< PreviousAlexandre Eykerman, Energy Business Director, Middle East and Managing Director, Wärtsilä Gulf FZE A lexandre Eykerman is the Energy Business Director for the Middle East and the Managing Director of Wärtsilä Gulf FZE, known for his visionary leadership in the renewable energy sector. He is dedicated to unlocking the full potential of renewable energy sources in the Middle East, driven by his passion for sustainability, decarbonisation, and new energy economics. Eykerman has played a crucial role in establishing Wärtsilä as a market leader in propulsion by advocating for the adoption of low-pressure gas engines. He has also expanded his focus beyond the marine sector, driving the development of land- based gas infrastructure competences through the construction of mid-scale LNG terminals. One of Eykerman’s notable projects is the Mansourah-Massarah hybrid power plant in Saudi Arabia, a cutting-edge facility that maximises solar PV usage to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and minimise emissions. He firmly believes that a renewable energy future can be achieved by employing flexible power plants and sustainable fuels to balance energy grids in an affordable and sustainable manner. Eykerman envisions a world where nations achieve net-zero energy by 2050, or even 2040, at the lowest possible cost. He recognizes that this monumental task requires collaboration and innovation, and he emphasizes the importance of strategic partnerships in driving the transition to renewable energy. With his background in Mechanical Engineering and an Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics, Eykerman brings a wealth of expertise to his role. He actively contributes to empowering women in the United Arab Emirates through the YES! Mentorship Program and has received recognition for his contributions, including awards such as the Gas & LNG Middle East Summit Awards in 2018 and the Asian Power Awards in 2017. With a budget ranging from 200-400 million EUR, Eykerman is determined to make a lasting impact on the energy sector, leading the Middle East towards a greener and more sustainable future. He envisions Wärtsilä as a key player in the region’s renewable energy landscape, driven by flexible balancing solutions and energy storage technologies. The ultimate goal for Alexandre Eykerman is for Wärtsilä to achieve carbon neutrality in its own operations and offer a product portfolio ready for zero-carbon fuels by 2030. “ Eykerman firmly believes that a renewable energy future can be achieved by employing flexible power plants and sustainable fuel” 30 July 2023 www.utilities-me.com POWER 50Rasso Bartenschlager General Manager, Al Masaood Power Division R asso Bartenschlager, the General Manager of Al Masaood Power Division, has made a significant impact on the energy industry. With a strong automotive background, he was drawn to the energy sector’s business opportunities and its potential to address climate change and enhance energy security. Under Bartenschlager’s leadership, Al Masaood Power Division has become a trailblazer in the energy transition. It achieved remarkable milestones, including the launch of Shams+, an emission-free off-grid solar solution brand. It unveiled the Middle East’s first hybrid propulsion system and spearheaded the region’s first carbon-negative program, delivering emission-free energy to a carbon capture project. Bartenschlager’s accomplishments extend to supporting clients responsible for national security, including involvement in the prestigious Barakah Nuclear Power Plant and providing mission-critical power solutions to vital facilities. Recognising the importance of advanced energy storage solutions, Bartenschlager sees the transformative impact of technologies like lithium-ion batteries and grid-scale storage systems. These innovations enhance grid flexibility and resilience while integrating intermittent renewable energy sources. For Bartenschlager, energy transition signifies a shift to environmentally friendly, carbon and fossil-free sources, essential for combating climate change, ensuring energy security, and promoting economic competitiveness. Al Masaood Power Division is well-prepared, having invested in Shams+, battery storage systems, and the hydrogen supply chain. Bartenschlager appreciates the energy sector’s challenging and dynamic environment, the opportunity to make a difference, and the diverse career opportunities it offers. Collaboration with sustainability-focused professionals is vital for overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities in the energy transition. He advocates for innovation, urging investment in research, development, and low-carbon business models. Embracing digitalisation and cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain is crucial for thriving in rapidly changing market dynamics. Bartenschlager foresees growing significance in energy efficiency and demand-side management due to increasing global population and energy demands. “ Rasso believes circular economy principles, waste-to-energy projects, and recycling are crucial to reduce waste and environmental impact” www.utilities-me.com July 