iNTERVIEWS to Newspapers

How the Gulf region is planning for a life after oil

In the context of the COP28 in the UAE in late 2023, I was interviewed by the Deutsche Welle (DW) on the sustainability transition in the Gulf, which is a serious reform that will change the face of the Middle East.

This well-researched story by Alistair Walsh shows the ambitious vision of the Gulf states to engage with sustainability issues, e.g. a massive development of renewable. Naturally, they would not stop exporting products related to fossil fuels since these will still be economic and highly demanded resources in the next decades – hopefully less so after that in order to save the climate.

Some quotes from the article:

“Mohammad Al-Saidi, a research associate professor at Qatar University’s Center for Sustainable Development, told DW that the region is moving very quickly to fulfill its ambitious goals. “

“Ironically, thanks to the high oil prices that accompanied the IPO of the State-owned company Saudi Aramco has filled the Saudi coffers well. In addition, the government has the Energy subsidies for the population have been reduced, so that, according to Al-Saidi, an additional $40 billion per year is available to them.”

“Transforming the economies to renewable energy isn’t purely out of concern for the environment, though. Al-Saidi said one of the main motivators for the transition is to free up fossil fuel reserves for export, thereby maximizing profits. “

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Another significant motivator for the domestic shift toward renewable economies is to attract international investment and maintain standing in the international community, Al-Saidi explained.

“This is very important for image, and image means money.”

“Other states are looking to copy the diversification model of Dubai, where fossil fuels now account for only about 5% of its income. The vast majority comes instead from tourism, and wealthy migrants and investors, according to Al-Saidi.”

You can read the German version here, and the English one below.

You can also read some of my publications on the Climate Action in the Gulf and Sustainability Engagement of the Gulf.

Wüstenstadt aus Glas: So plant SaudiArabien „The Line“ Translation: Desert City from Glas: This is how Suadi Arabia is planning "The Line "

In late 2022, I was interviewed from this extended feature story on Germany’s top business newspaper. The story looks at the how German firms and actors view NEOM – the biggest new city development in the world worth ca. 500 billion USA.

This well-researched story by Anna Gauto shows how the Line as a part of Neom is being built from the ground. I was asked mainly on feasibility issues and, yes!, many plans for the Line are economically and technically feasible.

Some quotes from the article (translated from German):

“In any case, it will hardly fail because of the money. According to Mohammad Al-Saidi from the Center for Sustainable Development of Qatar University, Saudi Arabia not only has enough resources to “The Line” largely not only to finance the necessary and already in place within a few years to build solar and wind farms including distribution networks. The climatic ones
According to Al-Saidi, conditions for solar power in Saudi Arabia are so favorable that the kilowatt hour (kWh) can be had there for one cent.”

“According to Al-Saidi, conditions for solar power in Saudi Arabia are so favorable that the kilowatt hour (kWh) can be had there for one cent.”

“The world’s largest hydrogen factory is currently being built in Neom with the participation of Thyssen-Krupp with an output of 2000 megawatts. The share of renewables in Saudi Arabia is still two Percent. By 2030 it is expected to increase to 50 percent, which energy expert Al-Saidi considers “feasible””.

You can also read some of my publications on the Energy Transition and Circular Economy of Saudi Arabia.

How drinking water has become a major conflict deterrence factor in the Gulf region

In 2019, a very interesting story was done by Stasa Salacanin, on the potential role of water supply infrastructure in a potential conflict in the Gulf. I was interviewed and expressed that I don’t believe the states in the Gulf would engage in any attacks on water supply infrastructure since this is too dangerous.

Here are my quotes used for the article:

“Dr Mohammad Al-Saidi, a research assistant professor at the Qatar University’s Center for Sustainable Development also does not believe in a high possibility of this scenario as an attack on water supply installations would be against international law.

He calls on the Geneva convention (Protocol I Article 54, paragraph 2) which in short reads that: “It is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove or render objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as… drinking water installations and supplies and irrigation works… whatever the motive, whether in order to starve out civilians, to cause them to move away, or for any other motive.”

While any state that would directly and deliberately be involved in such attacks would face a great international pressure and even legal consequences, Al-Saidi assumes it is more likely that non-state actors (terrorists or state sponsored cyber attacks etc), could attempt such an action.”

Read some of my publications detailing the risks facing supply infrastructure in the Gulf and the question of desalination.

Other ones on environmental development in Qatar in the context of sports

During the media obsession with understanding/portraying Qatar during the world cup 2022, I was interviewed by some outlets on environmental and developmental issues related to Qatar. Out of the many contextualization I tried to give, some pits and pieces appeared in international media. For, example, a story of BBC Mundo on how the impressive economic development of Qatar during the last century, and a story by Le Soir on diverse environmental challenges in Qatar.