LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLES

By 2050, the global power utility sector will look dramatically different to today.

Remaining within a 1.5 C scenario requires considerable investment into grids and renewable energy generation capacity, the bulk of which will need to be mobilised from the private sector. Delivering this buildout will place extreme pressure on clean energy technology supply chains globally.

This invitation only CEO-led discussion will bring utility and supply chain CEOs together to discuss and identify practical measures to alleviate supply constraints and support an accelerated energy transition. In particular, the discuss will focus on, 1) the availability of critical minerals and materials, 2) the need to scale up manufacturing capacity, and 3) development of a skilled workforce.

The challenge is formidable. To succeed in delivering a net zero future, decision makers must remain agile, forward-thinking and innovative. Yet with each challenge comes the opportunity for new investment, new value chains, and newly created skilled jobs.

It is anticipated that the outcomes from this discussion will serve as the basis for a joint high-level statement from the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance members at New York Climate Week.

Innovation is the cornerstone of the utilities sector in transition. According to the ‘Future of Utilities’ study by TAQA and Bloomberg, factors such as integrating renewables into the grid, evolving customer demands, and a lack of cooperation with the innovation community risk holding the sector back as the global energy system pursues 2030 goals.

The ‘profound change’ predicted in the Future of Utilities study can be positively shaped by innovation. This high-level, invitation-only roundtable, organized by Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in partnership with the Technology Innovation Institute, will encourage a private discussion on the utility sector’s key problems on the road to 2030 and a net zero future, fostering the pursuit of innovative solutions.

Technology can significantly enhance sector performance by improving efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. In energy generation and distribution, digitalization can optimize operations through predictive maintenance, reduce downtime and costs, and ensure a steady supply of power and water. Smart grids can balance supply and demand in real-time, integrating renewable energy sources and ensuring stable electricity delivery.

AI has the potential to enhance customer service through chatbots and virtual assistants handling inquiries, processing payments, and providing usage insights. Predictive analytics can identify non-payment patterns and help design strategies to minimize revenue loss.

A key barrier to utilities embracing innovative technologies stems from the challenges in maintaining awareness and understanding of new potential solutions, as well as a low willingness to take on the technological risks associated with putting unproven technology into their critical infrastructure. Overcoming these hurdles will require increased collaboration with stakeholders across the value chain through knowledge sharing and investment.

Water scarcity is a pressing concern that demands immediate attention and action. More than 3.5 billion people around the world live in areas facing water scarcity, a figure expected to increase to 5 billion by 2050 due to a number of factors including climate change, which exacerbates extreme weather such as floods and droughts.

Reliable water supply, accompanied with responsible consumption and recycling, are crucial for societal, agricultural, and national security. This roundtable brings together key partners across industry, policy and the third sector to drive awareness and foster collaboration towards achieving these goals.

As global water stress rises, there is an urgent need for countries to enhance their water strategies, promote new research and technology, conserve resources efficiently, and form effective international partnerships. To remain resilient in the face of growing water scarcity, significant investments in water infrastructure and technology are also essential. This includes efforts to advance desalination technology, which is currently the technology that is best equipped to be globally scaled to address urgent water shortages. But work remains to be done to make it more efficient, affordable and sustainable and regulatory authorities and international organisations including the UN, World Bank, and EBRD have a role to play in facilitating financing and creating an enabling environment for technological advancements in reverse osmosis (RO) desalination.