Energy and Utilities

The region’s energy mix is shifting faster than ever: upstream mega-projects must coexist with multi-gigawatt renewables, hydrogen pilots, and nationwide grid upgrades. Tight EPC markets and volatile commodity prices make best-in-class procurement—cleansheet costing, dual-source strategies, and indexed contracts—the single most effective lever for protecting IRRs and freeing cash for decarbonisation investments. Operators that master supply economics today will secure tomorrow’s capacity build-out at the right cost. 

 

Local-content mandates are sharpening. Saudi Arabia’s IKTVA and the UAE’s ICV now influence everything from rig-day rates to PV module tenders; projects that hit localisation thresholds gain preferential permits, faster customs, and finance incentives. Embedding LC weighting in RFQs, partnering with domestic fabricators, and launching supplier-development clinics turn compliance into strategic advantage by anchoring jobs and technology at home—without inflating total installed cost.

 

Supply-chain resilience is a board-level KPI after pandemic shutdowns, vessel delays, and turbine-component shortages. Market leaders are dual-sourcing valves and transformers, negotiating regional spares hubs, and integrating AI-based risk monitors that flag shipment slippage before it hits the critical path. Clear operating-model governance—granular RACIs, digital approvals, and live KPI dashboards—ensures these tactics deliver consistent schedule adherence instead of ad-hoc firefighting.