The Middle East is accelerating a solar-led energy transition, building on some of the world’s highest solar resources of more than 2,000 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year and receiving 22–26% of global solar radiation. [3].

Despite this potential, solar supplies just over 2% of the MENA energy mix today, with fossil fuels still at 87%, underscoring the scale of the transition challenge.

Regional momentum is growing fast, with a 12.8% increase in renewables in 2022 and 3.2 GW added that year, alongside plans for $1 trillion in renewables investment by 2040.

Arab countries have pledged to help triple global renewable capacity by 2030, and renewables are expected to account for 34% of electricity investment in MENA by 2026. [1].

By 2026 the Arab region plans to add 33 GW of installed renewables, with 73 GW of utility-scale solar and wind projects in the pipeline across Arab countries. [16].

The United Arab Emirates leads Arab countries in solar generation with about 3.2 GW of installed solar capacity and targets 14 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.

Flagship projects include the 2 GW Al Dhafra solar farm powering around 200,000 homes and avoiding 2.4 million tonnes of CO2 annually.

Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is planned to reach 5,000 MW by 2030 and is expected to cut 6.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

Noor Abu Dhabi adds another 1.2 GW of solar, reinforcing the country’s utility-scale leadership.

The UAE has invested $163.5 billion in clean energy over 30 years, aims for net zero emissions by 2050, and is advancing smart grids and storage to integrate variable renewables. [12].

DEWA’s smart grid program has invested AED 7 billion, introduced automated restoration, and achieved world-class reliability as the UAE scales solar. [45].

The solar park integrates large-scale storage including 5,907 MWh of thermal energy storage enabling up to 15 hours of dispatchability. [37].

Saudi Arabia targets 50% of electricity from renewables by 2030 and has announced carbon neutrality for 2060. [63].

Major projects include the 2,060 MW Shuaiba 2 solar plant in Makkah with a $1.75 billion investment and a 35‑year contract, expected to supply about 350,000 homes.

The 1.17 GW Al Kahfa Solar Power Plant uses advanced tracking systems to boost output, and Sudair incorporates 450 MW of Nextracker technology. [75].

Saudi Arabia is localizing the solar supply chain, with JinkoSolar investing 7.157 billion yuan to build 10 GW of high‑efficiency batteries and TCL Central planning a 20 GW wafer project worth 15.1 billion yuan.

The Kingdom is also pairing clean power with storage, including a 400 MW PV plus 1,300 MWh battery system for the Red Sea Project, while advancing green hydrogen at NEOM with 2.2 GW of renewables producing 600 tons of hydrogen per day. [39].

The UAE and Saudi Arabia generate the cheapest electricity from solar power, with Saudi Arabia’s first wind farm tariff at 2.13 cents per kilowatt-hour highlighting broader regional cost competitiveness.

Egypt has around 1.9 GW of solar capacity today and targets 42% renewable electricity by 2035.

The Benban solar complex is one of the region’s largest, with a capacity of about 2,000 MW, anchoring Egypt’s solar build-out.

Policy incentives under Electricity Law No. 87 of 2015 include tax exemptions, feed-in tariffs, streamlined licensing, and subsidized land allocation to attract investors.

Egypt has signed $83 billion of renewable agreements aiming for 100 GW of renewables in ten years and is expanding cross-border integration via a 3,000 MW HVDC link with Saudi Arabia. [20].

Oman targets 16% renewables in electricity by 2025 and 30% by 2030, supported by projects like the 607 MW Ibri PV plant generating 1,598 GWh annually and avoiding 340,000 tonnes of CO2. [15].

Jordan achieved 31% renewables ahead of its 2030 schedule and plans to reach 50%, supported by citizen solar loans at 0% interest. [22].

Qatar has integrated an 800 MW solar plant with 1.8 million panels using sun tracking over 10 square kilometers, providing around 10% of peak demand, and is targeting 5 GW of solar by 2035.

