Abu Dhabi to commit 250 billion dirhams investment to power the next decade of growth

The Abu Dhabi government has announced a substantial Dh250 billion investment over the next decade to bolster its power infrastructure, including water and district cooling networks, according to Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi. The investment aims to double the emirate's power demand while supporting essential sectors such as communities, hospitals, schools, universities, and new neighborhoods.

Al Jarwan emphasized that the value of this extensive program would surpass the individual components combined, stressing the importance of constructing infrastructure that is both durable and adaptable as it expands.

The emirate's progress in sustainability and affordability in clean power is a testament to the potential for these objectives to advance concurrently. A decade ago, clean and sustainable power constituted less than 1% of Abu Dhabi's energy mix; presently, it surpasses 5% as total power production continues to grow. Al Jarwan highlighted the emirate's diverse water strategy, which comprises six sources, including desalinated water, groundwater, harvested rainwater, efficiency gains, recycled water, and reduced consumption by residents.

He noted that the carbon footprint of water production has decreased by 20% over the past decade, with costs falling by 50%. Remarkably, per capita water consumption has declined by 50% over the last five years.

The Department of Energy, Department of Municipalities and Transport, and other stakeholders collaborate to make decisions on such infrastructure, reflecting a unified "one city" approach. Officials stressed that the government operates with a meticulously crafted plan and financial discipline, backed by a comprehensive urban plan overseen by the UAE municipality in cooperation with relevant stakeholders.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, emphasized that the collection of information and data is aimed at leveraging it for future needs.