STRATEGIC CONFERENCE THEMES
Electrification and new disruptive sources of demand
Harnessing consumer behaviour to bolster energy efficiency and demand side flexibility
Modernising transmission and distribution infrastructure
Low carbon technologies and digital innovation at the forefront of the energy transition agenda
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
Mobilising capital to fast-track projects
Delivering sustainable solutions to safeguard water ecosystems
Group CEO & MD
TAQA
Chairman & CEO
EDF
CEO
Ansaldo Energia SpA
CEO
ACWA Power
President & CEO
Wärtsilä
CEO
Tabreed
CEO
SSE
CEO Generation
TAQA
CEO
DLO Energy
CEO
Octopus Energy - Kraken Utilities
MD & CEO
Tadweer Group
CEO
EDF Renewables
CEO
Ansaldo Nucleare SpA
President & CEO
Marubeni Middle East Africa Power
CEO
SUEZ
President and CEO, EMEA, Gas Power
GE Vernova
CEO
MoltexFLEX
CEO, Morocco – UK Power Project
Xlinks
CEO
TRANSCO
CEO
Veolia Water Technologies Middle East
President
World Association of PPP Units & Professionals (WAPPP)
Secretary General
International Desalination Association (IDA)
CEO, Cable Business Unit
Ducab
CEO, Middle East
Dalkia
President and CEO, EMEA
Mitsubishi Power
VP of Trading
Saudi Power Procurement Company
CFO
Tabreed
Global Segment President Water and Wastewater
Schneider Electric
Managing Director & Head – Sustainable Finance, West
Standard Chartered
AMEA Managing Director and GCC Country Manager
Engie
CTO EMEA, Gas Power
GE Vernova
Regional VP
BASF SE
Chairman & MD
EKI Energy Services Ltd
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
AirCarbon Exchange (ACX)
Chairwoman
Kuwait Water Association
Founder & President
Ignite Power
CEO
Isle Utilities
CEO
SirajPower
CEO
Vulcan Green Energy
CEO
Qamar Energy
CEO
Dii Desert Energy
Chief Asset Management Officer
Tabreed
Chief Transformation & Business Excellence Officer
Emicool
Executive Vice President, Infrastructure Advisory
National Center for Privatisation & PPP (NCP)
VP Power Systems - Middle East & Africa Region
Schneider Electric
Global Head of Commodities, Energy & Environmental Markets
BloombergNEF
Chairman, MENA Hydrogen Alliance and Director
MED-GEM Network
Regional VP - MEA & Turkey
Oracle Utilities
CEO
Eos Energy Storage
CEO
Copperleaf
President - eVinci Microreactor Business
Westinghouse Electric Company
Global Managing Partner, Industries & Assets
IBM
Managing Director
Iberdrola Innovation Middle East
CEO
Enova
CEO & Co-Founder
ZeroEx
Executive Director of Transmission & Distribution
TAQA
Executive Director of Strategy
TAQA
CTO
IFS
Senior Director, Clean Energy
Dynapower Company LLC
Senior Partner, Dubai
McKinsey
Associate Professor, Associate Chair Nuclear Engineering & Deputy Director ENTC Nuclear Engineering
Khalifa University
Head of Industry Value Advisory, Middle East & Africa South
SAP
Head of Energy Transition
EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg
Monday 16 September 2024
Tuesday 17 September 2024
Wednesday 18 September 2024
10:00 - 11:00
Opening Ceremony (By Invite Only)
11:00 - 11:45
VIP Exhibition Tour
11:45 - 12:15
From COP28 to COP29: fast-tracking climate action from pledges to reality
Ministerial Panel
At COP28, the call to transition from fossil fuels rang clear. While the UAE Consensus’ push to move away from fossil fuels is a vital mile stone, implementing the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge will be critical in accelerating climate action. Ensuring a just and equitable transition that is rapidly scaled up will require significant investment and policy support, public-private partnerships, and the development of transparent plans encompassing electrification and grid infrastructure, emissions reduction, decarbonisation of heavy industries, demand side management as well as security of supply, and industrial competitiveness. In addition, ensuring water security and resilience of the water ecosystem will be critical, particularly for countries already impacted by climate change and water scarcity challenges.
Attendee Insights
As the global shift towards sustainable energy sources accelerates, establishing tangible mechanisms to actualise the commitments made at COP will be crucial. Global ministers will discuss these mechanisms and pave the way for transforming pledges into concrete actions.
Addressing the themes
Electrification and new disruptive sources of demand
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
12:15 - 13:00
Industry leadership on the road to 2030 and beyond (UNEZA)
Global Leadership Panel
To unlock the potential of utilities in the global energy transition, it is essential to identify and tackle the existing structural, regulatory, and financial barriers that may impede progress. While a just and equitable transition will span decades, it will be propelled by advanced electrification, renewables-ready grids, and clean energy deployment. COP28 saw the announcement of the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA), a cross-border, multilateral alliance guided by IRENA and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions aimed at meeting decarbonisation goals and enabling the transformation of tomorrow’s energy systems. How will UNEZA propel action towards meeting net-zero goals set by the industry, and what is the guidance for utilities around the world to support achievement of COP28 pledges?
Attendee Insights
Hosting global network of UNEZA member companies, this session will provide insight on key topics including capital mobilisation, supply chain resilience, capacity building, technology development scale-up and transfer, and engagement with policymakers and regulators.
Panelists:
Jasim Thabet
Group CEO & MD
TAQA
Luc Rémont
Chairman & CEO
EDF
Alistair Phillips-Davies
CEO
SSE
Marco Arcelli
CEO
ACWA Power
Addressing the themes
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
Electrification and new disruptive sources of demand
Mobilising capital to fast-track projects
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Networking
14:00 - 14:45
Balancing act: tackling demand disruption with sustainable and reliable supply
Global Leadership Panel
According to the IEA, global electricity demand is projected to double by 2026 as data centers facilitate rapid digital growth and wider adoption of emerging technologies. Additionally, increased investments in smart manufacturing and the reshoring of equipment production have further added to the demand, driving up the urgency for power utilities to meet this demand rapidly and sustainably. Balancing the electrification of energy systems with reliable, affordable, low-carbon power generation would necessitate game-changing policies, demand-side management programs, the establishment of energy super basins, and ultimately, an expansion of renewable and nuclear power generation. Natural gas offers a power-dense solution that is less carbon-intensive and can satisfy rapid fluctuations in the power demand. How are utilities balancing demand and supply side management today, and what does this look like in a net-zero future?
Attendee Insights
Gain comprehensive understanding of the challenges associated with meeting rising demand sustainably, and the potential solutions and strategies to address this critical issue.
Moderator:
Rachid Majiti
Senior Partner, Dubai
McKinsey
Panelists:
Béatrice Buffon
CEO
EDF Renewables
Dr. Javier Cavada
President and CEO, EMEA
Mitsubishi Power
Joe Anis
President and CEO, EMEA, Gas Power
GE Vernova
Addressing the themes
Electrification and new disruptive sources of demand
Harnessing consumer behaviour to bolster energy efficiency and demand side flexibility
14:45 - 15:30
Safeguarding water security
Global Leadership Panel
By 2030, the global demand for water is projected to outstrip supply by 40%, with approximately 1.6 billion people having limited access to safe drinking water. Climate change will exacerbate water scarcity, as rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns will lead to more frequent and intense droughts, reducing freshwater availability, and affecting sanitation systems. According to the Global Water Partnership, substantial capital investments of up to $114 billion annually are necessary to address the mounting challenges to water security. Effective utilisation of available technologies and sufficient data are crucial to monitor and manage resources. Investment in climate-resilient water infrastructure is essential to enhance coping capacities, protect and restore freshwater ecosystems, and mitigate the impacts of water scarcity.
Attendee Insights
Hear from global CEOs on the multi-faceted approaches being taken to tackle water scarcity and ensure water security.
Moderator:
Hebah Abbas
Chairwoman
Kuwait Water Association
Panelists:
Farid Al Awlaqi
CEO Generation
TAQA
Sabrina Soussan
CEO
SUEZ
Shannon McCarthy
Secretary General
International Desalination Association (IDA)
Thierry Froment
CEO
Veolia Water Technologies Middle East
Addressing the themes
Delivering sustainable solutions to safeguard water ecosystems
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
15:30 - 16:00
Decoupling growth from emissions to advance progress in the Global South
Industry Dialogue
Nearly three-fourths of the global growth is expected to come from middle- and low-income countries for the next two to three decades. For these countries, particularly in the Global South, accessibility to affordable and reliable energy is crucial for local economic advancement and will require leveraging the most affordable and accessible supply source to meet the demand. Without deep financial markets, the availability of sustainable financing will become an impediment for the growth and development of local energy markets – and by extension for global growth. Will prices for renewable energy become as competitive as traditional energy sources in the Global South? How can the Global North support the transition in the Global South? Is decoupling of economic development from decarbonisation mandates the best path forward to eventually help incentivise adoption of low carbon solutions in the long run?
Attendee Insights
Hear from industry leaders on the multi-pronged approach and strategies that enable economic growth while managing climate commitments.
Panelists:
Fabrizio Fabbri
CEO
Ansaldo Energia SpA
Linda Mabhena-Olagunju
CEO
DLO Energy
Atsushi Suzuki
President & CEO
Marubeni Middle East Africa Power
Addressing the themes
Electrification and new disruptive sources of demand
Low carbon technologies and digital innovation at the forefront the energy transition agenda
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
16:00 - 16:45
Driving increased investments while navigating risk, inflation and ESG
Global Leadership Panel
Mobilising investments is a complex and multifaceted challenge. In addition to existing infrastructural, regulatory and geopolitical factors, banks and financial institutions are increasingly incorporating ESG and climate risk factors into their investment decisions, making it further challenging to attract investments into the industry. Addressing these challenges will require collaboration between banks, financial institutions, utilities, and policymakers to align investment strategies with climate priorities.
Attendee Insights
Banks, financial institutions and utilities foster collaboration and discuss strategies and solutions necessary to unlock investment into the industry and ensure long-term sustainability.
Panelists:
Ashish Sethia
Global Head of Commodities, Energy & Environmental Markets
BloombergNEF
Deepak Ravindran
CEO
Octopus Energy - Kraken Utilities
Adel Salem Al Wahedi
CFO
Tabreed
Salman Badr
Executive Vice President, Infrastructure Advisory
National Center for Privatisation & PPP (NCP)
Lina Osman
Managing Director & Head – Sustainable Finance, West
Standard Chartered
Addressing the themes
Mobilising capital to fast-track projects
16:45 - 17:30
Building the grid of the future
Global Leadership Panel
To meet the demands of the future, operators must prioritise investments that maximise the value of current assets and prepare for evolving needs. This will require a comprehensive approach to grid modernisation, including infrastructure upgrades, integration of smart technologies, and a shift towards decentralised grid powered by distributed energy sources. As energy flows become more complex, the future of the grid will need to become more demand responsive and decentralised.
Attendee Insights
Power utilities will discuss how they are modernising their grids infrastructure and improving the efficiency, reliability and safety of these grids. Issues around decentralisation, demand side management and integrating distributed sources of energy will also be addressed.
Panelists:
Dr. Afif Al Yafei
CEO
TRANSCO
James Humphrey
CEO, Morocco – UK Power Project
Xlinks
Angela Homsi
Founder & President
Ignite Power
Paul Sakrzewski
CEO
Copperleaf
Addressing the themes
Modernising transmission and distribution infrastructure
Mobilising capital to fast-track projects
10:00 - 10:45
Infrastructure for energy systems of tomorrow
Ministerial Panel
Electrification is central to the energy transition. For the industry to meet the wider net-zero goals, upgrading grid infrastructure will be crucial to support new sources of fuel supply as well as to ensure reliability and resiliency. Simultaneously, it is also important to enhance grid interconnectivity to connect global power markets and foster cross-border trade via long distance HVDC lines. Accelerating integration of renewables and electricity on demand will require modernised grid infrastructure and storage solutions, novel grid management approaches, and deployment of digital and AI tools. There is high urgency for supportive policies, regulations and grid codes to facilitate deployment of full range of solutions and technologies and expedite projects approvals and delivery.
Attendee Insights
Hear from global ministers on how countries can transition to a sustainable, resilient, and interconnected power grid infrastructure that meets the demands of the 21st century.
Addressing the themes
Electrification and new disruptive sources of demand
Modernising transmission and distribution infrastructure
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
Mobilising capital to fast-track projects
10:45 - 11:30
Tripling renewable energy capacity: from ambition to action
Ministerial Panel
The global push towards tripling renewable energy capacity is a critical step in transitioning to sustainable energy sources. While many countries have made progress towards their renewable energy goals, this decade is vital for speeding up innovation and investments into making renewable energy affordable and deployable at scale. This will require increased international cooperation, ambitious policies, low-emission technologies, long duration storage solutions, increased investments, and diversified sources of supply. Supply and value chain resilience will determine the industry’s readiness to meet the challenge of turning ambition and pledges into action.
