By Paul van Son, President, Dii Desert Energy
As we continue our journey toward a climate-neutral, lowest-cost, and secure energy system in MENA, it is a pleasure to reflect on the tremendous progress being made by Dii’s industry network (now over 120 international companies). While we have faced numerous setbacks since our inception in 2009, I think our wonderful team, collective resilience and innovation power inspire continued optimism for the future.
Since 2015 (notably then initiated by our key partners ACWA Power and DEWA in Dubai) solar and, soon thereafter, wind energy have in most desert places become competitive without the need of subsidy. Innovations in green hydrogen production, E Fuels, and, on the horizon, iron powder, a promising solid energy carrier, are quickly emerging as additional carriers to meet local and remote energy demand without leaving carbon emission in the atmosphere. Moreover, advancements in energy storage and the transport of green electricity, gas, liquids and even solids are steadily shaping ‘Green Power House MENA’.
However the conversion of green power to green molecules, are still in need of government support. That may explain why related business cases are still complex and vulnerable. We all know that green hydrogen and E fuel derivatives would quickly become competitive as soon as ‘climate costs’ would properly be incorporated into fossil energy. However that seems still to be a hard nut to crack at global political level. We are nevertheless keen on paving the way for commercially viable projects.
In spite of the lack of a fair level playing field among ‘climate neutral’ and ‘climate destructive’ energy we remain optimistic and focused on our mission: no emissions’, simply because Dii has the best team ever with the most dedicated group of industrial companies. Nothing will stop us….