Opening Session

Tuesday, March 07, 2023
Time
11:00 am - 11:50 am
Hall
Sheikh Saeed Hall 2, Dubai World Trade Centre
Room
Conference Area, S2.C50

Are you looking for inspiring keynotes? Then join the opening to learn about vison and implementation of the MENA energy transition, energy carriers reaching net zero, energy security, lowest costs, jobs, trade concepts and more.

11:00 am - 11:10 amWelcome by the Organizer

Dr. Florian Wessendorf

Managing Director

Solar Promotion International GmbH

11:10 am - 11:30 amKeynote Speech: Energy Leadership in Sunny Middle East

Paul van Son

President

Dii Desert Energy

11:30 am - 11:50 amKeynote Speech

Ahmed S Nada

President

Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA)

Speakers

Speaker

Paul van Son, Dii Desert Energy

President

UAE

Paul van Son has been active in various management and executive positions in the international (renewable) electricity and gas business for over 30 years at Siemens AG (Germany), SEP (the Dutch power pool and interconnected grid), KEMA Consulting/ECC (international energy consultants), Chief Executive Officer of Essent Energy Trading, Managing Director of Essent Sustainable Energy and Chairman of the Management Board of Deutsche Essent GmbH in Düsseldorf, being responsible for the German activities of Essent N.V. Mr. van Son has been instrumental in developing of non‐food biomass for power supply, wind power development and marketing of green power (an invention of Essent in 1998). During 2008/9 Mr. van Son was Executive Director of Econcern, NL (renewable energy and energy efficiency). He is Chairman of the Energy4All Foundation (www.energy4all.org / www.niceinternational.com ), a non‐profit organization promoting decentralized energy and communication systems in Africa. In addition, Mr. van Son is President of the European Federation of Energy Traders (www.efet.org), which has been a pioneer in energy market opening and (renewable) energy trading. In 2009 Mr. van Son was appointed CEO of the Dii GmbH (Desertec Industrial Initiative).

Speaker

Ahmed S Nada, Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA)

President

UAE

Ahmed Nada is Head of Operations and Maintenance at AbuDhabi Future Energy Co. Masdar, Clean Energy Division. Masdar is a global and regional sustainability and renewable energy leader. Its renewable utility scale projects span across MENA, Europe, USA, Asia and Australia. Ahmed stepped into the solar industry when he was appointed as First Solar Vice President Region Executive for the ME in Jan 2013. He has since been engaged in the ME rapid solar industry evolution and supported its growth through projects development, technology, supply chain and working closely with all the industry stakeholders. He presided over key early solar projects in the ME such as Shams Maan 60MW in Jordan, DEWA 1, DEWA 2 in the UAE and closely supported Egypt's initial solar projects at Benban He is also the President of the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA). Prior to his roles at Masdar and First Solar, he spent 14-years at GE Energy. Ahmed holds a Master's of Science Degree in International Management from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Speaker

Dr. Florian Wessendorf, Solar Promotion International GmbH

Managing Director

Germany

Dr. Florian Wessendorf is Managing Director of Solar Promotion GmbH and Solar Promotion International GmbH. He is responsible for the global conference program and exhibitions in North America, South America and India. He has deep expertise in the solar industry, and formerly served as Managing Director of Photovoltaic Equipment at VDMA, where he was responsible for strategic development, market research and technology scouting, advocacy and policy advice, events, PR and marketing.

Further Content

Cornelius Matthes

The New Oil: Green Hydrogen from the Arabian Gulf

The smarter E Podcast Episode 24

October 29, 2020

In this episode we want to shed light on the role of Dubai, and the MENA region for the new energy world. On board as the expert of the episode is Cornelius Matthes.

Exhibitor Benefits

Join the Membership Program for Exhibitors

The Membership Program rewards your company with loyalty points for participating in our exhibitions and conferences.

The smarter E Podcast

Episodes of The smarter E Podcast

For and with the creators of the new energy world.

A new podcast episode is published every Thursday. Browse the complete list of episodes.

Press Release

Intersolar AWARD 2022: Finalists Announced

April 7, 2022

Innovative technological developments, high efficiency levels and sustainable solutions are the name of the game in the solar industry in 2022 – whether it’s module technology, inverters or balance of system. PV modules with high-efficiency cells, reduced shading losses, lead-free modules and reusable transport units are but some of the innovations that have made it into the final round of the Intersolar AWARD. Inverter manufacturers are also responding and adapting their products to high-output cell technology, transforming their inverters into ever-smarter all-rounders.

Expert Interview

Renewable Energy Market Middle East: Status, Trends & Recommendations

February 7, 2022

Expert Inteview with Ben Attia, Senior Research Analyst, Energy Transition Practice, Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables

You are using an outdated browser

The website cannot be viewed in this browser. Please open the website in an up-to-date browser such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.