Attendee Insights
Tripling renewable energy capacity is a core pillar of the energy transition. Global ministers will take the stage to discuss the challenges in meeting this ambition.
Addressing the themes
Electrification and new disruptive sources of demand
Modernising transmission and distribution infrastructure
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
Mobilising capital to fast-track projects
Low carbon technologies and digital innovation at the forefront the energy transition agenda
11:30 - 12:15
Megabytes to megawatts: driving innovation and efficiency in power generation
Global Leadership Panel
Power producers need to streamline energy operations, improve grid management, and enable advanced technologies to reduce energy losses and improve fuel efficiency. Collaboration among energy companies, technology firms, and startups is crucial for driving innovation and improving efficiency. Investments in innovation and wider adoption of technologies including AI, blockchain and IIoT, will have far-reaching impact on optimising operations, improving plant efficiency, advancing energy efficiency, and demand-side management.
Attendee Insights
Gain in-depth understanding on how power producers are leveraging technology to drive efficiency in the generation process and what are the long-term strategies to continue innovating and securing the energy system of the future.
Panelists:
Santiago Bañales López
Managing Director
Iberdrola Innovation Middle East
Tomaz Guadagnin
AMEA Managing Director and GCC Country Manager
Engie
Yasser S. Alshahrani
VP of Trading
Saudi Power Procurement Company
Laurent Longuet
CEO
SirajPower
Nirupa Chander
VP Power Systems - Middle East & Africa Region
Schneider Electric
Cornelius Matthes
CEO
Dii Desert Energy
Addressing the themes
Low carbon technologies and digital innovation at the forefront the energy transition agenda
Harnessing consumer behaviour to bolster energy efficiency and demand side flexibility
12:15 - 13:00
Adopting a customer-centric approach
Global Leadership Panel
Utilities are recognising that customers now view them not merely as service but as partners empowering sustainable choices. To elevate customer experience, it is paramount for utilities providers to comprehend shifting needs and behaviours. Close monitoring of emerging preferences can reveal opportunities to supplement traditional grid services with customised solutions enhancing energy efficiency and savings. An understanding of an evolving customer base is vital for utilities seeking to solidify their relevance in tomorrow’s distributed energy ecosystem.
Attendee Insights
Gain insight into changing customer behaviour and how utilities can capitalize on these to create a robust demand-side management strategy as well as enhance their own approach to customer service.
Moderator:
Sherif Ghaleb
Head of Industry Value Advisory, Middle East & Africa South
SAP
Panelists:
Omar Al Hashmi
Executive Director of Transmission & Distribution
TAQA
Dr. Yousif Al Hammadi
Chief Asset Management Officer
Tabreed
Addressing the themes
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
Mobilising capital to fast-track projects
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Networking
14:00 - 14:30
The green price tag: carbon pricing for the power sector
Industry Dialogue
Carbon pricing can be a powerful instrument to drive power sector decarbonisation, helping to unlock the trillions of dollars in private capital needed to reach emissions reduction targets. Increasingly, carbon trade is experiencing rapid growth, providing a solution for hard-to-abate sectors to accelerate decarbonisation beyond value chain mitigation. In the long term, carbon pricing will complement the climate finance toolkit, providing companies with an incentive to invest in cleaner resources. Challenges around equity, pricing and policy inconsistency will need to be addressed.
Attendee Insights
Industry leaders discuss how carbon pricing is influencing investment decisions, generation mix, and driving emissions reductions in the power sector.
Moderator:
Daniel Hacki
Head of Energy Transition
EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg
Panelists:
Manish Dabkara
Chairman & MD
EKI Energy Services Ltd
William Pazos
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
AirCarbon Exchange (ACX)
Tony Oehm
CEO & Co-Founder
ZeroEx
Addressing the themes
Electrification and new disruptive sources of demand
Modernising transmission and distribution infrastructure
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
14:30 - 15:00
Aligning policies to unlock the potential of district cooling
Industry Dialogue
With cooling demand expected to triple in the GCC by 2030, district cooling offers significant operational and cost efficiencies, and plays a vital role in fostering sustainable development in the region. District cooling can help governments save on operational costs and maintenance by utilising centralised cooling infrastructure, reduce the need for new power plants, decrease reliance on fossil fuels, and significantly cut down greenhouse gas emissions. By regulating the district cooling sector, governments can enhance market competition, ensure fair pricing, and foster sector profitability while reflecting the benefits of district cooling in end-users’ tariffs. How can governments integrate district cooling into urban planning and actively participate in its implementation?
