these initiatives will inform policies, technologies, and practices aligned with Abu Dhabi’s vision for a resilient and sustainable energy
