Celebrating the power players shaping the industry POWER 50 AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION JULY 2023• VOL. 17, ISSUE 07Energizing The FutureEnergizing The Future 11 kV SwitchgearsPower Transformers up to 500 MVA, 400 kV Class LV SwitchgearsDistribution Transformers Solar Skids / Plug & Play EV ChargersPackage Substation Battery Energy Storage SystemJuly 2023 / Vol.17 | Issue 07 08 DESALINATION Latest developments within the GCC sweater desalination space to meet growing demand for potable water 09 WIND ENERGY How a UAE-based renewable energy developer is shaping Egypt’s energy landscape through a new project that will generate electric power from wind 10 $8BN WATER PROJECTS Egypt is undertaking major initiatives to boost investment in water projects including new desalination plants 14 AFRICA CLEAN ENERGY How Africa’s climate and geography can be leveraged to advance renewable energy generation and boost electricity access 08 09 1014 www.utilities-me.com July 2023 3 CONTENTS18 HYBRID PROPULSION How Al Masaood Power Division is reshaping the future of the marine industry with game-changing solutions such as hybrid propulsion 20 PIONEERING ENERGY TRANSITION How Hitachi Energy is driving the transformation towards a sustainable future through the latest technological advancements 23 POWER 50 Utilities Middle East celebrates some of the most infl uential power players within the region’s power and water utilities 46 INTELLIGENT POWER Thomas Ligocki, Senior Vice President for Utility at IFS talks about the benefi ts of integrating smart computing across various levels of utilities operations 50 OMAN HYDROGEN FUTURE In a world hungry for cleaner energy solutions, Oman is rapidly emerging as a potential powerhouse in the burgeoning industry of low-emissions hydrogen 52 CLOUD SEEDING How cloud seeding, a technique used to manipulate weather patterns, is emerging as a viable approach to combat water scarcity in the UAE 46 5052 4 July 2023 www.utilities-me.com CONTENTSTo flip through previous editions of Utilities Middle East magazine, visit utilities-me.com/emagazines/digital-magazine Published by and © 2023 ITP MEDIA Group FZ-LLC. PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: 00 971 4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London & Mumbai ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Alex Reeve Deputy Managing Director Anil Bhoyrul EDITORIAL Group Editor Kate-Lynne Wolmarans Editor Baset Asaba Tel: +971 4 444 3159 email: baset.asaba@itp.com DESIGN Art Director Amjad Ayche Designer Tofiq Memon ADVERTISING Group Commercial Director Anup Nagpurkar Tel: +971 4 444 3573 email: anup.nagpurkar@itp.com Sales Manager Jaya Kumar Tel: +971 4 444 3268 email: jaya.kumar@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Chief Photographer Rajesh Raghav Videographer Muhammad Kaleem Video Editor Liju Cheruvathur Multimedia Producer Mina Vucic Group Social Media Manager Andy Reudas ITP LIVE General Manager Ahmad Bashour PRODUCTION Production Manager Denny Kollannoor Production Coordinator Manoj Mahadevan Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles DISTRIBUTION Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira MARKETING Director of Awards and Marketing Daniel Fewtrell ITP GROUP CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the reader’s particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. 6 July 2023 www.utilities-me.comBaset Asaba Editor I n this special edition of Utilities Middle East magazine, we are proud to present the highly anticipated Power 50 List, a tribute to the exemplary individuals who have made significant contributions to the power and water utilities sector within the MENA region. With ambitious decarbonisation targets set by countries, the onus falls upon strong and visionary leadership to ensure these targets are met. The utilities industry in the MENA region has wholeheartedly embraced this shift. We have witnessed the commissioning of utility-scale clean energy projects, with many more still under construction. These projects not only reflect the region’s commitment to sustainability but also serve as a testament to the industry’s dedication to driving positive change. Frameworks focusing on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors have become integral to the sector, with initiatives aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and promoting conservation in power and water operations at the forefront of every utilities company’s agenda. While we celebrate the Power 50 individuals, it is important to acknowledge the contribution of everyone within the industry. From the heads of organisations to engineers, researchers, and administrative and technical staff, every individual plays a crucial role in advancing the sector. Their commitment, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence contribute to the overall success and progress of the industry. The Power 50 List has been meticulously curated using our best judgment and understanding of the current state of the industry. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the companies that participated in our survey, providing valuable insights that helped shape this prestigious list. As you explore the profiles and accomplishments of the Power 50 individuals, we invite you to join us in celebrating their exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication to driving positive change within the utilities sector. May their stories inspire and motivate us all to embrace innovation, enhance energy efficiency, scale renewable energy, and ensure a secure and sustainable future for generations to come. www.utilities-me.com July 2023 7 EDITOR’S LETTER Visionary leadershipA CWA Power, in partnership with Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) and AlBawani Water & Power Company (AWP), has successfully launched the groundbreaking Jubail 3A independent water desalination plant, known as Jazlah Water Desalination Company. This significant achievement comes after the plant received the commercial operation certificate from Saudi Water Partnership Co. (SWPC), marking the official start of its full- time operations. Jazlah stands out as the first-of-its- kind project in Saudi