Vahid Fotuhi still remembers the observation that moved him towards a career in solar power.
In 2007 Mr Fotuhi began with BP’s oil trading division in Dubai as an analyst, where he was involved in quantifying the region’s fossil fuel exports.
By 2009 he had noticed a shift in the movement of oil and diesel, with tankers carrying fuel into the Arabian Gulf countries, rather than just exporting from them.
“At first it was only a trickle, a few ships coming to the region, but then we saw the trend explode where every year you would have a doubling of quantities,” says Mr Fotuhi, a Canadian of Iranian descent.
An economist by training, he knew this was not sustainable as oil producers needed increasing amounts of fuels to satisfy domestic demand and were paying international prices importing it.
“It reached the point where a country like Saudi Arabia was importing a million tonnes of diesel every month for the whole summer, costing them US$1 billion [Dh3.67bn] a month, just in terms of import fuel cost,” Mr Fotuhi says.
“That is when I made the jump.”
He was convinced that with their abundant solar resources, Gulf states would eventually consider solar power to respond to rising energy demand.
So in 2009 he started a solar division within BP and, with the help of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi, he founded the Emirates Solar Industry Association (Esia) for companies in this field.
But in 2011 BP decided to shut down its solar-energy business, leaving Mr Fotuhi with a dilemma.
He decided to persevere with solar power and now works as head of strategic advisory at Access, a project-development company focusing on power and water.
Looking back on the year just gone, Mr Fotuhi says he is pleased with the advances made in his field over the past 12 months.
In March, Masdar launched Shams 1, a 100-megawatt facility in Madinat Zayed, which is the country’s largest solar plant to date.
In October, Dubai followed with a 13MW solar photovoltaic plant, which uses sunlight to produce electricity.
Next in line in Dubai is a 100MW facility also relying on PV technology, to be built in about three years.
In Abu Dhabi, Noor One, a 100MW solar PV plant is still awaiting approval from the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Mr Fotuhi says he is optimistic “that in the next few months something positive will happen”.
In September, Esia was renamed the Middle East Solar Industry Association, reflecting the regional aspirations of its members. Mr Fotuhi predicts this will be one of growth for the industry.
“I am bullish and I think the slow march will pick up pace and you will see more capacity installed across more countries in the Middle East,” he says.
vtodorova@thenational.ae
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
SQUADS
Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
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