UAE Electricity Exports Jumped Sixfold In 2025

2 Oct 2026 Issue: 69 / 40 By: James Marriott

The UAE’s net electricity exports surged to a record 3.64TWh last year, driven by Kuwaiti imports. The expanded trade was key for Kuwait navigating this year’s summer electricity demand peak while its power sector was under attack from Iran.

The UAE’s net power exports to the GCC increased more than sixfold last year, enabled by Kuwait’s growing need for its neighbors’ support to meet domestic demand. Net supplies to the GCC through the GCCIA interconnector surged from 565GWh in 2024 to 3.64TWh last year. This laid the foundations for what will likely be another record year in 2026 as Kuwait’s power sector suffered considerable damage during the conflict with Iran (MEES, 25 September).

The UAE exports electricity to Kuwait through a 2.4GW connection with the GCCIA at Al Sila on the Saudi border. Work is underway to expand the connection to 3.5GW as part of a project that will also link Oman directly to the GCCIA interconnector next year. Currently, the sultanate is connected indirectly via the UAE grid (MEES, 6 February). (CONTINUED - 640 WORDS)