France Showcases Smart Grid Technologies as Gulf Energy Demand Rises
France is set to strengthen its energy technology presence in the Gulf as 13 French companies participate in Middle East Energy 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre from September 1 to 3.
The French delegation, hosted through a dedicated Business France Pavilion, will showcase technologies aimed at supporting the region's transition towards smarter, more resilient and digitally connected power systems. The participation coincides with the 50th edition of Middle East Energy.
French companies will present solutions covering grid resilience, smart infrastructure, energy efficiency, critical power and renewable-energy integration as electricity demand and renewable deployment accelerate across the GCC.
Gulf power grids face growing demand
The Gulf's energy landscape is undergoing significant transformation as economies become increasingly digital and renewable energy capacity expands. This is increasing the need for flexible, reliable and resilient electricity infrastructure.
In the UAE, the updated Energy Strategy 2050 anticipates AED 150 billion to AED 200 billion in investment by 2030, creating opportunities across areas including smart grids, energy storage, digitalisation and sustainable infrastructure.
Grid infrastructure is also becoming increasingly important across the wider GCC. The GCC Interconnection Authority's direct interconnection project between Oman and the GCC grid includes around 530 kilometres of 400 kV transmission lines. The project is expected to strengthen electricity exchange and improve regional grid resilience.
In Dubai, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is investing AED 7 billion in its Smart Grid Programme through 2035. The programme uses digital technologies, automation and data-driven systems to improve network reliability and efficiency while supporting the integration of renewable energy.
The global need for investment in grid infrastructure is also increasing. According to the International Energy Agency's Electricity 2026 report, annual investment in electricity grids will need to rise by around 50% by 2030 from the current level of approximately $400 billion to meet growing electricity demand.
France and UAE deepen energy cooperation
The French presence at Middle East Energy comes amid expanding cooperation between France and the UAE in energy, innovation and sustainable development.
The UAE is France's first customer in the Gulf, with bilateral trade reaching €10.8 billion in 2025, compared with €8.5 billion in 2024 and €7.4 billion in 2023.
The two countries have also expanded cooperation in areas including energy transition, climate action, advanced technologies and artificial intelligence. In February 2025, Masdar, TotalEnergies and 2PointZero signed a Framework for Action aimed at expanding clean-energy access in emerging markets under the UAE-France High-Level Business Council.
France and the UAE have maintained a Comprehensive Strategic Energy Partnership since 2022, providing a broader framework for cooperation in the energy sector.
French companies to showcase power technologies
The French delegation will demonstrate technologies across four major areas of power infrastructure.
Grid protection and resilience: CITEL-2CP, France Paratonnerres, INDELEC, OBSTA and SERGI Transformer Protector will showcase solutions covering surge and lightning protection, transformer explosion and fire prevention, aviation obstruction lighting and critical infrastructure risk mitigation.
Measurement, supervision and automation: Chauvin Arnoux Middle East / Chauvin Arnoux Energy, AOIP and Straton Automation will present technologies for electrical network measurement, monitoring, testing, calibration and industrial automation.
Power distribution and network infrastructure: Michaud Export, Transalpes Composite and SOC Expl General Produits Industriels will showcase expertise in low-voltage distribution networks, network supports and dielectric and insulating industrial solutions.
Critical power and energy systems: EnerSys, Infosec UPS System and Terracotta will present technologies covering batteries, chargers, uninterruptible power supplies, power equipment and energy-sector implementation.
Together, the companies will demonstrate French capabilities across the power infrastructure value chain, from protecting grid assets and monitoring networks to automating systems and maintaining critical power supplies.
The participation comes as Gulf countries increasingly focus on building electricity networks capable of handling higher demand, renewable integration and growing digitalisation. For France, the region's energy transition presents opportunities to expand cooperation in smart infrastructure, grid modernisation and sustainable power systems.
