Energy Dubai’s Amea Power brightens Tunisia’s solar ambitions Dubai’s Amea Power has reached financial close on its first 120 megawatt (MW) solar project in Tunisia as the North African country seeks to boost its renewable energy production. The $86 million solar plant will be located in Metbassta, in the north-western Kairouan governate. It is being built by Kairouan Solar Plant, a company registered in […] September 27, 2023
Opinion Environment Net zero (noun). Meaning … well, that’s the question Hundreds of governments and companies have 'net zero' policies. But the term's definition isn't always clear September 26, 2023
Analysis Environment Majority of Mena countries lack net zero target, IEA warns Just six out of 17 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) have set a target for reaching net zero carbon emissions, hampering global efforts to tackle climate change, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The IEA has published a detailed update to its net zero roadmap of 2021. In the report, […] September 26, 2023
Opinion Environment Forecast bright for Cop28 as the world nears ‘peak green’ A mood of pragmatism seems to be sweeping Europe and North America September 25, 2023
Manufacturing Lucid gets permit to operate in new Saudi economic zone Saudi Arabia’s Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority has issued US electric vehicle maker Lucid Group a permit to operate a manufacturing unit at the newly-launched King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) special economic zone. “This marks a successful kickoff for the new SEZs launched earlier this year, showcasing a promising avenue for innovation and growth,” […] September 22, 2023
Oil & Gas Fossil fuel phase-down ‘inevitable’ says Al Jaber Cop28 president-designate Sultan Al Jaber this week implored world leaders to cut reliance on fossil fuels to meet carbon reduction targets. Addressing the UN Climate Ambition Summit in New York, Al Jaber – who is also group chief executive of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company – urged nations to fast track the transition to a […] September 21, 2023
Industry Musk terms Tesla’s Saudi factory talks ‘utterly false’ Billionaire Elon Musk has termed a media report about Tesla Inc. being in talks with Saudi Arabia to set up a production facility in the kingdom as “utterly false”. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Monday, citing informed sources, that the kingdom is in early talks with US electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla. “Yet […] September 19, 2023
Opinion Energy Mena stands at a crossroads for energy security Overreliance on fossil fuels has prevented the region from reaching its potential September 18, 2023
Energy Abu Dhabi opens tender for 1.5 GW solar PV plant Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec) has started the tendering process for the 1.5 gigawatt Khazna solar photovoltaic independent power project. Ewec has invited developers and developer consortiums to submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance and ownership of the greenfield solar PV power plant and associated infrastructure in […] September 18, 2023
Energy UAE seeks power grid connectivity with India The UAE is looking to build grid connectivity with India, RK Singh, the new and renewable energy minister, said. Earlier this month, India and Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the energy field, including grid connectivity. Connecting India’s power grid with Saudi Arabia and the UAE will help India supply power […] September 18, 2023
Renewable Energy Solar energy shines in global survey beating fossil fuels More than two-thirds of the world’s population favours solar energy, five times more than public support for fossil fuels, a global poll has found. The survey, conducted by Glocalities in collaboration with advocacy groups Global Citizen and The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, was based on interviews with more than 21,000 people in 21 countries […] September 17, 2023
Renewable Energy Acwa Power forms clean energy alliances in China Saudi renewable energy company Acwa Power has signed agreements with two Chinese companies to enhance their global clean energy collaboration. The agreements were signed with state-owned China Southern Power Grid International Company and MingYang Smart Energy Group Limited during this week’s China (Guangdong)-Saudi Arabia Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference. Acwa Power chairman Mohammad Abunayyan said: “Signing the two MoUs […] September 14, 2023
Renewable Energy Qatar plans $5bn UK-Doha green tech centre The not-for-profit Qatar Foundation, which supports education, research and community development projects, is to invest in a £4 billion ($5 billion) green energy research and development centre spanning the UK and Qatar. The project has been dubbed the “MIT for UK energy transition” by organisers at management consultancy McKinsey & Co, The Sunday Times reported, […] September 11, 2023
Opinion Trade Meanwhile, on the G20 sidelines, history in the making The proposed India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor could become a 'green and digital bridge across continents and civilisations' September 11, 2023
Energy Solar power scaled up at Amaala giga-project Saudi developer Red Sea Global has signed a 25-year concession agreement with France’s EDF and UAE’s Masdar to service its Amaala giga-project on the northwestern coast of the kingdom. The off-grid renewable energy system will have the capacity to generate up to 410,000 MWh per annum, enough to power 10,000 households, the companies said in […] September 11, 2023
Banking & Finance UAE development bank in $27m SME solar energy drive State-run Emirates Development Bank has launched a solar energy finance programme to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE to overcome cost barriers. The initiative will allocate AED100 million ($27.22 million) to support the adoption of green energy solutions, focusing on solar energy initiatives, the UAE state-owned Wam news agency reported. The […] September 8, 2023
Opinion Energy Gulf energy systems must be more climate resilient Intense heatwaves and flash floods challenge energy supplies in the region September 7, 2023
Renewable Energy UAE president and Indian PM to meet at G20 summit UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed is likely to hold a bilateral meeting with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 summit in New Delhi over the weekend, Indian media reported. The UAE has been invited as a guest for the G20 summit by India, the host nation. Though not a state visit by the […] September 7, 2023
Renewable Energy Next $1.5bn phase of Dubai’s solar park to be ready in 2024 Dubai Electricity and Water Authority and Masdar have signed an agreement to build and operate the 1,800-megawatt sixth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The next phase of the world’s largest single-site solar park will cost AED5.5 billion ($1.49 billion). “This phase will power over half a million residences while reducing […] September 7, 2023
Renewable Energy Aramco and Dutch car maker make low-carbon fuel Saudi oil major Aramco and Dutch car maker Stellantis have developed an e-fuel that will work without modifications in the engines of some 24 million vehicles already on European roads and using conventional petrol. Recent tests showed the low-carbon fuel could reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing internal combustion vehicles by at least 70 percent, […] September 6, 2023
Trade UAE and Brazil boost non-oil trade with partnership The UAE and Brazil have launched a partnership to exchange economic expertise and build on non-oil bilateral trade of $4.3 billion in 2022. The initiative is part the UAE’s Government Experience Exchange Programme that welcomed a Brazilian delegation to the Emirates earlier this week. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE’s minister of economy, said […] September 6, 2023
Opinion Energy Gulf must ease fossil fuel subsidies to be climate pioneers An incentive structure to move away from fossil fuel dependence is missing September 6, 2023
