Electricity demand across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is expected to more than double by 2050, driven in part by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, hydrogen, industry and transportation.
Mark Ring, Group Director of Middle East Energy, said the region’s changing energy needs are increasing demand for flexible power generation, energy storage, critical power infrastructure and digital energy management.
Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of the 50th edition of Middle East Energy, Ring said the UAE remains an important player in the global energy industry as it balances innovation, sustainability and energy security.
He said the annual exhibition has grown into an international meeting point for energy companies, policymakers, investors and industry leaders, helping transform new technologies and partnerships into commercial projects. More than 30,000 energy professionals attended the three-day event.
Middle East Energy to move to Expo City Dubai
Ring also confirmed that Middle East Energy will relocate to the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai in 2027.
The move is expected to support the event’s continued expansion as the energy sector undergoes major changes driven by electrification, renewable energy, digitalisation and rising demand for computing infrastructure.
The 2026 edition placed significant attention on renewable energy, energy efficiency, battery storage, electricity transmission, backup power and intelligent energy management.
Strong interest was also reported in essential electrical infrastructure, including switchgear, transformers and transmission equipment, as utilities and businesses prepare for higher electricity consumption.
AI creates new pressure on electricity networks
The growing power requirements of AI and data centres are becoming a major consideration for energy planners across the region.
Citing forecasts from Rystad, Middle East Energy’s Intelligence Partner, Ring said electricity consumption across the MENA region is projected to increase from 1,671 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2025 to 3,670 TWh by 2050.
That represents an increase of roughly 120% over the period.
Alongside AI and data centres, the growth is expected to be supported by hydrogen production, industrial activity and the electrification of transport.
The rising demand is also changing the priorities of the energy sector, with greater emphasis on power systems capable of responding quickly to fluctuations in electricity consumption.
Middle East Energy reflected this trend through its dedicated “Powering AI” track, alongside increased attention to flexible generation, energy storage and critical power systems.
Storage and grid modernisation gain importance
Ring said the region’s energy transition is increasingly moving from long-term ambitions towards practical implementation.
He pointed to a Global Energy & Efficiency roundtable involving 30 international companies as an example of efforts to accelerate the deployment of energy solutions. Discussions are also expected to support a memorandum of understanding aimed at advancing implementation.
Energy storage, grid modernisation and digitalisation are among the key trends expected to shape the region’s electricity sector.
The UAE, in particular, is pursuing large-scale solar developments combined with battery storage. Such projects are designed to increase the share of renewable electricity while providing the flexibility and stability required to maintain reliable power supplies.
As AI applications and data centres continue to expand, the region’s energy infrastructure will face growing pressure to deliver more electricity while remaining reliable, efficient and increasingly low-carbon.
