ADIO, Siemens Energy partner to launch innovation centre in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO)  has partnered with Siemens Energy to set up its Middle East Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi. It is one of only four globally that Siemens Energy has created, with the other locations in Orlando in the US, Shenzhen in China and Berlin in Germany.

Under the partnership, Siemens Energy will receive support to set up its Middle East Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi, as part of ADIO’s Dhs2bn (US$545 million) Innovation Programme that creates growth opportunities for businesses in the emirate, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

The Innovation Centre will contribute to the UAE’s goals of generating 50GW of renewable energy by 2050 and becoming a global energy centre of excellence.

The Innovation Centre will leverage the company’s expertise in developing sustainable, reliable and affordable clean energy technologies. It will also act as an incubator for new startups and technologies, bringing together customers, industrial partners, academia and research centres to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative solutions driving the energy transition.

@Siemens_Energy recently joined forces with #ADIO to accelerate efforts in #energy security, decarbonisation and climate action, with support from the #ADIOInnovationProgramme.? pic.twitter.com/MGXD7oVRal

— Abu Dhabi Investment Office (@InvestAbuDhabi) October 12, 2022

The Abu Dhabi Innovation Centre will be headed by Siemens Energy’s chief technology officer, Middle East, Dr-Ing. Fahad Alyafei with a goal of not only developing innovative new technologies to accelerate the journey to net zero but also enriching the economy through Emiratisation, job creation, skills and knowledge transfer, to develop the next generation of innovative researchers.

Engineer Abdulla Abdul Aziz AlShamsi, Acting Director General of ADIO, said, “As the UAE makes strides toward our net-zero goal, we are prioritising the development of pioneering technologies to meet the demand for sustainable energy. The partnership between ADIO and Siemens Energy will enrich the energy technology ecosystem with the introduction of new ideas and solutions that open pathways for the global energy transition. ADIO will continue to partner with innovation-driven companies in high-impact sectors to help them reach the next stage of their growth.”

Dietmar Siersdorfer, MD of Siemens Energy Middle East, said: “As one of four globally, this Siemens Energy Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with ADIO, will enable us to leverage the rich industrial ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, and work with startups, academia as well as public and private companies to develop and commercialise new technologies that will make a meaningful impact on carbon reduction.”

Think #CleanEnergy, think #AbuDhabi ⚡

Through renewable energy initiatives led by organisations such as @ADNOCGroup, @Masdar, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and now, @Siemens_Energy, the emirate’s vision to attain global sustainability goals is becoming a reality. pic.twitter.com/WMX5xVChnF

— Abu Dhabi Investment Office (@InvestAbuDhabi) October 13, 2022

The Innovation Centre will primarily focus on developing circular carbon economies and technologies incorporating digital decarbonisation solutions, green fuels, fuel cells and electrification of heat and industrial processes. A host of intellectual property is expected to be developed, along with an aim to facilitate six industry partnerships and four Abu Dhabi university research partnerships by 2025.

In addition to supporting knowledge transfer and developing new commercial solutions, the centre will strengthen specialised skillsets and create 75 high-skilled jobs in Abu Dhabi by 2025. Siemens Energy will also offer at least six internships annually to students from Abu Dhabi universities, of which 50 per cent of the interns will be Emiratis.