Annual Dii Desert Energy

Leadership Summit

Register here

Agenda

From financing cross-border projects and strategic collaborations, to the rapid growth of battery energy storage and industrial synergies – our sessions will showcase the most inspiring current projects, and provide a platform for discussion on the industry’s most pressing topics.

The Summit provides a unique platform to accelerate action and engage in bold discussions on the key enablers of the energy transition – we hope you can join us!

Register here

Agenda at a glance

Tuesday 29 September (By Invitation only)

  • 14:00-16:00 | Mission Partner Meeting
  • 16:00-16:30 | Networking Coffee  
  • 16:30-18:30 | Advisory Board Meeting 
  • 19:00-22:00 | Welcome Drinks Reception at Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus
 

Wednesday 30 September

  • 08:00-17:30 | DAY 1 – 16th Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit, Mandarin Oriental Bosphorus
  • 18:00-22:00 | Exclusive Drinks and Dinner reception at Feriye
 

Thursday 1 October

  • 08:00-18:00 | DAY 2 – 16th Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit, REAP Battery Factory
  • 18:00-22:00 | Networking Barbeque 

“Türkiye’s Role As A ‘Green Bridge’ And The Strategic Necessity of EU-MENAT Interconnectivity”

08:00 – 08:45 | Registration Opens & Networking Coffee
08:45 - 09:00
Welcome Address: Clean Energy: Bridging Continents, Connecting Markets

Paul van Son, President, Dii Desert Energy

09:00 – 10:30
Session 1: The Green Bridge: Türkiye’s Strategic Role in the EU-MENA Energy Corridor

This session explores Türkiye’s evolution into a primary crossroads for clean energy trading and physical interconnections. Experts will discuss the National Energy Plan’s target of 120 GW of renewable capacity by 2035 and the $28 billion grid upgrade required to integrate these resources into the national and regional power systems.

Chairperson & Moderator: Pauline Seyfert, Founder, Adlera Group

Tolunay Yıldız, Chairman and CEO, YEO Technology

  • Update on the national energy mix, clean energy strategy, policy priorities and regional cooperation.
  • Hydrogen roadmap developed with the World Bank
  •  The integration of battery storage with large-scale renewable investments 
  • Industrial green transformation through SME funding and R&D programs
 
H.E. Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (Invited)

By bridging MENA’s clean energy abundance with the EU’s high demand, this study evaluates Türkiye’s current energy mix and low emission project forecasts, highlighting the nation’s transition into a regional clean energy hub. This shift envisions a future where Türkiye evolves from a net energy importer into a pivotal clean energy exporter, leveraging its vast renewable potential to power the European market.

Cornelius Matthes, CEO, Dii Desert Energy
Chiara Aruffo PhD, Director of Research, Dii Desert Energy

Focus on Türkiye’s evolving energy landscape and carbon-neutral strategy. Battery storage, flexibility, and interconnectivity make Türkiye’s geographic position strategically important.

  • National Energy Plan’s targets to quadruple wind and solar capacity by 2035, targeting 120 gigawatts (GW) by 2035, with local wind production playing the most predominant role, integrating Türkiye’s projected 7.5 GW of battery capacity and 5 GW of electrolyzer capacity.
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) as the primary enabler for Türkiye’s 2035 renewable energy targets.
  • $28 billion of the total investment to upgrade the electricity transmission infrastructure, including transformers and high-voltage networks, to integrate renewable energy into the national grid.
  • Türkiye’s YEKDEM (Renewable Energy Support Mechanism) including the inclusion of storage and offshore winds and domestic emission trading system.
Speakers:
  • İhsan Erbil Bayçöl, Strategic Investments & Operations President, Sabancı Group, and Chief Executive Officer, Enerjisa Üretim
  • Sule Topcu Kilic, Director, Head of Energy Eurasia, covering Türkiye, Caucasus, Central Asia & Mongolia, EBRD
  • Elif Yener, Sector President and CEO, Zorlu Energy Group
  • Sacit Akbaş, CEO, CALL Energy
  • Dr. İbrahim Erden, Chairman, Turkish Wind Energy Association (TÜREB)
10:30-11:00 | Coffee Break & Networking
11:00-12:30
Session 2: International Cooperation for Energy Security

This session explores the regional and international context of a new era in climate policy and analyzes shifting geopolitical alliances that are redefining the global climate landscape. We will examine key expectations for the upcoming COP31.

Furthermore, the discussion will delve into the technical and strategic integration of energy and power systems, including the rapid deployment of renewable energy such as solar and wind, and the critical role of large-scale energy storage systems and digital energy management in enabling secure, flexible, dispatchable, and low-emissions power systems across regions. Regional pipelines, large-scale wind and solar deployment, BESS, and cross-border electricity interconnections will also be discussed.

