SAUDI ARABIA - Energy & Mining
CEO, EDF Saudi Arabia
Bio
Omar AlDaweesh is the EDF Group CEO in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Bahrain. He started his career as a system engineering consultant for the largest transportation project in the world (Riyadh Metro). His role was to design and implement the communication system for both “vital” and “non-vital” networks. As a recognition, in 2017-2018, Omar was acknowledged by “Parsons Cooperation” among the Top 10 Engineers worldwide. He joined EDF in 2018 as the Manager of Business and Projects Development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the group. His extensive experience covered the development of projects in the field of renewable energies, energy efficiency, district cooling, and networks (transmission and distribution). He actively supports the nuclear development program. In 2020, he was appointed as the EDF Group’s CEO in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and since 2021 of the Kingdom of Bahrain. He is a founding member of the European Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia and is Vice Chairman of the organisation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Hartford, US. He holds an executive education in entrepreneurship from London Business School among other technical related certifications.
EDF commenced operations in Saudi Arabia in 2012, initially focusing on The King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy’s nuclear program and supporting the Kingdom in the development of renewable energy. Later, we started our collaboration with SEC which led to wining multiple tenders. Our involvement in the National Renewable Energy Program (NREP) underscores our commitment to utility-scale solar and wind projects. Notable achievements include 400MW Dumat Al Jandal, the largest wind farm to date in the region, located in the north of Saudi Arabia and the 1.1GW Al Henakiyah solar power plant. Currently, we are participating in the fifth round of renewable energy projects auctioned by the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC). Additionally, EDF has initiated energy efficiency programs with the super ESCO Tarshid, focusing on substantial retrofitting efforts. Our subsidiary, Dalkia, specializes in energy efficiency services, contributing significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions in the country. Further engagements include district cooling and operation and maintenance services for facilities like the Kingdom Centre. Our installed and under development renewable energy portfolio exceeds 2GW, including wind and solar. Recently, EDF was awarded two CCGT projects in Taiba and Al Qassim, each with a capacity nearing 2GW, which will power 1.5 million homes. Looking ahead, we are exploring opportunities for decarbonizing assets through carbon capture technology, showcasing our commitment to innovation and sustainability in Saudi Arabia’s energy transition.
Establishing our regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia is strategically vital for several reasons. First, Saudi Arabia’s prominence as the largest economy in the region, being a member of the G20 and its significant demand across sectors make it a key market for us. As we rapidly expand operations and become a major international investor, having a regional base here is essential. Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainability and energy transition closely aligns with our objectives at EDF. With robust legislation, policies, and strong leadership under His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the country is poised to achieve ambitious energy transition targets. As a key partner to Saudi Arabia, we actively contribute to this transition through various projects. The country’s 2030 energy mix goal of 50% gas and 50% renewable energy presents substantial opportunities for us, given our expertise in both segments. The demanding and diverse market further underscores the importance of establishing our headquarters here, resonating with the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative (SGI). We are not only highly committed to supporting the Kingdom but also to our CSR initiatives, particularly biodiversity. We conduct extensive environmental assessments to ensure compliance not only with the National Center for Environmental Compliance’s regulations in Saudi Arabia, but also with our own internal commitments towards biodiversity and environmental safety in general. Additionally, we strive to optimize construction sites to minimize waste and ensure proper management throughout the project duration. We consistently audit and meticulously detail our activities, even during the construction phase. Furthermore, we prioritize human capacity building in the country by providing extensive training to locals. Leading this effort aligns with the group’s ethos of not only fostering interest but also enhancing the understanding and expertise of the local population in the industries and transitions we undertake, both in Saudi Arabia and globally.
EDF prioritizes close collaboration with partners and stakeholders to bolster its presence in Saudi Arabia. For instance, the partnership with Red Sea involves active participation in its AMAALA project through investments, underscoring the importance of private sector involvement in achieving decarbonization and sustainability goals. Collaborations with entities like Nesma extend across various projects, reflecting EDF’s commitment to collaboration within the local ecosystem. Additionally, engagements with partners such as Al Jomaih Energy and Water Company for thermal projects leverage the expertise of local champions to complement EDF’s efforts in energy transition. Dialogue with the government fosters an open exchange of ideas and best practices for energy transition projects, facilitated by the government’s flexibility and receptiveness to international perspectives.
EDF is actively engaged in supporting Saudi Arabia’s energy transition through various projects, which goes together with economic diversification and environmental preservation. One key focus is solar energy, with a joint venture like Emerge with Masdar targeting tailored turnkey solar solutions for commercial and industrial sectors. These investments aim to support the energy transition while contributing to both economic growth and environmental sustainability. Additionally, EDF explores opportunities for large-scale hydropower (pump storage system) as well as hydrogen developments which will help reduce carbon emissions while support electrical system resilience thanks to large storage capacities.
In the realm of energy transition in Saudi Arabia, EDF stands out as a pivotal player due to its comprehensive approach and significant progress over the past several years. While there are other notable companies contributing to the energy sector in the Kingdom, EDF’s status as a utility company and its diverse expertise across various segments of the energy value chain set it apart. Companies like ACWA Power, Jinko Power, and Marubeni Corporation also play important roles in renewable energy and sustainability efforts in Saudi Arabia. However, EDF’s distinction lies in its breadth of coverage, spanning renewable energy, energy efficiency, district cooling, nuclear, thermal, hydropower, hydrogen, and transmission and distribution. This comprehensive approach enables EDF to address various aspects of the energy transition and contribute to decarbonizing the entire energy footprint in the Kingdom. EDF’s long-standing commitment to decarbonization, with 93% of its power generation already decarbonized globally, positions it as a trusted partner for Saudi Arabia in achieving its sustainability goals. EDF’s track record of success and expertise make it uniquely qualified to assist Saudi Arabia in replicating achievements made in France and around the world.
For this year, our key priorities and goals revolve around continued development efforts with a focus on timely, high-quality project execution. We aim to increase our investment in Saudi Arabia and contribute to the country’s transition through new developments in areas such as hydropower, battery storage, and hydrogen projects. Additionally, we plan to further develop wind and solar energy initiatives while exploring innovative approaches like geothermal and biomass. Our commitment to innovation is evident in our substantial investment in R&D, with over EUR700 million allocated in 2023. This investment enables us to leverage cutting-edge technologies across various energy sectors and drive forward-thinking projects. One notable example of our innovation is the implementation of Digital Twin technology, which we utilized in projects such as district cooling in the Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City (MISK City). This technology allows us to virtually replicate sites and anticipate operational and maintenance needs in advance, ensuring efficient project execution and long-term sustainability.
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SAUDI ARABIA - Tourism
Interview
Director, UN Tourism Regional Office for the Middle East