Faris Al-Sulayman, Co-Founder of leading Saudi Solar company Haala Energy, talks renewables and solar growth in KSA

Episode 35! Co-hosts Lucien and Hanaa kick off the episode discussing the recent addition to Lucien's family, and catch-up on Hanaa's recent travels to Saudi Arabia to speak at a CSR Forum in Riyadh, as well as visit her hometown and family in the Eastern Province.  Then, joining the hosts on the MAINSTAGE is Faris Al-Sulayman, co-founder at Haala Energy, a leading Saudi solar energy company that installs solar power projects for commercial, industrial, and agricultural clients. Faris joins The TWENTY30 for an exclusive conversation about the growth of Haala, the challenges and opportunities in solar power in the Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia’s broader green goals with the Saudi Green Initiative. They also discuss his journey as a first-mover in the solar space in Saudi Arabia, Haala's incubation at KAUST just north of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, and how the business plans to grow as solar becomes a viable option for commercial and residential clients in the coming decade. A graduate of Georgetown University with a Masters from the London School of Economics, Faris is active with Haala while pursuing a PhD from LSE in London. After the discussion, the hosts catch up on some of the latest news in Saudi Arabia, and conclude with a unusual SHOUTOUT to cap Episode 35.