The country’s IC Solar project adds 875 MW across two plants, lifting renewable capacity to 1.675 GW.

Kuwait aims for carbon neutrality by 2060 with a strategy to shift from oil to solar and full adoption of electric vehicles by 2040, complemented by policies allowing citizens to sell excess solar power to the grid. [64].

Integrating high shares of solar requires grid modernization and storage, with batteries essential for regulation and stability across the MENA region.

Engineering is scaling to meet this need, exemplified by a 3.5 GW solar program in the Middle East that includes grid interconnections, substations, and transmission lines.

Dubai’s system investments have reduced transmission losses to 3.3% and achieved extremely low outage minutes, illustrating the role of smart grids in reliable solar integration. [45].

The Middle East aims to lead in green hydrogen, with expected export revenues of about $120–200 billion annually by 2050 and ambitions to capture a significant share of the global hydrogen market. [8].

The UAE seeks a 25% share of the low‑carbon hydrogen market valued at over $400 billion, while Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project achieved financial close for an $8.4 billion green hydrogen plant. [74].

Localization of solar manufacturing and storage in Saudi Arabia through major investments by international firms signals a broader strategy to build post‑oil supply chains and jobs.

Renewable expansion is tied to economic diversification, with the Gulf expected to create around 225,000 renewable energy jobs by 2030 and achieve $138 billion in green transformation savings by the same date. [51].

Individual projects also create local employment and value, with the UAE’s 2 GW Al Dhafra solar farm creating 4,500 jobs during construction.

Region-wide, energy investments of about $879 billion are expected over the next five years, with renewables a growing share as countries scale solar and wind.

The UAE hosted COP28, where parties adopted a resolution to transition away from coal, oil, and gas, aligning with regional efforts to cut emissions.

The COP28 pledge aims to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030, a target that Middle East countries are integrating into national strategies.

National targets include the UAE’s net zero by 2050, Saudi Arabia’s carbon neutrality by 2060, and Egypt’s 42% renewable electricity by 2035, supported by large-scale solar deployment. [12].

With world‑class solar resources, record‑low PV costs, expanding grids and storage, and pro‑investment policies, the Middle East is poised to scale solar from about 2% of its energy mix today to a central pillar of its post‑oil economy and climate strategy. [3][42].

The Middle East is accelerating a solar-led energy transition, building on some of the world’s highest solar resources of more than 2,000 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year and receiving 22–26% of global solar radiation. [3].

Title:

Content: Global News
The World Today - A pivotal and promising role for the countries of the region in the transition to renewable energy
You are now following the news of a pivotal and promising role waiting for the countries of the region in the transition to renewable energy from the news section of the world and now we leave you with full details
MARCH 3, 2023 02: 16 AM - The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has always played a pivotal role in the oil and gas markets, but this role will not stop if the world decides to move to low-emission sources of energy.
According to APRICORP, renewable energy investments are expected to account for 34 percent of electricity investment in the Middle East and North Africa between 2022 and 2026.
According to McKinsey & Company, the Middle East and North Africa receives 22 to 26 percent of the solar radiation energy on Earth, due to its geographical location.
Solar energy is not the only thing that distinguishes the region, as countries in this region are likely to be the source of 10 to 20 percent of the global hydrogen market by 2050, according to Roland Berger.
Hydrogen is likely to generate annual revenues of $120 billion to $200 billion by 2050, and many countries in the region have already started projects to transport and export hydrogen to energy-consuming countries.
The region has about 10 percent of global carbon capture and storage capabilities.
Despite the many challenges that countries in the region must face in this regard, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has the potential to play a pivotal role in the global energy transition.
The most prominent question about green finance comes in this promising region.
Nael Amin, senior director of financial services at Arthur D. Little, said on this week ’ s episode of Dot Gulf ’ s World of Energy program that green finance in the Middle East and North Africa, including green bonds, had reached $3.8 billion in 2020.
This amount, according to Amin, has grown significantly during the year 2022, specifically in 4 countries, Turkey, the Arab Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, due to the development in the region and increased investments in this sector, as well as providing some important requirements in this sector.
Amin explained that besides financing, the region is witnessing progress in many areas in terms of dealing with environmental factors, which is an attractive factor for investors.
Over the past two years, banks have significantly increased their legislation in this area, as each of the Gulf countries has implemented the necessary standards and requirements to support the business environment in the field of green energy.
There are challenges, according to Amin, the most prominent of which is the data challenge, as he pointed out that banks are approaching the activities of customers to know the necessary data on funded projects, for example, in the case of financing the construction of a building, you must know the amount of energy that will be consumed by this building.
The Gulf States are working and collaborating with each other to understand the framework that must be adopted to develop infrastructure in the field of renewable energy and promote sustainability, which will positively impact and support green investment in general in the region.
We hope that we have succeeded in conveying the full details of a pivotal and promising role that awaits the countries of the region in the transition to renewable energy.
In God ’ s care and protection.
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Despite this potential, solar supplies just over 2% of the MENA energy mix today, with fossil fuels still at 87%, underscoring the scale of the transition challenge.

