Middle East Energy 2026 opened today in Dubai, marking the start of the event’s 50th edition and reinforcing the UAE’s role as a regional hub for energy dialogue.
The landmark show kicked off at the Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together thousands of attendees, over 1,500 exhibitors and energy stakeholders from more than 120 countries. The gathering serves as a platform for showcasing the latest technologies and solutions shaping the sector, while fostering cross‑border collaborations that can accelerate the transition to cleaner power.
High‑level opening ceremony
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum led the opening ceremony. He is President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. He was joined by H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and David Lynn, CEO of inD, who walked the exhibition floor and met with leading energy firms. The ceremony underscored Dubai’s ambition to host world‑class events that attract global participation and drive industry momentum.
Keynote speakers from Bahrain, Africa and the European Union also addressed the audience. Bahrain’s Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs, H.E. Yaser Bin Ebrahim Humaidan, highlighted the Gulf’s strategic position in the global energy landscape, while other speakers stressed the importance of resilience and diversification in meeting future energy demand.
UAE’s energy roadmap highlighted
In his opening address, Minister Al Mazrouei said the UAE is building one of the region’s most diversified energy portfolios. He pointed to the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant and a 24/7 solar‑plus‑storage project that will deliver 5.2 GW of solar power backed by 19 GWh of battery storage, describing it as the world’s largest of its kind.
“The UAE continues to build one of the region’s most diversified energy portfolios, strengthening energy security while accelerating the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy.”
— Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure
He called for collective action, urging governments, industry, investors and academia to work together on energy efficiency, innovation and cost reduction. Greater investment in electricity interconnectivity between countries, he added, will create more resilient and optimized energy systems and enable cleaner power to flow across borders. Participants were encouraged to turn dialogue into practical projects, deepen partnerships across the sector and translate ambition into tangible outcomes.