GCCIA Hosts Annual GO15 Meeting in Dammam; Emphasizes International Cooperation and Strategic Initiatives Towards a Resilient Energy Transition
Dammam, Saudi Arabia, 30 October 2024: The GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) successfully hosted and convened the annual GO15 meeting, which serves more than half of the total global electricity demand. This event brought together the world’s leading power grid operators at the Dammam Conference Center in Saudi Arabia.
The meeting was part of the international forum ‘Powering the Future Toward Net Zero’, which was inaugurated by His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province. Organized in collaboration with EPRI, GO15, and Med-TSO, the forum aimed to drive discussions on the future of the energy sector and foster alignment on net-zero goals through technological advancements, market development, and strengthened regional interconnections.
During the GO15 meeting, key industry leaders discussed strategies for enhancing energy security, improving grid resiliency, and accelerating the integration of renewable energy amid growing challenges such as climate change and rising energy demands. GO15 serves as a platform to drive collaborative efforts and tackle critical power grid issues, fostering international cooperation.
In his opening remarks, Eng. Ahmed Ali Al Ebrahim, CEO of GCCIA, highlighted the significance of the GO15 meeting in addressing global energy challenges. He stated, “It is an honor to welcome esteemed leaders and experts from across the globe to the GO15 meeting. As we gather here in Dammam, we are reminded of our collective responsibility to ensure energy security and resilience, which is crucial for the socio-economic growth of our regions and beyond.”
He continued, “The outcomes of this meeting are vital to advancing our shared mission of strengthening the reliability and resilience of interconnected power networks. Our discussions will not only focus on enhancing the integration of renewable energy but also on accelerating digital transformation and adopting innovative solutions to tackle the pressing challenges posed by climate change. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among our members, we can address these issues holistically and build a future-ready grid.”
Al Ebrahim also emphasized the importance of international cooperation, stating, “This gathering underlines our commitment to expanding strategic partnerships and deepening our understanding of energy dynamics globally. Together, we have the potential to redefine how we approach energy management and sustainability. By uniting our expertise and aligning our strategies, we can achieve a resilient, reliable, and sustainable energy future that is capable of meeting evolving demands.”
Al Ebrahim concluded his remarks by expressing his optimism for the future, “I am confident that the insights and strategies developed during this meeting will shape our path forward, reinforcing our ability to navigate the complexities of the energy transition. Let us seize this opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and make meaningful strides towards a more secure and sustainable energy landscape for future generations.”
The meeting’s agenda included a review of the results and recommendations of the GO15 Strategic Work Group, with discussions covering real-time operation of future grids, stability and inertia, black-start capabilities, resilience of electricity infrastructure, and resource adequacy. Participants highlighted significant growth trends in energy storage systems (ESS/BESS) and explored initiatives to expedite regulatory permits.
The meeting concluded with the announcement of Jung Dong Hee, CEO of Korea Power Exchange (KPX), as the incoming President of GO15 for 2025. Manu Asthana, CEO of PJM, and SR Narasimhan, CMD of Grid India, will serve as Vice Presidents. The next annual meeting is planned for 2025, with the venue to be announced later this year.
This international forum and GO15 meeting collectively underscore the critical importance of collaboration and strategic initiatives in ensuring a secure and sustainable energy future.