2023 31 POWER 50Richard Menezes Managing Director, Utico FZC R ichard Menezes is the Founder and Director of Utico FZC with more than 32 years of experience in the water and energy utilities sector. As a seasoned professional, he has successfully conceptualised, designed, developed, financed, and operated utilities worldwide, focusing particularly on the Middle East. His expertise ranges from the oil and gas industry to municipal, high purity, waste and industrial water, as well as transmission and distribution systems, and the establishment of private utilities for towns and cities. Richard holds an MBA in Business from Manchester Business School and a BSc in Chemistry. He has acquired various certifications in finance, electronics, and computers. With a strong belief in social capitalism, environmentalism, and global citizenship, he emphasizes the importance of peace, conservation, and sustainable development. Richard views peace as the fundamental pillar of sustainability, with genuine intentions to create positive impact serving as its foundation. He considers innovation as the driving force behind progress and widespread adoption of sustainable practices. To ensure the perpetuity of sustainable utilities, Richard proposes a groundbreaking approach. He suggests that each subsequent COP (Conference of Parties) beginning with COP28 should establish a dedicated fund that acts as an equity provider and shareholder for sponsored projects. This would eliminate the need to seek external funding for each COP, allowing for smoother implementation and progress. Highlighting the scarcity of water resources, Richard highlights the need for conservation and improvement. He reminds us that water has been continuously recycled since the Earth’s creation and urges us to make conscious efforts to preserve and enhance this precious resource. Utico, under Richard’s leadership, has taken significant strides in supporting farmers in the region. Looking ahead, the company has ambitious plans to further advance sustainability initiatives and contribute to COP28 in the UAE. Utico is currently on the verge of a major investment, aiming for rapid growth and renewed focus on sustainability and innovation. Richard and his team are eager to participate and play their part in the ever-expanding realm of sustainability, seizing opportunities both in the region and globally. “ Richard Menezes considers innovation as the driving force behind progress and widespread adoption of sustainable practices” 32 July 2023 www.utilities-me.com POWER 50Mohammed Ajmal Basha Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi Chief Executive Officer, Voltamp Energy SAOG Chief Executive Officer, Masdar M ohammed Ajmal Basha became the Chief Executive Officer of Voltamp Energy SAOG, a public limited engineering and technology group from Oman in January 2023 and has been spearheading the business transformation with a vision of bringing latest technology of Electrical products in Oman with a commitment to ensure Localization and Internal Security of Key Electrical products for GCC region. Mohammed Ajmal is an Engineer and has passion for Development and Change, he is also the first CEO for the group which is home grown and has been associated with Voltamp since 2019 in various capacities as General Manager, Chief Operating Officer and the Acting CEO. Mohammed stated that the Vision in Voltamp Energy for localization of technology of Electrical Products is being actively pursued with the accomplishment of 220 KV, 500 MVA Power transformer in 2020 followed up with a quick succession of 400kV, 500 MVA Ultra High Voltage Power Transformer in 2021. A s the Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar, Mohamed Al Ramahi spearheads the company’s development and strategic direction as it plays a prominent role in the renewable energy and clean technology sector. Joining Masdar as Head of Internal Audit & Compliance in 2008, Al Ramahi established the firm’s enterprise risk management function, before being appointed Director of Corporate Services & Financial Affairs in March 2011 and then Chief Financial Officer in December 2012. Al Ramahi served as Chief Operating Officer from 2013 to 2016, driving substantial bottom line growth and operational efficiencies across the organisation. In February 2016, Al Ramahi succeeded Dr Ahmad Belhoul as CEO. He is the Chairman of the Masdar Investment Committee and serves on the board of a number of prominent corporations, joint ventures and special entities. These include Shuaa Energy 2 PSC (developing the 800MW third phase of Dubai Solar Park), Inverter duty transformer and Skid Solutions were another triumph for Voltamp ambition in the renewable energy business which was completed in 2021 and 2022. Voltamp has also made its foot print stronger in over 19 countries including the products for Oil & Gas industry with special transformers for Artificial Lifts in Oil exploration. Voltamp had to go through facility expansion of plant and machinery which was flawlessly done during these years and supplied products ON Time. When asked about his aspirations, Mr. Ajmal expressed, “Voltamp is a fundamentally robust