Cairo: The future of renewable energy is increasingly tied to digital transformation through the integration of advanced technologies, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and smart grids, Chief Executive Officer of the Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (Int@j), Nidal Bitar, said. Bitar explained that the integration of digital technologies into renewable energy systems is creating opportunities for a new generation of Arab startups capable of competing globally.
According to Jordan News Agency, Bitar made the remarks during a regional interactive scientific forum on supporting innovative renewable energy startups. The event was organized in Cairo by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) in cooperation with Egypt’s Electronics Research Institute (ERI) and the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.
In a working paper titled “Building and Developing Innovative Renewable Energy Startups: Mechanisms and Financing Tools,” Bitar reviewed global shifts in clean energy investment, noting that the renewable energy market has become a multi-trillion-dollar global industry driven by climate, economic, and technological factors. He said software and smart systems are becoming central to the future of the energy sector, adding that the cost of solar and wind technologies has dropped by more than 80 percent over the past decade, making clean energy projects more financially viable. Many projects are now able to recover costs within five to eight years while generating long-term operational savings, he added.
Bitar said the Arab region has a strategic opportunity to become a global hub for clean energy due to abundant solar exposure and strong wind corridors in countries including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Oman, and Egypt. He stressed that the sector’s future is closely linked to artificial intelligence applications in smart grid management, consumption analysis, production forecasting, and energy storage optimization, noting that energy digitalization is expected to drive a major economic and technological shift in the region.
Bitar noted that the success of startups in the sector depends on flexible business models that combine technological innovation, financial management, and a strong understanding of local market needs. He also outlined key challenges facing Arab startups, including limited access to venture capital, complex regulatory environments, and a shortage of specialized expertise in smart grids, energy storage, and digital systems, despite growing opportunities driven by increased government support, declining technology costs, and rising demand for clean energy solutions.
Bitar underlined that Arab startups have already demonstrated their capacity to compete globally through innovative solutions integrating renewable energy and artificial intelligence.