Annual Dii Desert Energy

Leadership Summit

Register Interest for 2027

Agenda

The Dii Summit is the backdrop to challenging the status quo and shaping clean energy together. Our three-day programme convenes a global dialogue among industry leaders and experts from the Arab world and Europe to unveil industry trends and innovations to scale up green electrons and molecules projects.

The program will present the latest developments in projects and markets along the emission-free energy value chain. Helping to understand the current landscape and future trajectory of renewable energy, hydrogen, and energy storage in the MENA region.

Register your interest

Agenda at a glance

Wednesday 5 November
  • 14:00 – 18:00 | Dii Activities
  • 18:30 – 21:00 | Welcome Drinks reception (by invitation only)

Thursday 6 November
  • 08:00 – 18:00 | DAY 1 – 15th Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit, The W Dubai – The Palm
  • 18:30 – 22:00 | Drinks & Dinner Reception

Friday 7 November
  • 08:00 – 17:00 | DAY 2 – 15th Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit, The W Dubai – The Palm
  • 17:00 – 19:30 | Farewell Drinks Reception
Opening Day - Wednesday 5 November (by invitation only)
  • 09:00-12:00: Reserved for ZETA
  • 14:00-16:00: Mission Partner Meeting
  • 16:30-18:30 Advisory Board Meeting
  • 18:30: Welcome Drinks Reception

Registration Opens & Networking Coffee

08:45 - 09:00
Welcome Address: The Clean Energy Pyramid: Socioeconomic Benefits, Secure Information Carriers, Clean Energy Markets and Clean Energy Systems

Paul van Son, President, Dii Desert Energy

09:00 - 10:30
Session 1: From Vision to Action - Balancing Speed, Security, Cost, and Emissions Reduction

This opening session explores what should drive clean energy systems and markets. It delves into the evolving business case for climate-neutral energy, examining the right mix of carrots and sticks needed to shape viable markets –  from public sector push to market pull, and the critical role of price signals. Key drivers include enabling policies that balance the urgent priorities of speed, energy security, cost-efficiency, and emission reduction. The session also addresses infrastructure, innovation, and water, along with the removal of regulatory barriers to unlock investment and advance economic diversification across the MENA region.

This interactive panel will feature top executives from public and private sectors discussing the MENA energy transformation outlook for 2026 and perspectives toward 2030. The discussion will focus on key enablers – covering low-emission electrons and molecules, energy storage, infrastructure, finance, and resilient value chains amid tariff instability and evolving market mechanisms. Participants will share country-specific insights from the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, Oman, and Saudi Arabia on meeting energy security needs and advancing decarbonization strategies.

Moderator: Dan Feldman, Global Head of Energy, King & Spalding

Speakers:

  • Eng. Abdulaziz Al Shidhani, Managing Director, Hydrom
  • Ebubekir Koyuncu, CEO, Air Products Qudra
  • Tarik Mouffadal, CEO, Masen

 Coffee Break & Networking

11:00-12:30
Session 2: Implementation at Speed - Overcoming Barriers to Low-Emission Projects

The session focuses on ‘Implementation’, exploring the practical challenges of executing complex energy transition projects in the MENA region at speed and scale. The discussion will address key barriers, including investment constraints, infrastructure limitations, and technology and supply chain challenges. Particular attention will be given to the distorting effect of fossil fuel subsidies, which continue to undermine the competitiveness of renewable energy in MENA countries and globally. 

Chairperson & Moderator: Paddy Padmanathan, Co-Founder & Vice Chairman, Zhero

The session will delve into overcoming common barriers, learning from past failures, and leveraging strategic partnerships to accelerate project timelines. Participants will discuss the practical aspects of project implementation and collaboration in the MENA region’s energy landscape, sharing insights and best practices to drive successful low-emission projects.

Moderator

Nadja Håkansson, CEO, thyssenkrupp Uhde

Speakers

Nadja Håkansson, CEO, thyssenkrupp Uhde

Ahmed Mulla, Deputy CEO, Infinity Power

Cornelius Matthes, CEO, Dii Desert Energy

Networking Lunch

14:00-15:30
Session 3: New Frontiers in the EU-MENA Energy Corridor

This session highlights the strategic, regional, and technological dimensions of the evolving EU-MENA energy corridor. The session will also examine how enhanced interconnectivity and energy cooperation between MENA and Europe can contribute to geopolitical resilience, diversification of supply, and risk mitigation in an increasingly volatile global landscape. The discussion will explore cross-border backbone interconnections, localization opportunities, and strategic storage infrastructure. In particular, the panel will go beyond the current short-term cycle battery solutions to address the importance of mid- to long-term storage technologies – crucial for decarbonization, energy security, and long-term market stability. 

H.E. Lucie Berger, Ambassador to the European Union to the United Arab Emirates

This session will address practical ways to localize the energy workforce, scale training programs, and strengthen supply chains for sustainable, inclusive growth across MENA. It addresses challenges such as workforce skills gaps and local content requirements, exploring initiatives that drive talent development, job creation, and local manufacturing in renewable energy sectors. A notable example is Envision’s wind turbine factory in KSA –  a milestone for regional manufacturing, clean energy industrialization, and long-term employment.

Frank Yu, Senior Vice President, Envision Energy

This impulse presentation will address how strategic energy reserves can support national resilience, emergency preparedness, and economic continuity while aligning with international climate and energy commitments.

Frank Wouters, Chair, MENA Hydrogen Alliance

This high-level panel will examine the technological, policy, and investment landscape for mid- and long-duration energy storage, covering chemical, thermal, mechanical, electrochemical, as well as underground storage solutions. Panelists will discuss how these systems underpin decarbonization, grid stability, and cross-border energy trade, serving as a critical pillar of energy security in the EU-MENA corridor.

