Schneider Electric To Host 2,000 Leaders In Abu Dhabi

Schneider Electric has announced that it will host the second edition of its Innovation Summit Middle East & Africa in Abu Dhabi from April 28 to 29, 2026, as part of efforts to advance energy technology and support the region’s transition to energy intelligence.

The summit, themed “Advancing Energy Tech to Power Intelligence,” is expected to attract more than 2,000 business leaders, market innovators, global AI and technology experts, and government officials from across the Middle East and Africa.

In a statement issued in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, the company said the event would provide a platform for high-level discussions on the growing demand for intelligent and sustainable energy systems amid rapid expansion in artificial intelligence, data centres and digital infrastructure.

Schneider Electric said the summit comes at a critical time for the region, which is witnessing increased electricity consumption driven by national development plans, giga-projects, urbanisation and industrial growth.

The company cited projections of steady growth in global electricity demand between 2026 and 2030, alongside a sharp rise in data centre power consumption driven by AI workloads.

Zone President, Middle East and Africa at Schneider Electric, Walid Sheta, said energy has become central to national resilience and competitiveness. He added that electricity consumption in the Middle East and North Africa has more than tripled since 2000 and is projected to continue rising due to cooling, desalination, and urbanisation.

Key highlights of the summit will include a CEO Forum, organised in partnership with Forbes Middle East, to bring together 100 business leaders to discuss strategic priorities in energy intelligence.

The event will also feature keynote and thought-leadership sessions with executives from leading companies, as well as insights from strategic partners, including Bain & Company.

The company said an Innovation Hub will offer guided tours and live demonstrations of Schneider Electric’s integrated energy technology solutions, focusing on energy efficiency, grid modernisation, and digital infrastructure. It added that the exhibition space will span 3,000 square feet and provide tailored customer experiences.

On the second day of the summit, Schneider Electric will recognise its partners with 20 Cluster Awards and five Middle East and Africa Awards across categories including Growth, Efficiency, Innovation and Sustainability.

President, Gulf Cluster at Schneider Electric, Amel Chadli, said energy intelligence is increasingly shaping public and private sector strategies across the Gulf as organisations align with national decarbonisation goals.