Agenda | NET ZERO MEA 2025 | 09-10 April, Dubai, UAE

AGENDA 2025

Day 1

Day 2

Day 1

Wed, Apr 9

Time

Topic

08:30 - 08:50
Registration and Networking

08:30 - 08:50
Registration and Networking

08:50 - 09:00
Welcome Address by Chairwoman
Róisín White Barrett
Managing Director
Clean Energy Business Council MENA

08:50 - 09:00
Welcome Address by Chairwoman
Róisín White Barrett
Managing Director
Clean Energy Business Council MENA

09:00 - 09:10
Welcome Address by Event Organizer
Adam Fan
Chairman
SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd.

09:00 - 09:10
Welcome Address by Event Organizer
Adam Fan
Chairman
SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd.

09:10 - 09:50
Leadership Panel: Market Dynamics and Future Outlook for Solar & Energy Storage in the Middle East
Current Market Trends in Solar and Energy Storage
Regulatory Frameworks and Policies
Challenges and Opportunities in Deployment
Regional Cooperation and International Collaboration
Moderator
Colin Brown
Energy Sector Director
RSK Group
Panelist
Mohammed Al Ta'ani
Secretary General
Arab Renewable Energy Commission
Mohamed Elsammaa
Chief Development Officer
Karmsolar
Faisal Ali Al Rashid
Senior Director - Demand Side Management
Supreme Council of Energy
Valantis Mikrommatis
VP of Sales Enablement
Yellow Door Energy
Dr. Olayinka Fayomi
Chairperson
Foreign Investment Network (FIN)

09:10 - 09:50
Leadership Panel: Market Dynamics and Future Outlook for Solar & Energy Storage in the Middle East
Current Market Trends in Solar and Energy Storage
Regulatory Frameworks and Policies
Challenges and Opportunities in Deployment
Regional Cooperation and International Collaboration
Moderator
Colin Brown
Energy Sector Director
RSK Group
Panelist
Mohammed Al Ta'ani
Secretary General
Arab Renewable Energy Commission
Mohamed Elsammaa
Chief Development Officer
Karmsolar
Faisal Ali Al Rashid
Senior Director - Demand Side Management
Supreme Council of Energy
Valantis Mikrommatis
VP of Sales Enablement
Yellow Door Energy
Dr. Olayinka Fayomi
Chairperson
Foreign Investment Network (FIN)

09:50 - 10:10
Keynote: Lifecycle Management of Energy Storage Systems
Song Zou
Overseas Sales Director
Hangzhou Xieneng Technology Co.,Ltd.

09:50 - 10:10
Keynote: Lifecycle Management of Energy Storage Systems
Song Zou
Overseas Sales Director
Hangzhou Xieneng Technology Co.,Ltd.

10:10 - 11:00
Leadership Panel: The Future of Net Zero, Challenges and the Potentials in MEA
Unlocking MENA’s Net Zero Potential: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
The Role of Policy and Governance in MENA’s Net Zero Journey
The Role of Distributed Energy Systems in Achieving Net Zero in MENA
The Electrification of MENA: Challenges in Deploying Clean Energy for Rural Communities
Off-Grid Solutions for Net Zero: How Microgrids and Solar Can Power Remote MENA Communities
Moderator
Dr Peter Ayeni
Director Strategy, Transformation and Innovation
Foreign Investment Network (FIN)
Panelist
Dr. Iman Nasseri
Managing Director - Middle East
FGE
Fazle Moyeen Quazi
President
MESIA
Thomas Spannring
CFO
Etihad Water & Electricity
Hon. Bernice Swarts
Deputy Minister
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa
Francois Xavier Boul
Managing Director - MENA Renewables
ENGIE

10:10 - 11:00
Leadership Panel: The Future of Net Zero, Challenges and the Potentials in MEA
Unlocking MENA’s Net Zero Potential: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
The Role of Policy and Governance in MENA’s Net Zero Journey
The Role of Distributed Energy Systems in Achieving Net Zero in MENA
The Electrification of MENA: Challenges in Deploying Clean Energy for Rural Communities
Off-Grid Solutions for Net Zero: How Microgrids and Solar Can Power Remote MENA Communities
Moderator
Dr Peter Ayeni
Director Strategy, Transformation and Innovation
Foreign Investment Network (FIN)
Panelist
Dr. Iman Nasseri
Managing Director - Middle East
FGE
Fazle Moyeen Quazi
President
MESIA
Thomas Spannring
CFO
Etihad Water & Electricity
Hon. Bernice Swarts
Deputy Minister
Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa
Francois Xavier Boul
Managing Director - MENA Renewables
ENGIE

