Board Director – Chairman – Energy Transition & Hydrogen

Thirty-five years building the energy system that replaces the old one.

I am chair Dii Desert Energy and the MENA Hydrogen Alliance and board member of Gore Street Capital . I have held board and chair roles on five continents, and I help companies and organisations steer through the energy transition.

 

Addressing German delegation led by German President Christian Wulff together with Dr. Sultan Al Jaber

New paradigms replace old ones

Engineer, builder, dealmaker

I built my first wind pump in Zambia in 1990 and saw what clean energy does for people’s lives. Since then I have built and run factories in Europe and Asia, developed and financed several billion dollars of renewable projects worldwide, and served as Deputy Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Since 2019 my focus has been clean hydrogen. I co-authored the North Africa – Europe Hydrogen Manifesto, helped conceive the 2 × 40 GW Electrolyser Initiative, and founded the MENA Hydrogen Alliance in 2020.

I hold an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Delft University of Technology and work in English, German, Dutch and French.

My Role

A career measured in watts

From one wind pump to gigawatt-scale hydrogen

1990
~1 kW · First wind pump, built and installed in Zambia

2009
165 MW · Belwind offshore wind farm, Belgium

2010
630 MW · London Array, then the world’s largest offshore wind farm

2018
2 × 40 GW · Electrolyser initiative for Europe, Ukraine and North Africa

Bar lengths on a logarithmic scale.

With UN Secretary general Ban Ki Moon and Dr. Sultan Al Jaber 2012

Board & advisory experience

Governance across five continents

I have guided strategic equity investments, risk and governance for listed funds, project companies, industry bodies and start-ups. I have been an FCA-approved person in the UK since 2015. Current roles are marked.

Global

Gore Street Capital, London
Board Director, now Interim Chairman
2015– Current

Gore Street Energy Storage Fund plc
Investment Committee
2018– Current

UNIDO – GEF 8 Global Clean Hydrogen Programme
Global Advisory Board
2026– Current

Long Duration Energy Storage Council
Co-President
2022–2023

Ammonia Energy Association
Board Member
2022–2023

Europe

Dii Desert Energy Foundation, Netherlands
Chairman
2024– Current

HyET Group, Netherlands
Chairman of the Advisory Board
2023– Current

Ecofys Coöperatief UA, Netherlands
Chairman
2000–2009

Torresol Energy SA, Spain
Board Member
2010–2012

Masdar Solar & Wind Coöperatief UA, Netherlands
Board Member
2010–2012

WinWinD Ltd, Finland
Board Member
2010–2011

Middle East & Asia

MENA Hydrogen Alliance, UAE
Founding Chairman
2020– Current

Dii Desert Energy, UAE
Chairman of the Advisory Board
2017– Current

BeNeLux Business Council Abu Dhabi
Vice-Chairman; founding board member 2010, several years Chairman
2026– Current

Shams Power Company PJSC, UAE
Chairman
2010–2012

WinWinD Ltd, India
Board Member
2010–2011

Americas, Australia & Africa

Torresol Energy US
Board Member
2011–2012

Vast Solar, Australia
Non-executive Director
2020–2023

NICE International, The Gambia
Chairman of the Supervisory Board
2007–2009

About Frank

(1) World Hydrogen Congress Rotterdam October 2023
(2) With HM Willem Alexander King of the Netherlands and HM Beatrix, former Queen of the Netherlands 2012
(3) With Angela Merkel
(4) As Deputy Director General, Irena in 2014

Track record

Selected results

$8bn+

Power projects managed as Director of Masdar’s Clean Energy Unit

$1.4bn

Financing for three Torresol CSP plants in Spain, incl. Gemasolar

$600m

Bank financing secured for the 100 MW Shams plant

$350m

IRENA project facility managed as Deputy Director-General

Executive roles include Senior Vice President New Energy at Reliance Industries (2021–2024), VP Clean Hydrogen at Advisian/Worley (2017–2021), where I directed the NEOM hydrogen strategy, and CEO roles across the Econcern group. I drafted the European Hydrogen Act (2021) and am a founding partner of the 2 × 40 GW Electrolyser Initiative, which was taken up in the European Green Deal.

