Abu dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) announced a groundbreaking agreement with Goldman Sachs International to explore innovative financing models aimed at securing long-term water security for the emirate and supporting sustainable economic growth. This marks the first-of-its-kind collaboration between a government entity in Abu Dhabi and Goldman Sachs.
According to Emirates News Agency, the agreement was signed during the DoE delegation's visit to the United States by Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, and Jared Cohen, Co-Head of the Goldman Sachs Global Institute and President of Global Affairs. The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials and experts from both organizations.
The partnership aims to attract foreign direct investment, establish public-private partnerships, and implement joint projects to modernize water infrastructure. It also seeks to deploy advanced treatment technologies, enhance the resilience of water networks, and create asset monetization strategies to enable private capital investment in essential projects.
Dr. Abdulla Humaid Al Jarwan emphasized the importance of international cooperation and strategic partnerships in advancing Abu Dhabi's sustainable transformation in the energy and water sectors. He highlighted the value of learning from US regulatory and technological models to shape effective policies and develop smart infrastructure.
The agreement also showcased the AD.WE platform, a national tool designed to support the sector's digital transformation through artificial intelligence and predictive analytics. This initiative garnered significant interest from US partners in research, technological innovation, and joint investment opportunities in sustainable infrastructure.
Dr. Al Jarwan expressed his eagerness to translate the outcomes of this mission into tangible actions, including joint projects and cooperation agreements. He also welcomed US-based entities to the upcoming Abu Dhabi Energy and Water Week 2026.
The partnership with Goldman Sachs underscores Abu Dhabi's commitment to attracting world-class expertise and investments to deliver efficient and future-ready water systems. This aligns with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 and Abu Dhabi's Integrated Water Resources Management Framework.
The agreement focuses on reducing network losses, advancing desalination technologies powered by clean energy, and fostering a culture of conservation. It reaffirms the UAE and Abu Dhabi's position as a regional hub for sustainable utilities.
Aligned with the DoE's strategic framework, the agreement aims to increase private sector participation and attract up to AED400 billion in foreign investment in the energy and water sectors by 2050. The mission also led to the establishment of joint task forces, knowledge-sharing programs, and pilot projects in AI, energy storage, and water efficiency.
The DoE plans to leverage this collaboration to adopt global best practices across various sectors and establish a business development platform in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and Abu Dhabi Investment Office. It also aims to forge strategic partnerships with leading research centers, universities, entrepreneurs, investment companies, and sovereign funds.