On December 10, 2025, the Electrical Engineering (EE) Department at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) hosted a seminar titled “Advancing Innovation: SEC R&D Strategy and Challenges.” The seminar was delivered by Dr. Yagoob Alsharief, Division Manager of the Research & Development Center at the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC).

The seminar offered an inside look at SEC’s Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) strategy, highlighting its key focus areas and the strategic levers that guide innovation efforts. Dr. Alsharief discussed the current challenges facing SEC and demonstrated how the capabilities of the SEC R&D Center serve as a critical enabler for overcoming these challenges and shaping the future of power systems.

The session also emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between academia and industry, aiming to pave the way for impactful research, technology development, and practical solutions that address real operational needs in the power sector.

The following are the highlights of the event: