Antonio Di Cecca

Antonio Di Cecca was appointed as Tabreed’s Chief Operating Officer in January 2022. He joined the company after having spent 11 years with ENGIE, where he performed numerous roles in the global district cooling industry, most recently as Head of Asset Management at the group’s Dubai headquarters.

Antonio has over twenty years of international experience within the energy sector, including a period of five years with the International Energy Agency (IEA). He is also an active member in many district energy associations, as well as the technical committee of the World Utility Congress. Di Cecca is fluent in Italian, French, Spanish and English, and has a Master in Aerospace Engineering from Politecnico di Torino (Turin, Italy), and a Specialised Master in Energy Engineering and Management from the Ecole de Mines de Paris (Paris, France).

Session Overview

Thursday, 6 November

13:40

Decarbonisation ICC Hall B 13:40 - 14:00

The role of geothermal energy in enhancing security and decarbonising the global energy mix

As a reliable, constant and clean source of power, geothermal energy offers a sustainable path to enhancing energy security and achieving decarbonisation. It provides baseload electricity generation, reducing dependence on intermittent renewable sources and fossil fuels, thereby bolstering grid stability and energy independence. Recent advancements in enhanced geothermal systems (EGSs) have broadened the viable geographical range of this power source. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that innovations in drilling technologies could render geothermal energy cost-competitive within a decade, potentially supplying up to 8% of global electricity by 2050. However, challenges such as high initial costs, regulatory complexities and public concerns about induced seismicity will need to be overcome in order for this power source to reach its full potential. Addressing these issues through technological innovation, supportive policies and public education will clear the way for geothermal energy to contribute to a secure, low-carbon future.

Attendee insights:

Explore how strategic investments in geothermal energy, coupled with technical innovations and public education initiatives, can enhance energy security and help decarbonise the global energy mix.