Powering a world-class opening ceremony: multi-zone power delivery at Zayed stadium

Client: People Creative
Location: Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Sector: Events

THE CHALLENGE
Deliver complex power infrastructure across a 400m stadium circuit against the clock
THE SOLUTION
A fully engineered multi-zone power system with 15km of Powerlock cabling supporting stage, roof, broadcast and operations
THE IMPACT
Reliable power, delivered at scale - enabling a seamless opening ceremony

The challenge

Deliver complex power infrastructure across a 400m stadium circuit against the clock

People Creative required a dependable power solution to support a large-scale opening ceremony at Zayed Stadium and bring their production vision to life. The event demanded power across multiple
critical zones simultaneously, including the main stage, Back of House (BOH), drone display systems and broadcast infrastructure.

This was not a standard event set-up. Powerlock cabling had to be distributed across the full 400-metre stadium circumference, not only at ground level but also to the roof, spanning four levels at approximately 200 metres per level, and extending from a remotely positioned generator farm. Each connection point introduced additional complexity, and each cable run increased both technical
and operational risk.

The location of the generator farm added further challenge, requiring precise routing, careful load balancing and strict adherence to safety standards throughout. What mattered most was not simply supplying power, but delivering it accurately, safely and on time.

The timeline was equally critical. Initial power to the roof had to be live within five days to enable rehearsals to begin as scheduled. Any delay would have had a direct impact on the ceremony's production and creative timeline.

2.5 MVATOTAL SHOW POWER

1 MVABACK OF HOUSE POWER

15AGGREKO SPECIALISTS

15 kmPOWERLOCK CABLING DEPLOYED

250 kVABROADCAST POWER

Open Master Games Abu Dhabi 2026 at in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on February 6, 2026. (Photo by Christophe Viseux for People)

THE SOLUTION

A fully engineered multi-zone power system with 15km of Powerlock cabling supporting stage, roof, broadcast and operations

Designed around complexity and delivered with precision, Aggreko's team approached the project as an engineering challenge rather than a standard deployment.

Following a detailed site assessment, our people designed a bespoke multizone power distribution system tailored to the scale, height, layout and access constraints of Zayed Stadium.

The solution was structured across three dedicated power zones to ensure reliability and effective load segregation across the venue:

2.5 MVA (Show power) delivered via 5 × 500 kVA generators to power the main stage and all live production elements
1 MVA (BOH power) delivered via 2 × 500 kVA generators to power operational and BOH support areas including crew facilities, production offices, and operational systems
250 kVA (Broadcast power) a dedicated supply ensuring uninterrupted, clean power for broadcast and media operations

To deliver this, Aggreko deployed 15 kilometres of Powerlock cabling, including multiple long-distance runs to both the main stage and the stadium roof. Each roof run extended approximately 200 metres per level, traversing four levels at height and looping the stadiums 400-metre perimeter from the generator farm.

Aggrekos engineers carried out all necessary design, calculations and installation to ensure full safety compliance throughout. Installation required lifting, routing and securing cables under restricted access conditions, while maintaining strict safety standards at every stage.

This represented engineered execution at scale, delivered by a team comprising one project manager, four engineers and ten skilled operatives, who managed the full design, installation and commissioning process.

Despite the scale and complexity, the team successfully energised the roof within the clients five-day window, enabling rehearsals to begin on schedule and demonstrating effective planning and on-site execution under pressure.

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THE IMPACT

Reliable ower, delivered at scale - enabling a seamless opening ceremony

Aggreko's solution provided stable, uninterrupted power across all critical zones, enabling the opening ceremony to proceed exactly as planned. By energising the roof and completing the full multi-zone installation within the required five-day timeframe, Aggreko removed a significant operational risk from the production schedule and provided the client with confidence at a critical stage of delivery.

The full 15-kilometre Powerlock network performed reliably across complex routing paths, long-distance distribution and high-level installations. Every zone - from stage to broadcast, BOH and drones - operated exactly as required.

Our people ensured that performance remained consistent, controlled and dependable throughout. This allowed People Creative to focus entirely on delivering a world-class production, confident that power would not be a limiting factor.

More than a successful deployment, this project demonstrates how engineered thinking, on-site expertise and precise execution come together to solve complex event challenges. It reinforces Aggreko's role as a trusted partner for high-profile, time-critical productions, delivering solutions that go beyond standard power provision.

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