Inside Marsh’s plan to strengthen resilience for the Gulf’s energy future MANAGING RISKS UNSEEN AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION FEBRUARY 2026 • VOL. 20 • ISSUE 02 UME_Feb2026_00_Cover_13832183.indd 102/02/2026 11:37www.utilities-me.com February 2026 3 Travis Richards Editor Picture a major Gulf city’s data centre lighting up at night, powering financial markets, hospitals and critical services. Suddenly, the grid dips. Backup batteries kick in, cooling systems surge, and engineers scramble to keep operations online. On the surface, it’s a success — no blackout, no immediate losses. But behind the scenes, supply chains are stretched, replacement components are delayed, and financiers are watching every move. The real question isn’t whether the system survived, but whether it can keep performing, day after day, under pressure. This month, our cover feature explores the Gulf’s next energy challenge: resilience. Marsh experts Erin Todd and Nick Holland explain that true resilience isn’t about a single solar park, turbine or battery bank — it’s about understanding how risks ripple across the entire value chain, from design and supply chains to financing and insurance. The region’s energy transition is moving at unprecedented speed, but enduring success will belong to the projects and markets that can anticipate disruption, engineer for it, and thrive despite it. Also in this issue, we highlight the Abu Dhabi Global Water Platform, launched by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). This USD 2 billion initiative aims to accelerate high-impact water projects worldwide, unlocking new investment opportunities and advancing innovative solutions for water resource management. From energy grids to global water security, this month’s coverage reminds us that true impact is defined by foresight and the ability to keep systems running when it matters. Enjoy the read. When Systems Are Tested, Resilience Matters Most TAQA talks water fi rst Keith Hillis of TAQA explains smarter water management in operations PAGE 44 ADFD driving sustainable development: The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development launch Global Water platform PAGE 26 Abu Dhabi to Montenegro: EPCG and Masdar are considering a joint venture for large renewable energy projects PAGE 12 Mubadala Energy Timeline: A glance at the evolution of a leading international energy company PAGE 18 MUST READS THIS ISSUE EDITOR’S LETTER UME_Feb2026_3_Editor Letter_13814497.indd 328/01/2026 19:0512 MASDAR, EPCG EXPLORE MONTENEGRO RENEWABLES JV Masdar and EPCG study joint venture for large-scale renewables, storage and green power exports across Balkans 13 ENGIE WINS HYBRID SOLAR- STORAGE PROJECT The fi rst Indian hybrid project combines 200MW solar with 100MW battery storage via Solar Energy Corporation of India tender 15 ADNOC HITS MANGROVE PLANTING MILESTONE ADNOC plants fi ve millionth mangrove, reaching halfway point of 10 million target supporting biodiversity and climate solutions 17 ENEC SIGNS CANADA NUCLEAR RESEARCH MOU The MoU is set to advance SMRs, digital nuclear technologies and workforce development 18 MUBADALA ENERGY BUILDS GLOBAL GAS PORTFOLIO Track the company’s growth from Dolphin gas project to diversifi ed international portfolio spanning MENA, Asia and the Americas 13 15 1712 18 4 February 2026 www.utilities-me.com CONTENTS UME_Feb2026_04-05_Contents_13832076.indd 428/01/2026 19:1430 44 20 20 GULF RESILIENCE BEYOND THE MEGAWATTS Marsh experts Erin Todd and Nick Holland examine how risk interdependencies across the value chain are redefi ning the energy transition. 30 STATIONARY HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS MARKET GROWS Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Stationary Power Market Report forecasts market reaching $7.84bn by 2033 44 DOWNHOLE WATER CONTROL BOOSTS PERFORMANCE TAQA highlights how downhole water management cuts emissions, lowers costs and improves recovery in operations www.utilities-me.com February 2026 5 CONTENTS UME_Feb2026_04-05_Contents_13832076.indd 528/01/2026 19:14To flip through previous editions of Utilities Middle East magazine, visit utilities-me.com/emagazines/digital-magazine PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: 00 971 4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Martin Chambers Head of Business and Technology: Thomas Shambler EDITORIAL Group Editor Thomas Mackie Editor Travis Richards email: travis.richards@itp.com Features Writer Simone Liedtke email: simone.liedtke@itp.com Commercial Editor Angitha Pradeep email: angitha.pradeep@itp.com DESIGN Art Director Amjad Ayche Art Editor Tofiq Memon ADVERTISING Group Commercial Director Anup Nagpurkar Tel: +971 4 444 3573 email: anup.nagpurkar@itp.com Sales Manager Jaya Kumar Tel: +971 4 444 3268 email: jaya.kumar@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Video Editor Liju Cheruvathur PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION Senior Production & Distribution Manager Balasubramanian P Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira MARKETING Head of Events Eleanor Ashton email: eleanor.ashton@itp.com Senior Events Manager Kate Galaktionova Events Manager Gavin Moeketsi Associate Events Manager Vrinali Nazareth Associate Events Manager Maria Trishina Event Sales Executive Jan Mokoala Events Sales Assistant Joyce Salonga Events Coordinator Bobbie Rosario ITP GROUP CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. 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PUBLISHED BY AND © 2026 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC. 6 February 2026 www.utilities-me.com UME_Feb2026_6_Flannel_13814509.indd 626/01/2026 12:53Untitled-4 123/12/2025 18:328 February 2026www.utilities-me.com ONLINE TAQA and EWEC reach fi nancial close on 1GW Al Dhafra power plant, supplying data centres and supporting the UAE National AI Strategy 2031 Masdar secures long-term off take for 150MW Quipungo solar project with RNT-EP, anchoring Project Royal Sable and expanding sub-Saharan Africa footprint WHAT'S TRENDING ONLINE uti liti es - m e.co m TAQA, EWEC close Al Dhafra plant Masdar signs first Angola PPA WHAT OUR READERS THINK... Commenting on ADNOC’s EV hub… “The UAE welcomes the largest superfast EV charging hub on major highway! These hubs are key in supporting the UAE's transition into cleaner, smarter mobility and support the countries ambitious for 50% of all cars on UAE roads to be electric.”- MOVE Middle East – LinkedIn Page Commenting on the January cover story.… “Great to see UME bringing attention to the evolving risk landscape. As our Co-founder & CEO Noor Alnahhas, highlighted - embedding intelligence into everyday operations is essential as utilities shift toward proactive operations.”- Nybl – LinkedIn Page ADNOC Distribution opens Middle East’s largest superfast charging hub, kickstarting nationwide highway EV electrifi cation by 2027 National Debt Management Centre arranges seven-year $13bn syndicated loan to fund power, water and utilities projects under Vision 2030 ADNOC Distribution launches EV mega hub Saudi NDMC secures $13bn loan UME_Feb2026_8-9_Trending_13824990.indd 826/01/2026 12:55ONLINE www.utilities-me.com February 2026 9 The 2025 edition highlights 50 professionals driving the Middle East’s energy transformation. From seasoned executives steering strategy at scale to innovators developing the next generation of clean technologies, these leaders are shaping how energy is generated, distributed, and consumed across MENA. On the ground and in boardrooms alike, their vision, grit, and leadership continue to push the utilities sector forward, redefi ning the future of energy in the region and setting new benchmarks for the industry. Meet the Movers, Shakers and Voltage-Raisers: 2025 POWER 50 UME_Feb2026_8-9_Trending_13824990.indd 926/01/2026 12:55Next >