Abu dhabi: Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, announced that the second edition of the Innovation Summit Middle East and Africa will be held in Abu Dhabi from 28th to 29th April 2026. The summit aims to gather global energy and technology leaders along with government officials to advance the regional shift towards energy intelligence amidst growing demands on energy systems due to data centre growth, AI adoption, and national visions.
According to Emirates News Agency, this year's summit is pivotal for the Middle East and Africa, which are experiencing exponential growth driven by national visions, giga-projects, and rapid expansion in AI, data centres, and digital infrastructure. With global electricity demand expected to rise at a CAGR of 3.6 percent from 2026 to 2030, and AI workloads poised to increase data centre power demand by 160 percent, the need for intelligent, sustainable energy solutions becomes crucial.
Walid Sheta, Zone President, Middle East and Africa at Schneider Electric, emphasized that energy is the foundation of national resilience and competitiveness. He noted that electricity consumption in the Middle East and North Africa has tripled since 2000 and is projected to grow incrementally by 3-4 percent annually, reaching a 50 percent increase by 2035. This growth is driven by cooling, desalination, and urbanisation demands, positioning the region at an inflection point.
Abu Dhabi has emerged as a regional hub for energy transition, digital infrastructure, and innovation, making it an ideal location for the summit. The UAE's net-zero ambitions and large-scale investments in power and digital infrastructure illustrate the scale of the challenge and opportunity to integrate energy intelligence into the region's growth.
This year's summit will showcase regional benchmarks from over 80 countries, highlighting achievements such as the 100 percent elimination of SF6 and carbon footprint reduction for fruit producers in South Africa, and improved recovery times enabled by EcoStruxure Power and Grid for the National Electricity Company in Senegal.
The event will feature activities and the launch of new products, reinforcing Schneider Electric's role in energy transformation across the region. Amel Chadli, President, Gulf Cluster at Schneider Electric, stated that energy intelligence is becoming a reality as enterprises align with national visions for a decarbonized and sustainable future. Schneider Electric empowers customers to implement AI-driven, software-defined energy systems that deliver efficiency, resilience, and sustainability on a national scale.