Recognition includes Illuminem’s #1 most-read thought leader in energy (June 2026), the 2023 Visionary CleanTech Advocate award, and runner-up Hydrogen Economist of the Year 2020.

Download full CV (PDF)

Media

World Policy Conference Abu Dhabi

MENA Hydrogen Alliance

The Agenda: Hydrogen

UAE Energy Forum

 Interview on CNBC Arabia (Arabic)

Masdar’s Gemasolar project

Interview with Emirates 24/7

Blog Posts

Energy storage, the new frontier

Energy storage is a crucial element of a functioning energy system and covers three main functions. Firstly, it addresses the mismatch between supply and demand..

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A European Hydrogen Manifesto

This paper describes a European energy system based on 50% renewable electricity and 50% green hydrogen, which can be achieved by 2050. The green hydrogen shall consist of 50% green hydrogen produced in Europe..

read more

Publications

van Wijk, A. & Wouters, F. “Storing Security: The Capital and Energy Cost of Strategic and Seasonal EnergyStorage for a Clean and Secure EU-27, 2050 – Dii Desert Energy (2026) https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22913441

Wouters, F., & van Wijk, A. (2022, March 23). Speed, the forgotten cost reduction factor in the energy transition. illuminem. https://illuminem.com/illuminemvoicesprofile/frank-wouters

Wouters F., van Wijk, A, Chatzimakakis, J.,  Levoyannis, C., “Hydrogen Act – Towards the Creation of the European Hydrogen Economy”, Hydrogen Europe (2021)

Weijnen and Lukszo (editors), Frank Wouters, Ad van Wijk, “Shaping an Inclusive Energy Transition”, Springer (2020)

Wijk, Ad van – Wouters, Frank – Rachidi, Samir – Ikken, Badr “A North Africa – Europe Hydrogen Manifesto”, Dii Desert Energy (2019)

Varadi, Peter (editor), Frank Wouters et al. “Sun Towards High Noon” – Pan Stanford Publishing Co – ISBN 9789814774178, Singapore (2018)

Dodds, Felix (editor), Frank Wouters et al. “The Water-Energy-Food-Climate Security Nexus – the Challenge for this Generation” (2015)

 

Show all publications

van Wijk, A. & Wouters, F. “Storing Security: The Capital and Energy Cost of Strategic and Seasonal EnergyStorage for a Clean and Secure EU-27, 2050 – Dii Desert Energy (2026) https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22913441

Wouters, F., & van Wijk, A. (2022, March 23). Speed, the forgotten cost reduction factor in the energy transition. illuminem. https://illuminem.com/illuminemvoicesprofile/frank-wouters

Wouters F., van Wijk, A, Chatzimakakis, J.,  Levoyannis, C., “Hydrogen Act – Towards the Creation of the European Hydrogen Economy”, Hydrogen Europe (2021)

Weijnen and Lukszo (editors), Frank Wouters, Ad van Wijk, “Shaping an Inclusive Energy Transition”, Springer (2020)

Wijk, Ad van – Wouters, Frank – Rachidi, Samir – Ikken, Badr “A North Africa – Europe Hydrogen Manifesto”, Dii Desert Energy (2019)

Varadi, Peter (editor), Frank Wouters et al. “Sun Towards High Noon” – Pan Stanford Publishing Co – ISBN 9789814774178, Singapore (2018)

Dodds, Felix (editor), Frank Wouters et al. “The Water-Energy-Food-Climate Security Nexus – the Challenge for this Generation” (2015)

Richard Kay, Marc Timmer Peter Varadi, Frank Wouters – Testing of Photovoltaic Powered Solar Lanterns against PV GAP Recommended Specification  PVRS11A AMDT 1– Joint PV GAP/World Bank ESMAP Report – Washington DC August – 2009

Dagmar Everding (Hrsg.), Frank Wouters et al. Solarer Städtebau  Kolhammer Verlag, ISBN 978-3-17-017413-9 (2007)

Carsten Warneke, Frank Wouters et al.  Abschlussbericht: PM10 – Quellgruppenanalyse (als Teilvorhaben TV4 der “Analyse der Immissionsbelastung in Deutschland durch Ferntransporte“)  Ecofys, Cologne (October 2006)

