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.

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. 

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.

Efficient use of energy is key in helping to conserve energy while reducing its environmental impact.
We are committed to tackling environmental challenges and improving energy efficiency across Abu Dhabi's industrial and commercial sectors for the current and future generations.

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. 

·      Regulate the trade of petroleum products in the emirate of Abu Dhabi where DoE will develop a comprehensive framework for all relevant parties and collaborate with stakeholders to enhance safety and security in the energy sector in Abu Dhabi.