$315.7 Billion in Electricity Contract Awards in the Middle East Over 10 Years

The magazine MEED revealed that the value of electricity project contracts awarded across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, spanning 14 countries, reached $315.7 billion during the period from 2016 to April 2026. This represents a span of approximately 10 years, with an annual average of $28.7 billion, reflecting an acceleration in energy infrastructure investments to keep pace with population growth, urban expansion, mega-projects, and rising industrial demand for electricity.

The magazine noted that Saudi Arabia accounted for the largest share of the total contract value awarded during this period, exceeding $135.2 billion, followed by the United Arab Emirates with a total of $49.7 billion, underscoring the continued leadership of both countries in regional electricity sector investments. It pointed out that annual contract values rose from approximately $12.8 billion in 2016 to a record high exceeding $80 billion in 2024, before declining to around $66.9 billion in 2025. Meanwhile, the value of contracts awarded in 2026 reached approximately $10.4 billion by the end of April last year. The magazine added that the awarding trajectory experienced an initial rise in 2017, followed by a decline in 2018 and 2019, before the sector began a gradual recovery from 2020 onwards. Award volumes accelerated notably in 2023, reaching their highest historical level in 2024.

According to the magazine, electricity generation projects captured the largest share of total investments, valued at $215.2 billion, while electricity transmission project contracts amounted to approximately $100.5 billion, with continued growth in transmission network investments, particularly during peak investment years. It emphasized that electricity sector infrastructure has become one of the main pillars of economic transformation in the region’s countries, as governments seek to enhance energy security, improve grid efficiency, expand smart transportation systems, and interconnect regional power grids.

MEED clarified that the electricity sector in the MENA region is entering a pivotal phase in 2026, despite regional geopolitical challenges and global economic shifts. Countries in the region continue to implement ambitious energy sector transformation programs while maintaining the resilience and capacity of their energy systems to support economic growth. The magazine highlighted that Saudi Arabia led the region in total installed electrical capacity, reaching approximately 121.4 gigawatts in 2024, followed by Egypt with around 63.5 gigawatts, and the United Arab Emirates with a capacity of 45.5 gigawatts.