Al Masaood Power: Driving the AI Revolution in the Gulf

Al Masaood Power Division is a leading distributor and power solutions provider, representing global OEMs across the region since 1972.

It represents renowned brands including mtu, a Rolls Royce Solution in the UAE, Bahrain, and Iraq; Volvo Penta in the UAE and Bahrain and Leroy Somer in the UAE, providing the highest standards of after-sales services.

The Division’s professional team possesses cutting-edge technological knowledge and know-how and can plan and execute both customised and efficient solutions for its digital infrastructure customers.

Rasso Bartenschlager, General Manager of Al Masaood Power Division, has over 25 years of experience in global power and energy systems.

In this exclusive Q&A, Rasso explains how the AI revolution is catalysing a shift in the region and how the Al Masaood Power Division is leaning into this transformation.

How are AI workloads reshaping power demand profiles in data centres?

AI workloads are dramatically reshaping power demand profiles within data centres. Unlike conventional IT loads, AI compute clusters draw dense, concentrated power with sharp peaks that can exceed 50–100 kW per rack. 

As global AI adoption accelerates, this trend is pushing operators towards scalable, high-density power architectures capable of supporting rapid load growth and higher thermal output. The challenge today is not only delivering more power but delivering it efficiently and predictably as AI models scale in size and complexity.

What role do innovative backup technologies play within this?

To support these fluctuating, high-intensity loads, innovative backup technologies are becoming essential. Hybrid systems, combining conventional generation with battery-backed or renewable-ready components, help stabilise short-term variability while improving overall efficiency. 

One of the most impactful technologies is the mtu Kinetic PowerPack (KPP), a flywheel-based kinetic UPS that provides instantaneous, no-break power transfer without the lifecycle and disposal challenges associated with batteries. By reducing energy losses and eliminating chemical waste, the KPP supports both operational and sustainability objectives.

Together, these solutions create a resilient and efficient power ecosystem capable of supporting unpredictable AI-driven surges. As the market evolves, next-generation architectures combining high-density distribution, kinetic storage and intelligent controls, will be fundamental to powering AI sustainably, reliably, and at scale.

Why is uninterrupted power the backbone of digital trust?

Uninterrupted power is the foundation of digital trust. In data centres, whether hyperscale hubs or regional facilities, even a brief outage can compromise operational continuity, customer confidence, and business reputation. With downtime in some regional facilities exceeding US$250,000 per hour, the requirement for resilient, non-stop power is no longer a technical preference – it is a core expectation of the digital economy.

To secure uptime, modern facilities rely on modular, redundant, and smart backup architectures that maintain seamless operations during any grid disturbance. Systems such as the mtu Kinetic PowerPack provide instantaneous, no-break protection, offering highly efficient continuity without the operational limitations of battery-based UPS solutions. Smart controls and integrated monitoring further enhance resilience by detecting anomalies early, enabling smooth transitions between power sources and reducing the likelihood of disruption.

Beyond technology, resilience now plays a strategic business role. For organisations across the Gulf, investing in dependable power infrastructure protects revenue, safeguards data, and enables uninterrupted digital service delivery. As governments accelerate national digital agendas and the region expands its data ecosystem, power resilience is becoming a key enabler of competitiveness. Ultimately, reliable power is not just the backbone of technical performance – it is the backbone of long-term business continuity and digital trust.

How is the industry moving from diesel dependence to hybrid, gas, and renewable-ready systems? 

The power industry is rapidly moving from diesel-only systems towards hybrid, gas and renewable-ready solutions. This transition balances energy security with decarbonisation, particularly in hot-climate regions where high temperatures and dust pose operational challenges. 

Hybrid systems, combining conventional generators with solar, wind and battery storage, ensure continuous, reliable power while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Gas generators further support efficiency and lower emissions, making them a practical bridge towards fully renewable operations.

Energy efficiency and emissions control are central to this evolution. Advanced digital controls and AI-driven management optimise load distribution, minimise idle running, and improve fuel utilisation, enabling operators to achieve near-zero emissions without compromising reliability. Predictive maintenance and smart monitoring further ensure systems perform consistently under demanding conditions.