company, equipped with exceptional businesses and an abundance of talent. Leading this iconic organisation is an absolute privilege. We will continue fostering our customer-centric approach, enabling our business relationships to lead the way. Undoubtedly, this is an exhilarating chapter for us and are poised to bring Oman and GCC in the forefront of Technology products for the world. Medical Holding Company, and the UAE-based district cooling firm Tabreed. Since 2016, Al Ramahi has overseen the growth of Masdar’s renewable energy portfolio, which spans the MENA region, the United Kingdom, Spain, Serbia, the US, the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean. The gross generating capacity of these projects, either in operation or under development, is nearly 4GW and altogether they displace nearly 5.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. The total electricity production of Masdar’s solar and wind projects exceeds 10,680 GWh annually. The electricity generation capacity of all projects Masdar has invested in increased from 10.7 gigawatts (GW) to over 15 GW in 2021. The company’s operating clean energy portfolio displaced almost 7.5 million tonnes of CO2 last year, a 38 per cent rise on 2020. TAQA is set to acquire a 43% controlling stake in Masdar’s renewables business with Mubadala retaining a 33% interest, and ADNOC owning the remaining 24%. www.utilities-me.com July 2023 33 POWER 50Mohamed Al Hammadi Jasim Husain Thabet CEO, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) CEO and Managing Director, TAQA Group S ince 2008, Mohamed Al Hammadi has led the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) in successfully delivering the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program, focusing on the implementation of the highest national regulations and international standards of safety, security, quality, transparency and non-proliferation. Al Hammadi’s management responsibilities include leading the organization towards the common goal of powering the future growth of the UAE through the safe and efficient deployment of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the UAE and Arab World’s first nuclear energy plant. The first and second units of the Barakah plant are now connected to the UAE grid. The Operating License for Unit 3 has been secured and the process of loading fuel assemblies into the reactor has begun, paving the way for electricity generation from the Unit in the coming months. Al Hammadi leads ENEC, and oversees its Joint Venture subsidiaries: Nawah Energy A n energy industry veteran with more than two decades of experience, Jasim Husain Thabet assumed the role of TAQA Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director in July 2020, after having joined the Board of Directors the previous year. Previously, Mr. Thabet served as CEO & MD at Abu Dhabi Power Corporation (ADPower), where, over a 15-month period, he leveraged the company’s diverse portfolio of power and water generation, transmission and distribution assets to transform the power and water sector in Abu Dhabi and beyond. Under his leadership, TAQA, Mubadala Investment Company and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company recently acquired stakes in Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), a move set to turbocharge Masdar’s local and international expansion. Prior to his role at ADPower, Mr. Thabet served as CEO of National Central Cooling Company PSJC (Tabreed). Over six years, he successfully pioneered a new model of Company, which is responsible for operating and maintaining the Barakah plant, and Barakah One Company, which manages the financial and commercial interests of the project. Over 3,000 people work across the organisations, spanning over 50 nationalities, making it one of the most multicultural and multinational energy projects globally. His responsibilities include the deployment of nuclear energy plants in the UAE, incorporating the development of plans for a peaceful nuclear energy programme, and non-regulatory infrastructure. Al Hammadi has a strong background in power and utility projects, including management, construction, finance and administration. Prior to joining ENEC, Al Hammadi was General Manager of the UAE Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA) where he led a transformational management process. In 2019, Al Hammadi received an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering from Ajou University. sustainable growth, delivering approximately 50% growth in consolidated capacity, 28% growth in revenues in the UAE and across the GCC, and led Tabreed to investment grade credit ratings from Moody’s and Fitch. Prior to Tabreed, Mr. Thabet served as Vice President of the Industry Unit at Mubadala Investment Company. And before Mubadala, Mr. Thabet was Senior Project Manager at General Electric Power Systems, where he successfully brought several large-scale power plants in the GCC to operation. He began his career in offshore operations at Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), one of the world’s leading oil producers. Mr. Thabet holds a Bachelor of Science – Mechanical Engineering obtained from Saint Martin’s University, Washington, U.S.A. TAQA has investments in power and water generation, transmission and distribution, as well as upstream and midstream oil and gas operations. The company’s assets, worth around AED 191bn are spread in various countries. 34 July 2023 www.utilities-me.com POWER 50Eng. Yousif Al Ali Khalid Hamad Algnoon CEO, Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) President & CEO, Saudi Electricity Company E ng. Yousif Al Ali is the CEO of Etihad Water and Electricity, who is contributing to the continued growth and success of the energy and utility sector in the UAE by initiating integrated strategies and bringing diverse leadership perspectives into the sector’s policies and initiatives, as well as coordinating efforts to achieve the UAE’s 2050 Energy Strategy. With a career spanning over 20 years in the energy and petrochemical industries, Yousif Al Ali is also a Board Member in the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, as well as many other national and international companies. He has extensive and distinguished practical experience in the areas of investment, engineering, planning, and strategic project management. Prior to joining EtihadWE, Yousif Al Ali took up leadership positions across several entities in the energy sector, including as the Assistant Undersecretary for Electricity, Water & Future Energy Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy T he board of Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) appointed Khalid Hamad Algnoon as the CEO of the state-owned firm on June 20 2022. Algnoon, who holds a master’s degree in business administration from Ireland’s Dublin University, was previously appointed acting CEO to replace Fahad bin Husseein Al-Suaidiri, who had quit the company for “private reasons”. The new CEO has more than 35 years of engineering and administrative experience. The company saw its net profit decline by 10 percent to 1.5 billion riyals ($399 million) in the first quarter of the year due to higher operating, maintenance and financing costs. On a quarterly basis, however, the company’s financial performance posted an improvement, having incurred 506 million riyals in losses in the last quarter of 2021. SEC enjoys a monopoly on the generation, transmission and distribution of electric power in Saudi Arabia through 45 power generation plants. In 2019 SEC was ranked by Forbes as the and Infrastructure and as the Executive Director of Masdar Clean Energy Unit, where he led several departments including investment, asset management and operations for local and global large-scale renewable energy projects. Part of his role in Masdar was to oversee Masdar’s Energy Services activities, and its increasingly growing portfolio of energy efficiency projects and off-grid renewable energy projects in MENA and international markets. Eng. Yousif serves as a member in the board of Directors for the Federal Nuclear Regulation Authority and many other national and international companies like Shams Power Company, Jordan Wind Power Company (JWPC), Krnovo Green Energy (KGE) in Montenegro and Baynouna Solar Energy PSC. Yousif Al Ali holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from IE Business School in Madrid, a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from UAE University, in addition to being a Certified Professional in Project Management. 5th largest company in the Kingdom, and the 578 worldwide, with total annual sales of $17.1 billion. The company was formed in 2000 by Order of the Council of Ministers through a merger of existing regional electricity companies in the Central, Eastern, Western and Southern regions into a single joint stock company. In 2009, the Electricity and Cogeneration Regulatory Authority (ECRA) announced its intention to split the company into four generation companies and separate transmission and distribution companies to encourage competition in the domestic utilities sector. A transmission company – National Grid SA – was established in 2012 to operate the national grid. In 2014, ECRA was said to have hired advisors on the break-up of the company. ECRA also confirmed the new generation companies will be open to foreign investment. The company is 81.24 percent owned by the government, both directly (74.31 percent) and through Saudi Aramco (6.93 percent). www.utilities-me.com July 2023 35 POWER 50Othman Juma Al Ali Khalid Abdulla Al Marzooqi CEO, Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) Chief Executive Officer, Tabreed O thman Juma Al Ali serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC). Under Al Ali’s leadership EWEC has initiated new projects that will lead the world in their size, scope, and efficiencies, achieved world firsts in water and power projects, and strengthened its national and international partnerships to help deliver a secure water and power supply in the UAE. Al Ali has empowered EWEC to pursue transformations and innovative strategies, diversifying its energy mix to become a leader of change within the sector, ensuring sustainability, supporting the UAE government energy vision, and developing talent for