Scene Setting Presentation ‘The intersection of geopolitics, climate policy, and engineering reality’ and Session chair: Paddy Padmanathan, Chairman, Xlinks Ltd

The implementation of climate law and Türkiye climate agenda for the upcoming COP31

H.E. Murat Kurum, Minister, Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change (Invited)

  • Türkiye’s leadership role at the Intersection of Continents: regional focus on Eastern Europe and Central Asia
  • Climate policy in the current geopolitical context: shifting global alliances on energy security


Harry Boyd-Carpenter, Managing Director, Sustainable Infrastructure Group, EBRD

This session will discuss energy system transformation in EU–MENAT interconnected energy systems, focusing on the role of large-scale renewable deployment, battery energy storage systems, and cross-border infrastructure in enabling resilient regional energy trading and system stability. – Pipelines, grids, and cross-border electricity interconnections supporting integrated power systems

  • Scaling wind power as a backbone of regional clean electricity trade
  • Integration of utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) for grid stability, flexibility, and peak management
  • South Energy Corridor: Turkey–Romania Gas Pipeline
  • Electrons vs molecules
  • Ports, airports, and maritime infrastructure: fuels and electrification pathways
 
Speakers
  • Dimitar Enchev, Co-founder and CEO Europe, CWP Global
  • Ashoka Li, Managing Director, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia & Caucasus Region, Envision Energy
  • Emre Erdoğan, General Manager, Calik Renewables
  • Tarik Moufaddal, CEO, Masen (Invited)

Insights on the Green Caspian Corridor, a strategic geopolitical and infrastructure project designed to transport renewable energy from Central Asia to Europe.

Farhad Mammadov, General Director, Green Energy Corridor Power Company

12:30-14:00 | Networking Lunch
14:00-15:45
Session 3: Hydrogen Reality Check in the Energy Transformation

A high-level discussion focused on overcoming hurdles around offtake, infrastructure, and regulation for large-scale hydrogen projects. The session will explore the role of infrastructure as a catalyst, highlighting how Common User Infrastructure (CUI) can help de-risk giga-scale developments in MENA. It will also address Türkiye’s strategic importance for gas transit and storage, alongside the national hydrogen strategy developed with the World Bank. The discussion will explore how Türkiye is evolving from a transit hub into afuture powerhouse for synthetic fuels and clean energy solutions.

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

  • Hurdles of offtake, infrastructure, and regulation
  • Infrastructure as a Catalyst: the role of Common User Infrastructure (CUI) in de-risking giga-scale hydrogen projects, the examples of MENA
  • Large scale molecules storage: the strategic role of Türkiye for gas transit and storage 
 

Speakers:

  • Ebubekir Koyuncu, CEO, Blue Hydrogen Industrial Gases (BHIG) and CEO, Air Products Qudra
  • Dr. Faye Al Hersh, Associate Director, Development UAE, Masdar
  • Pascal Baylocq, President and Chief Executive Officer, Geostock
  • Fatemah Din, Senior Vice President – MENA, thyssenkrupp Uhde
  • Christian Pho Duc, Chief Technology Officer, Smartenergy
  • Market challenges – tha gap between political targets and market development
  • How to overcome current hurdles – pragmatisms meets perfectionism

 

Sebastian Budischin, Senior Vice President Business Development & Origination Hydrogen and Clean Energy, SEFE

This session explores how Türkiye is transforming from a transit hub into a synthetic fuel powerhouse.

  • Conversion technologies
  • The Fueling Hub
  • The Global Consumer

Impulse Presentation: Frank Wouters, Chairman, MENA Hydrogen Alliance

Interviewer: Frank Wouters, Chairman, MENA Hydrogen Alliance
Interviewee: Eiichiro Miyazoe, Managing Director, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Middle East

Prof. Dr. Christopher Hebling, Director International, Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems

15:45-16:15 | Coffee Break & Networking
16:15-17:30
Session 4: Trusted Information: Data Centers, AI and Blockchain

As digitalization accelerates, trusted information on energy systems, energy markets, and clean energy processes across society is becoming more critical than ever. This session explores the intersection of AI, data centers, blockchain, and climate change, examining how digital technologies and renewable energy are enabling secure, intelligent, and integrated energy systems for the future.

As the Middle East’s data center capacity booms, this deep dive unveils the synergy between digital infrastructure and MENA region’s world-leading clean energy resources.

  • Türkiye as a critical interconnection hub between Europe and the Middle East for AI and digital
    investment
  • Strategic agreements with UAE in critical infrastructure to unlock shared economic value
  • Powering Intelligence: How AI, Data Centers and Energy Infrastructure Are Reshaping Global
    Competitiveness
 
Speakers:
  • Birol Ergüven, Board Member, Limak Energy Group & Limak Investment Company
  • Mehmet Han Sisik, Head of Turkey, Eastern & Central Europe, Khazna
  • Udo Roos, General Manager, Roos Energy Consult
17:30 | End of conference Day 1 – Exclusive Drinks and Dinner reception at Feriye Palace Restaurant

“Investments & Future Energy Transformation Technologies”

08:00 | Departure by Boat
08:30 - 09:30 | Breakfast networking while cruising on the Bosphorus
09:30-11:00
Session 5: Interactive Roundtables: Parallel Strategic Sessions

