abdul_rahman_al_ghannami

Oman's renewable energy pioneer leading Middle East sustainability

Abdul Rahman Al Ghannami is a UAE-based Omani engineer whose work in solar energy has positioned the Middle East as a renewable energy leader. As CEO of Masdar City, he pioneered the world's first large-scale carbon-neutral city (2008), demonstrating viable sustainable urban planning. His team developed innovative desert-adapted solar panels that increased efficiency by 30% in extreme heat. In 2019, he launched the Shams Power Company, building the region's largest solar plant producing 100MW annually. His advocacy led to the UAE's 2050 Energy Strategy targeting 50% renewables, influencing similar policies across GCC nations. Al Ghannami's TED talk 'Sunlight to Sustainability' has become required viewing for energy policymakers. He co-authored the GCC Renewable Energy Blueprint (2020), now adopted by 6 countries. His innovations reduced solar costs by 65% regionally, earning him the Global Clean Energy Leadership Award (2021).