Today's Edition
ALAA SAAD (ABU DHABI)
Energy security, rising electricity demand and the transition to cleaner power took centrestage at the UAE–France Energy Forum, held under the theme “Powering Tomorrow Together” at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
The event brought together major energy players, including EDF, ENGIE, ALTRAD, TAQA, Masdar and TotalEnergies, to discuss the future of renewable energy, nuclear power and energy infrastructure.
Thierry Dezenclos, President of CCI France UAE, described energy as a key pillar of cooperation between France and the UAE, as the Emirates’ growing economy, population and data centre industry drive electricity demand.
He said French expertise in nuclear, solar and wind power could support the UAE’s efforts to increase the share of clean energy in its electricity mix.
For Aurélien Delahaye, Director of Strategy and Resources for the Middle East at EDF Group, producing more electricity is only part of the challenge. “What we can bring to the country is definitely to also make the grid more flexible,” he said, stressing the need to keep electricity affordable while ensuring a reliable supply.
Nuclear energy is another area where international cooperation is helping build local expertise. Anes Chaouachi, General Manager for the Middle East at ALTRAD Nuclear Services, highlighted the UAE’s achievement in bringing its first nuclear reactor into operation just 12 years after launching its programme.
His company, which has been involved in the UAE’s nuclear sector from construction to maintenance, has established an international nuclear services hub in Abu Dhabi. The hub supports projects in the United Kingdom and South Africa, with plans to extend its reach to Canada.
Jan Haizmann, Managing Director and Founder of Zero Emissions Traders Alliance, also highlighted the UAE’s strong potential for solar energy, thanks to its abundant sunshine, political will and available land.
While recognising the progress already made through regional cooperation, he called for stronger electricity connections between neighbouring countries to further improve energy security and resilience.
Together, these perspectives point to a broader challenge for the energy transition: not simply producing cleaner electricity, but building the infrastructure, expertise and partnerships needed to make it reliable and sustainable.
