February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

TAQA, the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, is a diversified energy and utilities group listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. Majority-owned by the Abu Dhabi government, TAQA operates across the full energy value chain including power generation, water desalination, oil and gas exploration and production, and electricity transmission and distribution. The company holds assets in the UAE, the broader Middle East, North Africa, Europe, North America, and India, making it one of the largest integrated utility companies in the region.

UAE Context

TAQA underwent a significant corporate transformation beginning in 2020 when it absorbed Abu Dhabi’s transmission and distribution assets, becoming the operator of the emirate’s electricity grid through its subsidiaries TRANSCO, ADDC, and AADC. This restructuring made TAQA the backbone of Abu Dhabi’s utility infrastructure, responsible for delivering power and water to homes and businesses across the emirate. The company operates approximately 18 gigawatts of gross power generation capacity globally and produces hundreds of millions of gallons of desalinated water daily. TAQA also maintains upstream oil and gas assets that contribute to its revenue diversification.

Key Data

  • Founded: 2005
  • Gross power capacity: Approximately 18 GW globally
  • Water desalination: Major producer for Abu Dhabi’s domestic supply
  • Listed: Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX)
  • Major subsidiaries: TRANSCO, ADDC, AADC
  • Headquarters: Abu Dhabi

Significance for Vision 2031

TAQA’s role as the operator of Abu Dhabi’s transmission and distribution network makes it indispensable to the emirate’s infrastructure development. The company’s investments in grid modernization, renewable energy integration, and efficient desalination technology directly support Vision 2031’s sustainability and reliability objectives. TAQA’s global portfolio also generates revenue diversification for Abu Dhabi, contributing to the broader goal of reducing economic dependence on direct hydrocarbon exports.

  • ADWEA (EWEC) - Abu Dhabi’s electricity and water procurement entity that contracts with TAQA
  • DEWA - Dubai’s equivalent utility authority
  • Net Zero 2050 - Climate strategy requiring grid modernization by TAQA