The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has launched the second phase of the ‘Demand Response (DR) Pilot Project’, reinforcing its commitment to advancing the emirate’s transition toward a sustainable energy future.
The second phase, launched in collaboration with Energy Pool as the DR Aggregator and with the support of DoE’s DR Consultant, Guidehouse, will develop intelligent and integrated mechanisms for demand-side management, empowering leading industrial and commercial facilities to regulate their electricity usage during peak periods.
The partnership between DoE and Energy Pool was formalized by Eng. Ahmed Al Falasi, Executive Director of the Energy Efficiency Sector at the Department of Energy, and Olivier Baud, President of Energy Pool. The signing ceremony also witnessed the presence of senior officials from both sides.
This initiative is the first of its kind in the Gulf, Middle East, and North Africa region to leverage advanced digital solutions and modern energy management technologies to enhance system flexibility and meet evolving electricity needs with efficiency and sustainability.
Ahmed Al Falasi highlighted the demand response as a key tool for developing a more flexible and efficient energy system. Al Falasi also stressed that the phase seeks to implement more advanced tools and technologies to enhance the capabilities of the energy system, minimize carbon emissions, and support the goals of the Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy 2030, ultimately contributing to the UAE Net Zero 2050.
The Executive Director further underscored the significance of public-private collaboration in driving innovation and implementing global best practices in energy management.
Al Falasi urged industrial and commercial stakeholders in the emirate to take part in this groundbreaking initiative for a sustainable and balanced energy future.
The DR Pilot Project targets over 250 megawatts of flexible demand capacity with the participation of more than 30 leading industrial and commercial entities across the emirate.
The partnership will empower participants to assess, aggregate, and activate their load reduction capabilities through the advanced technologies provided by Energy Pool.
The project includes the installation of advanced energy management systems, performance monitoring, and measurement reporting, with potential integration into smart metering systems and the national dispatch system. The pilot phase will span 12 months.
The launch also marks a key milestone in Abu Dhabi’s commitment to driving innovation and fostering strong collaboration between the public and private sectors.
