ADNOC will award AED200 billion in new projects between 2026 and 2028, positioning its next phase of expansion as a major driver of energy supply growth, local manufacturing and industrial resilience across the UAE.The project pipeline, valued at about $55 billion, forms part of ADNOC’s approved five-year capital expenditure plan and covers work across its upstream and downstream businesses. The awards are expected to support large-scale execution across oil, gas, petrochemicals and related infrastructure as Abu Dhabi seeks to maintain energy security while widening the economic impact of its hydrocarbons sector.
The announcement was made at the inaugural Make it With ADNOC Forum in Abu Dhabi, where leading engineering, procurement and construction contractors were brought together with 70 UAE-based manufacturers that have qualified under ADNOC’s technical and procurement standards. The manufacturers are part of the company’s Local+ list, a mechanism designed to ensure products made in the Emirates are prioritised where they meet project specifications.
The forum gives contractors greater visibility on ADNOC’s procurement pipeline and signals a tougher localisation push within major energy projects. Rather than treating local sourcing as an afterthought, ADNOC is embedding it into early-stage project planning, supplier engagement and delivery models. The company wants manufacturers to move beyond ad hoc supply contracts and become part of long-term, performance-based partnerships.
Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, said ADNOC was entering a “defining execution phase” driven by scale, pace and delivery. He said the company was bringing together EPC contractors and UAE manufacturers to enhance accountability, maximise in-country value and make locally produced goods central to procurement, construction and execution.
The size of the planned awards places ADNOC among the most active project owners in the regional energy sector. Its investment priorities include raising production capacity, expanding gas processing, building out LNG capabilities, developing downstream assets and strengthening the supply chain required to deliver capital-intensive projects on time. These objectives also align with the UAE’s wider effort to expand advanced manufacturing and reduce exposure to global supply disruptions.
ADNOC has already been reshaping its portfolio through major gas, LNG, chemicals and international investment initiatives. Its Ruwais LNG project, designed to lift the UAE’s LNG export capacity, and the expansion plans of ADNOC Gas underline the company’s focus on gas as a transition and growth fuel. The launch of XRG, its international energy investment company, has added another pillar to its strategy, targeting natural gas, chemicals and lower-carbon energy assets.
The new project-award pipeline is expected to create demand for equipment, fabrication, specialised services, industrial components and engineering support. For UAE-based manufacturers, the opportunity is significant but demanding. ADNOC’s technical qualification process means suppliers must meet standards on reliability, quality, safety, delivery timelines and cost competitiveness. Companies that can scale quickly and maintain compliance are likely to benefit most.
The Local+ initiative sits within ADNOC’s In-Country Value programme, which has become a central tool in directing energy-sector spending towards domestic industry. The programme has encouraged suppliers to increase local hiring, procurement and manufacturing capacity. It has also given smaller businesses a route into major energy supply chains, though the capital and certification requirements remain high for firms seeking to compete with established international vendors.
More than 400 participants attended the Make it With ADNOC Forum, including government entities, private companies, EPC contractors and industrial suppliers. The gathering was held ahead of Make it in the Emirates 2026 at ADNEC in Abu Dhabi, which runs from 4 to 7 May and brings together policymakers, investors and manufacturers focused on industrial expansion.
ADNOC is also launching ADNOC Value Connect — meet the buyer on 5 and 6 May during Make it in the Emirates. The platform is expected to bring together more than 1,000 companies, with a focus on connecting manufacturers and small and medium-sized enterprises directly with suppliers and EPC contractors. The aim is to turn procurement visibility into commercial partnerships and strengthen the integration of the local industrial ecosystem.
The programme comes as global energy markets remain shaped by rising demand, investment discipline and supply-chain constraints. Major producers are trying to balance conventional energy expansion with lower-carbon commitments, while contractors face pressure from materials costs, labour shortages and tighter delivery schedules. ADNOC’s approach reflects a broader industry shift in which project owners are seeking greater control over supply chains and earlier collaboration with contractors.
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