Meet Our Expert Advisory Board: Pioneering Clean Energy Solutions
Dii Desert Energy is supported by eminent experts and visionaries in the field of emission-free energy. Their guidance and insights drive our mission towards a sustainable and clean energy future. Get to know the remarkable minds behind our initiatives, shaping the landscape of renewable energy solutions.
Our board comprises the senior leadership from strategic and lead partners, together with selected recognized executives distinguished by vision, long-term proven leadership and commitment. They drive business for their companies, shape policy for their countries and propel innovation for the sector, allowing them to inform Dii’s direction. Members of the Board have authored some of the most impactful Dii publications.
The board gathers at least once per year during the annual Summit and contributes to shape Dii’s strategy and integrate emerging topics ahead of the time.
Chairman

Frank Wouters
Chair
Advisory Board & MENA Hydrogen Alliance
Frank Wouters has been leading renewable energy projects, transactions, and technology development for more than 30 years and played a lead role in the development of renewable energy projects all over the world.
He served as Deputy Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) from 2012 to 2014.
Mr. Wouters has served on the board of energy companies in Europe, Asia, the US and Africa and currently serves as:
- Senior Vice President New Energy at Reliance Industries
- Co-President of the Long Duration Energy Storage Council
- Fellow, Payne Institute, Colorado School of Mines
- Chairman of the MENA Hydrogen Alliance
- Chairman of the Dii Advisory Board
- Executive Committee Member of the Ammonia Energy Association
- Non-Executive Board Director of Gore Street Capital, London, and
- Non-Executive Board Director of Vast Solar in Australia.
Frank has authored several books on renewable energy and green hydrogen and lives in Abu Dhabi. He has a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Delft University.
Members

Dr. Ahmed Ali Al Ebrahim
CEO
GCCIA, Saudi Arabia

Sami Al Angari
Vice Chairman and CEO
Al Gihaz, Saudi Arabia

Tarik Hamane
Acting CEO
Masen, Morocco

Hussain Al Nowais
Chairman
AMEA Power, UAE

Dr. Cetin Nazikkol
Chief Strategy Officer
Decarbon Technologies thyssenkrupp

Khalid bin Hadi al Yafei
Managing Director UAE
Siemens Energy, UAE

Harry Boyd-Carpenter
Managing Director, Green Economy and Climate Action
EBRD, UK

Waleed Salman
Executive Director
DEWA, UAE

Antonio Iliceto
Energy Systems and Power Transmission Expert, Chairman
CIGRE, Italy

Marco Arcelli
CEO
ACWA Power, Saudi Arabia

Alexander Sarac
Partner
Addleshaw Goddard, UAE

Ebubekir Koyuncu
Chief Executive Officer
Air Products Qudra, Saudi Arabia

Yalou Li
Deputy Director of State Grid Simulation Center
China Electric Power Research Institute (CEPRI)

Peter Terium
Chief Executive Officer
ENOWA, Saudi Arabia

Frank Yu
Vice President
Envision Energy, China

Rory O’Neill
Executive Chairman
Europagrid, Ireland

Adamo Screnci
Vice President – Licensing & Business Development
NextChem, Italy

Khalid Rashid Al Zayani
Honorary Chairman, Al Zayani Investments & Vice Chairman
Investcorp, Bahrain

Jamila Matar
Director & Head of Energy Division
League of Arab States, Egypt

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi
Chief Executive Officer
Masdar, UAE

Aymane Taud
President & CEO
Nareva, Morocco

Bertrand Picard
Founder
Solar Impulse, CH

Em. Prof. Ad van Wijk
Future Energy Systems
TU Delft, Holland

Katherina Reiche
Chairwoman of the National Hydrogen Council & Chairwoman of the Board
Westenergie, Germany

Joachim Meister
SVP Global Power & New Energy
Worley, Australia

Horst Mahmoudi
CEO & Executive Chairman
Smartenergy CH
Testimonials
The imperative for global energy transition has never been more pressing. As we confront the challenges of climate change, transitioning to sustainable energy sources is paramount. Global efforts and collaboration are pivotal for an accelerated transition, particularly where resource disparities exist. As a proud partner, we as thyssenkrupp appreciate Dii’s efforts in enabling clean energy value chain partnerships across the MENA region and globally.

Dii Desert Energy has been a trailblazer. Because no matter what other people said, the organisation always believed that the MENA region will play a pivotal role in the global energy transition. Dii has diligently worked to unite all relevant stakeholders, fostering business opportunities, ensuring project bankability, and establishing the necessary regulatory framework. I am eager to continue our cooperation to further expedite the global energy transition.
