World Future Energy Summit 2026 to Highlight AI Driving Middle East Clean Energy Innovation

The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2026 will put artificial intelligence (AI) at the center of its agenda, exploring its transformative potential in the clean energy sector.

The three-day event, running January 13–15 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), is part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026 and will gather global thought leaders, innovators, and policy influencers.

With AI integrated across all seven conference tracks, the 2026 edition introduces the FUSE AI Zone, showcasing solutions from over 40 companies driving clean energy, smart infrastructure, and climate resilience. The inaugural Artificial Intelligence Conference will examine AI’s responsible deployment to accelerate innovation in energy, infrastructure, and smart cities, while addressing its energy footprint.

AI is fast becoming a key enabler for the Middle East and North Africa’s clean energy ambitions. In areas from grid management and demand-response to energy storage and sector coupling, AI advances forecasting, improves system efficiency, and enhances renewable energy reliability. The UAE aims to achieve 50 percent clean energy in its energy mix by 2050, reduce carbon emissions by 70 percent, and triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, goals AI is poised to support.

The Summit will also spotlight AI-driven energy efficiency in buildings. According to the World Economic Forum, AI technologies are helping companies reduce energy consumption by up to 60 percent, and industry experts will explore smart design tools, automation, and predictive software to cut costs and environmental impact.

While AI promises greater efficiency, its energy demands are significant. Data centre electricity consumption is expected to triple globally by 2030. The Summit will address strategies to balance AI growth with sustainability, featuring discussions on projects like Masdar and Emirates Water and Electricity Company’s giga-scale solar-plus-battery system in Abu Dhabi, capable of supplying 1 GW of baseload renewable power daily.

Beyond energy, WFES 2026 will explore AI’s applications in healthcare, food security, and weather forecasting, including Earth Two Climate, G42, and NVIDIA’s AI-powered weather solution, which offers high-resolution forecasts for agriculture and smart city planning.

Shyam Parmar, Event Director, said, “WFES brings together global experts to unlock AI’s potential in clean energy and sustainability. The FUSE AI Zone and Artificial Intelligence Conference will provide a platform for collaboration, innovation, and actionable insights, helping translate ideas into tangible solutions for a greener future.”