The Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) continued its 27th edition at the Dubai World Trade Centre with a series of 40 specialised seminars on its second day. The event, organised by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), is being held from September 30 to October 2, 2025, under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
Seminars addressed key topics in energy, water management, sustainability, and digital innovation. Main sessions included discussions on distributed solar systems, high-voltage technology for energy transition, battery storage advancements, and strategies for sustainable property development.
Dr. Waleed Alnuaimi, CEO of Etihad ESCO, stated: “Renewable energy today is cheaper than ever, even solar panels, and it is accessible for anyone, even individuals. You can buy a smart system for your home, and once you go smart you never go back. It reduces costs and increases property value. With AI and data, we can run large portfolios with zero downtime and zero waste. But the technology is not enough. People and behaviours must change, because without that change the targets of zero carbon and circular economy will never be reached.”
In a seminar focused on substation maintenance innovations, Andy Warner from Hitachi Energy commented: “Substation maintenance is no longer about fixing what’s broken — it’s about predicting what could fail and preventing it before it does. By integrating IoT, real-time monitoring, and risk-based strategies, we can reduce unplanned outages that cost millions, extend the lifespan of critical assets, and focus resources where they matter most. When we align maintenance with asset importance and revenue impact, it stops being a cost centre and becomes a driver of profitability and resilience — powering a smarter, stronger, and more reliable energy future.”
Matteo Angiolini introduced Tesar’s EcoPlus 2030 Transformer during another session highlighting how new transformer designs using green steel can cut CO₂ emissions by over 104 metric tons during their lifecycle while supporting recyclability.
Sessions on renewables covered policy support for building retrofits in the UAE as well as market shifts towards green buildings. Panelists noted that using digital tools such as smart meters or artificial intelligence helps deliver measurable improvements in energy efficiency across thousands of completed projects.
A panel on climate finance discussed how making climate projects investable depends more on regulatory clarity than liquidity or capital availability. Experts highlighted that stable policies along with innovative financing mechanisms like green bonds are crucial for attracting long-term investment.
Water-focused seminars featured presentations on advanced desalination infrastructure using polymers to increase longevity while reducing costs; new biofouling monitoring technologies; automated water quality analyzers; as well as adaptive pump systems designed to minimize energy use amid growing urbanization challenges.
Rabih Solh from GF Corris Piping Systems LLC said: “Polymers are becoming essential to modern desalination infrastructure… Advanced polymer piping solutions address these challenges… By offering higher control – from design to operation – polymers bring measurable improvements across the entire project lifecycle.”
Harutoki Shimura from Toray presented mBFR technology: “Membrane biofouling has long been a hidden challenge in water treatment — silently driving up costs… With our innovative mBFR technology… predicting biofouling risk before it occurs… extending system life… building more resilient… solutions for the future.”
Innovation seminars explored scaling generative AI across enterprises as well as cyber defense for utilities operating critical infrastructure.
Fahad Faisal from Fortinet remarked: “Five years from now… we’ll look back at 2025 when everybody was panicking about AI… Just like cybersecurity once seemed impossible to adopt… Yes, AI feels like a fearful word today… In OT… AI must support operators… The final mile… should always remain with the end customer.”
A session on AI-powered decision platforms demonstrated how digital tools could help reduce operational costs by up to 30% while increasing renewable adoption rates significantly—potentially accelerating progress toward net-zero emissions goals.
Additional interactive seminars focused on strengthening cooperation between DEWA and its suppliers to further promote sustainability initiatives within Dubai’s utility sector.
