Abu Dhabi: The World Utilities Congress 2023 reached its triumphant conclusion under the esteemed patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. This prestigious global event, dedicated to power and water utilities, successfully held its second annual edition, bringing together industry leaders and experts from around the world.
The World Utilities Congress 2023 returned to Abu Dhabi this week, hosted by the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and organised by dmg events. The three-day exhibition and congress brought together over 250 industry expert speakers and hosted more than 60 strategic and technical conference sessions, including a Nuclear Energy Forum.
Drawing over 10,000 industry professionals and 150+ exhibiting companies from across the globe, the global conference and exhibition highlighted the very latest in global innovations, technology solutions and proactive measures aimed at securing the future of sustainable and affordable power and water supplies. An integral theme throughout the congress was the role played by power and water utilities in supporting the decarbonisation of industry and the path to net zero.
Mr. Jasim Husain Thabet, TAQA’s Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, and host company of the inaugural event remarked that, “We are proud to see the enormous success of the second edition of the World Utilities Congress. This is a testament to the vital role our sector is playing in leading decarbonisation efforts and accelerating progress toward Net Zero ambitions, as well as the unique position of Abu Dhabi and the UAE to facilitate this change.”
The global energy transition was a continued focus on the concluding day of the congress, with a global panel discussion adding insight on ‘The role of ESG and sustainable finance in the power, water, gas and district cooling.’ Company leaders shed light on adopting ESG practices as a major driver towards a low-carbon more sustainable future and the role utilities can play in unlocking the potential of green investments, contributing to national GDP and encouraging Foreign Direct Investments (FDI).
Power industry leaders met at the concluding global panel discussion on ‘Implementing digital technologies to improve operational efficiency and ensure security within district cooling, power, water and gas utilities.’ The power and water industry has transformed with digital integration driving operational efficiencies through cost management, enhanced customer services, and driving new market opportunities. Panellists discussed risks and solutions to embracing technological advances from drones, to AI and data protection with the critical need to safeguard digital infrastructure.
The second edition of the World Utilities Congress 2023 was hosted by TAQA, organised by dmg events and supported by the UAE’s Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).