Abu Dhabi commits Dh250bn to power and water infrastructure over ten years

Abu Dhabi has committed Dh250 billion to expand power, water and district cooling networks over the next ten years, according to an announcement by Dr Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Department of Energy, Abu Dhabi, at LIVEX 2026. The programme is designed to double the emirate's power demand while supporting communities, hospitals, schools, universities and new neighbourhoods. Al Jarwan stated the value of the whole programme would be much greater than the sum of the parts.

Abu Dhabi power infrastructure investment spans decade#

The Dh250 billion commitment covers power generation, water production and district cooling capacity expansion across Abu Dhabi over a ten-year period. Al Jarwan said the infrastructure must be built to last and should improve as it grows. Delivering that requires a well-crafted plan backed by financial discipline, according to the announcement. The statement was made during a discussion with Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, who chairs the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi. Infrastructure decisions involve the Department of Energy alongside the Department of Municipalities and Transport and other stakeholders, according to Al Jarwan, who described the approach as reflecting one city planning.

Clean energy share rises as total production grows#

Al Jarwan pointed to the emirate's recent progress in expanding clean energy capacity while maintaining affordability. Clean and sustainable power represented less than 1 per cent of Abu Dhabi's energy mix a decade ago. That figure now exceeds 5 per cent, even as total power production has continued to grow. He stated that production has expanded to support the economy and communities, ensuring power availability for neighbourhoods, hospitals, nurseries, schools and universities. The figures were disclosed at LIVEX 2026 as part of the broader infrastructure commitment announcement.

Water production costs and carbon footprint decline#

Al Jarwan addressed water strategy, which supports the emirate's extensive green spaces. Abu Dhabi uses six sources: desalinated water, groundwater, harvested rainwater, efficiency gains, recycled water and reduced consumption by residents. Water production's carbon footprint declined 20 per cent over the past decade, he said, while costs fell 50 per cent. Per capita consumption dropped 50 per cent over the past five years. The water strategy forms part of the broader Dh250 billion infrastructure programme announced for the next decade.

Coordinated planning across government departments#

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, who chairs the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, stated that the government functions with a well-crafted plan and financial discipline. He said they operate according to a unified urban plan that the UAE municipality oversees alongside relevant stakeholders. Al Mubarak said data collection serves future planning purposes. The coordinated approach brings together the Department of Energy, the Department of Municipalities and Transport, and other stakeholders in infrastructure decision-making. The ten-year programme was announced at LIVEX 2026 in Dubai.