Can you describe a case study exemplifying this trend?

One of the most compelling examples of next-generation sustainable backup is the mtu Kinetic PowerPack (KPP). 

By using kinetic energy rather than chemical batteries, the KPP removes the environmental burden of battery production and disposal. It also delivers higher efficiency through reduced energy losses, supporting operators seeking to meet ESG obligations without compromising resilience. Advanced control systems optimise energy use in real time, minimising waste and ensuring stable performance even under volatile loads.

This shift demonstrates that high resilience and low-carbon operation are no longer competing priorities. With the right technologies, data centres can operate reliably while making measurable progress toward net-zero commitments, aligned with global climate objectives, including those expected to shape COP30 outcomes.

How can edge solutions and distributed energy models offer innovative power solutions for data centre operators?

As data moves closer to users, power delivery must evolve to meet the unique needs of edge data centres and other critical infrastructure. Distributed energy systems, combining modular, hybrid, and renewable-ready solutions, enable reliable, high-quality power even where grid stability is limited.

In regions where the grid is unstable or evolving, such as parts of the Gulf and Iraq, these solutions play a critical role. Iraq’s accelerating infrastructure development, expanding industrial zones, and growing electricity demand highlight the need for decentralised, resilient power for data centres, hospitals and critical municipal facilities. 

Modular and hybrid systems, supported by technologies like the mtu KPP, allow these facilities to operate independently from unreliable grids while maintaining high-quality power and uptime.

These systems also support sustainability objectives, including reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and integration with renewable energy sources. By enabling predictive management, load optimisation and real-time monitoring, distributed energy models improve reliability, reduce operational costs and enhance energy efficiency.

In practice, edge and distributed power solutions offer flexibility, resilience and scalability. For operators in fast-growing regional markets, they provide a way to meet critical energy needs while supporting digitalisation, AI workloads, and the sustainable expansion of infrastructure, creating a foundation for reliable and future-ready data centres.

How are AI and data analytics transforming the power layer itself?

AI, digitalisation and advanced analytics are transforming power management within modern data centres. Intelligent, digitally-enabled systems can continuously monitor energy flows, predict demand spikes and dynamically adjust distribution, improving efficiency, reliability and operational consistency.

AI-powered predictive maintenance detects anomalies long before they escalate, reducing downtime and extending the lifespan of critical assets. Remote diagnostics allow operators to monitor multiple facilities from a single platform, improving response times and reducing operational costs. In backup systems such as the mtu Kinetic PowerPack, digital intelligence enables operators to track performance, energy savings and environmental impact, ensuring both resilience and sustainability targets are met.

Digitalisation enables predictive intelligence to optimise generator usage, battery storage and hybrid systems in real time. It allows operators to plan for peak loads, improve energy efficiency and maintain consistent service levels, while reducing operational costs and environmental impact. Furthermore, the insights generated by these systems inform ongoing innovation, helping data centre operators adopt renewable-ready and hybrid power solutions, aligning performance with sustainability objectives.

Ultimately, AI-driven, digitalised power ecosystems do more than automate operations. They create predictive, efficient and resilient networks, capable of meeting the complex and evolving demands of modern data centres and supporting the sustainable growth of digital infrastructure.

In light of the discussion so far, and looking ahead to the future, what sentiment would you like to emphasise to our readers?

Looking forward, the Gulf’s energy transformation is both ambitious and achievable. The region is harnessing AI, hybrid systems and renewable-ready solutions to deliver power that is reliable, efficient and sustainable. 

Al Masaood Power is playing a central role in this transition, providing intelligent energy solutions, hybrid systems and digitalised management tools that support data centres and critical infrastructure. 

Our focus is on combining technology, local expertise and forward-thinking strategy to empower businesses and communities alike. 

The message is clear: the future of energy lies in intelligent, sustainable solutions that enable growth, innovation and environmental responsibility, while ensuring resilience for the next generation of infrastructure.