MESIA launches Solar Pioneers program

The Middle East Solar Industry Association is creating a platform to recognize and empower young solar leaders.
PwC to join MESIA in launching the inaugural Middle East Solar Pioneers initiative

Sunday 10 November, 2013

MESIA, the largest solar trade group in the Middle East, will select 10 young solar leaders and innovators drawn from across the Middle East. The purpose of the initiative is to recognize solar leaders and provide them with the support and exposure they need to grow.

The Solar Pioneers program will seek out young Middle East-based professionals, aged below 40, who are actively developing and promoting solar power, be it from a research, industrial or policy perspectives. Over the subsequent 12 months, these young pioneers will be provided with a platform to network together, share best practices through tailor-made workshops and to support each other as they work towards expanding the role of solar in the Middle East.

"At MESIA, our goal is to promote solar power across the Middle East," said Vahid Fotuhi, President of MESIA "and one of the best ways to achieve that is to recognize and empower the young pioneers who will be the solar leaders of tomorrow," he adds.

Gus Schellekens, the leader of PwC's Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy, Cleantech and Sustainability in Abu Dhabi says "We are delighted to once again have the opportunity to work with MESIA to help develop the solar potential of the region. Working with the leaders and innovators in this area in the coming years will ensure that emerging local capability is supported and additional solar projects are developed."

The program will run annually, with 10 new winners unveiled each January, adding depth and new ideas to the Solar Pioneers program. The application period runs until 30 November 2013. The application form can be found on www.mesia.com. The 10 winners will be unveiled at a ceremony during the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi on January 21, 2014.

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About MESIA:
The Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA) is a non-profit, non-governmental solar trade organization. Our mission is to create a solar community in which all the stakeholders, from both the public and private sector, can come together and help grow the footprint of solar across the entire Middle East. Our activities and publications aim to expand the awareness and applications of solar energy in the region, to strengthen the local solar industry, and to facilitate business opportunities for our members

About PwC
Established in the region for over 40 years, PricewaterhouseCoopers Middle East has 2,500 people in 12 countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Our Middle East Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy, Cleantech and Sustainability has been working closely with MESIA for the last two years to raise awareness and promote the adoption of renewable energy and sustainable solutions across government and business.

PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

MESIA contact person:
PwC contact person:

Timothy Paul
Gus Schellekens

Timothy@mesia.com
gus.schellekens@uk.pwc.com

+971 55 734 36 03
+44 7711 828 845

Micheline Thienpont
Marketing Manager
Middle East Solar Industry Association
M: +971 55 771 9456
E: micheline@mesia.com
W: www.mesia.com