Attendee Insights
Gain insight into the policy and regulatory ecosystem for district cooling.
Panelists:
Khalid Al Marzooqi
CEO
Tabreed
Steve Lemoine
CEO, Middle East
Dalkia
Addressing the themes
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
15:00 - 15:45
Nuclear in 21st century power systems
Global Leadership Panel
At COP28, over 20 nations pledged to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050, recognising the key role of nuclear energy in achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and keeping the 1.5-degree goal within reach. Nuclear energy is already the second largest source of clean dispatchable baseload power. However, addressing higher project costs, reliability, safety and security concerns and economic efficiency will be crucial for wider adoption of nuclear energy as well as to turn pledge into action. SMRs and advanced nuclear technologies offer promising solutions to current challenges to tripling nuclear power capacity but will require guidelines and certifications around standardisation.
Attendee Insights
Unlock insight into the opportunities SMRs and advanced nuclear technologies will provide for the nuclear industry to triple capacity, reduce costs, and reduce project delivery timelines.
Moderator:
Dr. Yacine Addad
Associate Professor, Associate Chair Nuclear Engineering & Deputy Director ENTC Nuclear Engineering
Khalifa University
Panelists:
Daniela Gentile
CEO
Ansaldo Nucleare SpA
David Landon
CEO
MoltexFLEX
Jon Ball
President - eVinci Microreactor Business
Westinghouse Electric Company
Addressing the themes
Electrification and new disruptive sources of demand
Modernising transmission and distribution infrastructure
Low carbon technologies and digital innovation at the forefront the energy transition agenda
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
Mobilising capital to fast-track projects
15:45 - 16:15
Decarbonising heavy industries
Industry Dialogue
Accounting for approximately 22% of global CO2 emissions, decarbonisation of heavy industries is a crucial piece of the energy transition puzzle. COP28 saw the launch of the Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA), a $30 million financial alliance poised to accelerate decarbonisation at scale across high-emitting sectors. Innovation and large-scale deployment of low-carbon technologies and solutions will play a pivotal role in curbing emissions and fostering decarbonisation and sustainability in these industries. The global market for low-carbon industrial technologies is expected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2030, reflecting increasing demand. Cross-sector collaboration, regulatory incentives, and large-scale investments will be crucial for heavy industries to gain affordable access to low-carbon products and green energy.
Attendee Insights
Gain insights into the implementation of strategies, processes, and technological advancements, in the decarbonisation of heavy industries.
Panelists:
Siddharth Malik
CEO
Vulcan Green Energy
Addressing the themes
Low carbon technologies and digital innovation at the forefront the energy transition agenda
16:15 - 17:00
Fostering water ecosystems of tomorrow
Global Leadership Panel
With rapid urbanisation, growing population, and rising temperatures globally, water is becoming an increasingly valuable resource, especially in countries with harsh climates and low groundwater resources. What actions can be taken now to ensure the world doesn’t face a global water crisis in the future? What technologies, strategies and solutions can be implemented to remove pressure from the depleting groundwater resources and improve water treatment? Can a circular economy model be adopted to address depleting freshwater crisis? Does water desalination present the ideal solution to global water scarcity?
Attendee Insights
This session will present potential strategies and policies for ensuring consistent water supply globally and sustainable management of water resources.
Panelists:
Sophie Borgne
Global Segment President Water and Wastewater
Schneider Electric
Benjamin Tam
CEO
Isle Utilities
Addressing the themes
Delivering sustainable solutions to safeguard water ecosystems
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
10:00 - 10:45
Improving operational efficiency and security
Global Leadership Panel
Digital innovations are reshaping operations across power, water, gas, and district cooling systems. Utilities will gain unparalleled leverage in converging their IT and Operational technology. As utilities adopt more complex monitoring technology, smart meters, analytics, and AI, adopting a security-first approach will be crucial. As the energy landscape becomes more interconnected and complex, utilities will need to address challenges around developing a skilled workforce, advanced technology integration, and data management.
