Energy Expert Witness
Independent Energy Expert Witness services for power generation, transmission and distribution assets across the UAE and Middle East.
The UAE's energy sector spans conventional power generation, gas processing, nuclear, and an accelerating renewables build-out, all being delivered simultaneously as the country pursues its Energy Strategy 2050 targets. Energy infrastructure disputes tend to be large, technically dense and commercially critical — precisely the profile our expert witnesses are instructed to address.
Current UAE Energy Infrastructure Activity
Abu Dhabi's National Energy Company (TAQA), together with Masdar, EDF Renewables and Jinko Power, delivered the 2GW Al Dhafra solar PV plant — among the world's largest single-site solar facilities — under a public-private partnership structure, adding to the 1.2GW Noor Abu Dhabi plant and the wider Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is targeting 5,000 MW by 2030. On the hydrocarbon side, ADNOC recently secured up to US$11 billion in structured financing for the Hail and Ghasha offshore gas development — part of a US$150 billion ADNOC investment plan for 2026–2030 — while continuing expansion of the Upper Zakum field and associated onshore processing infrastructure.
Meanwhile, ADNOC's ongoing decarbonisation programme includes a US$3.8 billion offshore power and decarbonisation initiative and a US$2.2 billion water supply project for onshore operations, reflecting the increasingly hybrid nature of UAE energy infrastructure, where oil and gas, desalination, and renewables projects are now commercially and physically interlinked.
Where Energy Disputes Arise
- EPC delay and disruption claims on offshore and onshore energy infrastructure, where sequencing across power, gas and decarbonisation packages is tightly interdependent.
- Quantum and final account disputes on BOO/BOOT and PPP-structured energy projects, requiring careful analysis of tariff, performance and variation mechanisms.
- Structural and process engineering disputes relating to offshore platforms, artificial islands, and unmanned remote-operated facilities.
- Force majeure and change-in-law claims, increasingly relevant as energy strategy and carbon-reduction regulation evolves.
Our Energy Sector Capability
Our quantum and technical experts have experience across power generation, gas processing and hybrid energy-water infrastructure disputes, applying FIDIC contract analysis, SCL Protocol delay methodology and CIArb/IBA-compliant reporting standards for DIFC Courts, DIAC and ADCCAC.
Speak to our team about instructing an expert witness on an energy sector dispute in the UAE or wider GCC.
Discuss Your Matter With Us
Forward a concise brief of your matter to us. We shall respond promptly and with discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What core competencies does an Energy Expert Witness bring to GCC power disputes?
- An Energy Expert Witness provides essential technical and commercial clarity on complex power generation and transmission projects across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. By leveraging hands-on experience with FIDIC-based EPC contracts, they offer authoritative analysis on performance liquidated damages and plant availability. These specialists ensure that intricate engineering evidence is translated into clear, impartial opinions suitable for high-stakes arbitration under DIAC, arbitrateAD, or ADGM rules.
- How are delay and disruption claims analysed in Middle Eastern energy projects?
- Our specialists apply the SCL Delay and Disruption Protocol to evaluate project programmes and records for power assets. By using robust methodologies like Windows Analysis or Longest Path, the Energy Expert Witness determines the root cause of grid connection delays or long-lead equipment shortages. This disciplined approach ensures that findings regarding EOT entitlements in the UAE or Qatar remain resilient under rigorous cross-examination during litigation.
- Why is independent expert testimony critical for EPC and turnkey delivery disputes?
- Turnkey energy projects often face multi-million dollar disputes regarding performance guarantees and commissioning milestones. An independent Energy Expert Witness provides the objective scrutiny required to settle disagreements between employers and contractors. By meticulously reviewing technical evidence and cost data against the contract requirements, they produce well-reasoned reports that assist tribunals in understanding complex technical failures, ensuring a fair resolution based on factual project performance.
- Can your experts provide quantum assessment for power transmission and distribution assets?
- Yes, our experts provide comprehensive quantum assessments for energy infrastructure projects throughout the Middle East. Operating to RICS standards, the Energy Expert Witness calculates the financial impact of variations, acceleration costs, and defects in distribution networks. They accurately value the works and assess damages, ensuring that the quantum evidence presented in arbitration is both substantiated by project records and aligned with regional industry benchmarks for materials and labour.
- Where are your expert witness services typically utilised within the MENA region?
- Our services are primarily utilised in major arbitration hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Doha. We support legal teams and contractors involved in disputes arising from utility-scale solar farms, CCGT plants, and regional grid interconnections. Whether the matter is heard in the DIFC courts or via local ADCCAC proceedings, our experts provide the geographical and sectoral knowledge necessary to navigate the unique regulatory landscape of the GCC.
- When should an Energy Expert Witness be appointed during a construction dispute?
- Early appointment of an Energy Expert Witness is highly recommended to help parties understand the strengths and weaknesses of their technical position. Engaging an expert during the pre-action phase or early adjudication allows for a preliminary assessment of delay and quantum issues. This proactive approach often facilitates settlement discussions in the UAE or ensures that the evidential foundation is robustly prepared before formal arbitration proceedings commence.
- If technical defects are identified, how does the expert evaluate the remediation costs?
- If defects are found in power generation assets, the expert conducts a forensic review of the design specifications and installation records. They establish the scope of necessary remedial works and provide a detailed valuation of the associated costs. This impartial analysis by an Energy Expert Witness ensures that the claimant is not overcompensated and that the respondent's liability is strictly limited to the actual cost of rectification.