Abu Dhabi and Kuwait want to curb power waste but leave subsidies intact. Abu Dhabi’s focus is demand-management; Kuwait’s is prices for government (see box).

Abu Dhabi state utility Adwea has begun registering energy services companies to bid for contracts to reduce energy consumption in government and commercial buildings. The aim is to curb demand without targeting private customers.

The UAE, like all GCC countries, provides electricity at heavily subsidized rates. This...