Frank Wouters, Dagmar Everding  The Solar Urban Master Plan – A Novel Instrument in Urban Planning Paper presented at the 20th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, Barcelona, 6‑10 June 2005

Peter Varadi, Markus Real, Frank Wouters – Portable Solar Photovoltaic Lanterns: Performance and Certification Specification, and Type Approval Joint PV GAP/World Bank ESMAP Report – Washington DC August – 2005

Frank Wouters, Dagmar Everding Der Solare Rahmenplan  – ein neues Instrument in der Stadtplanung Paper presented at the 20th Symposium “Photovoltaische Solarenergie”, Staffelstein – March 9th – 11th 2005

Frank Wouters Ländliche Elektzrifizierung mit Photovoltaik Paper presented at the Evento de apresentação da delegação empresarial alemã do setor de energia fotovoltaica e solar térmica –Sao Paulo (Brazil), December 6th, 2004

Frank Wouters Solar Architecture in Europe Paper presented at the Renewables 2004, Bonn, June 1st-4th, 2004

Frank Wouters Implications of the European Biofuels Directive – a German Perspective Paper presented at the Power-GenGreen, Las Vegas, 1-3 March, 2004

Frank Wouters  Hoffnungsvolle Auslandsmärkte – Ländliche Elektrifizierung mit Photovoltaik Paper presented at the fourth Forum Solarpraxis, Berlin, November 27th – 28th 2003

Markus Real, Frank Wouters, Richard Kay, Philippe Malbranche, Adolfo Perujo  Standards and Specification for Battery Testing Paper presented at the STORE conference Cadarache – 20 and 21 Oct 2003

Dipl.-Ing. Frank Wouters Förderung erneuerbarer Energien in Holland SONNENENERGIE July 2003 pp. 40‑44 (2003)

Dipl.-Ing. Frank Wouters, Dipl.-Phys. Carsten Petersdorff, Dr. Dagmar Everding Solarer Städtebau – ein Weg zur Nachhaltigkeit DAS BAUZENTRUM – BAUKULTUR 3-2003 pp. 6‑10 (2003)

Dipl.-Ing. Frank Wouters Solares Bauen in den Niederlanden und kommunale Solarkampagnen im Vergleich, paper presented at the Internationaler Kongress Nachhaltiger Stadtumbau & Erneuerbare Energien, Dresden, 13-14 March 2003.

Dipl.-Ing. Frank Wouters, Solarenergetische Sanierung in Köln-Bocklemünd, ein Erfolgsbeispiel, paper presented at the Eurosolar Workshop Solare Stadterneuerung – eine soziale und ökologische Aufgabe, Vienna, 17-21 September 2002

Dipl.-Ing. Frank Wouters, Dipl.-Ing. Carsten Petersdorff, Dr. Dagmar Everding  Solarer Städtebau – ein Weg zur Nachhaltigkeit, paper presented at the Eurosolar Workshop Solare Stadterneuerung – eine soziale und ökologische Aufgabe, Vienna, 17-21 September 2002

Carsten Petersdorff , Thomas Boermans, Jochen Harnisch, Suzanne Joosen, Frank Wouters  The Contribution of Mineral Wool and other Thermal Insulation Materials to Energy Saving and Climate  Protection in Europe, report for EURIMA – European Insulation Manufacturers Association, Cologne 2002

Wouters, S. Gajewski Solar City Gelsenkirchen: From thousand fires to thousand suns, paper presented at the World Renewable Energy Congress VII, Cologne, 29 June – 5 July 2002

Dipl.-Ing. F. Wouters, Dipl.-Ing. S. Gajewski Solar City Gelsenkirchen: From thousand fires to thousand suns, paper presented at the Sustainable City 2002, Segovia, 3-5 July 2002

Dipl.-Ing. F. Wouters, Dipl.-Ing. S. Gajewski  CIS Anlage mit 45 kWp auf dem Museum für bildende Künste Leipzig, eine Pilotanlage im Bau (CIS PV System of 45 kWp on the Roof of the Museum of fine Arts in Leipzig, Concept and Realisation), paper presented at the 17th Symposium “Photovoltaische Solarenergie”, Staffelstein, 13.-15. March 2002

