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CEO of SPIRE: Saudi Competencies to Meet Renewable Energy Company Needs

Eng. Majed Refae, the CEO of the Saudi Polytechnic Institute of Renewable Energy (SPIRE) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Eng. Majed Refae, the CEO of the Saudi Polytechnic Institute of Renewable Energy (SPIRE) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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CEO of SPIRE: Saudi Competencies to Meet Renewable Energy Company Needs

Eng. Majed Refae, the CEO of the Saudi Polytechnic Institute of Renewable Energy (SPIRE) (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Eng. Majed Refae, the CEO of the Saudi Polytechnic Institute of Renewable Energy (SPIRE) (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Eng. Majed Refae, the CEO of the Saudi Polytechnic Institute of Renewable Energy (SPIRE), said that work was underway with strategic partners to provide companies operating in renewable energy projects with skilled national cadres.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Refae noted that more than 7,800 jobs will be needed for energy projects in Saudi Arabia during the coming years, expecting the demand to grow with the announcement of new and investment plans.

SPIRE is a strategic partnership institute within a comprehensive system, which the Ministry of Energy considers an important tributary for providing human resources and qualifying young men and women to work in the oil, gas and energy sectors and companies, with the support of Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy.

The institute is located in Al-Jouf region in northern Saudi Arabia.

Refae said that the region was selected to be the headquarters of the institute, as it is situated within the global Sun Belt, which makes the solar radiation it receives one of the highest rates in the world.

Therefore, SPIRE was chosen to be near the first renewable energy projects in Saudi Arabia - the Sakaka solar power plant and Dumat al-Jandal for wind energy. This will allow the institute to introduce trainees to real work environments, he underlined.

Al-Jouf is also close to several other renewable energy projects in Qurayyat, Turaif, Hafr Al-Batin, and Tabuk, located in the north of the country.

Asked about the launching date, Refae said: “SPIRE is now in the final stages of training procedures; we expect to start operation at the end of March.”

As for the training programs, he pointed to a 12-month program targeting holders of diplomas from technical colleges, in which the focus is on specialization and skills needed by employers.

Another 24-month program is directed towards high school graduates, in which the trainees undergo an intensive program in the English language and preparatory materials, followed by a 4-month field training on the job site.

According to Refae, SPIRE is based on the principle of training with employment, which is one of the most important bases of work in the National Center for Strategic Partnerships. Therefore, all those who successfully pass the selection tests will be contracted by companies operating renewable energy projects in Saudi Arabia.

The CEO of SPIRE told Asharq Al-Awsat that the institute will seek to provide programs and specializations that meet the renewable energy sector in the areas of management, operation and maintenance.

This will be supported by creating accreditation programs that are tailored to the needs of companies operating in this promising sector, in accordance with the plan of the Ministry of Energy and Saudi Vision 2030.

Pointing that the institute capacity will reach 3,000 trainees, Refae added: “We are in the process of rehabilitating and equipping the facilities, and we plan to start training 250 cadres during the current year.”

“We are cooperating with local universities and institutes within the national system to provide curricula in accordance with the highest international standards,” he remarked.

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After Trump’s Victory, Arab Demands for Competitive Advantages Due to Regional Tensions

Donald Trump addresses his supporters at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida on Wednesday. (EPA)
Donald Trump addresses his supporters at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida on Wednesday. (EPA)
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After Trump’s Victory, Arab Demands for Competitive Advantages Due to Regional Tensions

Donald Trump addresses his supporters at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida on Wednesday. (EPA)
Donald Trump addresses his supporters at the West Palm Beach Convention Center in Florida on Wednesday. (EPA)

With the election of Donald Trump as US president, the global economy has gained direction for the coming years. Trump’s policies favor corporate tax cuts, increased investment, and expansionary monetary policies. He also promotes local production to boost job creation, which involves imposing significant tariffs on trade partners, particularly in Asia. This approach could trigger a trade war, affecting inflation in both the US and worldwide.

The US economy is already grappling with high prices, slower economic growth, and rising unemployment, alongside a national debt nearing 99% of GDP. This backdrop underscores the importance of economic issues in the recent election.

For the new US administration, domestic concerns will not be the sole priority. Ongoing geopolitical tensions, especially recent Middle Eastern conflicts, will also impact the US economy. To gain regional insights, Asharq Al-Awsat consulted economists from various Arab nations on their expectations and requests from the US president regarding the Middle East.

Priority of Regional Stability

Dr. Mohamed Youssef, an Egyptian economist, emphasized that regional stability is crucial, benefiting the economy and paving the way for resolving complex issues like the Nile Dam dispute affecting Egypt. He highlighted the American role in fostering calm in the region.

Iraqi economist Durgham Mohamed Ali noted that US relations vary across the Middle East; while Lebanon and Yemen remain outside current US alliances, Sudan and Somalia require international aid to rebuild infrastructure.

Competitive Advantage for Arab Countries

Ahmed Moaty, a global markets expert from Egypt, suggested that reduced US tariffs would improve Arab economies’ competitiveness. However, he pointed out the American high debt could motivate the administration to impose tariffs to protect local industries and reduce imports. Ali observed that US tariffs are interest-driven and selective, favoring allies like Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea while being stringent toward BRICS members, such as China, Brazil, and South Africa. He linked tariff policies to regional geopolitics, especially the conflicts involving Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, and Iran, which could influence US economic decisions.

Dr. Mohamed Youssef also argued that easing US-China competition could benefit the global economy, as high tariffs on Chinese goods reduce China’s growth, decreasing demand for key commodities like oil.

Ibrahim Al-Nwaibet, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Value Capital, predicted that a Republican win could positively impact oil and interest rates, revitalizing the petrochemical and trade finance sectors.

On currency, Moaty noted the strong US dollar pressures emerging markets, especially in the Middle East. He suggested offering US Treasury bonds with higher yields to Arab countries as a counterbalance. Ali added that the dollar’s strength poses challenges for countries heavily reliant on US currency amid global liquidity shortages.

The BRICS Bloc

Ali also mentioned the high levels of US debt, explaining: “In general, the entire world is concerned about rising US debt, slowing growth rates... and is wary of the BRICS alliance, which some Arab countries hope to join. The question remains whether a cold economic war will ensue.”

Youssef also discussed the BRICS, which could play a role in attracting the new US president’s attention to countries joining the alliance. He added: “This may provide new competitive advantages for countries in the region, particularly as countries like Egypt, the UAE, and Iran recently joined BRICS, while Saudi Arabia is still evaluating the benefits of such move.”