Innovative solutions for a sustainable energy
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy was established in accordance with Law No. 11 of 2018 to drive the Emirate’s energy transition efforts with a focus on promoting economic growth, and boosting environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Our role includes enacting policies and regulations and developing strategies to ensure an effective energy transition in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
We issue licences for companies and organisations operating in the sector and monitor their compliance with quality standards, which, in turn, supports the Emirate’s goals to ensure the sustainability of energy sources.
Planning Today for a Secure, Sustainable Tomorrow
Our role is to facilitate the development of the energy sector in Abu Dhabi in order to support the economic, environmental, and social sustainability requirements of the emirate, both today and into the future, as part of the Abu Dhabi 2030 vision, which aims at establishing a robust and secure society with a sustainable economy.
Key Facts
Gas Consumed
Energy Generated (Including Solar and Nuclear)
Assets Available Capacity
Water Produced
Drinking Water Consumption
supply up to 25% of the UAE's electricity
Business Sectors
Integrating excellence, creativity and innovation in all energy sectors
The Department of Energy aims to be a pioneer in all fields of energy in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development that is fully compliant with the emirate’s legislation.
Renewable Energy
Leveraging solar energy to power our aspirations
As part of the Emirate’s aspiration, Abu Dhabi is committed to developing a more sustainable and low-carbon energy mix to meet the growing demand of energy and water to drive economic development. These technologies include, amongst other things, solar PV and CSP generation. A key part of DoE’s duties by Law is issuing licences for the generation plants.
Department of Energy issued new regulations aimed at generating a large proportion of Abu Dhabi’s electricity from clean and renewable sources by 2035, marking a significant milestone in the UAE’s journey to deliver carbon neutrality by 2050.
Water
Water and electricity sustainability is key to economic and industrial growth
The water and electricity sector plays a vital role in driving and strengthening the economy in the country and will continue to do so in the future. The Abu Dhabi Sustainable Water Solutions Company (SWS) collects, treats, and disposes the wastewater received from the customers, where all processes in the water and electricity sector are carried out on an economic basis reflecting the actual costs not subsidy; except for the sale of water and electricity to the final customers. A continuous supply of water and electricity form the backbone of a prosperous commercial and industrial sector via the Independent Water and Power Producer companies (IWPP), Transmission and Distribution companies. As our focus is to minimize waste generated and reduce carbon emissions, the sector is moving towards adopting environmentally friendly techniques such as Revers Osmoses technology, and increasing the utilization of recycled water in order to preserve the natural water sources and therefore create a brighter future.
District Cooling
Development of detailed Regulatory Framework for District Cooling (DC)
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy issued the District Cooling Regulation and the District Cooling Applicability Regulation which have been in effect since September 2019.
The Abu Dhabi Government thus becomes the first government in the Middle East and North Africa region to set up a complete integrated system for district cooling. This, reflects the DoE’s commitment to taking the lead in the regional and global energy sector, highlighting its focus on developing infrastructure, ensuring energy efficiency, and promoting sustainable solutions.
The new regulations aim to unify standards, integrate efforts to regulate the sector, ensure the highest quality and competitiveness for energy services, and protect consumer rights. The regulations also state the importance of enhancing energy efficiency, protecting the environment, and encouraging investments in the sector.
The District Cooling Regulation, and the DC Applicability Regulation, provide a regulatory framework for such activities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, offering investors, consumers, and the public, safe, efficient, and economical cooling services.
The District Cooling Regulation covers technical performance standards and minimum guidelines, market competition and price regulation, minimum contractual requirements, and licensing requirements.
Whereas, the District Cooling Applicability Regulation aims to ensure that developers study the feasibility of district cooling at the initial planning stage to ensure the optimal use of energy infrastructure, and to promote more efficient cooling systems for areas where it can be applied efficiently.
In addition, it supports the expansion of district cooling system in the Emirate by demand management and encouraging the use of this technology.
Nuclear Energy
Driving today’s industry with the energy source of tomorrow
A key part of Abu Dhabi’s future energy outlook and the diversification of the energy mix is the construction of four nuclear plants each with a capacity of 1400MW (5600MW overall), located at Barakah in the Dhafra Region, 250 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi city. DOE is responsible for issuing a generation licence and overseeing the integration of the nuclear plants into the electricity grid in terms of technical, economical and legal aspects.
Given this facility is the ‘first of a kind’ in the region, DoE has issued, and work is already underway to develop an appropriate electricity generation licence to provide for the necessary regulatory frameworks and governance around general conditions as well as the general terms and conditions and specific nuances of a nuclear facility, particularly in relation to technical, economical and legal aspects implemented in the sector.
LEGISLATION AND COMPLIANCE
Integrating excellence
The Department is responsible for issuing legislation to regulate and guarantee the secure supply to customers aligned with local and global levels of services. In addition, it is the Department responsible for issuing license to service providers and suppliers.
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