Panel Discussion - Navigating the Energy Transition: Innovation, Security, and Sustainable Growth
Panel Discussion - Navigating the Energy Transition: Innovation, Security, and Sustainable Growth
Speaker(s)
Rusha Al-Rawaf is ACWA Power’s Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, overseeing the Sustainability and CSR, Institutional Relations, and Corporate Communications departments.
In her role, she works closely with the management team and various functions to maximise the business’ short, medium, and long-term profitability. As a seasoned marketing and communications executive, she is multilingual and adept in diverse cultural environments. Rusha also has a proven track record in elevating corporate value through strategic roles and global operations and combines a strong technical background with effective leadership skills, driving strategic alignment and cohesive team dynamics. Her expertise spans impactful marketing initiatives and corporate communication strategies, tailored to the needs of the energy sector.
She has held senior positions at a number of renowned institutions in the Kingdom and abroad, including stc and Aramco. In previous roles, Rusha has been responsible for leading teams and crafting messaging strategies, as well as managing brand positioning and executing integrated marketing campaigns. Rusha holds an executive MBA from London Business School and a PhD from University of California, Santa Barbara, blending academic knowledge with practical, innovative solutions in communication and sustainability.
Thomas Altmann Thomas Altmann is the Executive Vice President for Innovation and New Technology at ACWA Power, where he has served for over 13 years. With more than three decades of experience in energy and desalination, Thomas is recognized globally as a leading expert in deploying cutting-edge technologies to accelerate sustainable infrastructure development.
Prior to joining ACWA Power, Thomas held senior leadership roles at ILF Consulting Engineers in Germany, where he served as EVP and Managing Director overseeing Energy and Desalination across international markets. He also served as Vice President at Bechtel’s Power Generation business unit, with global responsibility for desalination projects from their UK and US offices.
At ACWA Power, Thomas Altmann has been a pioneering force behind the company’s innovation journey. He was the first to hold the positions of CTO and Head of Innovation, establishing ACWA Power’s Innovation Department and launching its first internal and external innovation initiatives, including the company’s first hackathon and the now-flagship Innovation Days. Under his leadership, ACWA Power achieved landmark milestones such as:
- Deployment of the first AI/ML code (2000)
- Launch of the company’s first patent and the formation of ACWA Power’s IP Holding Company
- Development of in-house simulation and GenAI-powered collaboration platforms
- Strategic technology shifts, including the transition from thermal to membrane desalination (Shuqaiq project)
- Significant reductions in Specific Power Consumption (SPC) for both desalination (up to 80%) and hydrogen
- Leading R&D collaborations with MIT and securing RDIA and GOI grants exceeding USD 10 million
A member of multiple global advisory bodies, Thomas has served on the Boards of the International Desalination Association (IDA) and European Desalination Society (EDS). He also contributes to the IDA Global R&D Committee, the MIT Technology Review Global Panel, and serves as an Advisory Board Member for the XPrize Desalination Innovation Competition (USD 119M).
Thomas holds a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering, an Advanced Certificate for Executives in Management, Innovation and Technology from MIT Sloan, an Executive Certificate in Artificial Intelligence (MIT), and credentials from IMD’s Digital Strategy & Innovation program. He is the inventor on multiple patents spanning AI, CCSU, solar, nanofiltration, and mineral extraction from seawater.
In recognition of his industry-shaping contributions, Thomas was awarded the Distinguished Chief Innovation Officer (CINO) Award in 2024, and has helped ACWA Power and ILF Consulting earn the title of Desalination Company of the Year.
Tariq Nada is ACWA Power’s Executive Vice President – Center Of Excellence. A sector expert, Dr. Nada has over 23 years’ experience in Desalination industry and Technology. He joined ACWA Power since 2015. In his role, he oversees ACWA. Powers technology all over the life cycle of Assets. He also represents ACWA Power in multiple boards for desalination projects, totaling 5 million m3 per day. He has previously held several positions in the operations and maintenance of Power and Desalination Plants in KSA and international. Also, spend 4 years in research and development sector of Desalination technology. Tariq Nada holds a doctorate in desalination technology from Glasgow University where his research focused on membrane characterization.
Abdurahman Alsum is the Executive Director of Sustainability and CSR (Head of Sustainability & CSR) at ACWA Power, where he leads the company’s efforts in advancing sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Under his leadership, ACWA Power has achieved significant milestones, including the improvement in the company’s sustainability performance, the launch of impactful community initiatives, and a strengthened commitment to Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision and global sustainability goals. Prior to joining ACWA Power, Abdurahman has strong experience in the mining industry, where he gained extensive knowledge in environmental management, regulatory compliance, and sustainable operations. His cross-sector expertise enables him to drive sustainability across complex industries and leading results-driven approach as well as aligning corporate growth with sustainability & CSR. "