Dipl.-Ing. Frank Wouters, ”Solar City” – Task 30 der IEA Internationalen Energie Agentur, FVS – ForschungsVerbund Sonnenenergie,  Themenheft 2001: Integration erneuerbarer Energien in Versorgungsstrukturen (http://www.fv-sonnenenergie.de/publikationen/th01/th2001_16wouters.pdf)

Dipl.-Ing. Frank Wouters, Dipl.-Ing. Jörg Backes  Solarkampagne Wiesbaden – eine regionale Marketing- und Qualifizierungsaktion für Photovoltaikanlagen -, paper presented at the second Forum Solarpraxis, Berlin, November 15th – 17th 2001

Frank Wouters  Dezentrale gebäudeintegrierte PV-Anlage in Amersfoort,  erneuerbare energie 01-2 pp. 18‑21 (2001)

Dipl.-Ing. Frank Wouters Solar City -Task 30 der IEA Internationalen Energieagentur, paper presented at the annual meeting of the Forschungsverbund Sonnenenergie, Potsdam,  September 20th – 21st 2001

Dipl.-Ing. F. Wouters Solare Energiepolitik in den Niederlanden (Solar Energy Politics in the Netherlands), paper presented at the 16th Symposium “Photovoltaische Solarenergie”, Staffelstein, 14.-16. March 2001

Dipl.-Ing. F. Wouters  Solar City – ein Programm der internationalen Energieagentur (Solar City, a Program of the International Energy Agency) paper presented at the 5th Fachkongress Zukunftenergien, Essen, 14th February 2001

Dipl.-Ing. F. Wouters, Dipl.-Phys. C. Petersdorff  Innovative Solare Siedlungen in Deutschland, Belgien, den Niederlanden und Dänemark – InSolPlan: Ein Planungswettbewerb  (Innovative solar residential areas in Germany, Belgiumn, The Netherlands and Denmark – InSolPlan: a planning competition) paper presented at the 9th Europa-Symposium Ökologisches Bauen, Aachen, December 2000

  1. Petersdorff, F. Wouters, W. Wiesner Evaluation of the Solar Residential Area Gelsenkirchen, paper presented at the

Dipl.-Ing. F. Wouters et al. Evaluierung der Solarsiedlung Gelsenkirchen (Evaluation of the Solar Residential Area Gelsenkirchen) paper presented at the 4th Passivhaustagung, 10-11 March 2000.

F.P.H. Wouters  Stadt der Zukunft  (City of the Future) presented at the Regensburger Fachforum ‚Solares Bauen‘, Regensburg, 10-11 June 1999

F.P.H. Wouters  Solarboote, eine umweltfreundliche alternative zum Verbrennungsmotor (Solar Boats, an Environmentally Friendly Alternative to the Internal Combustion Engine) presented at the 4th Anwenderforum Elektromobile, Regensburg, 9‑10 February 1999

F.P.H. Wouters, C. Petersdorff, C.A.M. Stap   Markteinführung kosteneffizienter Niedrigenergiehäuser – Projekterfahrung aus den Niederlanden (Market Introduction of Cost Effective Low-Energy Houses, Experiences from the Netherlands) Paper presented at the 4th AGÖF Fachkongress ´98, Nürnberg 25‑26 September 1998.

  1. de Gooijer, F.P.H. Wouters et al. PV/Diesel Hybrid Energy Systems on Houseboats and Barges in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany – Final Technical Report Ecofys, Utrecht (April 1998)

F.P.H. Wouters, G. Loois, T.C.J. van der Weiden, H.G. Adam, H. Rentz  Joint implementation and the Role of Utilities in the Dissemination of Solar Home Systems in Developing Countries   Paper presented at the 14th EPVSEC, Barcelona, 1997

  1. Loois, F.P.h. Wouters et al. Strategy for Market Introduction of Stand-alone PV Systems Paper presented at the 14th EPVSEC, Barcelona, 1997

J.A. Verschelling, G. Loois, F.P.H. Wouters, G.M. Koerts, T.C.J. van der Weiden  Results of the Thermie Demonstration Project PV Electric Boats in the Netherlands and Germany   Paper presented at the 14th EPVSEC, Barcelona, 1997

