The United Arab Emirates is accelerating its energy transition efforts. However, this imperative transformation cannot be accomplished by a single organization on its own. It demands concerted efforts from both the public and private sectors.
Siemens Energy plays a pivotal role in supporting the nation’s energy goals. By collaborating with prominent entities — such as Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and Khalifa University — the company is committed to delivering solutions that drive decarbonization, enhance operational reliability, and enable predictive maintenance, among others.
In this interview, Khalid Bin Hadi, managing director at Siemens Energy UAE, discusses the company’s various initiatives and how these align with the UAE’s energy targets.
How does Siemens Energy’s strategic vision align with the broader goals of the UAE’s energy transition and decarbonization targets?
The UAE has demonstrated how a clear and ambitious vision can drive transformative progress. With net-zero targets set for 2050, the country is addressing the dual challenges of rising energy demand and the need to decarbonize, ensuring long-term resilience and sustainable development.
Siemens Energy aligns with these priorities by delivering advanced technologies and fostering strong partnerships to accelerate the UAE’s energy transition. Our focus on energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and renewable integration directly supports the nation’s decarbonization goals. For example, our tailored solutions in power generation and grid optimization help balance the complexities of integrating renewables while maintaining reliability, ensuring that today’s energy systems are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.
What role do partnerships with government and private sectors play in Siemens Energy’s strategy to accelerate sustainable energy adoption in the UAE?
Partnerships between the public and private sectors are critical to addressing shared priorities like decarbonization and energy security. The UAE has created an ecosystem where these collaborations thrive.
Siemens Energy’s partnerships are rooted in an understanding of the region’s energy needs. A key example is our work with ADNOC on the Maximizing Ethane Recovery and Monetization (MERAM) project, which uses advanced compressors to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of natural gas production. This initiative supports ADNOC’s decarbonization goals while ensuring operational reliability. Similarly, our collaborations with government entities to improve energy performance in critical infrastructure have delivered measurable resource savings, advancing the UAE’s sustainability objectives.
These partnerships are more than short-term solutions; they are part of a broader effort to create resilient energy systems capable of meeting future challenges.
Could you share insights into Siemens Energy’s innovation approach to advancing energy transformation? What technologies or innovations are you focusing on to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy?
As the UAE’s energy demand grows, innovation is essential for creating systems that are both sustainable and reliable. Siemens Energy focuses on solutions that directly address these challenges, combining advanced technologies with practical applications that deliver measurable progress across the energy landscape.
One such breakthrough is the Gas Turbine Intelligent Controller, developed in partnership with DEWA for the Jebel Ali power station. This AI-powered system refines turbine performance in real-time, enabling operators to increase efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and lower emissions.
Another notable innovation is the H-Class gas turbine, implemented with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Mubadala, and Dubal Holding. Used to power EGA’s smelter in Jebel Ali, this turbine has significantly enhanced the efficiency of the combined-cycle power plant. It has reduced emissions per ton of aluminum produced by up to 10 percent, equivalent to planting more than 17 million trees annually.
By tailoring innovations to the region’s challenges and collaborating closely with partners, Siemens Energy contributes to the UAE’s progress towards a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
What are the main initiatives Siemens Energy is implementing to ensure operational excellence within the UAE?
One key area of focus is predictive maintenance. By leveraging AI-powered systems, Siemens Energy enables operators to anticipate equipment needs. A recent McKinsey report estimates that AI-driven predictive maintenance alone could reduce operational costs in energy by up to 15 percent and decrease unplanned downtime by 40 percent, highlighting AI’s cost-saving potential. These measures ensure critical energy infrastructure operates efficiently and reliably, even under growing demand.
However, the increased reliance on AI introduces challenges, such as the rising energy consumption of data centers, which are projected to account for up to 4 percent of global electricity usage by 2030. Siemens Energy addresses this by integrating advanced technologies that enhance efficiency while ensuring systems remain sustainable and resilient.
As the energy landscape evolves, maintaining efficiency while addressing sustainability challenges requires careful balance. Siemens Energy’s efforts aim to ensure that advancements in technology enhance reliability and contribute to reducing environmental impact, supporting the UAE’s long-term energy goals.
How is Siemens Energy empowering youth in the UAE and building the next generation of energy leaders to drive innovation and sustainability in the energy sector?
Siemens Energy views the next generation as the driving force behind a sustainable and resilient energy sector and is committed to equipping them with the tools to shape that future.
Our Siemens Energy Innovation Center in Abu Dhabi (ICA) exemplifies this vision. Established in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Khalifa University, the ICA serves as a hub for collaboration. It provides Emirati youth with opportunities to work with advanced technologies such as decarbonization and digital systems while gaining practical experience. By 2025, the Center aims to create dozens of specialized roles and host multiple internships annually, preparing young talent to support the UAE’s energy goals. Additional programs and collaborations, such as our Apprenticeship Program at the Siemens Energy Service Center in Abu Dhabi or our recent partnership with Al Ain University, contribute to empowering youth in the UAE.
Global exposure is also central to this mission. Programs like Jusoor have been offering Emirati university seniors internships at the ICA in Abu Dhabi and placements in Berlin, bridging the gap between academic learning and industry needs. These experiences equip students with the skills to navigate challenges like renewable energy integration and digital transformation.
Empowering youth is about more than skill-building; it is about fostering a sense of purpose. When young Emiratis are given the tools, opportunities, and encouragement to lead, they don’t just contribute to the energy transition — they redefine it. The challenges ahead require innovative thinking, resilience, and collaboration, and the next generation is ready to lead us into a future where sustainability is no longer an ambition but a reality.
