World Future Energy Summit 2026 To Highlight AI's Impact On Clean Energy In The Middle East

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing the clean energy sector. The World Future Energy Summit 2026 will highlight AI's potential to transform energy production, transmission, and distribution. Scheduled from 13th to 15th January at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), this event is a key part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026.

The summit will feature the FUSE AI Zone, showcasing over 40 companies offering AI solutions for clean energy and smart infrastructure. An inaugural Artificial Intelligence Conference will also take place, focusing on responsible AI use in energy, infrastructure, and smart cities. This conference aims to explore how AI can optimise clean energy management and support low-carbon systems.

AI adoption is growing rapidly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), enhancing grid management and system maintenance. Advances in forecasting and energy storage are improving renewable energy delivery. However, questions remain about fully unlocking AI's potential for sustainable energy systems.

The UAE aims to increase clean energy to 50% of its total mix by 2050 as part of its Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. AI is crucial for achieving these targets across the region. The World Future Energy Summit will address whether AI can compensate for policy gaps hindering carbon-free energy transitions.

The summit will also focus on AI's role in boosting building energy efficiency. According to the World Economic Forum, AI technologies can reduce energy consumption by up to 60% in some cases. Industry experts will discuss challenges and opportunities related to energy efficiency in homes and businesses across MENA.

Speakers will explore how AI-powered design tools create efficient spaces within budget constraints. They will also examine how smart software tests design options to cut costs and environmental impact. Sessions will address innovation, collaboration, and resilient supply chains for sustainable urban futures.

AI's Broader Impact

AI's transformative potential is clear, but electricity consumption could rise by up to 50% annually from 2023 to 2030 due to AI-related activities. Data centre electricity demand may grow from 1% of global demand in 2022 to over 3% by 2030.

In January 2025, Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company launched a large-scale project combining solar power with battery storage in Abu Dhabi. This initiative aims to deliver up to one gigawatt of baseload power daily from renewable sources.

Tackling AI's Energy Footprint

The summit will explore strategies for aligning AI growth with climate goals while balancing energy consumption. A dedicated panel session will discuss actionable approaches for sustainable innovation without compromising usability.

Mehdi Ajana, Head of Strategy at Nabat, stated: "AI’s role in climate and environmental systems is expanding rapidly... At the World Future Energy Summit, we’ll look at practical, data-driven approaches... that help align AI innovation with measurable climate outcomes."

Future Prospects

The summit will also cover AI's role in healthcare, food security, and weather modelling. A keynote presentation on Earth Two Climate’s new weather forecasting solution highlights its value for farmers making informed crop decisions.

From reducing energy waste to improving health outcomes, AI accelerates sustainability solutions. However, it must be guided by clear human-defined goals: "Technology deployments should focus on solving real problems rather than adopting AI for AI’s sake." Human oversight and strategic vision are essential for converting AI’s promise into tangible progress towards a sustainable future.

With inputs from WAM