According to the MESIA Solar Outlook Report 2025, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is at the forefront of the global energy transition with abundant natural solar resources, rising energy demand, and strong government support. UAE and Saudi Arabia continue to dominate solar development, but other nations like Oman and Egypt are quickly scaling up. Overall, MENA is well positioned to become a leader in the deployment of renewable energy projects. 

The report also highlights that large solar PV, hybrid and standalone storage projects are gaining traction. In addition, Commercial & Industrial (C&I) solar is expanding and is driven by corporate sustainability goals and favorable economics, and cybersecurity and compliance are increasingly critical with governments tightening regulations around data and infrastructure protection. The region is transitioning to utility-scale solar with a strong pipeline of projects expected, and government strategies such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 are central to driving renewable adoption and investment. 

However, the MENA region, while rich in solar resources, also faces extremes in weather conditions that can bring challenges in terms of effective operation and maintenance (O&M) of solar power plants. 

To gain deeper insight into GPM’s activities across Middle East renewable energy in solar as well as storage and wind, in addition to the evolving landscape of renewable energy, we spoke with Sergi Bosque, Regional Director for IMEA (India, Middle East and Africa). He shared perspectives on current projects, emerging trends, and how GreenPowerMonitor, a DNV company (GPM) is ready to support future developments. 

How do we see the renewable energy industry changing in the region, and can you tell us more about the surge in large-scale developments? 

“The renewable energy landscape in the region has evolved significantly over the past few years,” says Sergi. “What was once a market characterized by fewer, smaller-scale projects has rapidly matured. Today, we’re seeing a surge in large-scale developments, as well as more projects across solar photovoltaic (PV) and storage mainly, but also wind technologies.” 

Sergi notes that the future points toward diversification and expansion: “We anticipate continued growth, with more hybrid projects combining multiple technologies, and a broader range of countries entering the renewable space. The momentum is building, and public governments and private companies across the region are actively driving this transformation.” 

He highlights the leadership of key players: “The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia currently lead in project development, setting ambitious benchmarks for others to follow. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is making bold strides with its Vision 2030 strategy, which outlines clear targets and timelines for renewable integration.” 

What type of projects are currently underway in the region, and how is cybersecurity becoming increasingly important here? 

“Our major focus has been on solar PV technologies in recent years, and now we also have a strong emphasis on large-scale hybrid and standalone storage projects. This aligns with the evolving demands of the market, which is increasingly shifting toward integrated energy solutions at scale,” says Sergi. 

Sergi also highlights the increasing importance of cybersecurity: “Customers in the region are placing greater value on secure infrastructure. Compliance with local regulations, developers and utilities is also key, and we integrate these standards into every project we undertake. In addition, we’ve developed modular and flexible solutions that can be tailored to varying levels of security and operational requirements.” 

How can we support future developments in the region, including evolving grid codes and technological standards?

While the future holds many possibilities, Sergi anticipates increasing complexity: “We expect upcoming projects to demand more advanced control systems to meet evolving grid codes and technological standards. That’s why it’s critical for us to stay closely connected to our sites and actively support customers with our local team during these pivotal phases of development.”  

“We’re committed to evolving alongside the industry,” says Sergi. “As the energy landscape continues to shift, our focus is on providing more localized support, being present and responsive to the needs of projects on the ground is absolutely essential.” 

He concludes, “Our role is not just to deliver solutions, but to be a trusted partner throughout the journey, ensuring that every project is equipped to succeed in a rapidly changing environment.” 

How does automation play a role, and how does this impact on Operations and Maintenance? 

Automation plays a central role in this transformation. “Many processes in O&M that were previously manual are now streamlined through our technology,” Sergi explains. “This not only improves workflow efficiency but also empowers teams to focus on strategic decision-making rather than routine tasks.”  

Sergi emphasizes that customer support goes far beyond deployment. “We provide continuous service throughout the lifecycle of our solutions. Our commitment to customers begins with delivering technically compliant, high-quality, and long-lasting solutions,” says Sergi. “We ensure that our systems transition from concept to implementation, with a strong focus on optimizing Operations and Maintenance (O&M).” 

He adds, “We also bring value to the entire energy ecosystem by strengthening relationships with asset owners and stakeholders in Operations, Asset Management, and Services (OAMS). Our solutions are designed to enhance communication between systems and equipment, ensuring data flows efficiently and reliably.” 

Solar, storage, wind and hybrid offerings at GreenPowerMonitor, a DNV company 

GreenPowerMonitor, a DNV company (GPM), is driving market growth with over 100 GW of assets under management, advanced data science capabilities, and the support of over 5,000 energy experts from DNV’s global advisory network. 

GPM’s solar, storage, wind and hybrid offerings include the Energy Management System (EMS), designed to boost battery performance, extend asset life, and support grid stability. Complementing this, the Hybrid Energy Management System (HEMS) ensures smooth integration of PV and BESS, driving efficiency, reducing operational costs, and meeting regulatory standards. 

GPM also offers GPM PPC to efficiently manage both real and reactive power from solar and wind plants, GPM SCADA in-plant controller for digital utility-scale, and GPM Horizon for multi-tech portfolios – with multi-technology monitoring and advanced analytics for solar, wind and storage. 

Do you want to meet us and talk to our renewable energy experts?  

For more information on GPM and how we can support your projects in the Middle East and beyond, fill in the form to request a meeting with our renewable energy experts who will be available to answer questions, provide demonstrations, and offer insights on best practices.