The UAE will review the design of its energy infrastructure, add layers of protection and increase spare capacity following the recent regional conflict, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei said at ADIPEC on Monday, November 2.

Speaking on a panel, the minister said the country cannot return to business as usual on critical infrastructure even if the situation normalises. The review covers oil and gas, electricity and other energy sectors, and artificial intelligence will help engineers test designs and scenarios.

Asked about possible new threats to energy facilities and data centres, he said: "We will assume the worst and hope for the best." He added that the UAE would not rely on assurances from others that its infrastructure would be left unharmed.

Al Mazrouei also tied energy security to renewables. He pointed to Abu Dhabi's round-the-clock project, which pairs 5.2 gigawatts of solar capacity with 19 gigawatt-hours of battery storage to deliver one gigawatt of uninterrupted clean power. The $6.1 billion project, developed by Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company, is targeted to start operating in 2027.

The minister said the UAE has raised its 2030-2031 clean-energy target from 30 to 35 per cent, covering nuclear and renewable energy, and that it could exceed the new figure. He also said countries able to offer cleaner and sufficient electricity would be better placed to attract data centre investment.

(Source: Khaleej Times)