Powering a Clean Future: An Interview with Yellow Door Energy’s Khaled Chebaro
Khaled Chebaro, Country Director for Bahrain and KSA, Yellow Door Energy shares what it takes to lead the cause for clean energy and Bahrain’s vision for net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.
What are the most important leadership qualities for someone who wants to succeed in the solar sector?
I’ve been in the solar sector for more than a decade. From my experience both as a team member and as a team leader, certain qualities for success include great communication skills, strong emotional intelligence, confidence (but not arrogance), passion and most importantly, patience.
At Yellow Door Energy, we provide solar power purchase agreements (PPA’s) for businesses and transaction sizes can range from $500,000 to $30 million. As a result, contract negotiations take time and a strong leader needs to be patient, persistent and communicative. Emotional intelligence is also required so that the leader can understand the customer and identify business challenges while uncovering the underlying energy needs. Lastly, confidence comes from having knowledge about the industry, our own solutions and market challenges. While my engineering and management education gives me a great start, it does not replace my years of experience listening to customers and supporting them through their energy challenges.
What was the greatest challenge you’ve faced working in the solar industry?
The solar industry is dependent on regulations. As an industry, we have progressed significantly in terms of price reductions and increased efficiency. Constant technological advancements continue to accelerate the renewable energy transition overall.
However, we are dependent on regulations for permits to install on-grid solar PV systems and we may occasionally compete with heavily subsidized electricity costs. These pose challenges and can deter some businesses from switching to clean energy. To date, we have been fortunate that the solar-related regulations in Bahrain are clear and straightforward. As such, developers like us can follow the process and install solar power plants through our PPA’s.
To date, what has been your proudest moment in Yellow Door Energy?
I am the first employee of Yellow Door Energy, having joined the company since its inception in 2015. Today, we have over 200 megawatts of solar projects in the region and more than 150 employees. Parallely, my family grew from a 2-person household to a 4-person household. There have been many proud moments during my tenure at Yellow Door Energy, both in the office and on-site at our solar plants.
Perhaps the proudest moment was when I attended the commissioning ceremony of our company’s first solar project: Unilever Personal Care Factory in Dubai, UAE. I was in the audience when their former CEO, Paul Polman, inaugurated the new factory and did a tour of the 1-megawatt solar plant, provided through our PPA. Today, I still get the same rush whenever I visit completed solar plants and see that customers are proud and happy with their decision to switch to clean energy, having chosen us as their sustainable energy partner.
What in your opinion are the potentials for the solar energy industry in Bahrain?
The solar energy industry in Bahrain is evolving rapidly, fueled by the Kingdom’s progressive regulations and the ambitious target of becoming Net Zero by 2060. The abundant sunshine and climatic conditions also make it a prime location for harnessing solar energy. Bahrain has also cultivated a pool of local talent, from engineers and financiers to managers, who are not only advancing the Kingdom’s renewable energy goals but also have the potential to become global ambassadors for solar energy solutions.
How does Yellow Door Energy contribute to Bahrain’s pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2060?
In Bahrain, our customers are Mondelez, Imerys Al Zayani, Armacell, Bahrain City Centre, and the Bahrain Mall, operated by Carrefour Bahrain, owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim. We’re especially proud that our project at the Bahrain Mall won the 2023 Renewable Energy Award at the Smart Cities Summit in Bahrain.
Awards aside, our projects in Bahrain have generated 12.1 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity as of September 30, 2023, equivalent to removing 8,500 metric tons of carbon emissions from the atmosphere. This modest number will rise exponentially as we sign on new customers and commission our projects throughout the Kingdom.
Given the dynamic nature of the renewable energy industry, which spans various sectors and new technologies, how can one successfully enter and grow in this field?
Jobs in the renewable energy sector rose by nearly 8% to 13.2 million between 2021 and 2022, according to a recent report by IRENA. There are numerous opportunities for employment in the renewable energy sector. I would encourage interested job seekers to widen their search beyond engineering or technical roles. In fact, within our company, we have many functions to ensure the success of a solar project. You can look into functions such as business development, marketing, finance, legal, risk, accounting, and many more!
To enter the field, I recommend having a strong interest in renewable energy (of course!), possessing an outstanding work ethic, and having the ability to adapt and be agile. The industry continues to evolve, utilizing new technologies and applications. Therefore, it is important to understand that change is a big part of our industry so be open to this.
To read more stories of business leaders in the Middle East, check out our latest special edition