Title:

Content: General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
General Supervision
Elham Aboul Fath
Editor-in-Chief
Thank you for your patience.
World Future Energy Summit.
Green finance and climate change lead day 2
The second day of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in the UAE, kicked off today.
The summit is the premier annual forum for future energy and sustainability.
The day ’ s events focused on green finance, with Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, stressing the urgency of correcting climate change and thinking outside the box, and providing inspiring views on the obstacles to investing in renewable energy and ways to develop it during a session entitled “Financing Global Approaches to Low-Carbon Economies ”.
“It takes a lot of in-depth social studies, practical solutions and a lot of financial support – governments around the world spend a lot of money to defend themselves against other governments, but we don ’ t spend that much money to fight everyone ’ s first enemy, climate change.
He believes that finding practical solutions requires a serious approach to financing and establishing an assembly line for simple renewable energy projects, so that tangible results can be achieved as soon as possible, which is not possible without setting aside the side issues that usually concern us or we will not be able to solve the problem for another 10 years.
Ahmed Bahieldin, General Manager and Commercial Officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at GE Vernova, an independent public company spin-off of GE ’ s energy, wind and electricity business, also joined the panel.
“Time is an important factor, especially as there is a lot of capital looking for projects in advanced markets, especially in the areas of renewable energy sources and new technologies, and regulatory reforms and the structuring of the revenue model give more room for growth.
The second day of the summit also saw the launch of the Solar Outlook 2024 report, officially released by the Middle East Solar Industry Association at the World Future Energy Summit.
The report highlights the growing contribution of solar energy to the MENA region ’ s ongoing energy transition from traditional fossil fuels to renewables, amid continued manufacturing boom, population and economic growth, as well as concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability.
Solar Energy
According to the report, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region today has one of the highest levels of solar energy potential in the world, with countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Egypt contributing on average annual solar radiation exceeding 2,000 kilowatt-hours per square meter per year.
While the regional solar growth trajectory is expected to continue, the report reveals that it is still well below the levels required to replace the current fossil fuel contribution of 87%, with solar providing just over 2% of the current energy mix in the MENA region.
Denisa Vines, Secretary General of the Middle East Solar Industry Association, said: “The COP28 pledge to increase renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency with the support of 124 countries has set ambitious targets to increase the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures by 2030, but we still face many challenges to achieve these goals, especially in the energy sector within the Gulf region. After 2030, a variety of technologies are expected to be market-ready, offering scalable solutions to decarbonize the energy sector, enabling a more effective role for renewables, energy efficiency and zero-emission technologies.
The broad pursuit of ambitious targets by 2030 is focused on public utility projects, which may overshadow the needs of the commercial and industrial sectors, and this underscores the importance of considering a balanced approach to energy deployment to ensure inclusive and sustainable development.
COP28 Pledges
Speaking at the Solar and Clean Energy Conference, Dr. Ralph Blumenthal, Head of Networks Programs Middle East at Siemens, praised the ongoing discussions on digitization and the great importance of integrating renewables into smart grids to help achieve the goals of the COP28 pledge.
Batteries are key if we want to triple renewables by 2030, and increase them nine-fold by 2050. Batteries are not only storage, they are essential to grid regulation and reduce disruptions that may occur during renewable energy generation. Today, around 1,500 GW of renewable energy has been installed globally and is ready for deployment, but cannot be integrated into networks. It operates 100% on renewable energy, but national grids have not yet been able to effectively integrate renewables on a large scale.
Constructive discussions and sessions on global energy issues and solutions will continue tomorrow with the Electric Mobility Forum, which will comprehensively examine the role of clean and independent transport in changing the future of city design, and what is needed to unlock the potential of investing in expanding electric mobility.

