< Previous2829 Francesco La Camera was appointed as the Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2019. A veteran in the fields of climate, sustainability, and international cooperation, La Camera is leading the delivery of IRENA’s strategy in cooperation with the agency’s member states. “A renewables-based transition is a vehicle for climate-proof energy systems, improved energy security, reduced inequality, and long-overdue universal access. I am deeply humbled to have been appointed for a new term as Director-General. I will continue to work tirelessly to realise IRENA’s new global mission,” La Camera said at the time of his appointment. Under his leadership, the agency has created strategic partnerships with United Nations organisations including United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Framework Covention Climate Change, and Green Climate Fund among others to implement a more action-oriented approach to the agency’s work. He has spearheaded international cooperation on issues by developing initiatives between multilateral organisation and solutions to the ongoing climate issues. Moreover, within his tenure, the agency has provided its support to several renewable energy initiatives. He has led the development of IRENA’s five collaborative frameworks – platforms for public and private discussion and cooperation around key issues and topics that are related to the energy transition, such as the geopolitics of energy transformation, hydropower, green hydrogen, integration of higher shares of renewables in energy systems, and ocean energy technologies. La Camera has previously served as Director-General of Sustainable Development, Environmental Damage, European Union, and International Affairs at the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea. Within his roles at the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea, he led the Italian delegation to UNFCCC’s COP 21 to 24 and the EU Presidency at COP 20. He was responsible for the preparation and organisation of Italy’s G7 Environment Presidency in 2017. He has also served as co-chair of the Africa Centre for Climate and Sustainable Development established in Rome in partnership with Food and Agriculture Organisation and the UNDP. FRANCESCO LA CAMERA Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)3031 Nadhmi Al-Nasr was named the Chief Executive Officer of NEOM after a-30 year journey with Saudi oil giant Aramco. As CEO, he has helped strengthen the strategic development, major initiatives, and business plans for NEOM’s core economic sectors. The decision to appoint Al-Nasr came as he was a member of NEOM’s founding board. Prior to that appointment, he served as Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Al-Nasr was then named NEOM’s interim President and began working on developing the strategy and development of NEOM Bay, one of the initial stages of NEOM’s $500 billion mega city, which is currently under development on the Kingdom’s Red Sea coast. Through his work at NEOM, the futuristic city has been working on building a $8.4 billion green hydrogen production plant, a project that will put Saudi Arabia on the global map for the energy transition. The project will supply 600 tonnes per day of carbon-free hydrogen for transportation globally. Al-Nasr began his career with Saudi Aramco in 1978 after obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. In 1981, he began working on the execution of the Kingdom’s Master Gas System, which was the largest industrial project of its kind at the time. In 1991, he managed the massive crude expansion program in the Ghawar oil field, at a time when oil output was impacted by the Gulf War. He stepped down from Saudi Aramco in 2013 to devote all his time to KAUST in his role as Executive Vice President of Administration and Finance at that time. A year later, Al-Nasr was appointed by a royal decree to serve on the Advisory Board of the Supreme Economic Council. In 2014, he was also appointed as a member of the Board of Trustees of the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue. NADHMI AL-NASR CEO of NEOM 3233 Rasso Bartenschlager has been championing innovation and sustainability in energy transition for nearly a decade. With an impressive background in the automotive industry, Bartenschlager says he was captivated by the energy sector due to the immense business prospects and the unparalleled opportunity to make a substantial impact on climate change and energy security. The rapid decline in the cost of renewable energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaics and wind power, has made them increasingly competitive with fossil fuels, enabling countries and businesses around the world to accelerate their decarbonisation efforts while also reducing energy costs. Under Bartenschlager’s exceptional leadership, Al Masaood Power Division has emerged as a pioneer in energy transition, boasting several remarkable achievements. These include the launch of their groundbreaking off-grid solar solution brand, Shams+, which operates entirely emissions-free, and the introduction of the first-ever hybrid propulsion system in the Middle East. Furthermore, the division recently undertook a project to deliver emissions-free energy to carbon capture from air project in the UAE, making it the first carbon-negative program in the region. Bartenschlager’s extensive list of accomplishments also consists of his unwavering support for clients responsible for the security and protection of the UAE. This includes involvement in the prestigious Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and providing mission-critical power solutions for data centers, hospitals, pumping stations, and mobile emergency power plants. The development and deployment of advanced energy storage solutions, such as lithium-ion batteries and grid-scale storage systems, are transforming the energy landscape by enabling the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources and providing greater flexibility and resilience to the grid. To Bartenschlager, energy transition signifies the pivotal shift of the primary source of energy to environmentally-friendly, carbon-, and fossil-free sources. The monumental change is necessary to counteract climate change, ensure energy security, and maintain economic competitiveness. Confident in his company’s strategic positioning, Bartenschlager believes that Al Masaood Power Division is well-prepared for energy transition, with investments in their innovative solar solution brand Shams+, battery storage systems, and a move into the hydrogen supply chain. RASSO BARTENSCHLAGER General Manager of Al Masaood Power Division34 When reflecting on the aspects he loves most about working in the energy sector, Bartenschlager highlights the challenging and dynamic environment, the extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in the world, and the diverse career opportunities the sector offers. He also appreciates the chance to collaborate with like-minded professionals who are committed to driving the industry towards a more sustainable future. This collaboration, he believes, is essential for overcoming the challenges and seizing the opportunities that lie ahead in the energy transition. Steering the Energy Industry Towards a Greener Tomorrow Bartenschlager is a firm believer in the power of innovation and the importance of staying ahead of the curve. He encourages companies and individuals in the energy sector to invest in research and development, as well as to explore new business models that support a low-carbon economy. The integration of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain, is enabling the development of smart grids and decentralised energy systems, which can optimise energy generation, distribution, and consumption, while also facilitating greater consumer participation and transparency in the energy market. In his view, embracing digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies will be vital for the industry to adapt and thrive in the face of rapidly changing market dynamics. In addition to the energy trends he has already identified, Bartenschlager foresees the increasing importance of energy efficiency and demand-side management in the coming years. As the world’s population and energy demands continue to grow, optimising energy consumption and reducing waste will become critical to achieving global sustainability goals. The implementation of circular economy principles in the energy sector, through initiatives like waste-to-energy projects and the recycling of end-of-life solar panels and batteries, is helping to reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimise the environmental impact of the energy transition. Bartenschlager also anticipates that emerging economies will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the energy sector, as they grapple with the dual challenges of expanding access to energy and mitigating the environmental impacts of development. Ambitious policy measures, such as carbon pricing, renewable energy targets, and phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies, are driving the energy industry towards decarbonisation by creating a favourable market environment for clean energy investments and innovations. Looking ahead, Bartenschlager envisions a future in which renewable energy sources, advanced energy storage solutions, and smart grid technologies are seamlessly integrated, enabling communities around the world to enjoy reliable, affordable, and clean energy. He also imagines a world where the energy sector has successfully decoupled economic growth from carbon emissions, demonstrating that prosperity and sustainability can go hand in hand. Bartenschlager aspires to be remembered for his instrumental role in advancing innovation and new technologies in the energy sector, completing the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, reducing carbon emissions, and creating a more sustainable future for generations to come. 3536 RAMI HUNEIDI General Manager Kuwait & Group Procurement Head at Gulf Cryo37 SAMI HUNEIDI Chief Administrative Offi cer at Gulf CryoNext >