Andreas Flourou, Group Head of Operations – Mobility at Red Sea Global walks us through his journey, future of mobility and RSG’s plans…
Please introduce yourself and provide a brief overview of your role as the Head of Mobility at Red Sea Global.
I am proud to say that I have been a part of the RSG team since 2017, during which I have played a pivotal role in shaping and delivering RSG’s strategy.
In 2021, I undertook the ambitious endeavour of establishing and leading the Mobility division within RSG. This role has proven to be the most captivating and demanding career experience. Within my capacity, I oversee the mobility strategy for land, sea, and Aviation Operations within the group’s extensive portfolio, which encompasses The Red Sea, AMAALA and Thuwal -the latest addition to RSG’s portfolio of destinations-.
These exceptional, regenerative tourism destinations are committed to establishing new benchmarks in sustainable development and positioning Saudi Arabia prominently on the global tourism landscape.
What are some of Red Sea Global’s mobility initiatives? And how do they align with the company’s broader goals and vision?
RSG is a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to support transforming the nation by creating massive economic opportunities and driving economic development in local communities and on a national scale.
Since day one, our goal has been to set new standards for responsible and sustainable development worldwide. A key aspiration is achieving a 30 per cent net conservation benefit by 2040 through the protection and enhancement of critical habitats crucial to biodiversity. This has led us to think of every operational aspect, and Mobility plays a significant role in achieving that. For example, we recently launched the largest off-grid electric vehicle (EV) charging network in Saudi Arabia to support our growing EV fleet.
RSG also proudly unveiled the first-ever fleet of carbon-neutral electric buses in Saudi Arabia, acquired for staff transportation at The Red Sea. In addition to this ground-breaking achievement, we are exploring sustainable transportation solutions across our Land, Marine, and Aviation divisions. These efforts include integrating hydrogen vehicles, vessels and even our seaplanes.
We remain dedicated to driving innovation and embracing zero-emission and advanced technologies, including Autonomous Vehicles and Advanced Air Mobility in the form of EVTOL. This comprehensive approach is further enhanced by our existing electric vehicle (EV) fleet, which offers a range of luxury vehicles designed to provide our guests with an environmentally responsible and enjoyable transportation experience.
What are some of the critical features of the latest project of completed installation of the largest off-grid electric vehicle (EV) charging network in Saudi Arabia?
The Red Sea will be the world’s largest destination to run solely on renewable energy. Five solar farms with 760,000 photovoltaic panels have already been built to power phase one of the destination, including its EV fleet and charging network.
Over 150 chargers have been installed, and all are managed through a bespoke cloud operating platform explicitly developed for mobility operations. Communication between the chargers and the cloud platform is enabled by our state-of-the-art 5G mobile network, itself a world’s first in terms of being powered solely by sustainable energy from our solar farms. This network will expand tenfold over the next 12-18 months.
How does this project enhance economic growth and diversification in the region?
Red Sea Global expects to create over 120,000 direct and indirect jobs, many of which will appeal especially to younger Saudis entering the workforce. Mobility alone is expected to create 1,500 new jobs, such as chauffeurs, hub managers, skilled technicians, and EV charging specialists.
These roles will contribute to enhancing the Kingdom’s pioneering role in the field of future mobility while reaffirming RSG’s commitment to empowering young Saudis, particularly in local communities, with opportunities to thrive in industries of the future.
Can you provide examples of how you’ve overcome unique or complex challenges in this project?
During this project, we anticipated encountering unique and complex challenges due to the innovative nature of the products and technologies in the region. However, we’ve been fortunate to receive substantial support from a network of external agencies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and strategic partners.
While I’d like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance we’ve received, I can also provide specific examples of how we’ve navigated and addressed these challenges. For instance, when confronted with the challenge of adapting cutting-edge technology to local conditions, we leveraged the expertise of our OEM partners to tailor solutions that would thrive in our unique environment.
Additionally, in cases where regulatory hurdles threatened our progress, we worked closely with external agencies to ensure compliance while advocating for necessary modifications to facilitate our project’s success.
By proactively collaborating with our partners and drawing upon their support, we’ve successfully overcome complex challenges and continue to drive innovation.
What trends or developments do you foresee shaping the future of mobility?
According to our findings, travellers are more conscious of their environmental impact than ever. However, individuals want to go beyond minimizing their negative influence and make a positive difference when they travel.
Today, we appeal to the first movers looking to make a positive impact when they travel. Tomorrow, this will become the norm.
Our Future Mobility team is tasked with the incubation and deployment of cutting-edge mobility technologies and the corresponding infrastructure throughout our projects. This encompasses the implementation of Battery Electric (BEV), Hydrogen (H2), Autonomous (AV), and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) assets and infrastructure across various terrains – land, sea, and air. Notably, some of these technologies are already in active use on-site.
Within this team, we are fortunate to have an array of industry-leading experts, individuals who have spearheaded the management of some of the world’s most extensive electric and hydrogen fleets and have successfully overseen the deployment of infrastructure on a global scale.