Dr. Marek Kubik, director of BESS at Enowa.Neom

Dr. Marek Kubik, director of battery energy storage systems (BESS) at Enowa.Neom, delivered a groundbreaking presentation revealing the explosive growth of energy storage in the Middle East.

The presentation was delivered at The Battery Show in Dubai, co-located with Middle East Energy last week. It took place from 7-9 April at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Kubik’s insights paint a picture of a region on the cusp of a renewable energy revolution, saying that the Middle East could be the third largest storage market in the world by 2026. 

Kubik began by introducing Neom, a visionary economic development project in northwestern Saudi Arabia spanning an area comparable to Belgium.

"Neom is not a giga-project or a city," he emphasised, "it's an economy building exercise."

The region aims to accommodate Saudi Arabia's young population, with 70% under 30 years old, and create a sustainable future powered entirely by renewable energy.

Trends in battery technology and cost reductions

The presentation highlighted remarkable trends in battery technology. Kubik explained how battery costs have plummeted, with cell prices dropping to around US$40-US$50 per KWh.

"Unlike conventional energy infrastructure, batteries are electrochemistry," he noted, "which means very steep learning rates similar to solar technology."

Most striking were the energy storage project developments in the region. Kubik revealed that contrary to global forecasts, the Middle East is rapidly becoming a major player in battery storage.

Future projections and use cases for Neom

He showcased several significant projects, including a 19 GWh installation in the UAE and Saudi Electric Company's 2.6 GW battery project - currently the world's largest single-phase battery installation.

He also highlighted Red Sea Global’s projects in Saudi Arabia, stating, “This is actually a collection of best projects that are operational, and there are six sub clusters.”

"Just take the projects in the MENA region," Kubik stated, "and you can see it's already jumping to number three globally."

His bottom-up analysis suggests the region's energy storage capacity is significantly underestimated by current forecasts.

A key innovation Kubik highlighted is Neom's approach to grid design.

By integrating renewable generation with battery storage, they can dramatically reduce transmission infrastructure.

"Instead of building a 6 GW transmission line, we can build a 2 GW line," he explained, demonstrating substantial cost and infrastructure savings.

The presentation concluded with a powerful message about the future of energy storage.

With rapidly improving battery technology, longer duration systems becoming economically viable, and massive regional investments, the Middle East is positioning itself as a global leader in renewable energy transformation.

Kubik's insights reveal a region not just adapting to the renewable energy revolution, but actively driving it forward, with battery storage playing a pivotal role in this sustainable future.

Ilya Likhov, founder and CEO of Neo Sun Energy

In the rapidly evolving landscape of renewable energy, Ilya Likhov, founder and CEO of Neosun Energy, is pioneering transformative solutions that are reshaping how remote and developing regions access electricity.

In a conversation with Technical Review Middle East at the Middle East Energy exhibition, Likhov highlighted the company's innovative approach to energy challenges.

"Microgrids are the best solution for territories without existing infrastructure," Likhov said.

The core of Neosun Energy's strategy lies in addressing critical infrastructure challenges in regions lacking traditional power transmission networks.

"Most remote areas don't have access to electricity because it's very costly and expensive to build transmission lines," Likhov said.

The solution? Deploying hybrid energy systems that combine solar power with advanced storage technologies.

Middle East growth

Solar energy is the cornerstone of their approach. "You are lucky," Likhov noted about the Middle East, "You have so much sun here, making it easy to use solar power stations that dramatically reduce operational costs."

This approach is particularly attractive to emerging businesses, with solar investments offering remarkable financial benefits. "The average time of return on investment for solar is around one to three years, meaning your internal rate of return will be 35-30% in most scenarios," he added.

The company's innovation extends beyond stationary power systems. A breakthrough project is their solar carport solution for electric vehicle charging.

"Today, it's impossible to move between cities like Dubai and Riyadh due to lack of charging infrastructure," Likhov said.

Their solution involves solar carports that can charge electric vehicles directly from sunlight, potentially creating the first fully covered charging network in the GCC region.

"We can charge electric vehicles directly from the sun," Likhov explained with excitement. "We believe within the next two or three years, we can build a comprehensive network here" – a bold vision that could revolutionise electric mobility in the Middle East.

Operating across 16 countries, Neosun Energy has proven the universal applicability of their approach. "Our hybrid solution based on solar energy and battery storage can work anywhere in the world – even in Antarctica," Likhov said.

The company's broader mission goes beyond technology.

"We're very proud to be here," Likhov said, "and I see huge potential in the Middle East." This sentiment reflects a commitment to driving sustainable development through innovative energy solutions.

As the world transitions towards cleaner energy, Ilya Likhov and Neosun Energy stand at the forefront of this transformation.

"We're not just providing power," the CEO concluded, "we're empowering communities and changing how the world thinks about energy."

With their groundbreaking approach, Neosun Energy is turning the sun's abundant energy into a powerful tool for sustainable development, one microgrid at a time.

The Middle East Energy exhibition continues to serve as a vital hub. (Image source: Al Masaood)

Abu Dhabi-based Al Masaood Power Division, a key arm of the prominent Al Masaood Group, is debuting groundbreaking decarbonisation technology from its long-term global partner, Volvo Penta, at the 49th Middle East Energy exhibition and conference.

