Hitachi Energy’s EconiQ portfolio, digital substations, and regional partnerships are accelerating the Middle East’s transition toward resilient, low-carbon energy systems.
Hitachi Energy reaffirmed its commitment to advancing a sustainable, electrified future through innovation and collaboration at ADIPEC 2025. In an exclusive email interview with Tahawultech, Ahmad Shafik, Managing Director for Gulf and Near East at Hitachi Energy, outlined how the company’s eco-efficient technologies are reshaping power systems to support global and regional decarbonisation agendas.
From its pioneering SF₆-free EconiQ portfolio to AI-driven grid automation and modular digital substations, Hitachi Energy continues to lead the transformation toward low-carbon, resilient energy infrastructures. With operations across 140 countries—including strong partnerships in the Middle East and Africa—the company is enabling utilities and industries to accelerate their net-zero and circular economy transitions while enhancing grid reliability and energy security.
Shafik discusses how Hitachi Energy’s innovations showcased at ADIPEC reflect its broader mission to make electricity sustainable, accessible, and transformative for generations to come.
Interview Excerpts:
How is Hitachi Energy’s SF₆-free EconiQ portfolio redefining eco-efficiency in the electrical transmission segment and supporting global decarbonisation goals?
Our EconiQ portfolio represents a transformative step forward in eco-efficient technology. By eliminating sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆), a greenhouse gas commonly used in high-voltage equipment, we reduce the carbon footprint of our transformer solutions and set new benchmarks for environmental performance. Each EconiQ innovation is designed to minimise lifecycle environmental impact while maintaining uncompromising reliability and efficiency. These solutions are already being deployed globally to help utilities and industries meet net-zero targets by enabling cleaner, safer, and more sustainable power systems. Our focus remains clear: to inspire a future where electricity is accessible, sustainable, and transformative. At ADIPEC, we are proud to demonstrate how our technologies empower societies to thrive by making energy systems more secure, resilient, and affordable.
What specific sustainability initiatives is Hitachi Energy implementing in the Middle East and Africa to help utilities and industries accelerate their net-zero and circular economy transitions?
We partner closely with local utilities and industrial leaders to strengthen energy infrastructure, integrate renewables, and support national visions for net-zero and economic diversification. Through projects leveraging our EconiQ portfolio, advanced grid automation, and digital substations, we enable utilities to operate more efficiently while reducing emissions. We also champion circular-economy principles by optimising resource efficiency and extending equipment life through digital monitoring and modular design. Electrification is the backbone of the energy transition, and our portfolio reflects that. From grid integration to digital substations and AI-powered monitoring, we’re helping industries decarbonise, digitalise, and operate with greater efficiency and reliability.
“Our work supports regional sustainability frameworks such as the UAE Net Zero 2050 initiative and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aligning our innovations with national goals to build resilient, low-carbon energy systems.”
How is Hitachi Energy ensuring grid resilience and reliability amid this complex transition?
Hitachi Energy’s technologies bridge conventional and renewable generation by strengthening and modernising transmission and distribution networks. Our digital platforms and AI-driven tools are designed to optimise electrified operations, enhancing safety, performance, and decision-making. These innovations are not just about technology; they are about enabling smarter, more agile energy systems for today and tomorrow. We collaborate with partners in the Middle East and Africa to enhance grid flexibility, enable the integration of renewables, and strengthen energy security as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
What key technological innovations in grid automation and high-voltage solutions will Hitachi Energy showcase to demonstrate its leadership in driving energy modernisation?
At ADIPEC 2025, we will showcase our latest high-voltage and grid automation innovations, demonstrating how we are advancing the energy transition toward a carbon-neutral future.
Highlights will include:
- EconiQ high-voltage products that eliminate SF₆ and reduce environmental impact.
- Digital substations that combine automation, monitoring, and data analytics to optimise grid performance.
- Advanced transformer and grid connectivity solutions that increase system efficiency and resilience.
We are also highlighting advancements in power quality management and renewable grid integration, developing technologies that make power systems more adaptive and sustainable for the future.
We understand our customers’ need for scalable, locally supported infrastructure that delivers long-term value. Our modular solutions, lifecycle services, and regional partnerships ensure that energy systems evolve with business needs securely and sustainably.
How does Hitachi Energy tailor its solutions to address regional challenges, particularly energy security and economic diversification—in fast-growing markets like the Middle East and Africa?
Our global expertise, combined with local partnerships, enables us to tailor solutions to the unique challenges of each region. In the Middle East and Africa, energy diversification and security are top priorities, and we work alongside governments and utilities to support both. Through our strong regional presence, we deliver locally manufactured, modular solutions that enhance energy resilience, support industrial growth, and create local value chains. Our approach is rooted in collaboration and alignment with local policies, regulations, and economic goals to ensure our technologies deliver lasting impact. As part of Hitachi Energy’s global network, we bring global innovation and local expertise together to drive meaningful progress in the communities we serve. At ADIPEC, we are showcasing how our solutions from EconiQ technologies to Grid-eXpand systems support the shift to low-carbon operations. By integrating renewables and electrifying industrial processes, we are helping customers meet their sustainability goals without compromising reliability.
