“Dii is probably one of the strongest networks to meet C-suite executives in the hydrogen field, to share perspectives and views on the energy transition. The team, led by Cornelius, does an amazing job at facilitating contacts and putting together inspiring presentations.”
Amir Sharifi
Chief Investment Officer, Hy24
World’s first organization for energy from the deserts
Dii Desert Energy is an independent, international, industry network, operating from Dubai. With its footprint in MENA, it is connecting people, countries and clean energy markets, paving the way for “net zero emission”, secure and affordable energy from the deserts.
Read moreOur Mission: No Emissions!
By leveraging its abundant solar and wind resources, the region has the potential to become a major player in the production and trade of net- or sub-zero energy carriers, notably electrons and hydrogen-based molecules. This transformation will not only enhance energy affordability and security for local communities but also position MENA as a critical supplier in the global energy market.
Dii Desert Energy
Covering the entire scope of the energy transformation
@Neom
Dii Desert Energy
Being the world’s first organization for clean energy from the deserts, Dii Desert Energy (formerly ‘Desertec Industrial Initiative’) was launched in 2009 as a ‘Market Enabler’ for accelerating the energy transition in MENA and, eventually, for clean energy export. Today, Dii Desert Energy has become a vocal independent think tank and international industry network paving the way for climate neutral, secure and affordable energy from the deserts through low-, no- or sub-zero emissions electrons and molecules.
Dii Desert Energy is following a phased approach of implementing the so called ‘Desertec’ idea (clean energy from the deserts), which is now in its third phase of development, accelerating MENA’s energy transition in a global context: Desertec 3.0.
This includes clean power production, hydrogen and derivatives, energy transport, storage, smart energy use and the emerging regional and global climate neutral energy trading. For this purpose the ‘MENA Hydrogen Alliance’ was launched in early 2020, followed by the ‘Zero Emissions Traders Alliance’ (ZETA) in 2023, which aims at creating a regional and global platform for climate-neutral energy traders. Recently, the virtues of fast, secure and cheap blockchain technologies are being introduces through Kaspa Kii.
Dii’s platform of more than 126 companies and organizations from over 36 countries is mobilizing top executives, government decision makers, R&D institutions and academia for the benefit of emission reduction, energy security, affordability and local content in MENA and beyond.
Dii Desert Energy is bundling the forces of over 126 international partners to create effective market conditions for the benefit of accelerated emission reduction, energy security, affordability and local content in MENA and beyond.
Objectives
Market Enabler
Accelerating the energy transition in the Arab World through increased pressure on emissions costs, higher relative value of renewables and expansion of infrastructure for clean energy carriers across the regional and global energy value chains.
Job Creation
Encouraging sustained prosperity and stability in the region through the creation of local jobs and industries associated with the energy transition.
Green Powerhouse
Encouraging the MENA region to become the largest ‘green powerhouse’ in the world.
Collaborative Platform
Capitalizing on new opportunities by bringing together the private sector, the public sector and academia.
Practical Solutions and Innovation
Sharing practical solutions based on (field) experiences and lessons learned, but also introducing innovative ideas a.o. on the basis of science and research
Fostering Partnerships
Enabling lighthouse projects and creating unique business opportunities for our partners.
Connecting Energy Leaders for a Sustainable Future
Read moreYour involvement
Benefits
The Advisory Board
Dii Desert Energy is supported by eminent experts and visionaries in the field of emission-free energy. They drive business for their companies, shape policy for their countries and propel innovation for the sector, allowing them to guide Dii’s direction.
The Annual Dii Desert Energy Leadership Summit
Since 2010, the Dii’s annual summit has moved across three continents with a unique profile in the market. By invitation only, CEOs gather for high quality content to provide a concrete impact.
The Dii Partner Meetings
Bringing together Strategic, Lead,Associated Partners and invited key professionals in a closed-door and focused gathering of leaders with the joint mission of advancing tangible projects to reduce harmful emissions and forging new partnerships.
Studies and Thought Leadership
Dii conducts studies on emerging topics like technologies, green electrons, and molecules, analyzed by our expert team. Partners can join as co-authors or through interviews, with reports blending academic rigor and management insights.
Strategic Communication & Events
As impartial platform, Dii helps promoting strategies and amplify announcements. Promotion through the events’ portfolio, quarterly newsletter (partners achievements and announcements), digital platform, amplification leveraging Dii’s ‘network of networks’. Invitation to high-level networking events like Dii Iftar, top management briefings and dinners, as well as roundtables with policy makers, think-tanks and research institutes.
Projects Insights
Over the last 14 years, Dii Desert Energy has been monitoring solar, wind and more recently hydrogen projects in MENA, creating a unique database with special insights for our partners. This database and also financial tools, market studies and much more are available in the ‘partner only section’ on the Dii website.
A selection of our partners
Partners
Download a free extract of our LCoH and LCoA financial models*
Get an extract from our levelized cost of green molecules toolkit!
Dii offers its Strategic, Lead and Associated Partners exclusive access to Levelized Cost toolkits for green hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, and kerosene, providing a comprehensive financial model to assess project feasibility by energy source and technology.
To use the toolkit, partners need to complete an “Inputs Form” reflecting their project attributes. Dii will then run the model and provide a customized PDF report, with sample reports available in the information package. This valuable service is free for partners (T&C applies).
Toolkit
Testimonials
“By now, it is widely accepted that global warming is one of the main challenges for mankind. What I like about Dii is that it has always been ahead of the game. At its start in 2009 Dii was already pointing at the huge potential of solar and wind in the Middle East and Africa. Moreover, since a few years, Dii has been promoting the conversion of renewable electricity partially into hydrogen, allowing accelerated decarbonization in particular in industry sectors that cannot easily be (totally) electrified. “
Peter Terium
Chief Executive Officer, ENOWA, Saudi Arabia
“As a pioneer of renewable energy, clean technologies and sustainable real estate in more than 30 countries, Masdar shares the vision of Dii Desert Energy for an emissions-free power sector, technological innovation and enhanced collaboration to accelerate the global transition towards cleaner energy sources. Mitigating climate challenges relies on multilateral partnerships across the spectrum of market participants – from policymakers to investors, technology providers to lenders. Both Dii Desert Energy and Masdar are committed to advancing such partnerships as part of a long-term, holistic sustainability strategy. “
Mohammed Jameel Al Ramahi
CEO, Masdar
“As a pioneer of very large renewables projects in coastal deserts, offering a diurnal profile of reliable sun during the day and heavy wind at night, InterContinental Energy has long been supportive of several geographic super stars. MENA and Australia are two such ideal geographies and where we have chosen to build green fuels projects. We joined Dii for the MENA focus, but quickly realized that this is a special group of people with a wealth of expertise and connections all over the world. Global warming is by nature, global. This team isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and implement solutions across the hydrogen value chain. “
Alicia Eastman
Co-founder and Board Director, InterContinental Energy, Co-Host of ‘Everything about Hydrogen’
