Topics covered include the procurement models and financing streams for clean energy projects, the impact of the pandemic on securing financing for renewables projects, why the Middle East continues to set records for solar energy and the role of international financial institutions in supporting some of the region’s clean energy ambitions

With Vestas one of the world’s largest wind energy companies, Muhamed provides a fascinating insight into the global growth in demand for wind power and the opportunities for harnessing wind energy across the MENA region.

Topics covered include: key markets and projects in the MENA wind energy market, the potential for hybrid wind and solar schemes, the growing role of technology and data in the clean energy market and the exciting prospects for green hydrogen.

Wilkinson provides an overview of the main digital technologies and applications that are being adopted in the power sector and how digitalisation will enable the energy transition to succeed.

Topics covered include: digital applications enabling the integration of intermittent renewables resources into electricity grids; the role of digitalisation in the rise of distributed generation resources; the role of forecasting and predictive maintenance in improving electricity supply and the importance of attracting young talent into data science

Wouters provides an overview of the main technologies and schemes underway for green and blue hydrogen to date, what is required for costs to come down and why the Middle East and North Africa is well positioned to benefit from the impending green hydrogen revolution.

Vikas provides a fascinating overview of the key trends in the solar market and what is required to deliver utility-scale solar projects. Topics covered include: constructing the world’s largest solar project, the key elements behind the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar production and the prospects for energy storage.

With renewable energy accounting for the majority of new power capacity being commissioned over the past couple of years, the race is on to find the most cost effective solutions to store clean energy so that it can provide power 24 hours a day.

Topics covered include the various energy storage technologies available and under development, the investment required in grids and the potential for electric vehicles to store and release electrical energy.

Having worked with some of the region’s largest water clients and private firms over the past couple of decades, Bryniak shares his insights into how the Middle East’s water sector is changing and what the main themes will be in 2021 and beyond.

Topics covered include the increasing role of the private sector in delivering water projects, the impact of Covid-19 on planned water development programmes, the decoupling of water and power production and the potential for a water reuse market in the Middle East.

Rory provides an interesting overview of Yellow Door’s business model and the impact of Covid-19 on the business and the solar sector in the Middle East. The CCO discusses the importance of government policy, support from local banks and what others can learn from Dubai’s success with its Shams net-metering programme.

Interviews with: 

Amit Jain, Senior Energy Specialist, The World Bank

John Van Zuylen, founder, Africa Solar Industry Association (Afsia)

Alexander Ablaza, CEO, Climargy

Part One

We look at the impact of Covid-19 on the procurement of major utilities projects in the region, with a focus on the financing of projects during Covid-19 and the legal implications of the pandemic on contracts and projects.

Speakers include:

Rajit Nanda, CIO, Acwa Power

Anand Rohatgi, COO, Synergy Consulting

Robert Harker, Partner, DLA Piper

Part Two

We take an in-depth look at the impact of the Covid-19 on the development of renewable energy across the Middle East and North Africa, and the prospects for clean energy projects currently underway and future planned programmes and investments.

Speakers include:

Suresh Bhaskar, VP Business Development (Mescat), Engie

Pri McNair, Regional Head of Client Coverage MENAT and MD, Commercial Banking, HSBC

Mohammed Atif, Area Manager, Energy, Middle East & Africa

DNV GL - Energy

Brendan Cronin, Head of Middle East, Afry Consulting

Dr Alex Hernandez, Director Renewable Energy Cluster, Industrial Clusters, Saudi Arabia

Part Three

The third part addresses the increasingly important role that digitalisation is playing in the energy and utilities sectors. Leading experts discuss the ways in which digital technologies are changing the way energy is produced and consumed, and how digitalisation can secure grid stability and security as increasing amounts of renewable energy capacity is installed. 

Speakers include:

Michael Wilkinson, Global Segment Leader, Energy Digitalization, DNV GL – Energy

Ahmed Fateen, Power Systems VP – Gulf, Schneider Electric

Rui de Sousa, Principal, Industry & Value Advisor – Energy & Natural Resources