Naser Al Yammahi, currently Project Engineer at Masdar Power, and Mohamed Al Khawaja, currently Senior Electrical Engineer at Masdar Power, are being offered new roles as Project Engineer and Contracts Engineer at London Array, the offshore wind farm project currently under construction in the Thames Estuary.
The Emirati professionals will gain hands-on experience in the building and operation phases of one of the highest-profile and strategically significant renewable energy projects in the UK.
The secondment is part of Masdar’s vision to help make Abu Dhabi the pre-eminent source of renewable energy knowledge, development and implementation. This initiative is designed to nurture talented home-grown professionals and further develop skill sets by sending them on overseas assignments.
Frank Wouters, Director, Masdar Power, said: "Our significant blend of international and UAE (local) projects that deploy diverse renewable energy and clean technologies offer many opportunities for synergies and knowledge sharing, especially for the Emirati professionals. Naser Al Yammahi and Mohammed Al Khawaja are highly regarded for their contributions to the organisation. We are confident they will play a significant role in the rapid progress and timely completion of the London Array project. We will continue to assign talented UAE nationals to overseas projects, where we see mutual benefit."
Naser Al Yammahi, who has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Engineering from the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research in Abu Dhabi, was earlier seconded to Torresol Energy’s 19.9MW Gemasolar concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project in Spain. Torresol Energy, Concentrating Solar Power Masdar’s 40:60 joint venture with SENER Grupo de Ingeniería of Spain, is now implementing the 100 MW twin Valle 1 and Valle 2 projects in Spain.
As a Project Engineer, Al Yammahi oversaw the progress of all Masdar’s projects in Spain between November 2009 and August 2010.
Mohamed Al Khawaja has a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the American University of Sharjah in the UAE, and a Master’s Certificate in Project Management from the George Washington University in Dubai, UAE. He has played an instrumental role in supporting engineers and the project managers along the entire value chain and life-cycle of projects within the UAE such as the Sir Bani Yas Wind Farm and other PV projects.
With his operational effectiveness, teamwork and excellent communication skills, Al Khawaja has successfully contributed to EPC contract negotiations covering electrical aspects, supported on-site activities on quality, health, and safety environment (QHSE), as well as performed concept design work on projects. He has also represented Masdar in international events, most notably as a member of the delegation to Tunis in October 2010 that accompanied His Excellency Mohammed bin Dha’en Al Hamili, UAE Energy Minister.
Masdar has an effective succession planning and development programme for UAE nationals, both within the organisation and for seconding them to various overseas projects that are coming up as joint ventures with leading global companies.
Masdar Power is one of the five integrated units of Abu Dhabi’s clean energy initiative – Masdar. Mandated to build and operate a portfolio of large scale renewable energy power projects that will enable Abu Dhabi achieve 7% of its total generation capacity from clean energy sources by 2020, it is implementing major projects such as the Shams-1 and Nour-1 solar power plants and Sir Bani Yas wind farm in the UAE, as well as international projects including the London Array, Torresol Energy’s Gemasolar, Valle 1& 2 solar power plants in Spain and a wind farm in Seychelles.
Through its partnerships and investments in technology-relevant to utility-scale renewable energy operating assets, Masdar Power aims to spearhead breakthroughs in the field of solar photovoltaic, concentrated solar power, onshore and offshore wind power.
Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted initiative advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable and alternative energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today’s fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future – developing the "greenprint" for how we will live and work tomorrow. Backed by the stability and reputation of the Mubadala Development Company, an investment vehicle of the government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the emirate’s long-term vision for the future of energy.