the future. Othman joined from the Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA), now Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), where he was Chief Financial Officer. He has almost two decades of experience in both the private and public sectors, having held various positions in the utilities and banking industries across a K halid Abdulla Al Marzooqi became CEO of Tabreed, one of the UAE’s most important and resilient companies, in May 2021. As the owner, operator and developer of energy efficient District Cooling plants and networks in the Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Oman, Tabreed’s operations are seen as crucial in the region’s drive toward carbon neutrality – something Al Marzooqi champions at every opportunity. In the period following his appointment, Tabreed has expanded its capacity in Oman, opened an office in Egypt and entered a significant partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) with a clear mandate to meet the cooling needs of India and, potentially, other Southeast Asian countries. Operational excellence is at the heart of Tabreed’s success and growth, and Al Marzooqi’s many years of experience at the highest levels of the UAE’s energy sector help steer the company’s course of continuous, sustainable progress. number of federal government entities. Throughout his career, Othman has been the driving force behind several successful restructures and transformations that improved efficiency and strengthened performance, including initiatives to privatise the utilities sector. Othman’s extensive previous industry experience leading transformations has been fundamental in pushing the business forward and supporting our broader strategic development. EWEC is responsible for purchasing, selling, planning, organising and managing supply and demand and trade of power and water in Abu Dhabi and beyond by identifying opportunities for the development of power and water generation facilities, with a focus on sustainability and renewable technology. Othman has supported EWEC in its ongoing strategic investment in developing low-carbon intensive water desalination facilities equipped with the latest sustainable RO technologies. Before joining Tabreed, Al Marzooqi was Chief Operating Officer of Dolphin Energy Limited, overseeing the Downstream Division in the UAE, and before that he was Senior Vice President of the company’s Technical Services Division. He also occupied senior roles at the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), and ADCO. Between 2008 and 2009, Al Marzooqi worked for the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, where he was responsible for the public transport section which designed, developed, and launched the current Abu Dhabi bus system. The 56 year old Al Marzooqi holds a bachelor’s of Science degree with two majors in Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering. He also spent nine years at the former Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), where he worked as a senior maintenance manager for two power and desalination plants in the western region of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. 36 July 2023 www.utilities-me.com POWER 50Marco Arcelli Khalid Salem Chief Executive Officer, ACWA Power President, Mitsubishi Power, MENA M arco Arcelli is Chief Executive Officer of ACWA Power, a leading Saudi developer, investor, and operator of power generation, water desalination and green hydrogen plants worldwide. Marco Arcelli, a seasoned C-level executive with over 25 years of international experience in energy and infrastructure, brings a wealth of expertise in growth of multinational companies and digital innovation. In his previous positions, he played a crucial role in the strategic positioning and growth of Enel Trade, Enel’s North American operations, and EP New Energy as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. Arcelli’s role as CEO of ACWA Power involves providing strategic and operational leadership, overseeing global expansion efforts, and leveraging his expertise in digital innovation to optimise operations and drive growth. ACWA Power, publicly listed on Tadawul since 2021 is currently in 12 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Southeast Asia. K halid Salem is a senior executive with over 20 years of successful experience in the power sector across the Middle East and North Africa region, with a proven a track record of driving sales performance and delivering growth at leading power companies as Mitsubishi Power and previously GE, with significant experience in integrated cleaner power solutions, power generation systems, advanced hydrogen technologies, and digital. Khalid joined Mitsubishi Power in 2018 and has since built the rapid expansion of the company’s presence across the MENA region with a succession of new and large order wins focused on cleaner, greener, effi cient, and sustainable energy solutions. Under Khalid’s leadership, Mitsubishi Power has considerably expanded its operational footprint in the region, with a focus on the sale of the most advanced turbines in the industry – the J-Series Air Cooled gas