Russia’s Federal Grid Company Rosseti and the UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure have discussed efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, TASS new agency reported.
The sides agreed to establish a joint working group focused on sharing expertise in connecting renewable energy sources and high-demand consumers, such as data centers, to the power grid. The group will also explore the implementation of energy storage systems as well as digital transformation initiatives.
Russian energy companies, such as Rosseti, Mosenergo, Moscow United Energy Company, United Energy Company and others, boast extensive experience in developing and operating complex data processing centers (DPCs). These facilities manage vast volumes of information related to electricity distribution, delivery, and consumption across wide territories and for millions of users. And yet, despite this vast digital infrastructure, some systems in Russia still rely on manual meter readings. In contrast, the UAE has achieved significant progress in automating utility services, with all residential units equipped with modern energy meters that automatically transmit data to the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) – a company similar to Russia’s Mosenergosbyt – and residents simply receive electricity payment bills, with no manual input required. These systems also extend to water meters, which operate autonomously as well, according to Kristina Tantsyura, CEO & Managing Partner of SKY Consulting Group and an expert in business development in the Middle East.
“The digitalization of household utilities in the UAE has reached an impressive level, offering us valuable insights – particularly in terms of user-friendly, automated solutions,” the expert told Invest Foresight.
At the same time, Russian megacities like Moscow have developed advanced digital infrastructures for managing power supply. These systems not only cover residential areas but also serve metro systems, industrial zones, and business centers. Data from these networks is centralized in unified control centers, enabling effective real-time monitoring and energy distribution.
“Moscow alone has a population that exceeds 18 million – more than the UAE’s total population,” Kristina Tantsyura emphasized. “The scope and complexity of our digital transformation efforts are therefore significantly greater. This makes our experience particularly relevant and potentially beneficial for our counterparts in the Emirates.”
She also highlighted that Russia has developed its own software solutions tailored to the energy sector, with many of them on par with international alternatives.
“Essentially, we have prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. We can learn from the Emirates in areas like customer service and automation, while offering our expertise in building extensive, reliable digital systems. Collaboration could lead to outstanding results for both sides,” Kristina Tantsyura concluded.