6:34 pm - February 15, 2026
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy has expanded its 2025 Demand Response Project, tripling capacity and setting a path towards a more sustainable, flexible energy system by 2030, in a regional first for Gulf nations.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) recently announced notable progress in its ambitious 2025 Demand Response (DR) Aggregator Project, a key part of the emirate’s bigger plan to boost energy efficiency and sustainability. Launched back in 2024, the project has now moved into an expanded second phase, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s ongoing commitment to modernising its energy landscape and managing electricity demand more smartly during peak times.
Just recently, the DoE held a workshop in Abu Dhabi that brought together over 90 representatives from more than 20 different organisations across the energy and industrial sectors. Participants included heavyweight entities like ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company), Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Emirates Steel Arkan (EMSTEEL), Tabreed, PAL Cooling Holding, Agthia Group, and Aldar Properties. This wide-ranging coalition highlights how Abu Dhabi is keen on collaborating across various sectors—industrial, commercial, and residential—to make this initiative a success.
Since the project kicked off in June 2024, the capacity under contract has more than tripled. Currently, over 70 facilities from around 30 organisations are signed up, which has pushed the demand response capacity to over 250 megawatts (MW). That’s a solid step toward the 200 MW goal set for 2030, part of the Load Management Programme within Abu Dhabi’s Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030. Interestingly enough, projections for the future are even more ambitious — they aim for up to 1,000 MW of demand response capacity, which would be a huge shift in how the emirate manages and optimizes its electricity system.
So, how does demand response work? Well, it basically encourages big energy consumers—like large factories and commercial buildings—to cut back or shift their electricity use during periods of high demand. Abu Dhabi’s project stands out as the first in the Gulf, Middle East, and North Africa region to utilize cutting-edge digital and energy management tech to make the grid more flexible, sustainable, and efficient. The involvement of Energy Pool as the main aggregator, along with guidance from Guidehouse, really shows how advanced this project is. The partnership was officially sealed with a signing ceremony attended by Eng. Ahmed Al Falasi from the DoE and Olivier Baud from Energy Pool.
Eng. Al Falasi really highlighted how transformative this initiative could be for Abu Dhabi’s energy consumption. During the workshop, he explained, “The programme’s real benefits are visible in how energy use is changing, which helps increase the grid’s reliability and intelligence—serving a variety of sectors far better.” He also stressed how crucial private-public cooperation is to effectively manage peak demand pressures.
The project’s success so far is reflected in the 15 demand response events carried out in 2025. These events achieved significant energy savings and demand reductions during peak times, which is a big win for Abu Dhabi’s aims of improving energy efficiency and sustainability. These efforts help ease pressure on the grid and support the emirate’s shift toward a smarter, more capable energy system.
Aligning with Abu Dhabi’s broader energy goals, the DoE’s work on demand response and efficiency has set a target of reaching 200 MW of contracted DR capacity by 2030. And, with ongoing innovation and expansion, this initiative is seen as vital for maintaining energy security and economic resilience—especially as Abu Dhabi balances rapid industrial growth with responsible environmental practices.
This project also dovetails with other major industrial developments in the region, like the recent $500 million, five-year agreement between ADNOC and Emirates Global Aluminium. That deal aims to localize supply chains for key raw materials, such as calcined petroleum coke, reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s push towards industrial diversification and sustainable development.
Looking ahead, the DoE is planning to host a follow-up workshop in November 2025 to further evaluate progress and push Abu Dhabi’s goal of becoming a regional leader in demand-side energy management. This upcoming gathering will deepen stakeholder engagement and promote tech-driven solutions capable of meeting the emirate’s growing energy needs sustainably.
Overall, the 2025 Demand Response Project is a core piece of Abu Dhabi’s energy transition strategy, closely linked to the objectives laid out in the Energy and Water Strategy 2050. It marks a strategic move towards embracing digital innovations and adaptable consumption models, helping safeguard the emirate’s energy infrastructure for the future.
As Abu Dhabi continues its journey to position itself as a leader in climate tech and sustainable energy, this DR project isn’t just about managing demand more effectively. It also highlights how government, industry, and tech partners can collaborate to deliver meaningful environmental and economic benefits. With ongoing support from institutions and broader sector engagement, this initiative could really transform demand response practices across the region, steering Abu Dhabi toward a more efficient, reliable, and sustainable energy future.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.aletihad.ae/news/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%8A/4608615/-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B8%D8%A8%D9%8A–%D8%AA%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%B6-%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AC–%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%B7%D9%84%D8%A8 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.doe.gov.ae/Media-Centre/News/Abu-Dhabi-Department-of-Energy-Launches-Phase-Two-of-the-2025-Demand-Response-Project – The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has announced the launch of the second phase of their Demand Response (DR) Project during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025. This follows the successful completion of the project’s first phase in 2024. The initiative is part of the Load Management Programme under Abu Dhabi’s Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030, with a target of 200 megawatts of DR capacity by 2030. The department aims to enhance technical and operational expertise among its partners, including consumers, operators, and suppliers in Abu Dhabi’s energy sector. Long-term projections suggest the potential of up to 1,000 megawatts of DR capacity in the Emirate. The project is a significant milestone in enabling rapid energy sector transformation and highlights the Emirate’s leadership in delivering sustainable energy solutions while enhancing efficiency.
