Paddy Padmanathan

Paddy Padmanathan

Chairman

Zhero Europe BV

About me

Paddy Padmanathan Chairman, Zhero Europe BV is a globally recognized infrastructure strategist and climate investment leader, renowned for his transformative impact on energy and water development across emerging markets. With over 40 years of experience spanning engineering, project finance, and executive leadership, Mr. Padmanathan has played a pivotal role in reshaping how nations approach sustainable infrastructure. As the founding CEO and later Vice Chairman of ACWA Power, Mr. Padmanathan led the company from its inception in 2005 into a world-class developer, investor, and operator of power generation and desalinated water production facilities and by 2023 when he retired the company had developed assets producing 42 GW of power and 6.4 million m3 /day of desalinated water and a plant in construction to produce 240,000 tons/year of green hydrogen at Saudi Arabia, a portfolio of US$ 75 Billion and a company employing over 4000 people. With his considerable experience in energy, renewable energy and in addressing the rapidly emerging potable water supply challenge the world is facing, he has now embarked on a career as an investor and Director and/or as an advisor to several technology, construction and development ventures including Zhero BV, to develop renewable energy, both electrons and molecules at scale. which is supported by a well-resourced group of shareholders including Three Cairns, Galvanize Climate Partners, Fortescue, Total Energies, Black Rock and Unicredit. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Manchester and Postgraduate Studies in Civil Engineering Production from the University of Lancaster.
Organisation/Company Headquarter Location
United Kingdom
Country(ies) of Operation (select as many applicable)
AlgeriaItalyNamibiaTunisiaUnited States
Type of Organisation/Company
Private Company – Multinational
What is your annual turnover?
N/A
What is the size of your Organisation/Company?
Between 50 and 250 employees
Organisation/Company Headquarter Area
Europe

Contact details

Is speaking at

Plenary 4: Unlocking Financing Pathways for Namibia

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Oryx Main
Mercia Geises · Namibia Hydrogen Fund Managers
Panashe Daringo · Mondjila Project Advisory and Management
Paddy Padmanathan · Zhero Europe BV
Carmelo Cocuzza · European Investment Bank
Oscar Capelao · Ministry of Finance

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