ADNOC Distribution to showcase its vision for the future of the mobility sector at EGYPES 2024

Saeed Al Ahbabi, ADNOC Distribution Chief Shared Services & Technical Officer, spoke exclusively to Julian Walker in the lead up to the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES) 2024 about bringing the firm’s innovative and digitally backed services to the Egyptian market.

You significantly expanded your network last year, and most importantly now have a presence in Egypt – can you tell us more about this and how you achieved it? What are your plans operationally for the future?

Last year we announced our ambition to be a global mobility retailer and have successfully pursued a clear strategy and roadmap to achieve our goals. As a result, ADNOC Distribution surpassed its target of opening 25-35 new service stations in 2023 by launching 41 new stations, bringing our total network to 840 sites, 597 of which are located in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Following our successful acquisition of a 50% stake in TotalEnergies Marketing Egypt LLC last year, we launched the nation’s first nine ADNOC-branded service stations in strategic locations across Greater Cairo, offering a full range of fuel, vehicle, and non-fuel services to local communities.

We look forward to bringing more of our innovative and digitally backed services to the Egyptian market and exploring further opportunities to grow our portfolio. Plans are in place to open additional branded stations nationwide in 2024, including the first ADNOC Distribution greenfield service station in Egypt.

How is cutting-edge technology playing a role in integrating sustainability across your operations?

At ADNOC Distribution we are continually looking for innovative ways to improve the efficiency of our operations, enhance customer experience and reduce our carbon footprint. We are leveraging advancements in AI and predictive analytics to identify, monitor and reduce emissions from our operations.

ADNOC Distribution is laser-focused on finding ways to achieve energy efficiencies and decarbonize our facilities, stations, and vehicle fleet. For example, we are utilising predictive analytics for fuel demand across our 500-plus service stations. This enables us to understand high and low traffic patterns and plan more efficiently to meet demand. In doing so, we can optimize our own fleet operations and reduce our carbon footprint.

We have implemented an Energy Management Intelligence system to optimize all power and water consumption at our service stations – including lighting, heating, and cooling systems – and reduce emissions across our network.

ADNOC Distribution is also leveraging our customer-facing position to help empower the communities we serve to adopt sustainable practices. We launched a CSR initiative that allows customers to adopt a mangrove in the UAE using ADNOC Rewards points on the ADNOC Distribution app. The mangrove adoption program provides our customers a convenient and innovative way to contribute to lowering global GHG emissions. The initiative has been very successful and was over-subscribed within 72 hours of launch.

Are you going to expand electric vehicle charging points in 2024?

The global demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has been steadily increasing. Globally, electric car sales are set to surge by 35 per cent this year, according to the International Energy Agency. The EV market has great potential in the UAE. Demand for EVs continues to rise and is projected to record a compound annual growth rate of 30 per cent between 2022 and 2028. An expected 70,000 charging points are required in Abu Dhabi by 2030 to meet growing EV demand.

We are pioneering sustainable mobility in the UAE, as we respond to evolving customer needs and support the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 initiative. ADNOC Distribution is collaborating with global and local partners to create a robust mobility ecosystem. In 2023, we launched the first phase of fast and super-fast electric vehicle charging points, reaching over 50 charging points across our UAE service stations network. We also recently announced a partnership with NWTN, a UAE EV manufacturer, to deliver EV services for the Rabdan brand.

In November, we began operating H2GO, the region’s first high-speed hydrogen fueling station in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, testing a fleet of zero-emission hydrogen-powered vehicles at this pilot site.

Our progress demonstrates our strong commitment to enabling sustainable mobility. Plans are in place to continue to develop the mobility landscape, including expanding EV super-chargers at strategic locations across our entire UAE network.

This is the first time ADNOC Distribution is participating in the Egypt Energy Show (EGYPES). What can visitors expect to see and hear from ADNOC Distribution during the exhibition?

EGYPES is the premier energy event in the region and this edition addresses critical topics related to the energy transition. ADNOC Distribution is placing decarbonization and sustainability at the heart of our strategy and operations as we continue to future-proof our business and drive long-term shareholder value. We are here to showcase our latest innovations in service offering, sustainability initiatives, and vision for the future of the mobility sector. Also, we want to be at this important event to engage with key stakeholders on the latest industry trends, and collective actions to achieving net-zero emissions.

ADNOC Distribution’s CEO Bader Saeed Al Lamki will participate in a panel session titled, “Downstream Decarbonization and Circularity – Going Full Circle,” at the Strategic Conference on Tuesday. He will discuss how our company is pioneering innovative sustainable mobility solutions and decarbonising our operations. I am really looking forward to joining a panel session on “Empowering the Digital Transformation for a Clean Energy Future,” also on Tuesday, where I will be sharing how we are using advanced technologies to reduce our carbon footprint across our network.

Saeed Al Ahbabi, ADNOC Distribution, Chief Shared Services & Technical Officer will be speaking at the EGYPES 2024 in Cairo, taking place from 19 - 21 February 2024 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center. Register today at www.egypes.com/conferences/delegate-registration