F.P.H. Wouters, M.J. van Bruggen   Der EnergieSpiegel: ein Instrument zur Unterstützung von Energieeinsparung in öffentlichen Gebäuden   (The Energy Mirror: an Instrument to Support Energy Rationalisation in Office Buildings)  Paper presented at the 12th Symposium “Photovoltaische Solarenergie”, Staffelstein, 26.-28. (February 1997, in German)

F.P.H. Wouters, G. Loois  Strategie für Markteinführung von autonomen PV-Anlagen in den Niederlanden (Strategy for Market Introduction of Autonomous PV Systems in the Netherlands) Paper presented at the 12th Symposium “Photovoltaische Solarenergie”, Staffelstein, 26.-28. (February 1997, in German)

  1. Burges, F. Wouters, et al. Handboek accu’s in PV-systemen (Handbook Batteries in PV Systems, in Dutch)  Ecofys, Utrecht  (October 1996)

F.P.H. Wouters  Electriciteit uit zonnepanelen in ontwikkelingslanden (‘Solar Electricity in Developing Countries’, in Dutch)  Paper presented at the conference “Renewable Energy in Developing Countries” organised by YES-DC and the VPRO-radio in the Netherlands, September 1996.

  1. de Gooier, F.P.H. Wouters, G. Loois Quality Handbook for Solar Home Systems Ecofys report nr. e2083, July 1996

F.P.H. Wouters, G. Loois  The Role of Utilities in the Dissemination of Solar Home Systems in Developing Countries  Paper presented at the NUON-conference ”Utilities and Solar Energy”, April 1996

F.P.H. Wouters, G. Loois  Feasibility Study PV Bus Stop   Ecofys, Utrecht  (February 1996)

F.P.H. Wouters, T.C.J. van der Weiden, G. Loois  Advies over de systeemdimensies van het Fietsveer te Suawoude (Sizing of the Bicycle Ferry at Suawoude)  Ecofys, Utrecht  (1994, in Dutch)

F.P.H. Wouters, G. Loois, e.a.  Praktijkexperiment PV voor aandrijving van recreatieboten (Pilot project PV for Propulsion of Recreational Boats)  Ecofys, Utrecht  (1995, in Dutch)

F.P.H. Wouters  Monitoring Results of PV-electric drives in Recreational Boats paper presented at the 13th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, Nice  –  23-27 October 1995

  1. Appel, F.P.H. Wouters Energy Conservation in Hybrid PV/Diesel Systems on Boats – an Example, paper presented at the 13th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, Nice –  23-27 October 1995
  1. Loois, A. Benallou, F.P.H. Wouters Feasibility Study for Solar Energy Systems for Rural Households in the Rif in Morocco Ecofys, Utrecht (June 1994)

F.P.H. Wouters, e.a. Elektrische aandrijving voor vaartuigen (Electric Drives for Boats)  Ecofys, Utrecht (1994, in Dutch)

F.P.H. Wouters  The Role of Intermediate Technology in Zambia.  Paper presented at the National Science and Technology Policy Workshop, Livingstone  –  9th to 11th February 1993.

F.P.H. Wouters  Status of Solar Electric Technology in Zambia.  Paper for the Regional Solar Electric Training and Awareness Workshop,  Nairobi/Meru  Kenya,  Lusaka  March 1992

F.P.H. Wouters  A Study on the Socio-economic and Technical Aspects Concerning the Introduction of Animal Powered Oil Presses in Zambia.  TDAU report,  Lusaka  1992

F.P.H. Wouters  On the Design of a Hand Mill. TDAU report,  Lusaka  1992

F.P.H. Wouters  The Assessment of Appropriate Equipment for the Small Scale Pressing of Castor Oil.  TDAU report,  Lusaka  1992

F.P.H. Wouters  The Local Manufacturing of a Wind Pump. The Engineering Institution of Zambia – Lusaka Branch News.  Lusaka  May 1991

F.P.H. Wouters  On the Design of a Shear Stress Transducer.  Philips Research Laboratories report nr. 6387,  Eindhoven 1989

Speaking, board or advisory inquiries

Email me directly and I will reply personally.

frank@frank-wouters.com
PO Box 145746, Abu Dhabi, UAE
linkedin.com/in/fphwouters