Neosun Energy's microgrid innovations in the Middle East

In the rapidly evolving landscape of renewable energy, Ilya Likhov, founder and CEO of Neosun Energy, is pioneering transformative solutions that are reshaping how remote and developing regions access electricity.

In a conversation with Technical Review Middle East at the Middle East Energy exhibition, Likhov highlighted the company's innovative approach to energy challenges.

"Microgrids are the best solution for territories without existing infrastructure," Likhov said.

The core of Neosun Energy's strategy lies in addressing critical infrastructure challenges in regions lacking traditional power transmission networks.

"Most remote areas don't have access to electricity because it's very costly and expensive to build transmission lines," Likhov said.

The solution? Deploying hybrid energy systems that combine solar power with advanced storage technologies.

Middle East growth

Solar energy is the cornerstone of their approach. "You are lucky," Likhov noted about the Middle East, "You have so much sun here, making it easy to use solar power stations that dramatically reduce operational costs."

This approach is particularly attractive to emerging businesses, with solar investments offering remarkable financial benefits. "The average time of return on investment for solar is around one to three years, meaning your internal rate of return will be 35-30% in most scenarios," he added.

The company's innovation extends beyond stationary power systems. A breakthrough project is their solar carport solution for electric vehicle charging.

"Today, it's impossible to move between cities like Dubai and Riyadh due to lack of charging infrastructure," Likhov said.

Their solution involves solar carports that can charge electric vehicles directly from sunlight, potentially creating the first fully covered charging network in the GCC region.

"We can charge electric vehicles directly from the sun," Likhov explained with excitement. "We believe within the next two or three years, we can build a comprehensive network here" – a bold vision that could revolutionise electric mobility in the Middle East.

Operating across 16 countries, Neosun Energy has proven the universal applicability of their approach. "Our hybrid solution based on solar energy and battery storage can work anywhere in the world – even in Antarctica," Likhov said.

The company's broader mission goes beyond technology.

"We're very proud to be here," Likhov said, "and I see huge potential in the Middle East." This sentiment reflects a commitment to driving sustainable development through innovative energy solutions.

As the world transitions towards cleaner energy, Ilya Likhov and Neosun Energy stand at the forefront of this transformation.

"We're not just providing power," the CEO concluded, "we're empowering communities and changing how the world thinks about energy."

With their groundbreaking approach, Neosun Energy is turning the sun's abundant energy into a powerful tool for sustainable development, one microgrid at a time.