Richard Dean

Richard has spent more than two decades as one of the Middle East’s leading business journalists. As a writer and broadcaster for The Economist, Bloomberg and Reuters, and anchor presenter of The Business Breakfast show on Dubai Eye Radio and Dubai One TV. Richard holds three degrees in history, economics and communication and is currently working on his fourth: an MBA at Cambridge Judge Business School.

Session Overview

Wednesday, 5 November

12:45

Hydrogen Conference Room A 12:45 - 13:05

Hydrogen project financing: bridging risk, returns and market dynamics

Securing long-term financing for hydrogen projects remains one of the sector’s most pressing challenges. Innovative financial mechanisms like blended finance and green bonds are needed to help balance the associated capital and technological risks. Returns can be enhanced by securing long-term offtake agreements, leveraging government incentives and optimising project locations to reduce costs. This is especially true for high-demand sectors like refineries, where hydrogen has the potential to replace traditional feedstocks, given stable supply and competitive pricing. Market dynamics will be influenced by policy frameworks, such as those in Europe and the U.S., making projects more bankable by reducing uncertainty and increasing demand. Creative deal structures and institutional investments can further align investor expectations with hydrogen project realities, while collaboration between lenders, developers and investors to efficiently and effectively navigate challenges will help unlock market potential and accelerate progress.

Attendee insights:

Discover how real-world financing models and practical solutions can create viable pathways for the expansion of hydrogen’s investment landscape.

13:45

Decarbonisation Conference Room A 13:45 - 14:25

Exploring the role of battery storage in electrifying emerging economies

By addressing challenges such as unreliable grids and renewable energy intermittency, battery storage will prove critical in electrifying emerging economies and empowering communities to prosper. Recent developments, including large-scale investments in South Africa and India, demonstrate how battery energy storage systems (BESSs) enhance grid stability and improve energy access. By enabling the storage of excess energy generated from renewables, battery storage systems can provide power during periods of high demand or low sunlight, increasing energy access and reliability in emerging economies. Through policy support, effective knowledge sharing and innovative financing solutions for BESSs, the global energy sector has an opportunity to ensure sustainable access and long-term economic growth. It is therefore essential to identify how strategic investments and public-private partnerships can be leveraged to secure supply chains and infrastructure that enable continued advancements in battery storage.

Attendee insights:

Learn how stakeholders are scaling battery storage to improve electrification and renewable integration in emerging economies while navigating supply chain, financing and infrastructure-related challenges.

Tuesday, 4 November

12:05

Maritime & Logistics Conference Room A 12:05 - 12:45

Investing in talent to deliver the maritime ecosystem of the future

In the face of rapidly advancing technologies, market disruptions and evolving business models, the ability to develop critical skills and maintain a capable workforce continues to be a key driver of success in the maritime sector. In addition to attracting and retaining next-generation talent, industry leaders must invest in training, upskilling and decarbonisation-related initiatives if they are to succeed in building the sustainable maritime ecosystem of the future. As automation, digitalisation and alternative fuels such as hydrogen gain traction, demand is rising for new capabilities in areas like cybersecurity, data analytics and environmental engineering. So too is competition across the global energy ecosystem. Coordinated investments in talent development, flexible working and purpose-driven employment will play an essential role in positioning maritime as a career path of choice. The sector must also take action to avoid a potential vacuum in knowledge transfer and leadership succession. Stronger industry-academic partnerships can spark early interest in maritime careers through internships, apprenticeships and hands-on learning. At the same time, collaboration between governments, maritime organisations and private entities will be critical in establishing standardised training programmes that address talent shortages. Ultimately, a coordinated, inclusive and forward-looking approach can help build the skilled and diverse workforce needed to power a resilient, high-growth maritime future.

Attendee insights:

Learn how investments in training can help the maritime and logistics industry attract and retain talent, while enabling employees to adapt to automation, digitalisation and low carbon technologies.

Exhibition

Conferences

Global Energy Club

Features

Media

Travel

Young ADIPEC

Richard Dean

Session Overview

Wednesday, 5 November

12:45

Hydrogen project financing: bridging risk, returns and market dynamics

Speakers

Allan Baker

Société Générale

Lavinia Bauerochse

Deutsche Bank

Moderator

Richard Dean

Roar Media

13:45

Exploring the role of battery storage in electrifying emerging economies

Speakers

Bart White

Santander

Pegah Modarresi

GE Vernova

Moderator

Richard Dean

Roar Media

Tuesday, 4 November

12:05

Investing in talent to deliver the maritime ecosystem of the future

Speakers

Dewi Oktavia Husain

PT Pertamina (Persero)

Jennifer Harrison

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

Dr. Shadi Alghaffari

King Abdulaziz University

Elpi Petraki

WISTA International

Elias Aboujawdeh

Milaha

Moderator

Richard Dean

Roar Media