MIDDLE EAST
Working in collaboration with six different member states , the GCCIA has diversified its operations within the energy and electricity sector , with a desire to expand into further markets overseas . With an increased focus on the development of the grid , the authority is continually looking for opportunities to provide savings and drive market growth whilst ensuring increased energy efficiency .
CEO Ahmed Ali Al-Ebrahim has been behind the company ’ s growth since its inception , stating : “ The vision of GCC countries is that more renewables are being planned . The UAE has announced their 20 / 20 Expo vision , part of that task is to achieve 44 percent of renewables by 2026 .”
By looking to export to other countries such as Jordan , India , Pakistan , Turkey and towards Europe , the GCCIA is also aiming to drive business towards Africa and is considering the potential of hydropower . Al-Ebrahim continues : “ The Minister of Energy has recently announced plans that within the next six years , Saudi Arabia will be
undertaking $ 40-50 billion of renewable investments ”, the key question being how the GCC will be able to integrate large volumes of renewables into its current and future strategic framework .
Since its inception , the volume of trading within the GCCIA in 2016 exceeded 1.5 million megawatts of power in 2016 alone , placing an increased emphasis of the importance of the grid and its focus on reliability for member states . By continuing to open channels of collaboration with global leaders , the GCCIA has become members of GO15 , one of the largest power grid operators in the world , of which the GCCIA is the only member from the Middle East . By also signing an MOU with the Réseau de transport d ’ électricité , the national operator for the grid in France , Al-Ebrahim explains “ we are always working with other companies in a bid to bring value and facilitate our role in order to reach our goals ”. Furthermore , the company has become a member of the Edison Electric Institute , which Al Ebrahim says “ brings a wealth of experience and utilities which can be used as a platform to share knowledge ,
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