11:00 - 11:15
Coffee Break

11:00 - 11:15
Coffee Break

11:15 - 12:05
Panel: Unlocking the Potential of PPAs in the Middle East: Navigating Policy, Risks, and Market Opportunities
Regulatory and Legal Frameworks for PPAs in the Middle East
Regional Policy Dynamics and PPA Frameworks
Mitigating Risks: Financing and Contractual Structures
Market Opportunities: Renewable Energy Growth in MENA
Integration of Energy Storage in PPA Contracts
Investment Opportunities and Financing Trends
Local Success Stories and Challenges
Moderator
Marcus H. Schrauf
Chief Executive Officer
Fas Renewables
Panelist
Michel Abisaab
General Manager
Emerge
Waleed AlHallaj
Chief Commercial Officer
O2 Global Energy
Shaharyar Nashat
Executive Director - Legal, Asset Management
ALJOMAIH ENERGY & WATER
Alissa King
General Counsel and Board Member
Positive Zero
Zaki Muhammed
Director of Sustainability Advisory
Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD)

11:15 - 12:05
Panel: Unlocking the Potential of PPAs in the Middle East: Navigating Policy, Risks, and Market Opportunities
Regulatory and Legal Frameworks for PPAs in the Middle East
Regional Policy Dynamics and PPA Frameworks
Mitigating Risks: Financing and Contractual Structures
Market Opportunities: Renewable Energy Growth in MENA
Integration of Energy Storage in PPA Contracts
Investment Opportunities and Financing Trends
Local Success Stories and Challenges
Moderator
Marcus H. Schrauf
Chief Executive Officer
Fas Renewables
Panelist
Michel Abisaab
General Manager
Emerge
Waleed AlHallaj
Chief Commercial Officer
O2 Global Energy
Shaharyar Nashat
Executive Director - Legal, Asset Management
ALJOMAIH ENERGY & WATER
Alissa King
General Counsel and Board Member
Positive Zero
Zaki Muhammed
Director of Sustainability Advisory
Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD)

12:05 - 13:30
Lunch & Networking

12:05 - 13:30
Lunch & Networking

13:30 - 14:20
Panel: Financing and Investing Solar & Energy Storage Projects: Navigating Challenges and Unlocking Opportunities
Key Financing Models for Solar & Energy Storage Projects
Identifying and Mitigating Financial Risks
The Role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
Case Studies: Successful Solar & Energy Storage Energy Investments
Future Trends in Solar & Energy Storage Energy Financing
Moderator
Karim Megherbi
Board Member of Global Solar Council and CEO of Orisun Invest
Global Solar Council/Orisun Invest
Panelist
Jean Morcos
Senior Investment Officer and Regional Sustainable and Climate Finance Lead
International Finance Corporation
Haytham Abdo
General Manager - dt Investments Nurun Division
Desert Technologies
Dr. Olayinka Fayomi
Chairperson
Foreign Investment Network (FIN)
Wasif Shaikh
Chief Technology Officer
X-NOOR
Parag Narsingkar
Head of Acquisitions, Investments and Financial Advisory, AMEA
ENGIE

13:30 - 14:20
Panel: Financing and Investing Solar & Energy Storage Projects: Navigating Challenges and Unlocking Opportunities
Key Financing Models for Solar & Energy Storage Projects
Identifying and Mitigating Financial Risks
The Role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
Case Studies: Successful Solar & Energy Storage Energy Investments
Future Trends in Solar & Energy Storage Energy Financing
Moderator
Karim Megherbi
Board Member of Global Solar Council and CEO of Orisun Invest
Global Solar Council/Orisun Invest
Panelist
Jean Morcos
Senior Investment Officer and Regional Sustainable and Climate Finance Lead
International Finance Corporation
Haytham Abdo
General Manager - dt Investments Nurun Division
Desert Technologies
Dr. Olayinka Fayomi
Chairperson
Foreign Investment Network (FIN)
Wasif Shaikh
Chief Technology Officer
X-NOOR
Parag Narsingkar
Head of Acquisitions, Investments and Financial Advisory, AMEA
ENGIE

14:20 - 14:40
Keynote: Green Futures, Thriving Tomorrow
Yang Yang
Director of Research and Planning Department
Guangzhou Futures Exchange

14:20 - 14:40
Keynote: Green Futures, Thriving Tomorrow
Yang Yang
Director of Research and Planning Department
Guangzhou Futures Exchange

14:40 - 15:00
Keynote: Working in the Solar Sector for about 13 Years
Bugra Can
Solution Manager
GoodWe

14:40 - 15:00
Keynote: Working in the Solar Sector for about 13 Years
Bugra Can
Solution Manager
GoodWe

