We recently had the opportunity to interview Zaki Nashif, Founder and CEO of Energetica, an energy consultancy in the UAE. Zaki is a seasoned energy sector leader, renowned for his proactive approach and dynamic leadership style. With extensive experience in relationship building, project development, and execution, he has successfully navigated diverse energy domains.

As one of the UAE’s premier energy consultancies, Energetica shapes a sustainable energy future through expert consulting and advisory services, addressing the evolving needs of regional energy companies.

Spark Behind The Journey

Reflecting on your journey, what inspired you to start in your current industry, and what was a defining moment early in your career?

Zaki shared, “Following 9 years working in the Oil and Gas Industry in the UK, primarily in London but with travel throughout Europe, I took a chance on the renewable energy industry as I believed it was the future. Thereafter, I moved back to Abu Dhabi, where I was born, to work for Masdar.

With expertise in IPP development, I successfully established a presence in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Uzbekistan, and Africa, covering solar, wind, waste-to-energy, and water projects. Now, as the Founder and CEO of Energetica, a premier consulting and advisory firm, I lead a top-tier team dedicated to propelling developers, contractors, and suppliers forward in these industries across the region and globally. A number of bids I worked on established global records for tariffs.”

Adaptability Amidst Challenges

Challenges are an inevitable part of every business. To learn how Zaki Nashif overcame the same, we asked, “Throughout your career, what has been one of the most significant challenges you faced, and how did you overcome it?”

He shared, “Off the top of my head, project financing of renewable energy projects in developing regions has been the most challenging. Securing non-recourse debt is one of the most complex challenges we face in this industry. The key is locking EPC and supplier contracts, as well as having a sustainable and profitable O&M solution. With these in place, developers can secure competitive long-term financing options, whether that is long-term fixed loans or mini-perms.”

Potential Trends of The Future

We further asked, “Given the rapid evolution in your industry, what major trends do you see shaping the future, and how is your company preparing for them?”

“Energy storage; without mentioning any specific countries, the MENA region is making big gains in this area. Enabling renewable energy to provide base load to national grids is critical to the sustainability of our industry.” Zaki replied.

Plans We Asked Zaki Nashif

Eager to learn more about the plans Zaki has set for his business, we inquired, “Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for your company, and what strategies are you considering to achieve them?”

He responded, “I truly believe that, with the team we’ve assembled, we will provide a tier 1 service of consulting and advisory services to all developers, off-taker, EPC contractors, and suppliers in the region and beyond. We are currently expanding to Europe and South America, and with a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, I am confident we will make it.”

Embracing Digital Evolution

AI and emerging technologies are transforming businesses. So, we asked, “How do you see these changes affecting your industry, and how is your company adapting?”

“AI and emerging technologies are a crucial part of the energy transition going forward. However, we need to be pragmatic in the time it will take for these areas to make a tangible effect on the industry. Undoubtedly, though, they will both have a big impact going forward.” Zaki replied.

Core Values Driving Excellence

Behind every successful organization lies a set of core values and principles that propel it forward. We asked, “What guiding principles or core values have you consistently relied on to drive your company’s success?”

“Investing in human morale is critical because no one person can do everything themselves. This is impossible. Therefore, belief in the whole team, and having buy-in to the company’s vision is the only way forward. This is what is required, in my opinion, to make any project or company successful in the long run. And the company that we have set up tries to bring leading global experts in their fields together to provide effective and efficient solutions to the leading clients in the renewables and water sectors.” Zaki replied.

Game-Changing Innovations

In today’s rapidly evolving energy sector, innovation is the key to stay ahead. To learn how Zaki Nashif does the same, we asked, “Could you share an innovative strategy or approach that has recently helped your company stand out in a competitive market?”

“We are the only truly full-cycle advisory service in the renewable energy and water industry. This helps significantly reduce costs for potential developers, off-takers, EPC contractors, and suppliers whilst maintaining the quality of work.” He responded.

On Being A Successful Leader

We concluded the interview by asking, “How has your leadership philosophy evolved over the years, particularly in light of the technological advancements and disruptions in your industry?”

“My biggest learning lessons over my years of professional service and entrepreneurship are twofold. Through years of professional service and entrepreneurship, I’ve learned two key lessons. Firstly, hire smart people and empower them to guide decision-making, rather than micromanaging.

Secondly, happiness and motivation are the ultimate productivity drivers – a happy person is a productive person. By prioritizing team well-being and satisfaction, we unlock full potential and foster a high-performing organization. It requires a collaborative and mutually beneficial engagement with all the stakeholders in a project and experts from multiple disciplines” Zaki concluded.

Follow Zaki Nashif on LinkedIn.

Find Energetica on LinkedIn and visit their website http://www.eneregetica.me/

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