Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy has appointed Faisal Abdullah Al-Yemni – who has previously worked at GCC Assets Investment & Development Company, Saudi Aramco, Showa Shell, and Schlumberger – as head of Renewable Energy Project Development Office (Repdo) to oversee the office’s National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP) as it readies to tender its Round 2 projects in 2019, with former Minister of Energy, HE Khalid Al-Falih – since replaced by Prince Abdulaziz Al Saud – congratulating Al-Yemni on his appointment after the departure of Turki al-Shehri.
Repdo is the developer behind Saudi Arabia’s 400MW Dumat Al Jandal on-shore wind energy project, and the 300MW Sakaka photovoltaic (PV) project, both of which will contribute to Saudi Arabia’s target to generate 27.3GW of renewable energy by 2024 and 58.7GW by 2030.
Following the successful financial close of the Dumat Al Jandal project, Repdo launched the tendering process for six new projects with a combined energy capacity of 1.47GW earlier this year.
A further six projects are on track to be tendered by the end of 2019, bringing in an additional 1.58 GW of renewable energy capacity.
Al-Yemni has more than 15 years’ experience in energy industry, and was previously chief executive officer of GCC Assets Investment & Development Company.
During his career, Al-Yemni has also worked as the head of power systems support and investment division and head of international operations at Saudi Aramco, and across multiple functions in the business industry at Showa Shell and Schlumberger.
Al-Yemni holds an EMBA from IMD Business School, Switzerland, an MSc in Sustainable Electrical Power from Brunel University London, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia.
Commenting on Al-Yemni’s appointment in a statement before his exit as Minister of Energy, Al-Falih said: “At such a crucial time for the kingdom’s renewable energy ambitions, I am delighted to appoint such a well-respected and experienced individual to lead Repdo and drive forward its continued success.
“With his extensive background in energy industry and development, Al-Yemni’s expert insights will ensure that the NREP continues to transform the kingdom’s energy mix and localise the renewable industry.”
