Rewiring Energy: How Europe and MENA Are Converting Digital Strategy into Execution

Digital transformation in the energy sector is no longer about exploration; it is about execution. Across both Europe and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), energy companies are pushing to embed digital capabilities into the core of their operations, but while the ambition may be shared, the way this shift is playing out differs sharply between regions.

In Europe, digitalisation is being driven by regulatory pressure, decarbonisation mandates, and a mature ecosystem of vendors and infrastructure. Utility firms are applying AI and machine learning to optimise grid operations, manage demand volatility, and automate sustainability reporting. From national grid operators to offshore wind developers, digital tools are central to how companies plan, monitor, and improve.

In MENA, the drivers are different, digitalisation is often tied to national transformation plans, economic diversification goals, and new-build infrastructure. Here, firms like DEWA, ACWA Power, and TAQA are using digital platforms to leapfrog legacy challenges and embed modern systems from the ground up. Many are adopting predictive maintenance, remote monitoring, and AI-enhanced control systems to maximise efficiency and reliability in rapidly expanding networks.

We spoke with a former Executive Director & Head of Sustainability at ACWA Power who has led major initiatives across both regions. Reflecting on the different maturity curves, he noted:

“Digitalisation is now directly tied to operational performance, at major utilities like DEWA, ACWA Power, and TAQA in MENA, and Enel, Iberdrola, and EDF in Europe, the focus has shifted beyond compliance or reporting; These organisations are actively using real-time data, automation, and predictive analytics to optimise grid operations, reduce downtime, and improve sustainability outcomes. The key distinction is that European utilities are enhancing and refining mature systems, while many MENA players are building digital infrastructure from the ground up as part of broader national transformation agendas.”

The pace of transformation also differs in Europe, utilities are often upgrading existing systems and integrating new layers of analytics into complex, regulated environments, while in MENA, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, companies are deploying full-scale digital infrastructure as part of new projects.

But both regions face common challenges, and data quality remains a critical issue, experts across both markets pointed to fragmented systems, inconsistent governance, and siloed ownership as key obstacles to scaling digital efforts. In addition, cultural and organisational inertia also persists.

Another area of convergence is sustainability; ESG reporting, emissions tracking, and carbon forecasting are no longer back-office tasks. European utilities are under pressure to meet EU disclosure mandates, while Gulf-based firms are racing to align with national net-zero targets and investor expectations. In both contexts, AI and data automation are being used to improve transparency, reduce manual workload, and inform planning decisions.

What stands out most is how digitalisation is no longer confined to IT departments. It is being embedded in grid strategy, asset management, trading, and customer engagement; This marks a clear shift in how energy companies operate and how they compete.

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