Regional momentum is growing fast, with a 12.8% increase in renewables in 2022 and 3.2 GW added that year, alongside plans for $1 trillion in renewables investment by 2040.

Title:

Content: Sunday, 24 September 2023 02: 03 GMT
2030 Arab Goal to Advance Renewable Energy Capabilities Globally
(MENAFN- Al-Bayan) $(resize) .css ('font-size', newFontSize); return false;});});
Several Arab countries are accelerating to keep pace with the international aspiration to achieve the goal of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030, which is receiving widespread attention, amid various plans and strategies at national levels in many countries.
The Arab countries that are likely to play the largest role in this regard, according to industry experts, are the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria and Morocco, by injecting more investments into this vital and promising sector.
During the recent G20 summit in New Delhi in September, G20 leaders expressed their support for all efforts to increase renewable energy capacity and pledged to accelerate measures to address environmental crises and challenges.
With this growing international interest in the energy transition, the plans are facing many challenges, including (but not limited to) access to finance, especially for low- and middle-income countries, with significant investment required over the coming years.
(Al-Bayan), a group of American academics and specialists in the renewable energy sector were surveyed about the main opportunities and challenges on the way to increase the desired capacity, the investments required to achieve that goal, and the extent of its expected environmental and economic repercussions.
Huge spikes.
Achieving the ambitious goal of doubling global renewable energy capacity in the near term will be reflected concretely in several contexts, explains Gregory Nemet, a specialist in the analysis of international energy systems and environmental policies at the University of Wisconsin. By 2030, it will deliver significant benefits in terms of jobs, economic development, and improved air quality, as well as putting the world on the path to addressing climate change in the long term.
“The costs of renewable energy, especially solar and wind, have dropped dramatically over the last 10 years, and most experts expect them to continue to fall, ” says Nemet, explaining that a clean, affordable source of energy creates huge opportunities, allowing global renewable energy capacity to be tripled by taking full advantage of it.
According to Nemet, the 3-fold increase also presents challenges, such as “access to finance for low- and middle-income countries, and investments in electricity grids to accommodate this growth ”, stressing that“ challenges can be overcome through sustained efforts and supportive policies, as we have seen many examples in the recent past. ” A sign of broad international cooperation is required in this regard.
Last year, renewable energy capacity (globally) increased by 9.6 percent to 3,372 gigawatts, an increase of a record 295 gigawatts, despite global uncertainty in light of geopolitical developments and the Ukrainian war, according to data published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on March 22.
Almost half of the new capacity from renewable energy in Asia has been added, with China contributing more than 141 gigawatts to the new capacity of the entire continent.
Renewable energy sources in Europe and the United States grew by 57.3 gigawatts and 29.1 gigawatts respectively.
African capacity increased slightly by 2.7 gigawatts.
According to IRENA data, although hydropower accounts for the largest share of total global renewable energy capacity at 1,250 gigawatts, solar and wind power continue to dominate new capacity, contributing 90% of total capacity last year.
Solar capacity came first with an increase of 22%, followed by wind power with an increase of 9%.
Policies and Incentives
University of Massachusetts academic David Turcotte, whose research interests include climate change and environmental justice, believes that there are many opportunities in the context of increasing global renewable energy capacity, due to increases in oil prices as a result of the Ukrainian crisis, which makes renewable energy sources more cost-effective, as well as worsening economic and human costs. Recurrent, more severe climate change disasters.
“Many developed countries have expanded policies and incentives to encourage increased capacity to produce renewable energy.
However, we still face a lot of challenges […]
That threatens to derail efforts to increase renewable energy capacity, and the transition to a clean energy economy.
Among these challenges is the lack of adequate funding to support increases in renewable energy capacity in developing countries, a challenge he described as “serious. ”
While international efforts are accelerating to target investments in the context of increasing global renewable energy capacity, those investments are still below the 1.5 ° C target.
This is shown by data from IRENA and the Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) released in February, which estimate the total volume of investments in renewable energy sectors during 2022 at $499 billion, up from $430 billion in the previous year 2021.