Pascal Baylocq, CEO, Geostock
Dr. Egbert Laege, Chief Executive Officer, SEFE

Networking Lunch

16:00-17:30 Session 4: Innovation Frontiers for Net-Zero Energy Systems

This session ‘Innovation’, will explore technologies and innovations propelling the transition to net-zero energy systems. The session will place a particular focus on MENA digital transformation, investments in AI and data centers, exploring how these technologies are being leveraged to enhance environmental sustainability and accelerate the energy transition.

Markus Strömich-Jeneweins, Director Commercial Strategy, Innio Group
Cornelius Matthes, CEO, Dii Desert Energy 
Chiara Aruffo, PhD, Director of Research, Dii Desert Energy 

As AI applications grow exponentially, the resulting surge in energy demand from data centers raises urgent sustainability challenges. This top executive panel will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and climate goals. Experts will assess investment opportunities in the MENA region, evaluate energy supply strategies, and discuss integrated, climate-neutral solutions, such as co-location with renewable energy sources, the use of low-emission hydrogen, and innovative cooling technologies.

Dr. Andreas Widl, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board, SAMSON
Dr. Olaf Berlien, President and CEO, INNIO Group

More information coming soon

Registration Opens & Networking Coffee

09:00-10:30
 Session 5: Hubs of the Future - Integrated Trade and Transport Hubs

Session 5 explores how MENA can leverage its strategic location as a crossroads between Europe and the Far East, along with critical infrastructure – such as ports, airports, and pipelines – to become a green powerhouse and a key net-zero hub for net-zero energy transport and trade.

Reserved for: Addleshaw Goddard
Dr. Chiara Aruffo, Director of Research, Dii Desert Energy 

This top executive panel will explore how MENA can capitalize on its strategic infrastructure – ports, airports, and Common User Infrastructure (CUI) – to become a key net-zero transport hub. The discussion will address growing demand from sectors like aviation, shipping, and heavy industry for access to low-carbon fuels and enabling infrastructure. Panelists will examine regulatory developments, advancements in hydrogen-powered ships and aircraft, and the role of integrated, shared infrastructure in driving sustainable transport solutions and resilient, net-zero energy ecosystems across the region.

Dr. Abdullah Al Abri, Vice President – Sustainability, SOHAR Port and Freezone
Ankit Jain, CIO, Nextgen Infra
Samir Rachidi, Director General, IRESEN

 Coffee Break & Networking

11:00-12:30 Session 6: Channeling Institutional Investments towards Zero-Emission Energy Projects

Session 6 focuses on the ‘Financing’ dimension of the energy transition in the MENA region. It will explore how to mobilize and scale up capital from the region’s sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, and Islamic financial institutions, alongside international institutional investors, to drive greater investment in clean energy.

Timo Bollerhey, CEO, H2Global Holding and Hintco

This high-level panel brings together financial leaders to share successful case studies and explore how to unlock greater capital and de-risk large-scale investments. The discussion will highlight enabling policies, risk mitigation tools, and investment frameworks critical to accelerating capital deployment. Experts will also assess how geopolitical shifts in key global markets—such as the U.S., Europe, and East Asia—are shaping investor appetite and influencing capital flows into MENA’s energy transformation.

Harry Boyd-Carpenter, Managing Director, Climate Strategy & Delivery, EBRD
Pierre-Etienne Franc, Co-Founder and CEO, Hy24

Networking Lunch

14:00-15:30 Session 7: Case Studies Deepdives

This session will feature three in-depth case studies, each presented in a brief 15-minute session followed by a 10-minute Q&A. This session provides attendees with specific insights into the implementation and challenges of various energy projects across the MENA region.

This session will explore the evolving role of carbon pricing mechanisms, such as emissions trading schemes (ETS) with aggressive caps and penalties, in accelerating decarbonization. It will also address how to express the value of green and renewable energy through certified trading systems, particularly when supported by green off-take quotas or minimum ‘floors.’ Experts will examine the state of voluntary markets, the integration of green certificates, and the level of regulatory readiness needed to create trusted and scalable net-zero commodity markets.

Jan Haizmann, Secretary General, Zero Emissions Traders Alliance (ZETA)

This session will explore China’s journey toward a low-carbon energy system, focusing on policy frameworks, infrastructure development, and market implementation. Speakers will share concrete lessons and experiences, highlighting how Chinese companies are applying these approaches through real-world projects across the MENA region.

Moderator: Gulanara Abdullina, Strategic Advisor, Former VP Europe, LONGi Solar, Former GM Middle East & Africa, Jinko Solar, Member of the Advisory Board, Dii Desert Energy

Networking Lunch

16:00-17:30 Session 8: Interactive Roundtables along the Emissions Free Energy Value Chain

Participants will choose three roundtables (30 minutes each) for an intimate and engaged discussion on a particular topic. 

  • Part I: Introduction of roundtables to the audience (10 min)
  • Part II: Audience choose the first roundtable of interest (30 min)
  • Part III: Audience change and choose the second roundtable of interest (30 min)
  • Part IV: Audience change and choose the third roundtable of interest (30 min)
  • Part IV: Moderators wrap up and share key takeaways (20 min): predictions and assessments.

Co-moderator: Antonio Iliceto, Chairman, CIGRE Study Committee C1, Power System Development & Economics

Co-moderator: Jan Haizmann, Secretary General, Zero Emissions Traders Alliance (ZETA)