DESCRIPTION
Workshop Series
Co-organized by the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF), Saudi Arabia Ministry of Finance, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and Asian Development Bank (ADB), this workshop series will spotlight standards and practical lessons for advancing innovations in renewable energy technology and connectivity infrastructure in developing countries. It will feature case studies and interactive discussions among governments, technology companies, International Financial Institutions, and developing country financiers, with a focus on Asia and Africa.
Certificate of Participation
Those who attend at least two out of three workshops in the series will receive a certificate of participation.
Workshop Two: Innovations In Solar Energy
This session will discuss innovative solar energy technologies (e.g., new photovoltaic materials such as perovskite solar cells, concentrating solar thermal power materials, and minigrids) and institutional mechanisms to support these innovations.
AGENDA
WORKSHOP 2: Innovations in Solar Energy
Wednesday, 14 May 2025 (18:00 – 20:00 Beijing time)
18:00 – 18:05
Welcome and Introduction by:
Dr. Ede Ijjasz, Senior Advisor to the CEO, MCDF
18:05 – 18:20
Overview Presentations
Presentation 1: MCDF
Dr. Ede Ijjasz, Senior Advisor to CEO
An overview of the solar industry innovations and trends
18:20 – 18:35
Presentation 2: International Solar Alliance
Dr. Gurleen Kaur, Technology and Solar Specialist
The SolarX Accelerator Programme is designed to support early-stage companies developing scalable, cost-effective solar solutions. This year’s Program brings together 35 start-ups from across Asia and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region for an intensive two-day event focused on accelerating innovation in solar energy and renewable technologies.
18:55 – 19:10
Case Studies
Presentation 3: Saudi ACWA Power
In November 2022, ACWA Power and the Water and Electricity Holding Company (Badeel) entered into an agreement to construct the world's largest single-site solar power plant in Al Shuaibah, Mecca province, scheduled to commence operations in 2025. The project, set to have a capacity of 2,060 MW, supports Saudi Arabia's strategy to expand its renewable energy capacity to 15 GW by 2022–2023, in line with the broader objectives of the country's Vision 2030 plan and its aim for carbon neutrality by 2050.
19:10 – 19:25
Presentation 4: Solar Home Solutions in Nigeria – An Innovative Institutional and Financial Model
Ashraf Khadam, Senior Global Energy Specialist, Economic Infrastructure, Islamic
Development Bank
Through a a crowdfunding platform that facilitates sustainable investments to accelerate energy access, an IsDB-supported project in Nigeria mobilized thousands of small investors for solar household solutions in Nigeria.
19:25 – 19:40
Presentation 5: From Sun to Roof to Grid Report Series - ESMAP
Christophe de Gouvello, Senior Energy and Climate Specialist, World Bank
Distributed photovoltaics (DPV), the world’s fastest growing local energy technology, offers distinct benefits and challenges especially when connected to grids in low- and middle-income countries. The World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) has produced ‘From Sun to Roof to Grid’, a series of three reports that provides a comprehensive, structured approach to develop DPV as a complement to other distributed energy resources and traditional utility-scale resources.
19:40 – 19:55
Presentation 6: ADB – Floating Solar Facilities in Da Mi hydropower plant (TBC)
AUDIENCE
- Officials from ministries of energy, industry, technology, research, planning, and finance in developing countries
- Staff from financiers in developing countries working in the energy sector
- Staff of renewable energy technology companies and power and grid utilities
- Staff from International Financial Institutions and development partners
- Other interested stakeholders
FORMAT
The Workshop Series will be held virtually. Speaker presentations, case studies, and discussions will be conducted in English.
Participants will engage through small group discussions, quick-answer apps, and question-and-answer sessions at the end of each panel discussion.
Video recordings of select workshop content will be uploaded on the MCDF website. Complete workshop video recordings and featured presentations will be made available on MCDF’s digital platform, JIGSAW.
ORGANIZING PARTNERS
- Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance
- Saudi Arabia Ministry of Finance
- Islamic Development Bank
- Asian Development Bank
SERIES SCHEDULE
This session highlighted innovations in energy connectivity infrastructure, including breakthrough technologies (e.g., smart grids, high-voltage transmission systems, blockchain, AI, and IoT in renewable energy systems) and institutional mechanisms (e.g., regional power pools, cross-border public-private partnerships).
Thursday, 10 April 2025
18:00 – 20:00 Beijing Time
Innovations in Solar Energy
This session will discuss innovative solar energy technologies (e.g., new photovoltaic materials such as perovskite solar cells, concentrating solar thermal power materials, and minigrids) and institutional mechanisms to support these innovations.
Wednesday, 14 May 2025
18:00 – 20:00 Beijing Time
Storage
This session will examine innovations in renewable energy storage, such as batteries, pumped storage, and sands and market mechanisms to facilitate their development and scaling up.
Monday, 2 June 2025 (TBC)
18:00 – 20:00 Beijing Time
CONTACT
If you would like to learn more about the Workshop Series on Innovations in Renewable Energy Technology and Connectivity, please contact MCDF’s Jenny Lou Fernandez (jenny.fernandez@themcdf.org).
RELATED
Concept Note: Workshop Series on Innovations in Renewable Energy Technology and Connectivity.