Developments in the world over the past year, especially with the start of the Russian military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, have also encouraged many countries to move more towards renewable energy sources, to overcome the energy crisis caused by the consequences of the war, in the interest of the desired goal of increasing capacity.
Required investments
John Hall, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Center for Energy Production and Infrastructure, University of North Carolina, United States, notes that “the goal of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030 is a challenge, and achieving the goal requires an intensive global strategy, focused on significant financial investment, technological innovation targeting these communities, inclusive policies, and collaborative efforts. ”
Speaking with Al-Bayan, he stressed that community participation and infrastructure development in underserved areas should be central to the strategy, leading not only to the promotion of the energy transition, but also to economic upgrading.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that $4 trillion per year will be required in the clean energy sector until 2030 to strengthen global capacity in this regard.
Logistical challenges
Warren Mabey, an academic at Queen ’ s University who specialises in energy policy and natural resource management, told Al Bayan that “it is technically possible to triple global renewable energy capacity over the next six years, and this will put enormous pressure on the global supply chains that support the sector. and manufactured goods, necessary for the transformation process).
Mabe believes that “the cost will be enormous, and the logistical challenge may be too great to overcome ”, stressing the need for“ strong and consistent leadership from countries around the world to achieve this. ”
Arabic Steps
At the Arab level, five Arab countries (Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) are expected to account for about 72% of the region ’ s total growth in renewable energy, according to the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), which expects renewable energy capacity to reach 45 gigawatts by 2027, an increase of 3 times. Compared to the last five years.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that in 2022, the Middle East saw the highest increase in renewables ever, with 3.2 gigawatts of new capacity added last year, a 12.8 percent increase over the previous year.
According to the Arab Renewable Energy Authority (AREA), the volume of investments by Arab countries in renewable energy projects is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2040, in light of the interest of Arab governments in this file, to achieve global environmental goals.
A Great Leap in 10 Years
According to the current data, the renewable energy sector in the region is expected to witness a huge leap in the next 10 years, at a time when eight Arab countries are leading this trend, according to the researcher in international relations and political economy, Abu Bakr al-Deeb, adviser to the Arab Center for Studies and Research, who tells Al-Bayan that the countries strongly candidate to move in this direction are:, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Algeria and Morocco).
Aldeeb also cites the volume of electricity generated from renewable sources in the Middle East and Arab countries, which is expected to increase six-fold in 10 years through heavy reliance on solar photovoltaic energy, noting that the Arab region has “great potential ” to help launch major projects to produce energy from the sun. And wind, among these possibilities or advantages (the right climate, the bright sun most days of the year, as well as human expertise, and financial capabilities also for some countries).
The UAE is at the top of the list of Arab countries that produce electricity from solar energy, while Egypt is the largest country in the Arab world in terms of electricity production from wind energy, according to a report issued by (Global Energy Monitor), which Al-Deeb cites when explaining the progress made by some Arab countries in this sector, The UAE, Egypt, Jordan and Morocco are among the first Arab countries to establish solar and wind power plants.
According to the report, renewable power plant projects for Arab countries are likely to achieve 92% of the region ’ s total target by 2030 when completed.
One of the most reliable projects in this regard is the Green Hydrogen projects, through which the Middle East is seeking global leadership, with export revenues likely to reach $200 billion by 2050 for the Gulf countries, according to a study by Dii Desert Energy.
In this context, Al-Deeb notes the abundance of renewable energy resources, clean hydrogen, human expertise, capital, and their geographical proximity to the European market, all of which provide them with important and growing opportunities.
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Arab countries have pledged to help triple global renewable capacity by 2030, and renewables are expected to account for 34% of electricity investment in MENA by 2026. [1].