The event, slated for April 7-9 2025, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, promises to be a pivotal gathering for energy industry leaders, offering a platform to engage with top-tier energy providers, discover transformative innovations, and forge lasting business ties.

At booth H7 E10, Al Masaood Power Division will spotlight Volvo Penta’s latest advancements, including a scalable battery energy storage subsystem and a hydrogen dual-fuel engine. The battery subsystem, tailored for industrial use, boasts energy-dense batteries capable of rapid charging and discharging. Designed to balance power and efficiency, it aims to meet the diverse operational and commercial needs of modern businesses.

Focus on renewables

Meanwhile, Volvo Penta’s hydrogen dual-fuel solution, built on its Stage V D8 combustion engine, blends hydrogen with diesel to offer a flexible, forward-thinking option for companies navigating the shift toward sustainable energy. This follows the company’s broader push into renewable fuels, with its combustion engine platform already certified for hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO). Models like the D17 genset engine are also in line for further renewable fuel enhancements, signaling Volvo Penta’s commitment to greener technology.

The Middle East Energy exhibition continues to serve as a vital hub for showcasing solutions that are reshaping the global energy landscape. For Al Masaood Power Division and Volvo Penta, this year’s event marks a significant opportunity to demonstrate how innovation can drive decarbonisation while meeting the region’s evolving energy demands.

Rasso Bartenschlager, general manager, Al Masaood Power Division, said, “Al Masaood Power Division remains committed to contributing to a net-zero future through low-emissions, high-performance solutions. The products we are showcasing from Volvo Penta are aimed at doing just that – they are designed to be reliable and high performance while supporting evolving energy needs . We are pleased to be here at Middle East Energy as it is a key platform in our goal to help achieve a greener future for both Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”

Hannes Norrgren, president industrial, Volvo Penta, said, “We place a strong customer-first focus in our decarbonisation strategy, from ensuring that our combustion engines are emissions compliant and ready for renewable fuel adoption in the near future, to co-engineering reliable and high performing battery energy storage subsystems that are fit for purpose. Presenting our solutions with Al Masaood Power Division at Middle East Energy is an excellent opportunity to highlight the progression of our sustainable power generation solutions among industry peers and energy providers from around the world.”

DEWA CEO HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer delivered the opening address

The 49th edition of Middle East Energy opened its doors today at the Dubai World Trade Centre, inviting industry stakeholders to engage in fruitful discussions on the future of energy. The event is taking place from 7-9 April this year.

At the opening ceremony, DEWA CEO HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer delivered an address highlighting the UAE's transformative commitment to sustainable energy and climate action.

At the core of his speech was the nation's ambitious vision to revolutionise its energy landscape by transitioning to cleaner, more sustainable power sources.

The speech emphasised the UAE's strategic approach to energy transformation, driven by the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Currently, the UAE has already established 6 GW of renewable energy and 5.6 GW of nuclear power, with a bold target to reach 20 GW of green energy by 2030.

Key highlights include the UAE's Energy Strategy 2050, which sets aggressive targets for renewable capacity, energy efficiency, and clean energy integration. The strategy aims to increase clean energy's share in the total energy mix to 30% by 2030 and reduce carbon emissions significantly.

A groundbreaking initiative is the National Hydrogen Strategy, positioning the UAE as a global leader in low-carbon hydrogen production. The country plans to produce 1.4 million metric tons of mixed blue, green, and pink hydrogen by 2031, scaling up to 15 million metric tons by 2050.

"We believe in innovation and partnerships as a key force to achieve our shared vision for tomorrow," he concluded.

World leaders address the gathering

Later at the ceremony, HE Nani Juwara, Minister of Petroleum and Energy of The Gambia, highlighted his country's ambitious energy transformation journey.

The Gambia has completed its first 225 kV transmission line, inaugurated a national Control Center, and launched a 23 MW utility-scale solar project with an 8 MW battery system.

Their vision is to provide universal electricity access by 2026, currently reaching 645 out of 1900 communities. The country is actively pursuing renewable energy development, including a 150 MW solar park and plans to expand to 250 MW.

They are also solarising 1000 schools and public health facilities, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable infrastructure and technological innovation.

Ziad-Alexandre Hayek, president of the World Association of PPP Units and Professionals and vice chair of the Working Party on PPP at the United Nations, emphasised the critical role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in technological innovation.

He argued that technology alone is insufficient to meet global challenges, and only through synergistic collaboration between public vision and private ingenuity can technological innovations achieve their full potential.

Hayek stressed the importance of flexible partnership frameworks that balance stability with adaptability, incorporate performance metrics that reward innovation, and maintain a focus on public benefit.

Mohamed Ouhmed, secretary-general, Department of Energy Transition, at Morocco’s Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, highlighted the UAE-Moroccan strategic partnerships.

He also spoke of the Moroccan climate efforts as they have adopted several programmes to accelerate energy transition, and want to triple renewable energy investment and quadruple the adaptability of electric goods. He emphasises the need for PPPs for this purpose.

Lastly, Francesco La Camera, director-general of IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency), highlighted the organisation's commitment to innovation, showcasing their Innovation Week 2025 and the New Generation Renewable Energy Accelerator Programme.

He emphasised the need to accelerate renewable energy deployment to meet global climate targets, supporting young innovators and entrepreneurs in sustainable energy solutions.