To start our day, we will host a series of live interactive sessions dedicated to the future of energy
transformation. These parallel groups will explore:

  • Data centres and the power system: expected trends, challenges and opportunities
    • Moderator: Antonio Iliceto, Chairman, CIGRE Study Committee C1, Power System Development & Economics
  • Pipelines in Transition: Powering the Future Energy System
    • Co-Moderators:
      • Marion Erdelen-Peppler, Vice President Hydrogen & Future Fuels, ROSEN
      • Fred Wendt, Executive Vice President Energy, ILF Consulting Engineers
  • Low-Emission Hydrogen: Scaling up the hydrogen economy and natural hydrogen
    • Co-Moderators:
      • Özlem Duyan, Head of Research, Hydrogen Council
      • Deger Saygin, Industry Programme Lead, Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD)
  • Geopolitics developments impact on Energy Transition
    • Moderator: Ayoub Hirt, Director of Platforms Development and Strategic Projects, IRESEN
  • Energy Storage: The evolution of battery technologies and energy storage systems
    • Co-Moderators:
      • Rory O’Neill, Secretary General, ZETA (Zero Emissions Traders Alliance)
      • Dr. Axel von Perfall, Managing Partner, GILVION Energy Advisors
  • Renewable Energy Development: Scaling wind, solar and grid integration
    • Moderator: Dr. Tobias Bischof-Niemz, CEO, IDEEMATEC
11:00-11:30 | Arrival at the port and transfer to the REAP Battery Factory

Tolunay Yıldız, Chairman and CEO, YEO Technology

12:00-13:30
Session 6: The impact of Geopolitical Development in the Energy Transformation

The high volatility of fossil fuel prices as a positive driver of the energy transition, e.g., accelerating applications of storage solutions and investments in the development of renewables. 

Financing the energy transformation – with Türkiye serving as a major hub for international development banks.  The role of International Development Banks (IDBs) to support cross-border energy projects.

Chairperson and Moderator: Mevhibe Canan Özsoy, Board of Directors Member, YEO Technology

Reserved

Türkiye’s strategic transition into a primary financial and industrial gateway for clean energy investment across the EU-MENAT corridor. Exploring the vast potential for international cooperation with neighbouring EU and MENA markets to bridge continental energy systems and projects.

  • The case study of wind localization
  • German-Turkish strategic synergy
  • Aligning Turkish industrial value chains with EU green standard

 

Speakers:

  • Çağrı Güven, Vice President, KfW IPEX-Bank
  • Low-carbon pathway initiative: Türkiye’s strategic initiatives for investments in steel, chemicals, aluminium, cement and fertilisers industries 
  • Its role as a strategic manufacturing, export, and investment hub at the heart of global value chains
  • Regional supply chain resilience through giga-scale advancements
  • Moving from molecules to electrons: industrial electrification and power to mobility

Speakers Invited:

  • Jens Rauhut, Head of Business Development MENA, Electrolysis Technology & Services, Robert Bosch
  • Arif Günyar, Managing Director, President of Region Central Asia, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA), Enercon (Invited)
  • Alan D. Lee, Senior Energy Specialist, Task Team Leader Europe and Central Asia (ECA), World
    Bank (Invited)

Em. Prof. Dr. Ad van Wijk, Future Energy Systems, TU Delft

13:30-14:30 | Networking Lunch Break
14:30-18:00
Session 7: The Battery Boom: Why Energy Storage Is the Fastest-Growing Sector

Batteries are experiencing the fastest growth in the energy sector, with expansion rates even higher than renewables, driven by the need for grid flexibility and the rapid deployment of solar and wind. Key factors include falling costs, expanding applications across grids and industry, and advances in storage duration that enable more reliable integration of renewable energy.

Chairperson and Moderator: Gulnara Abdullina, Advisory Board member, Dii Desert Energy

This white paper analyzes the MENA utility-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) market in 2026: its size and outlook to 2030 and beyond, its defining characteristics, and hands-on case studies, drawing on the Dii MENA BESS projects database, which currently tracks 113 BESS projects across 14 countries.

Speakers:

  • Ben Li, President MEA, HiTHIUM Energy Storage
  • Sivaguru Paramasivam, Director Energy Storage Solutions, HiTHIUM Energy Storage
  • Chiara Aruffo PhD, Director of Research, Dii Desert Energy
  • Decarbonizing Flexible Power Generation – A Utility Perspective
    • Dr. Max Voß, Team Lead Decarbonisation Intelligence, RWE Generation SE
  • The Invisible Fleet: Unlocking Corporate Mobility as a New Lever in the Energy Transition
    • Ali Halabi, Founder & CEO, Voltlines
  • From a Hydrogen Storage Solution to a New Infrastructure Standard
    • Thomas Korn, CEO, water stuff and sun
  • High-Temperature Solar Systems for Industrial Energy
    • Dr. Ahmet Lokurlu, Founder, SOLITERM
18:00 | Closing of the Summit & Networking Barbeque