By 2026 the Arab region plans to add 33 GW of installed renewables, with 73 GW of utility-scale solar and wind projects in the pipeline across Arab countries. [16].

Title:

Content: In numbers...
Arab countries race to double their renewable energy production by 2030
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — (CNN) Arab countries are on track to grow their utility-scale wind and solar capacity by more than 500% by 2023, according to a report by Global Energy Monitor.
According to the report, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has enormous potential for large-scale wind and solar power projects because of its favorable climate and sunny weather for most of the year.
Arab countries are planning more than 73 gigawatts of utility-scale solar and wind projects, a more than fivefold increase in current capacity, which together with operational projects will account for 91% of the Arab League ’ s renewable energy goals for 2030.
The UAE is at the top of the list of Arab countries that produce the most electricity from solar energy, with solar plants producing 2.6 gigawatts of electricity.
Egypt is among the Arab countries that produce the most electricity from wind power at 1.6 gigawatts.
Egypt produces 1.9 gigawatts of electricity from solar power plants.
Egypt ’ s total electricity production from both places it at the top of the list of Arab countries with a production capacity of 3.5 gigawatts.
Thanks to its huge investments in solar electricity production, the UAE ranks second in wind and solar electricity production, followed by Morocco in third place with 1.9 GW and Jordan in fourth place with 1.7 GW.
While Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Jordan are the first Arab countries to initiate wind and solar power plants, Oman, Algeria and Kuwait are poised to follow suit, ranking first in expected solar and wind power production in the near future.
Here are the top Arab countries in terms of the current operation of solar and wind energy on the scale of utilities and the capacity of wind and solar energy expected to be produced at the level of each country in the Arab region.

The United Arab Emirates leads Arab countries in solar generation with about 3.2 GW of installed solar capacity and targets 14 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.

Title:

Content: The United Arab Emirates launched the Al Dhafra solar farm ahead of COP28, which is currently the largest single point solar farm in the world.
The 2 gigawatt (GW) solar farm is 22 miles (35 kilometers) from Abu Dhabi and has nearly 4 million double-sided solar panels.
It will power nearly 200,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by more than 2.4 million tons per year.
It created 4,500 jobs at the peak of construction, with solar panels installed at an average rate of 10 megawatts (MW) per day during construction.
Al Dhafra is jointly developed by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), EDF Renewable Energy and Chinese solar developer Jingke Power.
TAQA owns 40% of the project, while Masdar, EDF Renewables and JinkoSolar each own 20%.
Under the 2020 power purchase agreement, the solar power plant will supply electricity to the UAE Hydropower Company (EWEC).
Now that Al Dhafra is online, the UAE ’ s solar power capacity has increased to 3.2 GW. In September, EWEC solicited a proposal to develop a 1.5 GW solar power plant in Al Khazna, near Abu Dhabi.
The UAE aims to triple its renewable energy capacity to 14 GW by 2030.

Flagship projects include the 2 GW Al Dhafra solar farm powering around 200,000 homes and avoiding 2.4 million tonnes of CO2 annually.

