Meet Ahmad Abuelezz

Tell us about your career path so far?

I graduated university in 2008 with a degree in electrical engineering and spent about 10 years working in the oil and gas industry across Egypt, America, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. My role involved a lot of sitework, such as installing sensors in gas and oil wells to monitor and enhance production. After that, I transitioned to commercial management and business development for some of the largest drilling companies in the Middle East.

However, I eventually decided to shift my focus away from oil and gas. When I moved to Australia, I wanted a fresh start in the renewable energy sector. I began working on solar and battery design, initially with a few companies, and eventually joined Shell Energy. I’ve been with the company the past three years doing some exciting work.

What is it like to work here and how would you describe our culture?

I absolutely love working at Shell Energy. Throughout my career, I’ve worked at many companies, but Shell Energy stands out for its authenticity and healthy work culture. It’s easy to speak up when something doesn’t seem right, and I never feel uncomfortable asking questions, no matter how trivial they might seem. This openness encourages me to ask more questions, which is incredibly helpful for my learning.

What impact have you made, or do you hope to make in your role?

I joined the industry because I believe in its potential for a cleaner future. One of the biggest challenges we face is the skill gap — finding people who truly understand the technicalities and can deliver the solutions we need. My personal goal is to bridge this gap by continuously learning and sharing knowledge.

I’m always reading and involved in the industry from both an Australian and global standpoint. I gather and summarise information related to standards in this field into bite-sized pieces and work closely with others to pass on this knowledge. This benefits the business and helps spread valuable insights. I want everyone to understand and implement renewable energy solutions, contributing to global and national interests. My hope is to make the process of working with renewable and firming energies (especially batteries), common knowledge and straightforward to execute.

Over your career is there a particular achievement or moment that you are most proud of?

That’s a tough one. There are many moments of pride, but the most significant ones are when I successfully deliver new technology that hasn’t been out there before. During my years in the oil and gas industry, we introduced new tools and sensors that had never been tested or tried before. Similarly, here in Australia with renewables, delivering new battery technologies or integrating various technologies to make them work efficiently is incredibly rewarding. An example is The GPT Group’s Chirnside Park Shopping Centre Smart Energy Hub, which consists of a 2MWh battery and 650kW solar array, supported by our demand response program.

It’s almost always a group effort, with many experts coming together to think and collaborate on these projects. Working with so many brilliant minds makes me feel a bit smarter myself. Seeing the results is always satisfying. Delivering new and challenging projects is what I am most proud of.

Any advice for someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

First and foremost, focus on your goal. Understand what drives you because there will be tough and stressful times. Be clear about your mission and endgame. For example, if your goal is to teach others, learn a new industry, or contribute to renewable energy and reduce the carbon footprint, remind yourself of this purpose during challenging times. It will help you stay motivated. Secondly, concentrate on tasks that align with your mission. Don’t get distracted. It’s important to read and learn, but make sure it’s in the direction that supports your goals. Prioritise tasks that drive you towards your mission. Lastly, ethics are crucial. Your morals and ethics should align with your mission. If they don’t, your mission is flawed. Always ensure that what you’re doing is right and ethical.