Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi advances strategic partnerships during US visit

A delegation from the Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi (DoE), led by Dr Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of DoE, has concluded an official visit to the United States aimed at expanding strategic partnerships in energy and water innovation, regulation and advanced technologies.

The visit focused on strengthening international cooperation in policy and regulatory framework development, accelerating innovation and adopting advanced technologies to support Abu Dhabi’s sustainable, knowledge-based economy and enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure.

The delegation held meetings in Boston, New York and California with universities, research centres, regulatory bodies and leading global companies across the technology, investment and infrastructure sectors.

Discussions covered artificial intelligence, automation, quantum computing, regulatory modernisation, system reliability and investment in future technologies.

The meetings also focused on building international alignment around Abu Dhabi’s Energy and Water Resilience Framework, with the aim of developing it into a globally recognised reference that can be applied across different markets.

DoE also worked to build an international network of partners to support implementation of the framework, facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen the readiness of the energy and water sectors to respond to future challenges.

The Department invited organisations and institutions met during the visit to participate as strategic partners in Abu Dhabi Water and Power Week 2026 and contribute to its programmes and specialised platforms, supporting the UAE’s priorities for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.

Dr Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan said, “Abu Dhabi continues to build an integrated ecosystem that is shaping the future of energy and water through a forward-looking vision centred on innovation, high-impact international partnerships, advanced regulatory frameworks and investment in future technologies.”

He added, “This visit represents a strategic milestone in expanding our cooperation with leading global institutions. It will contribute to knowledge exchange, accelerate innovative solutions and enable the application of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and quantum computing.”

Al Jarwan said strategic partnerships are central to developing the next generation of energy and water systems and translating innovation into practical solutions that strengthen reliability, efficiency and sustainability.

During the visit, DoE signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with strategic partners covering regulatory cooperation, artificial intelligence, advanced technology solutions and innovative applications designed to improve operational efficiency and sector readiness.

The Department also signed MoUs with regulatory and academic entities to strengthen cooperation in electricity and water regulation, modernise energy and water networks and advance future energy systems.

DoE explored the establishment of an AI-powered laboratory with international academic and research institutions to develop and test advanced solutions for the energy and water sectors, helping move innovation from research to practical implementation.

Potential areas of cooperation include using quantum computing to enhance water-use efficiency, improving planning and forecasting, strengthening demand and resource management, increasing asset and network efficiency and supporting decision-making.

The delegation also examined opportunities to accelerate automation across the energy and water sectors and use Abu Dhabi’s artificial intelligence capabilities to develop a smarter, more connected ecosystem.

DoE said the visit supports Abu Dhabi’s efforts to build a resilient and integrated energy and water ecosystem based on knowledge, innovation and advanced technology, while expanding international partnerships and investments.

The outcomes will also contribute to discussions at Abu Dhabi Water and Power Week, which brings together decision-makers, experts and global companies to explore future technologies and strengthen international cooperation in support of sustainable development.