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TAQA Announces New CEO of Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company

Abu Dhabi, UAE – August 9, 2020: Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) announced, today, the appointment of Dr. Afif Saif Al Yafei as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at its subsidiary, Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company (TRANSCO). In his new role, effective today, Dr. Al Yafei will reinforce TRANSCO’s vital role in the transformation of Abu Dhabi’s power and water sector.

Jasim Husain Thabet, Group CEO & MD at TAQA, said: “We are pleased to welcome Dr. Afif on board as CEO of TRANSCO. With a strong track record of achievements in the energy industry, substantial technical expertise and solid leadership experience, Dr. Afif will further strengthen TRANSCO’s role in guaranteeing the security and stability of the sector to ensure it remains a reliable, efficient, sustainable and value-generating system that is fit for the future.”

Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Al Yafei said: “I am excited to be taking on the leadership role at TRANSCO. I look forward to supporting the sector’s ongoing transformational efforts, and in achieving the company’s vision and commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.”

Dr. Afif joins TRANSCO from National Central Cooling Company PJSC (Tabreed), where he served in various roles, including Executive Vice President of Asset Management, Senior Vice President of Regional Businesses and Vice President of Operations. Prior to Tabreed, Afif spent more than a decade in the oil and gas industry, where he served in several leadership positions at ADNOC Group. Dr. Al Yafei has a strong track record of leading teams to achieve growth, operational excellence and performance optimization. He has been an instrumental player in several mergers and acquisitions and has held various board memberships at local and regional companies.

Dr. Afif’s appointment as CEO of TRANSCO follows the conclusion of TAQA’s successful transaction with Abu Dhabi Power Corporation (ADPower) on July 1, 2020, which created one of the largest publicly listed companies in the UAE by market capitalization and a top-10 utility player in the EMEA region by regulated assets. As part of the transaction, the majority of ADPower’s power and water generation, transmission and distribution assets, including TRANSCO, were transferred to TAQA in exchange for 106,367,950,000 new shares.