Abu Dhabi will host the 18th World Future Energy Summit from Tuesday at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, bringing together global leaders, investors and experts at a time when the energy sector is undergoing rapid change.
The summit, held under Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and hosted by Masdar, is expected to draw more than 50,000 delegates from 150 countries, with over 450 companies exhibiting and about 400 speakers drawn from government, energy, finance, academia and civil society. It runs until January 15.
Organisers say the gathering is designed to turn dialogue into action through conferences, technology exhibitions and new networking platforms focused on clean energy and sustainability. National pavilions and high level forums form part of the programme, including the European Hydrogen Council Summit, alongside partnerships with organisations such as Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa and the International Renewable Energy Agency.
For countries like Eswatini, which is pursuing energy security and a gradual shift towards renewable sources, the summit provides a window into global trends shaping solar, hydrogen, storage and green finance. Regional commitments announced in the Gulf also set a benchmark for developing nations. The United Arab Emirates has pledged US$54 billion in renewable energy investments by the end of the decade and raised US$83 billion for clean climate technologies at COP28, with a further US$30 billion through the Altera Climate Finance Fund. Saudi Arabia has committed US$270 billion towards renewable energy and US$200 billion to climate action under the Saudi Green Initiative.
RX Global Director of Energy Portfolio and Maritime Operations Gareth Rapley said the 2026 edition was structured to deliver impact beyond its three day programme. He said expanded conferences, new interaction platforms and year round initiatives were intended to move ideas from discussion to implementation and support long term partnerships and investment in the global energy transition.
Exhibition halls at the venue will showcase technologies across the clean energy value chain, including solar and other renewables, hydrogen and clean fuels, water and wastewater treatment, circular economy solutions, waste to energy, smart cities, electric mobility, green finance and fast growing areas such as digital energy, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Innovations on display include advanced photovoltaic systems, energy storage, smart grids, sustainable fuels and intelligent infrastructure.
A major feature of this year’s summit is the launch of Fuse AI, an innovation zone and conference focused on the role of artificial intelligence in energy systems, infrastructure resilience and climate solutions. The platform presents AI driven applications aimed at improving grid efficiency, analytics, system performance and resource management.
Another new addition is The Greenhouse, a startup platform connecting more than 50 emerging companies with investors and decision makers. The initiative targets clean technology, climate solutions, mobility and water sector innovations, strengthening the summit’s role as a bridge between ideas and commercial deployment.
AIQ chief executive Dennis Juul said the debut of Fuse AI reflected the growing role of artificial intelligence in energy and sustainability, offering a specialised forum to examine how the technology can support resilient and progressive societies.
The programme also introduces Rainbow Cinema, an immersive storytelling space combining environmental narratives with policy discussion, technical demonstrations and investment dialogue. As part of a joint initiative with IMI Media Group, Greenpeace Cinema will screen the documentary The Ocean with David Attenborough daily during the summit, followed by discussions on marine degradation and recovery. Delegates on the opening day will also attend a live session with documentary filmmaker Keith Shuley on the influence of long form storytelling in shaping environmental awareness.
Alongside exhibitions, a multi track conference programme features more than seven specialised streams, including a new Artificial Intelligence Conference addressing responsible use of AI in energy, infrastructure and smart cities. The International Renewable Energy Agency will host an Innovation Day Conference focusing on sectors critical to closing gaps in the global energy transition, particularly heavy industry.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority is participating as an efficiency partner, presenting its work in large scale energy storage and clean energy integration. DEWA managing director and chief executive Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said the authority was prioritising storage technologies to support the shift to clean energy, pointing to growing demand driven by intermittent renewable sources. He said DEWA would present projects including phases of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, battery storage developments, the Hatta pumped hydroelectric project and initiatives to produce and store green hydrogen using solar power.
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