'We have proven ourselves': UAE vows to remain reliable energy supplier to Europe

Speaking at ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi, Al Olama emphasized that the UAE's oil exports have continued throughout the crisis. The country is leveraging this experience to strengthen its energy infrastructure and maintain its position as a dependable global energy partner.

Regional Tensions

Away from public view, conversations among senior officials at ADIPEC were dominated by the threat of renewed military strikes in the region amid the ongoing US-Iran war. Many officials expressed resignation to the potential for further conflict while hoping diplomacy could still prevail.

Al Olama acknowledged the difficulties the energy sector has faced. "This is not a big secret. We are going through a crisis. The first few months were very difficult."

Energy Diversification

The UAE's long-term strategy of diversifying its energy mix across nuclear, renewables, and fossil fuels—with hydrogen and other future fuels in development—has proven crucial during the crisis. This approach has ensured uninterrupted operations and services.

Al Olama credited investment in diversified export routes for maintaining oil flows to international customers, with further improvements expected over time. "In the case of our oil exports, it has continued during the crisis."

The country is now incorporating lessons from the crisis into facility design, capacity construction, and system redundancy. "We have learned a lot from the current crisis when it comes to the design of our facilities, when it comes the capacities that we are building, when it come to the redundancy in the systems itself."

Renewable Expansion

The UAE currently has approximately 8.2 gigawatts of solar capacity, with plans to expand to 20 gigawatts and beyond. The country produces some of the cheapest kilowatt-hours from renewable energy globally and continues to expand in this area.

Al Olama addressed the global challenge posed by the rapid growth of AI data centers, describing it as "vertical growth" rather than exponential. The UAE is focusing on efficiency, with AI tools already reducing power consumption at some data centers by 40%.

When asked about potential knowledge sharing with Europe, Al Olama framed it as a mutual exchange. "I think, to be honest, it's not about teaching, I think how governments interact. We learn from each other." The UAE is examining energy efficiency ratings for data centers and sharing practices with European governments.

The UAE plans to bring large solar projects online in the coming years as it works toward net zero by 2050—the same deadline the EU has set for climate neutrality. "The UAE has and will remain a very reliable energy supplier," Al Olama concluded, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships that add value for all parties.