As the global energy landscape accelerates toward a climate-neutral and secure energy future, the need for real leadership, practical solutions, and visionary thinking has never been greater. ‘In Conversation With’ is a new blog series from Dii Desert Energy that spotlights the voices shaping the energy transition across the MENA region and beyond.
Luc Koechlin, CEO Middle East, EDF Group and EDF power solutions
Luc Koechlin has been appointed as the CEO Middle East of EDF Group in 2022. Since February 2025, following the merger of EDF international and EDF Renewables, he serves as well as CEO for EDF power solutions in the GCC region.
From 2017 to 2022, he joined EDF International Division as Vice President for Southern and Eastern Africa, based in Johannesburg, where he developed projects in hydropower and energy efficiency to support the energy transition from coal to cleaner sources. Luc held various positions within EDF Group between 2005 to 2017: from advisor and auditor at EDF Presidency to Regional Commercial Director, leading the company’s transformation as the French electricity market opened to competition.
Luc holds a master’s degree in finance and business administration from ESSEC Business School, one of the leading French business schools. After five years as a consultant in Corporate Recovery and Turnaround Management for Arthur Andersen, he joined EDF in 2005.
About EDF power solutions
EDF power solutions brings together the expertise of EDF Renewables and EDF’s International Division to deliver renewable and low-carbon energy projects around the world. With operations in 25 countries and 31GW of installed capacity, our teams work closely with local partners to develop practical solutions that support the transition to cleaner energy.
We focus on creating flexible and efficient systems that cut carbon emissions while meeting real-world needs. Our portfolio spans wind, solar, hydro, and biomass, as well as innovative technologies like battery storage, hybrid systems, and hydrogen. Beyond electricity generation, we’re helping reduce the carbon footprint of transport and industry through electrification and smart mobility solutions.
At its core, EDF power solutions is about making the energy transition tangible – combining global expertise with local knowledge to build a more sustainable future.
What are you currently focusing on? And why is this important now?
At EDF Middle East, our focus is on accelerating the region’s energy transition by scaling up low-carbon electricity and delivering innovative hybrid projects. As a leader in nuclear and renewable energy, with 94% of our generation already decarbonized, we have doubled our assets in the past year and now count in our portfolio more than 14 GW of low-carbon electricity assets (enough to power over 10 million homes with clean energy). Our priority is to combine diverse technologies such as nuclear, renewables, hydropower, thermal with CCUS, transmission and distribution networks, as well as energy services and low-carbon hydrogen, to create reliable and competitive solutions. Equally important is the size of the projects we take on, the structure of our partnerships, and the way we design our offers. With €700 million invested annually in R&D, EDF remains at the forefront of energy innovation, ready to meet today’s urgent challenges.
“with 94% of our generation already decarbonized, we have doubled our assets in the past year and now count in our portfolio more than 14 GW of low-carbon electricity assets”
What do you see the impact of the above focus being on the industry?
Our focus remains at supporting the countries’ energy transition; by bringing knowhow and expertise serving to adapt, evolve and innovate the way we produce and use the electricity. We have become a major contributor to the Middle East as a laboratory for producing clean electricity at scale, showing how ambitious projects can accelerate the global energy transition. A strong example is the Al Dhafra Solar Plant – the world’s largest single-site solar power facility, located just 35 kilometres from Abu Dhabi. With nearly 4 million bi-facial panels equipped with sun-tracking technology, it maximizes energy generation while driving innovation and efficiency. Beyond providing clean power locally, projects like Al Dhafra allow the entire world to benefit from EDF’s expertise and technology. They also help lower costs across the industry, making solar energy more affordable and accessible for all. This is how EDF’s work in the region is shaping the future of energy, both here and globally.
“This is how EDF’s work in the region is shaping the future of energy, both here and globally.”
What will you be discussing at the Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit this year?
At this year’s Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit, we will be focusing on how EDF is supporting the Middle East in accelerating its energy transition. The region is at a turning point: demand for power is growing rapidly, but so is the need to cut emissions and diversify energy sources. We will share our experience in deploying renewable solutions such as solar, wind, and hydropower, alongside nuclear, storage, and energy efficiency programs that provide stability and flexibility to the grid. I will also highlight the role of hydrogen and sustainable mobility in decarbonizing industries and cities. This is about turning ambition into concrete action, and ensuring the Middle East plays a leading role in the global energy transition.
“The region is at a turning point: demand for power is growing rapidly”
Have you been to the Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit before?
Yes – I have attended the Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit before, and I’d encourage the energy experts, governmental parties and stakeholders considering joining this year. It’s a great opportunity to listen to markets across the globe, exchange points of view, share different angles on challenges and solutions and connect with people driving real change.
If I were speaking to someone new, I’d say this: attending allows you to have a deep insight into what’s working, what’s not, and where the bottlenecks in the energy industry are. You learn about innovations, business models, regulations and partnerships. For EDF, these conversations are instrumental in sharing good practices and building a suitable energy mix adapted to the countries ‘needs.
“Attending allows you to have a deep insight into what’s working, what’s not, and where the bottlenecks in the energy industry are”