Schneider Electric holds MEA innovation confab

Schneider Electric yesterday announced the second edition of the Innovation Summit Middle East & Africa (MEA) will bring together global technology leaders as well as government officials to advance the regional shift towards energy intelligence, as data center growth, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, and national visions place unprecedented demands on energy systems.

Scheduled for Abu Dhabi between April 28 and 29, 2026, the company, in a statement, said it is advancing its energy technology ambitions with the integration of electrification, automation and digital intelligence, deployed across buildings, data centers, industrial applications and power grids to unlock the full value of energy, and ensure efficiency and sustainability for all.

This year’s Summit comes at a pivotal moment for the Middle East and Africa, as the region experiences exponential growth driven by national visions, giga-projects, and rapid expansion in AI, data centers, and digital infrastructure. With global electricity demand forecast to increase at a brisk CAGR of 3.6per cent over the 2026-2030 period [Executive summary – Electricity 2026 – Analysis – IEA] and global AI workloads projected to lead a 160per cent increase in data center power demand [Global data center capacity set to nearly double by 2030 as AI drives $3trillion investment boom – Capacity], the imperative for intelligent, sustainable energy solutions has never been more critical.

“Energy today is the foundation of national resilience and competitiveness. With electricity consumption in the Middle East and North Africa having tripled since 2000 and on course to grow at an incremental 3-4per cent every year to register a whopping 50 per cent by 2035 – driven by surging cooling, desalination, and urbanization demands, the region is at an inflection point. Innovation Summit Middle East & Africa underscores our dedication to accelerating energy technology innovation and powering energy intelligence throughout the region. This edition will emphasize our emergence as the trusted energy technology partner guiding the region’s next phase of transformation,” Zone President, Middle East and Africa, Schneider Electric, Walid Sheta, said.

Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a regional hub for energy transition, digital infrastructure, and innovation makes it an ideal fit for the Summit. The UAE’s net-zero ambitions and large-scale investments in power and digital infrastructure highlight the scale of the challenge and the opportunity to embed energy intelligence into the region’s next wave of growth. This year’s Summit will highlight regional benchmarks from 80+ countries, from the 100per cent elimination of SF6 and Carbon footprint reduction for fruit producers in South Africa to the savings that EcoStruxure Power & Grid is enabling for National Electricity Company, Senegal – ensuring recovery times of 3 minutes versus 3 hours earlier.

Blending high-impact programming and latest product launches that position Schneider Electric at the center of MEA’s energy transition story, key agenda items include:

CEO Forum in Partnership with Forbes Middle East: An exclusive C-suite initiative bringing together 100 business leaders to address strategic imperatives in energy intelligence;

Keynote and Thought Leadership Sessions: Featuring executive speakers from industry-leading companies and insights from strategic partners including Bain & Company;

Innovation Hub Experience: Guided tours and live demonstrations, as well as tailored customer experiences of Schneider Electric’s most innovative and integrated energy technology solutions addressing critical challenge in energy efficiency, grid modernization, and digital infrastructure across a 3,000 square feet immersive space; and Stakeholder Recognition: Schneider Electric’s dedicated partners will be honored with 20 Cluster awards and five Middle East and Africa awards across four categories – Growth Award, Efficiency Award, Innovation Award, and Sustainability Award, on Day 2 of the Summit.

“Across the Gulf, energy intelligence is becoming the operational reality as public and private sector enterprises race to align with national visions for a decarbonized and sustainable future. As one of the most local of global companies, Schneider Electric is empowering customers to move beyond electrification and implement AI‑driven, software‑defined energy systems that deliver efficiency, resilience and sustainability at national scale. This Summit offers a roadmap of what’s next as we continue to redefine the relationship between energy and digital capability,” President, Gulf Cluster at Schneider Electric, Amel Chadli, said.

With AI, cloud, and high-performance computing becoming foundational to national competitiveness, energy technologies today must evolve and become resilient, sustainable and scalable, to meet modern intelligence demands. Schneider Electric’s refreshed positioning as an energy technology partner reflects the company’s approach to supporting the region’s transformation. Schneider Electric’s Innovation Summit Middle East & Africa highlights real-world applications across key sectors including utilities, data centers, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and critical infrastructure – demonstrating how intelligent energy management enables operational excellence, resilience, and sustainability across the region’s most vital projects.