Abu Dhabi DoE And Silal Partner To Improve Energy And Water Efficiency In Agriculture

The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and Silal have agreed a new Memorandum of Understanding to work together on sustainable energy and water management for agriculture. The collaboration targets higher efficiency in farms across the Emirate, while supporting Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Targets 2035 and the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 ambitions.

The MoU is designed to bring renewable energy, smart irrigation and data-based tools into Abu Dhabi’s agriculture value chain. By linking farm performance with energy and water use, the partners aim to reduce resource demand, strengthen food security, and align agricultural practices with national climate and sustainability policies.

The agreement was signed during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 by Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Rumaithi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, and Dhafer Rashed Al Qasimi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Silal Group. Their signatures formalised a framework for pilot projects, regulatory cooperation, and joint work on technology deployment in Abu Dhabi’s resource-efficient agricultural sector.

Under the MoU, both entities intend to deploy clean energy and agri-tech solutions on farms, including solar-powered systems, AI-based water management, low-energy desalination and optimised electricity consumption. These initiatives will be supported by knowledge exchange and digital platforms that connect real-time resource data with crop performance and operational decisions at farm level.

DoE and Silal plan to advance Abu Dhabi’s water–energy–food nexus by aligning regulations, technical standards and research across sectors. Joint frameworks are expected to help design scalable models that increase resilience and efficiency in agriculture, while also supporting the Abu Dhabi Climate Change Strategy 2023 and wider sustainable growth goals for the Emirate.

Eng. Ahmed Al Falasi, Executive Director of Energy Efficiency Sector at the Department of Energy, said: "This partnership with Silal reflects Abu Dhabi’s holistic approach to sustainability one that connects energy, water, and food systems to deliver long-term resilience and value to our communities. By integrating clean technologies and smart solutions into agriculture, we are advancing the Emirate’s leadership in resource efficiency and ensuring that our food systems are resilient for the future."

Sustainable energy and water management through innovation and AgriTech

Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Shamal Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer of Silal Innovation Oasis, said: "Our partnership with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Energy advances the Food, Water, and Energy Nexus by enhancing water and energy efficiency through smart irrigation and data-driven management, accelerating innovation in clean energy and AgriTech solutions, including solar power, low-energy desalination, and AI optimization and strengthening policy alignment and institutional collaboration to deliver scalable, sustainable impact for Abu Dhabi’s agricultural sector."

The collaboration emphasises practical technology trials, such as smart irrigation networks, precision pumping and automated controls linked to climate and soil data. These tools are expected to help farmers manage consumption, cut waste, and maintain yields, while providing government entities with better insight into how policies influence resource use on the ground.

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Through this MoU, Abu Dhabi connects energy regulation expertise with Silal’s agri-tech capabilities to support a more efficient agriculture system. The cooperation supports national targets, strengthens resilience in food production, and builds a shared framework for sustainable energy and water management that can inform future projects across the Emirate and the wider UAE.

With inputs from WAM