Attendee Insights
Gain insight into the best practices to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, boost customer satisfaction, and ensure long-term success in delivering high-quality services.
Moderator:
Vijay Jaswal
CTO
IFS
Panelists:
Renaud Capris
CEO
Enova
Ezzeddine Jradi
Chief Transformation & Business Excellence Officer
Emicool
Nauman Afsar
Regional VP - MEA & Turkey
Oracle Utilities
Addressing the themes
Low carbon technologies and digital innovation at the forefront the energy transition agenda
10:45 - 11:15
Forging a sustainable regulatory roadmap
Industry Dialogue
Navigating the utilities sector’s regulatory landscape is key to achieving a sustainable future. This will require aligning policies with net-zero ambitions and evolving energy needs. Prioritising regulatory support to accelerate electrification, energy infrastructure projects as well as commercialisation of new technologies in achieving net-zero will be necessary. Adapting to changing energy systems and regulations, enhancing security measures, and ensuring effective communication with stakeholders are crucial to navigate these challenges successfully.
Attendee Insights
As utilities navigate the way to become more sustainable and efficient, the regulatory pathways must evolve as well. This panel will convene policymakers and regulators to discuss the ways forward for sustainable regulatory roadmap.
Panelists:
Ziad-Alexandre Hayek
President
World Association of PPP Units & Professionals (WAPPP)
Addressing the themes
Harnessing consumer behaviour to bolster energy efficiency and demand side flexibility
11:15 - 11:45
Driving ESG transformation with innovation, transparency, and accountability
Industry Dialogue
ESG reporting continues to be at the top of the executive agenda. In the coming years, the evolution of ESG initiatives will transcend compliance, and pivot towards entrepreneurial sustainability. Transformative trends of circular business models, climate solutions, and social justice will play a central role in business decisions, particularly in the power, water, gas, and district cooling industries. It remains to be seen how businesses will leverage these trends beyond corporate compliance and drive real impact and change.
Attendee Insights
Hear from industry on how ESG principles enhance sustainability efforts, reduce environmental impact, address social considerations, and promote good governance in their operations.
Panelists:
Robin Mills
CEO
Qamar Energy
Addressing the themes
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
Mobilising capital to fast-track projects
11:45 - 12:30
Unlocking low-carbon hydrogen economy
Global Leadership Panel
Low carbon hydrogen and related vectors can contribute to as much as 6% of global greenhouse gases reduction between 2021-2050, according to the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions scenario. However, establishing a mature, global market for this hydrogen will require scaling up investments, developing shared adoption of standards, build new and upgrade existing infrastructure, and scale deployment of renewable capacity. At COP28, 39 countries endorsed the UAE Hydrogen Declaration of Intent, establishing a shared certification framework to support investment decisions and trade of low-carbon hydrogen. Partnerships and alliances will be critical in unlocking barriers along the value chain, strengthening the market, and promoting investment decisions into hydrogen projects.
Attendee Insights
Industry leaders will take center stage to discuss the challenges and opportunities to achieving a low-carbon hydrogen economy.
Moderator:
Chris Larsen
Senior Director - Clean Energy
Dynapower
Panelists:
Otmane Benamar
CTO EMEA, Gas Power
GE Vernova
Pedro Blanco
Regional VP
BASF SE
Frank Wouters
Chairman, MENA Hydrogen Alliance and Director
MED-GEM Network
Addressing the themes
Low carbon technologies and digital innovation at the forefront the energy transition agenda
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
12:30 - 13:00
Waste to wealth: driving sustainability through circular economy practices
Industry Dialogue
The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that waste-to-energy (WtE) will power 20% of global electricity needs by 2050. However, challenges in energy and resource recovery, environmental impact, and alignment with circular economy principles persist. Utilities can lead the way towards a greener future by harnessing waste-to-energy and promoting sustainability through resource recovery and energy generation. The transformation of waste into revenue and circular economy practices will play a pivotal role in driving sustainability and ramping decarbonisation efforts of utilities. However, overcoming challenges and aligning with wider goals is crucial for the successful implementation of circular economy initiatives in the utilities sector.
Attendee Insights
Learn how circular economy practices will offer a competitive advantage for power utilities and enhance resource security.