Arabia, seamlessly integrating photovoltaic (PV) solar power with water desalination processes. With an impressive budget of $650 million, the Jazlah plant, located in Jubail, has set a remarkable world efficiency record of 2.8 kWh/cubic meter of water, utilizing the abundant resources of Arabian Gulf Seawater. As the inaugural Independent Water Project (IWP) in the eastern region, Jazlah boasts a remarkable production capacity of 600,000 cubic meters of desalinated water per day, effectively meeting the surging water demands in the area. At the heart of the Jazlah project lies a cutting-edge 45.5 MW solar PV power generation facility, accounting for 20% of the plant’s energy consumption. By harnessing the power of reverse osmosis (RO) technology, the plant will deliver pristine and clean water at an unprecedented tariff rate of 0.41 USD/m3, catering to the needs of over three million people. The incorporation of advanced PV and RO technologies in the plant’s operations will pave the way for a significant reduction of 60,000 tons of carbon emissions annually, making a tangible impact on both social and economic advancement in accordance with the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia firmly believes that these visionary projects align perfectly with the objectives and plans outlined in the National Water Strategy. The strategy places a strong emphasis on enhancing private sector participation in water production projects and ensuring the equitable supply of drinking water to all regions across the Kingdom. The Jazlah project assumes a dual role, meeting the water demand in the Riyadh and Qassim regions while bolstering the overall development of the sector. It aims to elevate service quality, optimise expenditure efficiency, and tap into the private sector’s expertise in construction, operation, and management, all of which are integral components of the Kingdom’s transformative Vision 2030. In a remarkable feat, the Jazlah project achieved an impressive 40% local content, amounting to SAR 1.5 billion in expenditure. The Jazlah project also boasts a workforce comprising 100% Saudi nationals, underscoring its dedication to nurturing a skilled and educated workforce. Saudi Arabia has attributed the project’s success to the dedication of a consortium comprising ACWA Power (40.2%), Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) (40%), and AlBawani Water & Power Company (AWP) (19.8%). ACWA Power launches Jubail 3A desalination plant Project integrates photovoltaic (PV) solar power with water desalination processes $650M Cost of the project 8 July 2023 www.utilities-me.com NEWSMasdar inks $10BN deal for wind farm in Egypt Mirfa 2 desalination project achieves financial close The landmark facility is set to be one of the largest of its kind worldwide M2 RO will be the third largest reverse osmosis plant in the UAE producing 120 MIGD A Masdar-led consortium has joined forces with Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority to secure land for the construction of an enormous 10 gigawatt (GW) capacity onshore wind farm with a value exceeding $10 billion. The landmark facility is set to be one of the largest of its kind worldwide. Masdar, a leading global player in clean energy, is spearheading the initiative in collaboration with its partners, Infinity Power and Hassan Allam Utilities. Once operational, the wind farm will produce a staggering 47,790 GWh of clean energy annually, slashing Egypt’s carbon emissions by approximately 9% and displacing a colossal 23.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. The ambitious project aligns with Egypt’s U AE’s TAQA, EWEC, alongside France’s ENGIE, have announced the successful financial closing of the AED 2.3 billion ($620 million) low carbon Mirfa 2 Reverse Osmosis (M2 RO) desalination project. The project is primarily funded (78%) through debt financing from both local and international strategic objective of sourcing 42% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. By achieving this target, the North African nation is estimated to save a remarkable $5 billion in natural gas costs annually. The original agreement to develop the 10GW wind farm was signed by the Abu Dhabi- headquartered Masdar, Infinity Power, and Hassan Allam Utilities during the UN climate change conference, COP27, in Egypt last year. banks, including Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), The Norinchukin Bank, BNP Paribas (BNPP) and KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH. This follows TAQA and ENGIE signing the water purchase agreement with EWEC (Emirates In March, Masdar became the largest operator of renewables in Africa after its joint venture with Egypt’s Infinity - Infinity Power - acquired Lekela Power, a renewables developer with operations across the continent. The Abu Dhabi group also demonstrated its commitment to African nations by signing deals to develop renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of up to 5 GW in Angola, Uganda, and Zambia, in January. Water and Electricity Company in February. Serving as the third largest RO desalination plant in the UAE, M2 RO will produce 120 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) of water once fully operational, equating to roughly 550,000 cubic metres per day of potable water. Expected to be operational in Q4 2025, the plant will be owned by TAQA holding a 60% share and ENGIE taking a 40% share. Both firms will also take on the operations and maintenance (O&M) of the plant with ENGIE taking a 60% stake in the O&M company and TAQA taking a 40% stake. EWEC will procure the water supplied from the plant for 30 years. The technology also enables plant operators to reduce carbon emissions by decoupling of water and power generation processes, thus supporting the wider efforts of the energy sector to cut costs and achieve sustainability targets. The engineering procurement, construction (EPC) contractors on the project will be local Abu Dhabi contractor Al Nasr Contracting Company LLC alongside Société Internationale de Dessalement (SIDEM). Farid Al Awlaqi, Executive Director of Generation, TAQA, said that the project is in line with TAQA’s ESG and growth strategies. www.utilities-me.com July 2023 9 NEWSNext >