During the state visit of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, Eni’s Chief Executive Officer, Claudio Descalzi, signed three collaboration agreements with Emirati companies. These agreements focus on the development of data centres, renewable energy capacity transmission through a cross-border interconnection between Albania and Italy, and the exploration of critical minerals.

Eni has entered into a Letter of Intent with MGX, a leading investment fund that focuses on AI and Advanced Technology, and G42, a prominent AI-focused group based in Abu Dhabi. This partnership aims to develop state-of-the-art data centres in Italy designed to store, process, and manage large volumes of data, with an anticipated IT capacity of up to 1 gigawatt (GW). These data centres will be powered entirely by blue power supplied by Eni, which is a low-carbon energy source generated from natural gas power plants that capture and store CO2 emissions. The first project will be located in Ferrera Erbognone, where Eni’s Green Data Centre is based, and it will be developed in two phases of up to 500 megawatts (MW) of IT capacity, equivalent to Italy’s current installed capacity. Additionally, a new dedicated power plant, incorporating CO2 capture and storage, will be established at the Ravenna CCS hub to support this initiative.

Moreover, Eni signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, recognized as the UAE’s clean energy leader, and Taqa Transmission, which specializes in electricity transmission. This agreement establishes long-term power off-take arrangements in Italy, with Eni designated as the preferred off-taker for renewable energy generated in Albania. This renewable energy is expected to have a capacity of up to 3 GW, transmitted through a subsea interconnection of up to 1 GW between Albania and Italy. This collaborative effort follows the Tripartite Strategic Partnership Framework signed in Abu Dhabi in January 2025, involving the governments of Italy, Albania, and the UAE.

Finally, Eni and ADQ, a global sovereign investor that focuses on critical infrastructure and supply chains, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the research and development of critical minerals. This agreement aims to enhance the security and resilience of the critical minerals supply chain for both Italy and the UAE.

Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi stated that the partnership with the UAE reflects their shared commitment to a sustainable energy future, emphasizing the importance of innovation and collaboration in key sectors. He noted that together with leading UAE companies, they will develop initiatives that are crucial for the energy transition, such as data centres powered by blue energy, which cater to the growing demand for sustainable computing capacity driven by AI. This strategic cooperation highlights Eni’s dedication to fostering technological advancement and contributing to global energy security.

Since 2018, Eni has had a presence in the UAE, involved in offshore exploration in Abu Dhabi, holding a 70% stake in Blocks 2 and 3. The company also has a 10% share in the offshore Ghasha concession, which is currently under development. In the production sector, Eni holds interests in the offshore concessions of Lower Zakum (5%) and Umm Shaif/Nasr (10%). Furthermore, Eni owns 20% of ADNOC Global Trading and ADNOC Refining, which operates in the Ruwais area with a total refining capacity exceeding 900,000 barrels per day, making the Ruwais complex the fourth largest in the world by capacity.