turbines – which boast world-class unmatched reliability of 99.6%, and efficiency of greater than 64%. The company’s portfolio comprises 69 assets, with an investment value of $72.6 billion. ACWA Power recently signed a Roadmap Agreement with the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan and Samruk-Kazyna, the country’s Investment Development Fund, for a 1 GW wind energy and battery storage project with an investment of $1.5 billion. The company also recently secured three power purchase agreements (PPAs) valued at $3.25 billion for three large-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar plants in Saudi Arabia. ACWA Power employs about 3,900 people and is currently present in 13 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and Southeast Asia. ACWA Power’s portfolio comprises 67 projects in operation, advanced development, or construction with an investment value of SAR 253.8 billion (USD 67.7), with capacity to generate 43.5 GW of power and produce 6.4 million m3/day of desalinated water per day, delivered on a bulk basis to address the needs of state utilities. Mitsubishi Power recently secured a long- term contract from the Kuwait Ministry of Electricity & Water & Renewable Energy to upgrade and enhance the Sabiya power and water distillation station. The project is in line with Kuwait Vision 2035, which aims to meet the country’s growing power needs and decarbonise its energy future. Mitsubishi Power has also demonstrated its commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s clean energy infrastructure and boosting national talent within the energy sector. The Mitsubishi Power National Program launched by the company in 2019 helps to prioritise the development of local talent and expand industrial facilities and capabilities in Dammam to serve Saudi Arabia and the region. The company has also signed a Long Term Service Agreement (LTSA) with Damietta LNG (DLNG), a leading producer and exporter of liquid natural gas in Egypt, to enhance the reliability, efficiency and availability of power supply, and protect LNG production at the plant. www.utilities-me.com July 2023 37 POWER 50Ahmed Amur Al Mahrizi H.H. Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud Acting Group CEO, Nama Group, Oman Minister of Energy, Saudi Arabia A hmed Amur Al Mahrizi currently holds the position of acting Chief Executive Officer at Nama Holding, with the key responsibility to spearhead the implementation of a nationwide programme of reforming the water and wastewater sector in Oman. Additionally, he is responsible for executing the initiative of privatization of the electricity companies within Nama Group. Prior to this position, Mr. Ahmed has held various management positions in the telecom arena. Notably, a 10-year tenure as Vice President at Virgin Mobile Middle East and Africa, in which Mr. Ahmed has been a key instrument in starting up new telecom businesses in multiple geographies including Oman, UAE, KSA, Jordan, Malaysia, and South Africa. Mr. Al Mahrizi completed his bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Economics from Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman. He has also attended executive leadership courses at IMD and other renowned institutes. Ahmed Al Mahrizi has extensive experience P rince Abdulaziz was appointed Minister of Energy in September 2019. In his capacity as Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia, Prince Abdulaziz is responsible for coordinating the Kingdom’s domestic and international energy policies in line with the goals of Vision 2030. This includes overseeing energy activities within the Kingdom; regulating the oil, gas, electricity, nuclear and renewables sectors in the interests of the Kingdom in the short and long term and directing Saudi international policy with regard to relations with producers (including through OPEC and OPEC+) and with consumers. He has served in numerous capacities in the Ministry over the past three decades, including as Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Vice Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Assistant Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Deputy Minister for Petroleum Affairs and Adviser to the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. in leadership roles, with proven successful track record of starting up new businesses and the ability to deliver business growth through the delivery of exceptional and consistent customer propositions and experiences. He possesses a wealth of mobile telecom experiences in multiple-geographies; Oman, UAE, KSA, Jordan, Malaysia & South Africa. Al Mahrizi has held various management positions in the telecom sector in Oman as part of working with Nawras and FRiENDi mobile, and has directly contributed o the achievements of lots of telecom arena breakthroughs in Oman. Nama Group was established as a result of the restructuring of the electricity and water sectors in 2004 and commenced its commercial operations on 1 May 2005. NG’s operations are spread across procurement, generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity and water services in the Sultanate of Oman. Oman Investment