Off-Grid: Pioneering 100% Renewables: Opportunities and Challenges of Off-Grid in Island and Remote Environments

David Wedepohl, Managing Director International Affairs David Wedepohl is a radio journalist by training who studied and worked on both sides of the Atlantic. He holds a master's degree in Journalism and Public Affairs which he achieved as a Fulbright scholar. His professional experience included working for the German embassy in Washington, DC as a senior press and public diplomacy officer. He first came in touch with the solar industry while working for an American consulting company before taking up his job as director communications and markets at the German Solar Association, also serving as the organization's spokesperson. He now holds the position of managing director international affairs and is responsible for the association's international activities.

Lea Dunst holds two Master's degrees from the University of Freiburg and Sciences Po University of Aix-en-Provence, with a strong background in international relations and climate policy. Since 2015, she has worked in various capacities for NGOs, international organizations and consultancies. Before joining BSW-Solar, she managed international cooperation projects on climate adaptation at the consulting firm adelphi. In early 2022, Ms. Dunst started her current position at the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar). Since then, she has been actively involved in the management of events such as the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue and the "Women Energize Women" conference, as well as in studies and cooperation projects focusing on solar energy, especially in Africa.

Dr. Hamed Beheshti, CEO and Co-founder of Boreal Light GmbH in Berlin, is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming water access in remote regions. He has developed a pioneering solar desalination system, providing affordable and safe solutions for communities worldwide. Through Boreal Light GmbH and initiatives like WaterKiosk Ltd, Dr. Beheshti ensures access to life-changing water technologies in East Africa and Latin America. Additionally, he founded the OffGrid Water Alliance, representing the sector internationally and advocating for sustainable development. With his expertise, Dr. Beheshti inspires audiences globally, driving conversations on the importance of addressing water scarcity in underserved areas for a brighter future.

Michael Schmidt is Deputy Head of the UNIDO Investment Technology Promotion Office Germany. Working for the specialized agency of the UN for Industrial Development (UNIDO), he promotes industrial cooperation, investment and technology transfer between Germany and emerging markets and developing economies, and especially African markets. A major focus area of his work relates to innovative energy solutions, energy efficiency and decarbonization of industrial processes in these markets. Before joining UNIDO in 2018, he worked as managing director for the Germany Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHK) in South Eastern Europa, build up his own consultancy business with focus on Eastern Europe and China, and represented Chinese real estate and industrial company CFLD in Europe.

Mrs. Lisa R. Cummins, in July 2020 was invited to join the Cabinet of Barbados as Minister of Tourism and International Transport after being appointed in May 2018 to October, 2022 as a Senator in the Upper House of Parliament. Presently, Lisa serves as the Minister of Energy and Business Development. A former career diplomat from 1997 to 2008, she served at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade where she covered the United Nations before being posted to the Barbados Embassy in Washington, DC. An International Trade Specialist by training, she was recruited by the Commonwealth Secretariat in 2008 as a Trade Policy Advisor and posted to Kampala, Uganda as lead technical advisor and a member of the negotiating team for services in the East African Community trade talks with Europe and the EAC Common Market. Minister Cummins holds an undergraduate degree in International Relations and Diplomacy (UWI-Mona), a Master of Science in International Trade Policy (UWI - Cave Hill) and a post-graduate certificate in Professional Education from the Harvard Kennedy School of Public Policy on Public Private Partnerships.

Gianni Chianetta is Founder & Chair at Greening the Islands Foundation, Founder and CEO at The Green Consulting Group, member of the Steering Committee of the of the Global Renewable Alliance and of the Global Alliance for Sustainable Energy, Chairman of Worldwide Carbon Price and member of the Advisory Board at REN21. He has been working in the area of energy since 2003. He has been, Head of Comms & External Affairs at BP Italy, Managing Director at BP Solar Italy, Founder and Chairman of the first Italian Solar PV Industry Association for three consecutive terms when he negotiated the five Photovoltaic Energy Incentive Decrees (feed in-tariff) with the Italian Government, that has brought the installed capacity from about 35 MWp to more than 20 GWp. He also chaired the National Committee for Solar Energy of the Italian Ministry of the Environment, was member of the Steering Committee of the Coalition for Action of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and member of the Strategy Committee of Solar Power Europe. Mr Chianetta founded the Global Network of National PV Associations in 2007, which has been the basis for the Global Solar Council being elected Co-Chairman and Chairman before taking on the role of CEO. He has a degree in Mechanical & Management Engineering and masters/seminars at: Middlesex University (London; Kellogg School of Management (Chicago); SDA Bocconi Milano (Milan); Istituto de Empresa (Madrid).

Daniela Krahl holds a position as Senior Policy Officer in unit Energy, Urban Development, Mobility at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). She is focussing on access to energy and the expansion of renewable (decentralized) energy in developing countries. Especially the enabling environment for private sector mobilization is a recent working field. She has worked in different division in BMZ since 2007 such as for water & sanitation and for good governance.