EtihadWE and Al Ghurair PCS Test Digital Twin Technology to Transform Grid Management

A pioneering collaboration aims to harness artificial intelligence and real-time data visualisation to strengthen the emirate's electrical infrastructure and operational resilience.

The partnership between Etihad Water and Electricity and Al Ghurair PCS Switchgear Manufacturing represents a significant step forward in the modernisation of critical infrastructure across the Northern Emirates. Signed at WETEX 2026, the agreement will see the two organisations pilot ETAP digital twin technology at one of EtihadWE’s substations, exploring how advanced digital modelling can reshape the way utilities manage and plan their networks.

The pilot will focus on a 132/11 kilovolt substation selected by EtihadWE. Al Ghurair PCS will develop a comprehensive digital model of the facility and implement ETAP’s Intelligent Single-Line Diagram module, together with training and ongoing technical support for EtihadWE’s teams throughout the evaluation period. This practical approach allows the utility to assess the technology within its own operational context, testing whether such tools can genuinely enhance network visibility, strengthen decision-making processes and optimise the management of critical infrastructure.

Eng. Abdulla AlKhemeiri, Chief Operating Officer of EtihadWE, described digital technologies as essential instruments for utilities seeking to strengthen network visibility and improve the planning and management of critical systems. “This pilot will allow our teams to evaluate ETAP’s capabilities using a model of one of our own substations and assess how these tools can contribute to more effective network planning and management,” he explained.

The technology being tested sits at the intersection of data intelligence and operational excellence. Ammar Hamdan, Senior Vice President of Al Ghurair PCS, emphasised the importance of reliable data in decision-making: “Digital twins provide the intelligence to enhance visibility, optimise performance, and strengthen grid resilience. As AI capabilities advance, they will unlock greater value from complex data, augmenting human expertise and enabling more informed decisions.”

This collaboration complements broader efforts to strengthen the emirates’ energy infrastructure, building on existing partnerships such as the recent agreement between ADNOC Gas and EtihadWE to bolster gas supply for new power generation across the Northern Emirates.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The pilot programme underscores the emirate’s commitment to embedding artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies within its essential utilities. By testing ETAP digital twin capabilities at an operational substation, EtihadWE gains valuable insights into how such systems can enhance real-time visibility of its electrical network, improve the speed and quality of operational decision-making, and ultimately strengthen the resilience of power infrastructure serving the Northern Emirates.

For Abu Dhabi’s wider energy landscape, this initiative signals a strategic investment in modernisation that positions the emirate at the forefront of utility innovation. As digital twins and AI-driven analytics become increasingly central to grid management globally, early adoption and rigorous testing ensure that the emirates’ infrastructure remains robust, efficient and well-managed for decades to come.

Source: WAM