Algiers – Dr. Zouheir Hamdi, an Algerian national, has been elected by an absolute majority as the new Executive Director of the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), which includes 17 Arab member states, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energies.
Dr. Hamdi was elected after securing an absolute majority of votes from the members of the center’s Board of Trustees during a voting session held at the conclusion of the 24th meeting of the center. The meeting took place in Kuwait on February 18-19, with the participation of Secretary of State to the Minister of Energy, in charge of Renewable Energies, Noureddine Yassaa, and Algeria’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Abdelkader Kasmi El-Husseini, as noted in the statement.
This appointment “crowned the distinguished career of Dr. Hamdi in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency,” the source added. He is recognized for his expertise in developing clean energy strategies and promoting regional and international cooperation in this vital sector, including energy policy, energy transition strategies, renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change, and economic development within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The statement highlighted that the newly elected Executive Director holds a Ph.D. in International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies from Durham University in the UK, with a thesis titled “A Prospective Study on Diversifying Energy Sources in the Electricity Generation Sector in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries by 2050.” He also holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics from the American University in Cairo.
It is worth noting that the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, headquartered in Cairo, is an independent organization comprising 17 Arab member states. It coordinates regional efforts to promote the use of renewable energy sources and improve energy efficiency in accordance with its strategic plan, which is approved by the Board of Trustees.
The center operates through an integrated organizational structure consisting of three levels: a Board of Trustees representing member states, an Executive Committee responsible for overseeing decision implementation, and a General Secretariat led by the Executive Director.
The center primarily aims to support Arab countries in developing sustainable energy policies, enhancing scientific research, and encouraging investments in clean energy. It also serves as the official technical arm of both the Arab League and the Arab Electricity Council, according to the same source.
On the Sidelines of the 24th Meeting
During the sidelines of the 24th meeting of the center, Mr. Yassaa held talks with Mubarak Mohammed Al-Sabah, President of Kuwait’s “Aselah” company. The two parties discussed opportunities for cooperation and investment in Algeria’s energy sector, particularly in the areas of new and renewable energy and energy efficiency.
The discussions focused on photovoltaic solar energy and the development of green hydrogen, reflecting Algeria’s growing interest in strengthening its energy transition and diversifying its energy sources.
For his part, Mr. Al-Sabah expressed Aselah’s interest in investing in renewable energy projects in Algeria, emphasizing the importance of enhancing partnership between the two countries in this promising sector, according to the statement.
Article written by Nor Eleslam for dzwatch.dz.
