Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi advances strategic partnerships for future energy and water systems during visit to US

Led by His Excellency Dr Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi (DoE), a delegation from the department has concluded an official visit to the US aimed at expanding strategic partnerships with leading international regulatory, academic, research, technology, and investment institutions, and supporting the development of the next generation of energy and water systems.

The visit contributed to strengthening international cooperation in policy and regulatory framework development, accelerating innovation, and adopting advanced technologies. These efforts align with Abu Dhabi’s objectives to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy, strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure, and reinforce its global competitiveness across the energy and water sectors.

The delegation held a series of meetings in Boston, New York, and California with universities, research centres, regulatory bodies, and leading global companies across the technology, investment, and infrastructure sectors. The meetings focused on opportunities for cooperation in artificial intelligence, automation, quantum computing, regulatory modernisation, system reliability, and investment in future technologies.

Discussions also centred on building international alignment around Abu Dhabi’s Energy and Water Resilience Framework, with the objective of further developing it into a globally recognised reference framework that can be adopted and implemented across different markets, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading model for the governance and management of the resilience of critical systems.

The visit also focused on building an international network of partners to support the implementation and expansion of the framework, developing practical mechanisms for knowledge and expertise exchange, and strengthening the readiness of the energy and water sectors to respond to future shifts and challenges, thereby enhancing the sustainability and continuity of critical services.

The department invited the organisations and institutions it met with during the visit to join Abu Dhabi Water and Power Week 2026 as strategic partners and contribute to its programmes, initiatives, and specialised platforms, further strengthening the event’s position as an international platform bringing together decision-makers, investors, technology leaders, and experts, while supporting the UAE’s priorities for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference.

His Excellency Dr Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman, DoE, 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.

This visit represents a strategic milestone in expanding our cooperation with leading global institutions. It will contribute to knowledge exchange, accelerate the development of innovative solutions, enable the application of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and quantum computing, and support the development of a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable ecosystem capable of adapting to global shifts and supporting sustainable economic development.

His Excellency added: “We believe that strategic partnerships are a key driver in developing the next generation of energy and water systems and translating innovation into practical solutions with tangible impact. By strengthening our cooperation with academic, research, and regulatory institutions, as well as technology and investment leaders, we continue to advance policies and solutions that enhance the reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of both sectors, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s leadership as an active global partner in shaping the future of energy and water.”

During the visit, the department signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with strategic partners across the fields of regulatory cooperation, artificial intelligence, advanced technology solutions, and the development of innovative applications that enhance operational efficiency and strengthen the readiness of the energy and water sectors.

The department also signed MoUs with regulatory and academic entities aimed at strengthening cooperation and facilitating the exchange of expertise in electricity and water regulation, regulatory framework development, the modernisation of energy and water networks, strengthening their resilience, and advancing future energy systems.

The department also explored the establishment of an AI-powered laboratory in collaboration with leading international academic and research institutions. The laboratory will focus on developing and testing advanced solutions for the energy and water sectors, helping accelerate the transition of innovation from research and development to real-world implementation.

Areas of cooperation include developing solutions to enhance water-use efficiency through quantum computing applications, improve planning and forecasting, strengthen demand and resource management, enhance asset and network efficiency, support decision-making, and strengthen the ability of critical systems to respond to future shifts.

The delegation also explored opportunities to accelerate automation across the energy and water sectors and leverage Abu Dhabi’s advanced achievements in artificial intelligence to develop a smarter, more connected ecosystem capable of improving operational performance, reducing waste, and enhancing the reliability and sustainability of services.

The visit reflects the department’s commitment to supporting the emirate’s vision of building a resilient and integrated energy and water ecosystem underpinned by knowledge, innovation, and advanced technology, while expanding strategic partnerships and investments and develop solutions capable of addressing future challenges.

The outcomes of the visit will provide an important contribution to Abu Dhabi’s efforts to reinforce its position as a global platform for dialogue and innovation across the energy and water sectors and inform discussions on the latest solutions and technologies at Abu Dhabi Water and Power Week. The event brings together leading decision-makers, experts, and global companies to explore the future of the sectors and strengthen international cooperation in support of sustainable development.

These partnerships demonstrate the DoE’s approach to translating international cooperation into practical initiatives that support innovation, accelerate the development of future solutions, and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s competitiveness and global leadership, reinforcing its position as a key partner in shaping the future of the energy and water sectors internationally.