Spotlight on Nahidh ElShaer, Country Director – KSA at SirajPower

Nahidh Ahmed ElShaer is a business leader with a track record of over 25 years in project management, sales, marketing, and operations in both international organizations and family-owned businesses such as Rezayat Group, Abunayyan Holding, and Siemens.

Nahidh’s experience spans across the Energy sector where he has been adept in identifying, researching, and identifying new market opportunities for business growth. In addition to overseeing and leading large teams, Nahidh was able to achieve company objectives and exceed sales, revenue, and profitability targets through his ability to formulate and implement effective strategies and leverage high-performers in his organization.

Nahidh has a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals University.

Tell us more about your journey in solar energy, when/where did it start, and how did you come to work with SirajPower?

My journey in the solar energy industry began as a Business Development Manager with Siemens in Germany and Saudi Arabia in the energy generation sector followed by a higher-level role in the capacity of Regional Sales Manager for Schneider Electric in Saudi Arabia. While working at those two international companies, I developed a keen interest in sustainable business, realizing the enormous potential of renewable energy solutions.

I then moved on to work with various groups at the forefront of solar energy, allowing me to accumulate invaluable hands-on experience in solar projects, energy efficiency, power generation initiatives, and electrical services workshops.

Combining my extensive experience in green energy business development, marketing, and sales, I was eager to take on a new challenge with SirajPower. Having the opportunity to join a company with such a solid commitment to sustainability as it entered a new market was an exciting experience.

My goal at SirajPower is to implement effective strategies, drive business growth, and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s energy transformation. As we work together towards a brighter and more sustainable future, I am excited to join this dynamic team.

Can you tell us about SirajPower’s new office in KSA and why it was established?

Establishing SirajPower’s new office in Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone in our company’s growth path. As a locally grown, leading platform, we have already been operating successfully in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, and expanding into the Saudi Arabian market is a key development. The Kingdom holds unparalleled, untapped potential for solar energy, and we are enthusiastic to contribute to its 2030 vision.

With the opening of our new office, we aim to become more accessible to the market and work more closely with our customers so that we can deliver reliable, efficient, and high-quality solar energy solutions uniquely tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses and individuals across the Kingdom, ultimately reducing their operating costs and carbon footprint.

Moreover, we are steadfast in providing an integrated energy transition platform that not only includes solar distributed generation with no upfront cost to our clients but also offers other sustainable solutions in our complementary verticals, namely Efficiency, and Mobility. With such a comprehensive offering, we have become a one-stop-shop for customers who wish to meet ambitious sustainability targets or commit to net zero. While generating cheaper and clean electricity through solar PV panels installed on building rooftops, we can also generate savings with energy efficiency solutions that drive a 30 to 40% reduction of consumption within almost any facility in diverse types of industries. Financed by our company, our Cooling-as-a-Service offer, for example, enables our clients to get chillers for free at no upfront cost while witnessing immediate savings from the first day of application. While we also offer more comprehensive solutions including lighting and other equipment in these buildings, we can also deliver clean, on-demand energy services remotely or to off-grid sites with mobile plug-and-play battery systems, which is a more cost-effective, more reliable, and cleaner alternative to diesel generators. Within this scope of Mobility, we, moreover, help our clients decarbonize their transportation activities by offering charging and fleet electrification solutions at no upfront costs as well. Through this integrated and collaborative approach, we are fully empowering businesses, especially in the Commercial and industrial (C&I) sector, to embrace and switch to sustainable solutions effortlessly and affordably.

Located at the heart of Riyadh business hub along King Fahd Road in close distance to the key ministries and energy regulators, we are well-positioned to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s energy transformation. We aim to actively contribute to a more sustainable and secure energy future as the Kingdom transitions from a predominantly fossil fuel-based energy profile to one increasingly propelled by renewable sources.

How do you see the solar market developing in KSA in the coming years?

The solar market in Saudi Arabia is poised for remarkable growth in the coming years, presenting vast opportunities for various sectors. While the Commercial & Industrial (C&I) sector has already embraced solar energy, we are witnessing increasing interest in residential and agriculture industries. Homeowners are recognizing the numerous benefits of solar energy, not only for the environment but also for cost savings on energy bills. In agriculture, adopting solar power for irrigation and farming operations promises to revolutionize sustainability and efficiency, benefiting the country’s vital agricultural economy.

SirajPower is perfectly positioned to harness these opportunities, building on our track record as a trusted one-stop-shop solar solution provider in the GCC market. Our proven business model includes project financing, execution, and operations & maintenance (O&M); we deliver reliable, high-quality solar energy solutions with streamlined processes and cost-effectiveness, ensuring seamless integration for our valued clients.

Why do you think KSA is so important as a market and how do you see it evolve?

Saudi Arabia is a highly significant market due to its rapid economic development and potential for growth. The Kingdom has transformed from a traditional Oil & Gas state to a regional and international economic powerhouse with cutting-edge infrastructure in an exceedingly short period of time.

Notably, Saudi Arabia is projected to have one of the fastest-growing economies globally. This expansion is spurred further by Vision 2030, an ambitious plan to diversify the economy and reduce its reliance on oil earnings. The shift to a more balanced, investment-based strategy has unlocked new prospects for various industries.

The Kingdom’s commitment to attracting significant foreign direct investment (FDI) and the pursuit of gigaprojects has further enhanced its image as an attractive business destination.
As Saudi Arabia continues to evolve, it will become a center for innovation, commerce, and sustainable development. SirajPower is thrilled to be a part of this journey, contributing to the nation’s sustainable energy future and working with visionary partners to shape a prosperous future.

ABOUT SIRAJPOWER

SirajPower is a UAE-based company established by a respected local family with a strong heritage. SirajPower offers innovative solar solutions to businesses, government agencies, and commercial, industrial, and educational institutions of all sizes in the UAE, KSA, Oman, and throughout the wider Middle East. SirajPower provides comprehensive turnkey solutions combining the development, financing, construction, and operation of solar rooftops and carports.

The company’s advanced, record-breaking solar technology allows customers to maximize savings, gain energy independence, and meet sustainability goals. SirajPower is licensed and certified to offer under the same umbrella Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC), O&M, and financing solutions. The company provides solar leasing system solutions that substantially reduce energy expenditure while fulfilling a sustainable future in line with the emirate’s long-term green vision.

To date, SirajPower holds the largest distributed solar energy portfolio in the UAE with more than 100MWp in operation and is rapidly expanding to become the regional Green Champion.