Authority is the shareholder of Nama Holding, which is the holding company of Nama Group subsidiaries. Prince Abdulaziz is spearheading projects that will enable Saudi Arabia to expand its total solar energy capacity by almost 40GW by 2025 from the current 455MW. Specific development plans in the Kingdom include the NEOM smart city, which will include a $5bn hydrogen plant, and the Red Sea Project, which will have the capacity to generate 400 MW of solar power and will host the world’s largest off-grid energy- storage project to date. The 400-megawatt Dumat al-Jandal wind farm, the first wind project in Saudi Arabia and made up of 99 wind turbines, has been connected to the Saudi national grid. Prince Abdulaziz is also overseeing plans to establish a civil nuclear industry in the KSA that projects up to 17GW of nuclear capacity by 2040 and two reactors with a combined capacity of 3.2 GW online within the next decade. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) (1985) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Management (1982), both from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. 38 July 2023www.utilities-me.com POWER 50Abdullah Al-Abdul-Karim Hussain Al Nowais Governor, SWCC, Saudi Arabia Chairman, AMEA Power E ng. Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Abdul-Karim was appointed SWCC Governor in May 2020 to steer the Saudi utility company towards a long-planned privatisation shift, among other duties. SWCC is a Saudi governmental institution mandated and entrusted with seawater desalination and the delivery of desalinated water to various regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and beyond. Al-Abdul-Karim, armed with extensive knowledge and experience, implements effective strategies and approaches to improve business efficiency through sustainable economic governance. This approach not only reduces costs but also contributes to the development of the water industry. Importantly, it enhances the Kingdom’s reputation as a global leader in the desalination industry, showcasing its exceptional leadership and achievements. Al-Abdul-Karim’s remarkable career includes leading various committees and councils, where he spearheaded initiatives such as privatisation, H ussain Al Nowais is a prominent global industrialist and business strategist with an impressive track record spanning over 35 years. Throughout his career, he has invested in and managed businesses across various sectors in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, including banking, finance, industry, petrochemicals, energy, infrastructure, hospitality, and real estate. As the Chairman and founding member of AlNowais Investments, Hussain Al Nowais leads the firm’s global expansion, investment, and strategic project development initiatives in their target sectors. His strategic vision has been instrumental in guiding the company’s success. In addition to his role at AlNowais Investments, Hussain Al Nowais holds key positions in other esteemed organisations. Notably, he serves as the Chairman of AMEA Power, a renowned developer, owner, and operator of renewable power projects in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Furthermore, he strategic restructuring, and financial planning to align with government policies. He also serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Water Transportation and Technology Company. This crucial role involves overseeing the efficient transfer, storage, and management of water, as well as the development of cutting-edge technologies and the operation of water transmission systems across the Kingdom and beyond. SWCC was established in 1974 as an independent governmental institution. SWCC controls the world’s largest desalination portfolio, operating assets with a water generation capacity in excess of 5 million m3/d. Despite the Kingdom’s pivot toward the use of private project developers for new desalination plants in the past five years, SWCC has continued to procure new capacity as it seeks to replace some of its ageing and inefficient plants. Al-Abdul-Karim holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from King Saud University. holds the position of Vice Chairman at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), a leading domestic bank in the UAE. Hussain Al Nowais’s involvement extends to the board of Rotana Hotels & Real Estate Investments, a well-known entity in the hospitality and real estate sectors. He is also an esteemed member of influential business councils such as the Family Business Council- Gulf, Asia Business Council, and Arab Business Council. Under Hussain Al Nowais’s leadership, AMEA Power has achieved remarkable milestones. The company currently boasts a robust portfolio of nearly 6GW of renewable energy projects across Africa. This includes 230MW of projects already operational or under construction, with an additional 5.7GW in the pipeline. AMEA Power’s achievements are particularly noteworthy considering the relatively short period of the company’s operation in a region where utility-scale solar investments are not yet widely prevalent. www.utilities-me.com July 2023 39 POWER 50Next >