Key Takeaways
- The global economy is undergoing significant shifts driven by artificial intelligence, but it requires reliable energy sources and pragmatic policies to power it.
- The United Arab Emirates is committed to investing in renewable energy and clean technology, with Masdar aiming to reach a 100 GW portfolio capacity by 2030.
- The country’s minister of industry and advanced technology, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the role of hydrocarbons in energy generation for the foreseeable future.
- The UAE is seeking collaborative energy partnerships and inviting industry players to bring their ambition, ideas, capital, and technology to Abu Dhabi.
- The Zayed Sustainability Prize was awarded to innovative projects in various categories, including energy, health, and education.
Introduction to the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week
The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, held in January 2026, brought together industry leaders and experts to discuss the future of sustainable energy and the role of artificial intelligence in driving global growth. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE’s minister of industry and advanced technology and chairman of Masdar, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the significance of reliable energy sources in powering the AI-driven economy. As he noted, "AI is rewiring every industry, reshaping every sector and resetting expectations for global growth. While the world is changing around us, one constant remains. And that is energy."
The Importance of Energy in the AI-Driven Economy
Dr. Al Jaber emphasized that every algorithm, data center, and breakthrough in advanced technology requires power to drive it, stating, "Simply put, there is no ‘artificial’ intelligence without ‘actual’ energy." He also pointed out that over the next 15 years, data center power demand will increase sixfold, with over 70% of this energy still coming from hydrocarbons. However, he sees this as a catalyst for sustainable progress, rather than a constraint. As he said, "Sustainable progress is not about slowing down growth, it is about designing a better engine. It’s what we’re building in the UAE."
Masdar’s Role in Renewable Energy
Masdar, the UAE’s international renewable energy company, has made significant strides in developing renewable energy projects globally. With an installed clean energy capacity of 65 gigawatts, Masdar is more than two-thirds of the way to its target of 100 GW portfolio capacity by 2030. Dr. Al Jaber highlighted Masdar’s achievements, stating, "In less than two decades of its founding Masdar has gone on to develop renewable energy projects in more than 40 countries globally and has played a key role in driving renewable energy costs down by more than 90%." This demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to investing in renewable energy and clean technology.
Collaborative Energy Partnerships
Dr. Al Jaber called on the industry to bring its ambition, ideas, capital, and technology to Abu Dhabi, stating, "Put them to work where progress is powered, opportunity is operationalized and partnerships are permanent. The future of sustainable human progress is waiting, and its address is Abu Dhabi.” The UAE is seeking collaborative energy partnerships to drive sustainable progress and is inviting industry players to invest in the country’s renewable energy sector.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize
The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s top award for innovation in sustainability, was awarded to innovative projects in various categories, including energy, health, and education. The winner in the energy category was Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy, which offers "Cooling as a Service" in emerging markets. This model involves end-users paying for the cooling they receive, rather than the physical product or infrastructure that delivers the cooling, bringing about both costs and energy savings.
Conclusion
The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week highlighted the importance of reliable energy sources and pragmatic policies in powering the AI-driven economy. The UAE’s commitment to investing in renewable energy and clean technology, as well as its emphasis on collaborative energy partnerships, demonstrates its leadership in the sustainable energy sector. As Dr. Al Jaber noted, "The future of sustainable human progress is waiting, and its address is Abu Dhabi." The UAE’s vision for a sustainable future is one that balances traditional and unconventional energy sources, and its actions are a testament to its dedication to achieving this vision.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/gauravsharma/2026/01/13/artificial-intelligence-craves-actual-energy-says-masdar-chairman/
