Interview: Omar Al Daweesh, CEO, EDF, on implementing renewables and decarbonisation technologies to deliver on climate ambitions
How do you view the pace of the Kingdom’s shift from fossil fuels towards renewables?
OMAR AL DAWEESH: Saudi Arabia’s transition towards a more diversified energy mix is moving rapidly, supported by clear long-term targets and a disciplined tendering pipeline. Solar and wind are expanding quickly and with rising intermittency, reliability has become the central operational challenge. Balancing high-efficiency gas with large-scale renewables remains essential. Gas provides the flexible baseload that stabilises the system, while the addition of competitive utility-scale solar photovoltaic accelerates decarbonisation. Thermal assets are increasingly designed with future carbon capture compatibility, offering a pathway to a fully decarbonised baseload. This hybrid approach – renewables, flexible gas and advanced decarbonisation technologies – remains the most pragmatic way to ensure reliability while delivering on national climate ambitions.
What models are delivering off-grid infrastructure at scale for mega-projects demanding integrated power, water and waste solutions?
AL DAWEESH: The integrated multi-utility concession is emerging as the most effective model, coordinating power, water, wastewater and energy management services under one platform. It has been especially relevant in remote areas where grid extension is uneconomical. Off-grid renewable ecosystems supported by large battery energy storage systems have shown that a fully renewable supply, paired with high-capacity storage, can deliver 24/7 reliability for major tourism projects. The scale of storage now deployed – often in the hundreds of megawatt hours – has become a defining enabler. This approach is expanding beyond remote sites. In commercial and industrial zones and new smart city developments, decentralised solar, efficiency measures and district cooling – acting as a thermal battery – are increasingly combined. This integrated model improves efficiency, lowers transmission losses and provides a scalable framework for data centres, industrial clusters and new urban districts.
In what ways can advanced renewable technologies be integrated into the grid to overcome intermittency and ensure stability?
AL DAWEESH: As renewable penetration grows, the sector is shifting towards long-duration energy storage (LDES) to maintain stability over multi-hour cycles. Pumped storage hydropower remains the most mature and scalable LDES option, operating as a water battery that provides inertia, frequency support and large-volume storage. Geothermal technologies are gaining relevance for potential baseload power and decarbonising cooling demand. Geothermal cooling leverages stable subsurface temperatures to reduce electricity for refrigeration and air conditioning, accounting for a major share of national consumption. Compressed air energy storage is also emerging, particularly where geology supports underground caverns. Together, these technologies broaden the tools available to grid operators, helping smooth volatility, reduce curtailment and maintain power quality as the energy mix evolves.
Which strategies are most effective for building robust domestic supply chains while meeting ambitious project timelines?
AL DAWEESH: Effective localisation combines phased development, predictable procurement and close integration with global supply chains. Regular renewable tenders give manufacturers the confidence to invest in local capacity for components such as modules and structural systems. At the project level, early engagement with regional contractors, targeted skills development and aligned technology transfer strengthen domestic participation. Modular designs and standardised components help reduce timelines while broadening home-grown opportunities. Ultimately, localisation is most successful when project sequencing is steady.
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