Renewable Energy Acwa Power signs $1.8bn deals to promote renewables Saudi renewable energy major Acwa Power has signed agreements worth $1.8 billion to develop renewable energy and battery storage projects, as well as research and development, across the GCC, China, Central Asia and North Africa. The agreements were signed during the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh. The first pact includes a $690 million agreement […] October 30, 2024
Oil & Gas Aramco predicts oil market expansion on China demand Saudi Aramco is forecasting oil market growth in 2025 of 1.5 percent, driven by fundamental growth in China and the role of fossil fuels in underpinning the green energy transition. A recent stimulus package failed to alleviate market concerns about China. Although it accounted for 70 percent of oil demand growth in 2023, Chinese demand […] October 30, 2024
Renewable Energy QatarEnergy to develop solar project in Iraq with Total State-backed QatarEnergy and France’s TotalEnergies have signed an agreement to develop a solar power plant as part of the gas growth integrated project (GGIP) in Iraq. The two companies will equally own the project, but the agreement is subject to regulatory approvals. The project, “one of the largest in the world”, will consist of two […] October 29, 2024
Sustainability UAE green steel project brushes off hydrogen concerns The UAE has completed a pilot programme looking into the use of green hydrogen to decarbonise the steel industry. UAE steel company Emsteel and renewable energy major Masdar joined forces to produce “green” steel despite increasing concerns over cost, regulations, demand and scalability of the clean energy source. Conventional steel production accounts for around 8 […] October 29, 2024
Development Saudi Arabia to invest $41bn in Africa over next decade Saudi Arabia is providing at least $41 billion in funding for low-income sub-Saharan countries in Africa, the government announced on Monday. Finance minister Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan revealed a $1 billion development initiative for Africa, $5 billion for startups from the Saudi Development Fund over the next ten years, $10 billion in financing from the […] October 28, 2024
Analysis Sustainability EU carbon tariff opens door to green GCC manufacturers Europe’s decision to place a tariff on a selected group of carbon-intensive imports may offer a competitive advantage to Gulf manufacturers who are investing in carbon-reducing technologies, industry observers believe. By decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors, GCC countries can become the European Union’s privileged trade partners, because producers with lower carbon emissions will get better access to […] October 28, 2024
Renewable Energy Hydrogen taxis to hit the road in Saudi Arabian trial Saudi Arabia has announced a trial operation of its first hydrogen powered taxi. The Transport General Authority (TGA) said the pilot phase will use Toyota Mirai vehicles, as it seeks to reduce carbon emissions and reduce reliance on internal combustion engine vehicles. The emission-free Toyota Mirai car has a range of 350 kilometres and the […] October 24, 2024
Renewable Energy Saudi lender ICD provides $16m for Turkish solar plant The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) in Saudi Arabia has signed a €15 million ($16.2 million) financing agreement with Turkish company Sampa to support the development and construction of a solar power plant in Turkey. The planned captive solar plant will provide 21 megawatts of energy, reducing Sampa’s energy costs […] October 24, 2024
Renewable Energy UAE and Rajasthan explore renewable energy project The UAE has signed an investment memorandum with the Indian state of Rajasthan to explore a 60 gigawatt renewable energy project, focusing on solar, wind and hybrid power. The UAE Ministry of Investment said the agreement builds on a broader Investment Cooperation pact between the UAE and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Rajasthan, […] October 23, 2024
Renewable Energy Turkey plans a fourfold rise in renewable energy Turkey is planning to quadruple its renewable energy capacity over the coming decade, with investments of $80 billion to boost output and another $30 billion to improve transmission and infrastructure. A new streamlined tendering and approval process was also part of the updated renewables policy announced by Turkey’s energy and natural resources minister, Alparslan Bayraktar, […] October 23, 2024
Energy Egypt slashes renewables target to focus on natural gas Egypt has cut its renewable energy goal for 2040 from 58 percent down to 40 percent and will focus on natural gas in order to meet increasing energy demand, according to Karim Badawi, the minister for petroleum. Before hosting the Cop27 climate conference in 2022, the North African state announced a target of achieving a […] October 22, 2024
Opinion Trade UAE believes trade with Africa is worth the risk Investments by Emirati companies are being encouraged and supported by the government October 22, 2024
Oil & Gas Aramco CEO bullish on Chinese oil demand Saudi Aramco’s CEO is confident that China’s bid to increase growth will have a positive impact on oil demand, especially due to chemicals needed for its energy transition. Amin Nasser said the world’s second biggest economy needs more chemicals for “the electric vehicles, for solar panels, so that’s huge growth there”. Speaking on the sidelines […] October 21, 2024
Analysis Energy Energy security at centre of EU-GCC collaboration The European Union and the GCC held their first summit this week, where they committed to “greater cooperation on energy security, including energy efficiency and renewable energies and hydrogen”, the parties said in a joint statement. The EU wants to strengthen its energy security by cementing ties with the GCC, following European states’ decision to […] October 18, 2024
Renewable Energy Abu Dhabi seeks developer for new wind power project Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec) has invited expressions of interest (EoIs) for the development of a wind farm in the Al Sila region. On completion, the 140 megawatt (MW) greenfield renewable energy independent power project will more than double the existing wind generation capacity in the UAE. The Al Sila wind project will […] October 16, 2024
Analysis Renewable Energy Middle East on track to triple renewables capacity Middle East and North African countries are on track to triple their renewable capacity by 2030, mainly due to expansion of solar photovoltaic projects, the International Energy Agency has said. Renewables are forecast to increase from 53GW in 2023 to almost 150GW by the end of the decade, in which solar PV is expected to […] October 10, 2024
Renewable Energy Turkey to restart auctions to expand renewable capacity Turkey’s energy ministry is set to restart auctions next year for specially designated renewable energy zones to draw global investment, a news report said. The country plans to add 2,000 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity every year until 2035 through these auctions, Bloomberg reported, citing informed sources. In addition, the ministry is exploring incentives […] October 10, 2024
Opinion Oil & Gas Energy and Opec are at the centre of the US election campaign The Democrats just cannot shake the image of being opposed to oil and gas October 9, 2024
Analysis Energy Costs versus profits in the energy transition debate The Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) last month reported that, once again, if you want cheap electricity, then renewable energy is by far your best bet. After “spectacular” declines in cost in recent years, according to Irena’s 2023 Costs Report, the global weighted average cost of photovoltaic (PV) solar – the most widespread […] October 8, 2024
Renewable Energy PIF’s new venture to invest $10bn in green hydrogen Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has established a new entity to invest an estimated $10 billion into the production of green hydrogen. The new subsidiary, Energy Solutions Company, will focus on funding the development of low-carbon fuel, Bloomberg reported, quoting unnamed sources. The investment is estimated to grow significantly in the coming years, driven […] October 8, 2024
Economy Abu Dhabi to announce new 2045 strategy for GDP growth Abu Dhabi will soon launch a new 2045 economic strategy aimed at accelerating GDP growth in the emirate, sources told AGBI. The strategy, expected to be released early next year, outlines a broad transformation that seeks to further diversify the emirate’s economy, significantly reduce its reliance on oil, and position Abu Dhabi as a major […] October 6, 2024
Analysis Manufacturing Gulf spots opening in China’s polysilicon boom-bust cycle Solar power capacity across the Middle East region trebled from 3 gigawatts to 9GW between 2020 and 2023, according to the trade association Energy Industries Council. In the Gulf alone, a further 40GW of photovoltaic (PV) solar power are scheduled for installation by 2030, the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), an intergovernmental organisation, says. For […] October 4, 2024
