WETEX 2026: Powering the UAE's energy future from day one
Thousands of energy industry professionals gathered at Dubai World Trade Centre on Tuesday for the opening day of WETEX 2026, with companies across the UAE's power, construction and technology sectors using the exhibition to set out their responses to surging electricity demand that existing infrastructure was not built to meet. The Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition, organised…
Thousands of energy professionals convened in Dubai on Tuesday for the opening day of WETEX 2026, a major exhibition organized by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). Companies from the UAE's power, construction, and technology sectors showcased their solutions to meet the growing electricity demand that existing infrastructure cannot handle.
The exhibition brought together cable manufacturers, EPC contractors, property developers, and enterprise technology firms across several halls. Discussions revolved around the increasing demand for renewable energy, data centers, and the need for management tools.
Ranjod Singh, from Aasa Power, emphasized the significance of WETEX for presenting their expertise to utilities in the UAE. Aasa Power's headline showcase featured a containerized, mobile solar unit designed for construction sites, eliminating the need for diesel generators. This innovative system deploys foldable solar panels from a transportable container, expanding remotely to generate clean electricity for site offices and equipment.
The unit can be moved from site to site and reused indefinitely, addressing carbon emissions and power-quality issues associated with diesel generators.
Charles Mellagui, CEO of DUCAB's Cable Business Unit, highlighted the critical infrastructure requirement for cables, estimating that the UAE may need 80 million kilometers by 2040 due to the surge in power demand. The primary challenge lies in the raw materials, particularly copper, whose global demand is expected to nearly double.
DUCAB aims to increase its use of recycled copper to over 25% by 2040 and develop cables using polypropylene, a fully recyclable alternative. DUCAB, a DEWA, TAQA, and Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) strategic partner, has been a regular attendee at WETEX for several years.
In the built environment, DAMAC Properties showcased its commitment to sustainability through LEED-certified developments. Mohammed Tahaineh, DAMAC's chief projects officer, highlighted the recently completed DAMAC Lagoon as the first master plan in the UAE to achieve Platinum LEED certification. This achievement required extensive design detail and the use of technologies that enhance residents' lifestyle.
DAMAC has invested nearly $50 million in offsite manufacturing facilities, producing precast components and tiling systems under factory conditions. This approach has reduced concrete consumption by up to 30-40% and corresponding reductions in water and energy use during the construction process. For WETEX 2026, DAMAC aims to explore further opportunities to support their customers' sustainability goals.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
