Image: Supplied
With more than three decades of experience at the intersection of higher education, sustainability and technology, Dr Behjat Al Yousuf stands out as a key influencer in the UAE’s transition to a low-carbon, innovation-driven future.
A former interim provost of the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and now EVP for Outreach and Engagement at the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI).
She also serves on the Selection Committee of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, bringing deep insight into how breakthrough clean-energy solutions can be scaled globally.
In our interview, she discusses why the UAE is emerging as a unique ‘living lab’ for energy innovation, how the prize helps identify scalable climate-tech winners, and which emerging technologies she believes will reshape energy systems both in the region and beyond.
What makes the UAE a unique testing ground for energy innovation compared to other regions?
The UAE has established itself as a global hub for sustainability by combining ambitious national strategies with strong investment in clean technologies.
Its unique geography and abundance of solar energy make it an ideal environment for piloting solutions that can withstand demanding conditions.
Just as importantly, the UAE provides a platform where government, business and academia work closely together, accelerating the path from innovation to real-world application.
How does the Zayed Sustainability Prize identify and select groundbreaking energy solutions that can be scaled globally?
Through a rigorous evaluation process, the prize looks at organisations assessing them for impact, innovation and inspiration. It recognises entities that address urgent energy challenges while also demonstrating scalability and adaptability across different markets.
I’m proud to be part of the Selection Committee which carefully reviews submissions to identify which organisations are delivering meaningful change and can act as catalysts for long-term global progress.
Past winners include innovators bringing solar home systems to off-grid communities and organisations pioneering mini-grid technologies to extend clean power access. One of the most recent standouts is Ignite Power (now Ignite Energy Access), winner of the Prize in 2023, which at the time had provided clean solar energy access to around two million people across four African countries.
It has since grown exponentially to become the largest distributed solar company in Africa, operating in 12 countries and providing energy access to over 15 million people, with plans to provide affordable energy access to 100 million people across the continent by 2030.
Earlier winners with significant impact include SELCO Foundation, prize winners in 2018, which has scaled solar solutions for livelihood and electrification of health facilities in India and Africa resulting in improved energy and health access to over 11 million people.
Bboxx, a 2019 prize winner, has deployed around half a million solar home systems, providing some three million people with energy access across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Together, these projects show how the prize drives innovation that both advances sustainability and transforms lives.
What role do government policies and local initiatives in the UAE play in fostering innovation in the energy sector?
The UAE’s leadership has embedded sustainability in national policy, from the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 to landmark projects such as Masdar City. These frameworks create the right environment for innovators to test and scale solutions.
At the same time, universities, incubators and accelerators in the UAE provide fertile ground for new ideas, ensuring that research and entrepreneurship go hand in hand.
How is the prize encouraging collaboration between startups, corporates, and academic institutions in the energy space?
The prize brings together a diverse ecosystem of changemakers on a global stage. Finalists and winners gain access to a network of potential partners, investors and academic institutions, often leading to collaborations that help solutions grow in scale and sophistication.
In this way, the prize is much more than an award, it is a catalyst for partnership across sectors.
Looking ahead, which emerging energy technologies or trends do you believe will be game-changers for sustainability in the UAE and globally?
Technologies such as energy storage, sustainable aviation fuels and floating solar will be pivotal in shaping a low-carbon future We are also seeing rapid advances in renewable energy–powered carbon capture, including direct air capture solutions that could be transformative for hard-to-abate sectors.
Smarter AI-enabled grid systems with real-time balancing and the integration of microgrids and distributed energy resources will also be essential in making energy networks more adaptive and flexible. Emerging innovations such as perovskite solar for greater building integration, as well as next-generation storage like sodium-ion batteries, are further expanding the possibilities for clean energy deployment at scale.
Digitalisation through AI, data and smart systems will play a critical role in making energy more efficient and resilient. By combining these advancements with strong collaboration and investment, the UAE and the wider world can accelerate progress towards sustainable development.