- https://doe.gov.ae/Media-Centre/News/DoE-launches-second-phase-of-demand-response-pilot-project-in-collaboration – The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has announced the launch of the second phase of the Demand Response (DR) Pilot Project, in collaboration with Energy Pool as the DR Aggregator, and with the support of DoE’s DR Consultant, Guidehouse. The project aims to develop intelligent and integrated mechanisms for demand-side management by enabling major industrial and commercial facilities to actively participate in regulating electricity loads during peak periods. It is the first of its kind in the Gulf, Middle East, and North Africa region to rely on advanced digital solutions and modern energy management technologies to improve system flexibility and meet growing electricity needs with efficiency and sustainability. The partnership agreement was signed by Eng. Ahmed Al Falasi, Executive Director of the Energy Efficiency Sector at the Department of Energy, and Olivier Baud, President of Energy Pool, in the presence of senior officials from both sides.
- https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/utilities/abu-dhabi-doe-reports-strong-progress-in-2025-demand-response-aggregator-project-bo7x9gnm – The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has announced significant progress in its 2025 Demand Response Aggregator Project, with contracted capacity more than tripling since its launch in June. Over 70 facilities across 30 organisations are now enrolled, as the emirate intensifies efforts to reduce peak electricity demand and enhance grid resilience. The project, launched in collaboration with Energy Pool as the designated aggregator and supported by DoE’s consultant Guidehouse, marks the second phase of the Demand Response (DR) Pilot Project initiated in 2024, and aims to unlock over 250 megawatts (MW) of flexible demand capacity. During a mid-pilot workshop held this week, the DoE presented results from 15 demand response events conducted in 2025. The workshop also provided operational insights and feedback on communication mechanisms from participating entities. Key participants included ADNOC, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Emirates Steel Arkan (EMSTEEL), Tabreed, PAL Cooling Holding, Agthia Group, and Aldar Properties.
- https://www.adnoc.ae/en/news-and-media/press-releases/2025/adnoc-and-ega-sign-500-million-deal-to-localize-supply-of-key-raw-material-in-aluminum-production – ADNOC and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) announced a five-year supply agreement for up to 1.5 million tonnes of calcined petroleum coke (petcoke), a key raw material used in aluminum production. The agreement, valued at $500 million (AED1.84 billion), was signed during the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ event currently taking place in Abu Dhabi, underscoring ADNOC’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s industrial growth and enhancing local supply chains. Through the agreement, ADNOC Refining will supply at least 30% of EGA’s calcined petcoke requirements from the Ruwais Refinery over the next five years, strengthening the UAE’s role as a global aluminum supplier by reducing its reliance on imports and fostering local industrial capabilities. The agreement with EGA – the largest industrial company in the UAE outside of the energy sector – supports ADNOC’s successful In-Country Value (ICV) Program by promoting economic diversification in the UAE and supplying critical manufacturing materials to advanced industries.
- https://www.doe.gov.ae/Media-Centre/News/Abu-Dhabi-Department-of-Energy-Hosts-Energy-and-Water-Forum – The Department of Energy (DoE) hosted the Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Forum, drawing participation from senior officials and representatives of various government and private sector organizations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Joining the DoE at the forum were the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and its subsidiaries, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), Tabreed, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), as well as the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), the Department of Finance (DoF), and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) & The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA). In his opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, DoE Chairman, stated: “This forum serves as a crucial new platform organized by the Department to support communication and cooperation among key stakeholders in the sector, aligning with our endeavors to realize the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Strategy 2050.”
- https://masdar.ae/en/news/newsroom/adsw-2025-announces-strategic-partnerships – Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the global platform supported by the UAE and hosted by its clean energy leader Masdar, has announced key partners for the 2025 edition, which will take place from January 12 to 18 in the UAE capital. The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), ADNOC, World Wide Technology (WWT), Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), EMSTEEL Group and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) will be key partners for ADSW 2025. Partnerships underscore ADSW’s unique role as a dynamic hub for collective action, where forward-thinking industry leaders, investors, and policymakers unite to explore cutting-edge solutions and scale socio-economic and environmental sustainable growth.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release from the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), dated 16 January 2025, announcing the launch of the second phase of the Demand Response (DR) Project. The most recent publication of this information is from 26 September 2025, indicating that the content is relatively fresh. However, the original press release is from January 2025, which may affect the freshness score. The narrative does not appear to be republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The use of a press release typically warrants a higher freshness score due to its direct source. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes a direct quote from Eng. Ahmed Al Falasi, Executive Director of the Energy Efficiency Sector at the DoE, stating: ‘The programme’s real benefits are visible in how energy use is changing, which helps increase the grid’s reliability and intelligence—serving a variety of sectors far better.’ This quote matches the one found in the original press release dated 16 January 2025. No variations in wording were found, indicating that the quote has been reused verbatim. The absence of new or exclusive quotes suggests that the content may not be entirely original.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), a reputable government organisation. The press release is accessible on the official DoE website, confirming its authenticity. The involvement of Energy Pool as the main aggregator and Guidehouse as the consultant adds credibility to the project. The presence of Eng. Ahmed Al Falasi, a senior official from the DoE, further supports the reliability of the source.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative describes the second phase of the DoE’s Demand Response Project, which aims to enhance energy efficiency and grid reliability in Abu Dhabi. The project has been reported by multiple reputable sources, including the DoE’s official website and other news outlets. The involvement of major entities like ADNOC, Emirates Global Aluminium, and Emirates Steel Arkan adds credibility to the claims. The technical details about the project’s objectives and methods align with known industry practices. The language and tone are consistent with official communications from the DoE.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on a press release from the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, dated 16 January 2025, announcing the launch of the second phase of the Demand Response Project. The content is relatively fresh, with the most recent publication on 26 September 2025. The source is highly reliable, originating from a reputable government organisation. The claims made in the narrative are plausible and supported by multiple reputable sources. While the narrative includes a direct quote from Eng. Ahmed Al Falasi, which matches the original press release, the absence of new or exclusive quotes suggests that the content may not be entirely original. However, given the high reliability of the source and the plausibility of the claims, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.