Panelists:
Ali Al Dhaheri
MD & CEO
Tadweer Group
Addressing the themes
Low carbon technologies and digital innovation at the forefront the energy transition agenda
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Networking
14:00 - 14:45
Combatting intermittency challenges with storage and flexibility solutions
Global Leadership Panel
Investment in renewable energy is skyrocketing, with market for flexibility solutions ranging from utility-scale battery and long-duration storage solutions to innovative demand-side flexibility schemes, which will play a crucial role in addressing intermittent power supply. According to the IEA, grid-scale battery storage must reach 970 GW by 2030 to support global net-zero goals, nearly doubling current projections. Long-duration energy storage and similar technologies can continue to supply energy when renewable generation faces intermittency and curtailment issues. Innovative demand-side flexibility technologies and incentive schemes have potential to contribute cost effectively. However, a challenging regulatory landscape and circularity issues are the biggest obstacles large scale adoption and deployment of storage solutions.
Attendee Insights
Hear from industry leaders on their strategies to overcome the challenges in adoption of utility-scale battery and long duration storage solutions, and future opportunities for solutions and technologies that can address intermittency issues with renewable energy sources.
Panelists:
Håkan Agnevall
President & CEO
Wärtsilä
Joe Mastrangelo
CEO
Eos Energy Storage
Luq Niazi
Global Managing Partner, Industries & Assets
IBM
Addressing the themes
Electrification and new disruptive sources of demand
Modernising transmission and distribution infrastructure
Low carbon technologies and digital innovation at the forefront the energy transition agenda
14:45 - 15:15
Race to zero: driving sustainability in urban mobility
Industry Dialogue
The current landscape of cities is changing, necessitating the need to transition transportation systems towards more sustainable options including electric vehicles, and develop widespread public transport networks accessible to all. This transition will require large investments into building charging infrastructure and converting existing fleets. The CASE (connected, autonomous, shared, electrification) revolution is driving forth a new era of mobility solutions however, challenges around investment and transition to electrification persist. While public-private partnerships will play a key role in bridging these gaps, a holistic view from technology to policy and regulatory to consumer behaviour will be crucial in driving forward sustainability in urban mobility.
Attendee Insights
Mobility and energy leaders discuss key strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system.
Addressing the themes
Electrification and new disruptive sources of demand
Harnessing consumer behaviour to bolster energy efficiency and demand side flexibility
Low carbon technologies and digital innovation at the forefront the energy transition agenda
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
15:15 - 16:00
Fostering talent for an evolving energy landscape
Industry Dialogue
As the energy sector transitions towards diverse low-carbon sources and technologies, it will be critical to develop a skilled workforce that that can support this shift. However, attracting talent amidst intense competition requires comprehensive strategies beyond singular solutions. Utilities need to couple reskilling and professional development programs with strong well-being initiatives and commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Organisations and leaders who demonstrate establishing an inclusive culture that empowers next generation talents will be best positioned to mobilise a workforce capable of navigating the changing energy landscape.
Attendee Insights
Gain insight into the strategies and pivots needed to develop the workforce of the future.
Addressing the themes
Policies and partnerships for utilities of tomorrow
Monday 16 September 2024
Tuesday 17 September 2024
Wednesday 18 September 2024
The congress was an important event on the road to COP28. It gathered all key stakeholders of the utility sector and provided a great opportunity for pragmatic dialogue and joint action. I was happy to highlight the essential role of nuclear energy to bring socio-economic prosperity and decarbonize the entire economy, including electricity, heat and fresh water, at a time when it is clear that we will not reach net-zero target without bringing all hands on deck.
Dr. Sama Bilbao y León
Director General
World Nuclear Association, United Kingdom
The World Utilities Congress was a melting pot of intellect, innovation, and inspiration. It provided a platform to engage in vibrant discussions sharing expertise and strategizing alongside the titans of the industry.
Hebah Abbas
Sustainability Committee Chairwoman
Kuwait Water Association
The World Utilities Congress is a great way for leaders from both the public and private sectors to meet, share insights and discuss ways to collaborate. I enjoyed the opportunity to speak about how businesses can decarbonise their operations. Together, we can progress towards net-zero.
Jeremy Crane
CEO
Yellow Door Energy
“It gives me great pleasure to chair the 2024 Technical Committee for the World Utilities Congress and contribute to shaping the technical sessions that will support the industry’s energy transition.
The Technical Conference focuses on discussing both the obstacles and prospects within the utilities sector, emphasising innovative approaches to transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions.”
Dr. Afif Saif Al Yafei
CEO
Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company (TRANSCO)
