BBS New Campus Talk: Vision 2030 and Energy Transition with Marco Arcelli, CEO of ACWA Power
19 September 2024BBS has successfully launched a new series of events, the “New Campus Talks,” bringing globally relevant topics to the forefront. The first of these events featured Marco Arcelli, CEO of ACWA Power, who shared his vision for the future of energy and the central role Saudi Arabia aims to play in the global energy transition.
This event is particularly significant as it aligns with the context of BBS’s new campus, embodying the vision of a School for the New Millennium. It is an innovative space for meeting and exchanging ideas, blending heritage and modernity, designed to promote innovation and meet the needs of interdisciplinary and sustainable education.
Marco Arcelli, with over 25 years of experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors, is an internationally renowned figure. Before becoming CEO of ACWA Power in 2023, he held strategic roles in companies such as Enel Trade and EP New Energy, contributing to the growth and positioning of these organizations in the global energy landscape. His presence at the New Campus Talk was a unique opportunity for students and professionals to delve into the dynamics of energy transition and sustainable innovation.
In his talk, Arcelli presented Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, an ambitious reform program aimed at transforming the country into a leader in sustainability and innovation. With a strategy focused on diversifying the economy beyond oil, investing heavily in renewable energy and sustainable hydrogen, Saudi Arabia is becoming an open-air laboratory for energy transition.
ACWA Power is at the heart of this revolution. Under Arcelli’s leadership, the company is developing large-scale energy projects, from renewable energy generation to water desalination, with a positive impact on the environment and local communities. During the talk, Arcelli explained how the company is working to create a model of sustainable development, including restoring and protecting natural ecosystems, such as coral reefs, and creating forests in deserts through the use of desalinated water.
The New Campus Talks represent a platform for dialogue and exchange with leading figures from the business and academic worlds. These events offer students and professionals the opportunity to explore current topics from a global perspective, providing valuable insights for personal and professional growth. Marco Arcelli’s talk is a prime example: through his experience and strategic vision, participants had the chance to explore the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition, understanding how innovation and sustainability can be fundamental drivers for the future of the energy sector.