15:00 - 15:20
Coffee Break

15:00 - 15:20
Coffee Break

15:20 - 15:40
Keynote: The 6.25 MWh BESS Revolution: Lowering Energy Costs for a Sustainable Future
Dr. Keramat Fakhari
Managing Director
HiTHIUM

15:20 - 15:40
Keynote: The 6.25 MWh BESS Revolution: Lowering Energy Costs for a Sustainable Future
Dr. Keramat Fakhari
Managing Director
HiTHIUM

15:40 - 16:00
Keynote: Achieving Intelligent Robotic Application for C&I and Utility-scale Solar
Vincent Liu
Sales Director - Overseas
LEAPTING Technology

15:40 - 16:00
Keynote: Achieving Intelligent Robotic Application for C&I and Utility-scale Solar
Vincent Liu
Sales Director - Overseas
LEAPTING Technology

16:00 - 16:20
Keynote: Unlocking MEA’s Energy Storage Potential
Jack Chen
Sales Vice President
Trinasolar MEA

16:00 - 16:20
Keynote: Unlocking MEA’s Energy Storage Potential
Jack Chen
Sales Vice President
Trinasolar MEA

16:20 - 16:40
Keynote: ZNShine Group Presentation along with Project Reference
Mukesh Mishra
Director - Middle East & India, Nepal
ZNSHINE SOLAR

16:20 - 16:40
Keynote: ZNShine Group Presentation along with Project Reference
Mukesh Mishra
Director - Middle East & India, Nepal
ZNSHINE SOLAR

16:40 - 17:20
Panel: Integrating ESG Principles: A Pathway to Sustainable and Profitable Renewable Energy Strategies
Navigating Regulatory Landscapes: Aligning ESG with Compliance and Best Practices
Stakeholder Engagement: Building Trust and Transparency in Renewable Energy Projects
Measuring Impact: Key Metrics for Evaluating ESG Performance in Renewables
Future-Proofing Energy Investments: ESG as a Driver of Long-Term Resilience
Innovative Approaches to ESG Integration: Best Practices from Leading Renewable Energy Firms
Moderator
Sophia HASNAOUI
Senior Business Development Manager
Yellow Door Energy
Panelist
Jean Morcos
Senior Investment Officer and Regional Sustainable and Climate Finance Lead
International Finance Corporation
Dr. Hassan Ali
Associate Professor
University of Birmingham Dubai
Ghada RAHAL
Strategy and Advisory Principal Consultant
AESG

16:40 - 17:20
Panel: Integrating ESG Principles: A Pathway to Sustainable and Profitable Renewable Energy Strategies
Navigating Regulatory Landscapes: Aligning ESG with Compliance and Best Practices
Stakeholder Engagement: Building Trust and Transparency in Renewable Energy Projects
Measuring Impact: Key Metrics for Evaluating ESG Performance in Renewables
Future-Proofing Energy Investments: ESG as a Driver of Long-Term Resilience
Innovative Approaches to ESG Integration: Best Practices from Leading Renewable Energy Firms
Moderator
Sophia HASNAOUI
Senior Business Development Manager
Yellow Door Energy
Panelist
Jean Morcos
Senior Investment Officer and Regional Sustainable and Climate Finance Lead
International Finance Corporation
Dr. Hassan Ali
Associate Professor
University of Birmingham Dubai
Ghada RAHAL
Strategy and Advisory Principal Consultant
AESG

17:20 - 17:30
Cocktail Party Welcome Address by Cocktail Sponsor
BMEer technology

17:20 - 17:30
Cocktail Party Welcome Address by Cocktail Sponsor
BMEer technology

17:30 - 18:00
FIN BEST OF AFRICA AWARD CEREMONY
Foreign Investment Network (FIN)
Africa Energy Council
Euro Knowledge

17:30 - 18:00
FIN BEST OF AFRICA AWARD CEREMONY
Foreign Investment Network (FIN)
Africa Energy Council
Euro Knowledge

18:00 - 18:40
SMM X dun& bradstreet Global Tier 1- Awards Ceremony
1. Tier 1 PV Module Supplier
2. Tier 1 Energy Storage System
3. Tier 1 Energy Storage Cell
4.Tier 1 Solar Plant O&M Supplier
5.Tier 1 BMS Supplier
6.Tier 1 Inverter Supplier

18:00 - 18:40
SMM X dun& bradstreet Global Tier 1- Awards Ceremony
1. Tier 1 PV Module Supplier
2. Tier 1 Energy Storage System
3. Tier 1 Energy Storage Cell
4.Tier 1 Solar Plant O&M Supplier
5.Tier 1 BMS Supplier
6.Tier 1 Inverter Supplier

18:40 - 20:00
Cocktail Party

18:40 - 20:00
Cocktail Party