Sustainable Cities And EMobility Take Centre Stage At UAE's World Future Energy Summit

Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, opened the Sustainable Cities and eMobility Conference during the World Future Energy Summit, where government representatives, investors, experts and sustainability leaders examined how urban centres, energy systems and mobility networks are reshaping under climate pressures and fast-growing global demand.

Al Olama stated that cities now sit at the core of change in both energy and transport, as population growth and rising consumption tighten climate constraints. Al Olama said, "Real transformation begins in people’s daily lives, emphasising that the concept of sustainable cities is not only linked to long-term targets but also has a direct impact on quality of life through easier mobility, improved air quality, reduced energy costs, and enhanced reliability of transportation systems."

Al Olama explained that national sustainability planning in the UAE treats cities and mobility as one system. Policies are designed around people’s needs, balancing economic growth with environmental and social outcomes. This integrated approach aims to align infrastructure, transport and energy decisions, so that urban development supports long-term sustainability goals and daily life improvements together.

The Under-Secretary underlined that technology must remain a means, not the main objective. Smart city and eMobility plans, Al Olama noted, are judged by how they support residents and businesses. Projects are expected to simplify daily activities, improve services, and deliver measurable value for society and the wider economy, rather than focusing only on new tools.

Al Olama highlighted the role of demand-side energy management across the UAE in raising efficiency standards. Programmes have targeted buildings, lighting, cooling systems and electrical appliances, helping thousands of public and private facilities cut electricity use. These steps reduced operating costs while improving performance, and they support national climate and resource goals without slowing economic activity.

Describing the results, Al Olama said, "The deployment of smart meters, digital energy management systems, and building retrofit programs has contributed to reducing peak energy demand, lowering emissions, and achieving sustainable financial savings. The UAE has successfully reduced approximately 14 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and achieved financial savings exceeding AED2 billion since the launch of the National Energy and Water Demand Management Program in 2021."

Sustainable cities and eMobility shaped by transport electrification

Turning to transport, Al Olama described electric vehicles as a central element in the UAE’s sustainable mobility strategy. However, quicker adoption depends on reliable, accessible infrastructure that gives users confidence. Planning therefore links charging development with power system readiness, ensuring vehicle growth does not strain the grid while supporting decarbonisation targets.

Al Olama noted that the UAE now operates about 1,200 public EV chargers. Plans aim for 10,000 chargers by 2030 and 30,000 by 2050. Authorities are working with utility companies to align charging expansion with grid capacity, so that infrastructure remains dependable and financially sustainable as electric vehicle numbers rise.

Sustainable cities and eMobility supported by smart grids and partnerships

Smart grids were presented as another key part of future urban systems. Al Olama said digital platforms, real-time data and artificial intelligence support more flexible grid operations. These tools help integrate renewable energy and manage demand peaks more efficiently, which strengthens reliability in dense cities and supports a larger share of clean power.

Al Olama reaffirmed that the UAE will continue sharing technical experience, learning from international best practice and enhancing partnerships with other countries and organisations. Through this cooperation, the UAE seeks to advance more efficient and sustainable cities, raise quality of life, and contribute to regional and global sustainable development goals linked to energy and mobility systems.

With inputs from WAM