The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) will soon operate entirely on solar energy, becoming the first major events venue in the Middle East to fully transition to renewable power.
This follows a new strategic agreement between ADNEC Group and the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) as part of UAE’s commitment to decarbonising its key economic sectors, including tourism and events.
The announcement positions ADNEC as a leader in sustainable events management and is set to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of exhibitions and conferences held at the venue.
Under this agreement, EWEC will supply 100% of ADNEC Centre’s grid electricity using its renewable energy portfolio, primarily derived from solar sources.
The project will be supported by Clean Energy Certificates (CECs) issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), authenticating the solar origin of the energy.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the ADNEC Centre in the presence of Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, and Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group. The event highlighted the joint commitment of both organisations to redefine energy standards in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.
ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, which hosts year-round international events and exhibitions, welcomes hundreds of thousands of global visitors and business professionals annually.
With the shift to solar power, the venue will serve as a model for other major event hubs, setting a benchmark for sustainable energy use in the region and underscoring Abu Dhabi’s growing influence as a leader in eco-conscious business tourism.
“This agreement is a milestone not only for ADNEC but for the entire MICE industry in the Middle East,” said Al Dhaheri of ADNEC Group. “By transitioning ADNEC Centre to renewable energy, we are elevating Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading sustainable events destination. This step directly aligns with our strategic sustainability goals and the UAE’s overarching vision for sustainable development.”
For EWEC, the project part of its ongoing mission to decarbonize the UAE’s power sector through an expanded solar and renewable energy network. “EWEC is proud to collaborate with ADNEC Group in this historic transition to solar energy,” said EWEC’s Al Ali. “This partnership underscores our commitment to accelerating the UAE’s clean energy transition, with solar power playing a crucial role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s environmental objectives.”
EWEC’s contribution to decarbonising Abu Dhabi’s events sector is supported by the Clean Energy Certificates scheme, a digital system introduced by the DoE to verify the origin and environmental benefits of renewable energy consumption.
Issued in one-megawatt-hour units, the certificates comply with the International Renewable Energy Certificate Standard (I-REC Standard) and guarantee the clean credentials of the power provided. The certificates also offer UAE organisations an opportunity to track and meet their Scope 2 emissions reduction targets—covering indirect emissions from purchased electricity.
EWEC acts as the Single Registrant and Auction Operator for the CECs, facilitating their trade and supporting Abu Dhabi’s goal of transitioning to a low-carbon economy.
By enabling ADNEC to secure CECs that reflect its solar energy use, the partnership solidifies ADNEC’s green credentials and aligns with the UAE’s national goals.
In recent years, Abu Dhabi has positioned itself as a major player in sustainable tourism, enhancing its infrastructure and energy policies to support low-carbon initiatives.
With this latest partnership, ADNEC aims to offer a distinct advantage to companies and organizations that prioritize environmental responsibility in their event planning.
The transformation of ADNEC Centre to a solar-powered venue is expected to significantly reduce the carbon emissions typically associated with large-scale events, creating a viable roadmap for other venues to consider similar clean energy solutions.
According to Al Dhaheri, the partnership not only fulfills a corporate objective for ADNEC but also promotes the UAE’s international image as a leader in sustainable practices. “Our collaboration with EWEC allows us to offer the benefits of a sustainable events platform, which will appeal to a growing segment of businesses committed to sustainability,” he noted.
The partnership aligns with the UAE’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and highlights Abu Dhabi’s focus on scaling clean energy solutions.