Dubai’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is planned to reach 5,000 MW by 2030 and is expected to cut 6.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

Title:

Content: Saeed Al Tayer to Al Bayan: 86 million hours worked at Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park
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His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, revealed to Al Bayan that the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park includes more than 12.2 million solar panels, pointing out that the total working hours of the complex since its launch until 31 July last exceeded 86 million working hours.
He said: “The complex is one of the most prominent renewable and clean energy projects implemented by the Authority and is the largest single-site solar complex in the world under the Independent Energy Producer system, and its production capacity will reach 5,000 megawatts by 2030 with solar photovoltaic and concentrated solar energy technologies, with a total investment of up to AED 50 billion.
When completed, the complex will reduce CO2 emissions by 6.5 million tonnes per year. ”
Stages
He explained that the projects of the complex are being implemented in several stages: the first phase was launched in October 2013 with a capacity of 13 megawatts with the technology of solar photovoltaic panels, and included the installation of more than 152 thousand photovoltaic panels.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, inaugurated the second phase in March 2017, with a capacity of 200 megawatts with solar photovoltaic technology, the first solar energy project of its kind in the region under the Independent Energy Product (IPP) system.
This phase involved installing some 2.3 million photovoltaic panels over an area of 4.5 square kilometers.
The third phase was inaugurated in November 2020, with a capacity of 800 megawatts with solar PV technology under the Independent Energy Product (IPP) system.
This phase is the first project of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region to use the uniaxial solar tracking system to increase energy productivity.
This phase involved the installation of more than 3 million photovoltaic panels.
In September 2017, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the fourth phase of the complex, the largest single-site CSP project in the world, awarded to the consortium of ACWA Power Saudi Arabia and the Silk Road Fund in cooperation with Shanghai Electric China as the main contractor.
In November 2018, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) signed an amendment to the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to add 250 megawatts (MW) of solar PV technology, increasing the total capacity of Phase 4 from 700 to 950 MW.
Common Techniques
The fourth phase uses three common technologies for the production of clean energy, the first is the system of parabolic reflectors with a total capacity of 600 megawatts, the highest solar tower in the world at 262.44 meters with a capacity of 100 megawatts, in addition to solar photovoltaic panels with a capacity of 250 megawatts.
This phase is the largest solar energy storage project in the world, allowing for the availability of solar energy 24 hours a day.
This phase involved the installation of more than 790,000 photovoltaic panels.
As for the parabolic trough reflectors system, more than 63,600 PT parabolic trough collectors have been installed and the project uses 70,000 heliostats, which follow the movement of the sun, with the fourth phase scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.
CHOICE
In June, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated the fifth phase of the complex, which has a capacity of 900 megawatts, and included the installation of more than 2.2 million photovoltaic panels.
In August, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced the selection of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) - the best diminishing company - to implement the sixth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, with a capacity of 1800 megawatts with solar photovoltaic panels under the Independent Energy Product (IPP) system, with investments amounting to about 5.51 billion dirhams.
The Authority was able to obtain the lowest global competitive price of 1.6215 US cents per kilowatt hour for this phase, which will include the installation of more than 3.7 million photovoltaic panels and the sixth phase will be operated in stages between 2024 and 2026.
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Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) organized a virtual forum under the theme “Rule of Law and Sustainability ” to celebrate the International Day of Law, which included a number of events, seminars, awareness brochures and cultural competitions to enrich employees ’ information on legal aspects.
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Noor Abu Dhabi adds another 1.2 GW of solar, reinforcing the country’s utility-scale leadership.

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Content: Friday 8 December 2023 Abu Dhabi UAE
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Massive clean energy projects boost UAE ’ s climate efforts
Suhail Al Mazrouei
December 8, 2023 01: 29
His Excellency Suhail Mohammed Al Mazrouei
The UAE has seen rapid and sustained growth in renewable energy production over the past decade and has increased its investment in international renewable energy projects, placing it at the forefront of the world ’ s transition to clean energy.
Located just 35km from Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra Solar Power Plant is the largest single-site solar power plant in the world.
The newly commissioned plant has about 4 million solar panels spread over an area of 20 square kilometers and provides enough power for more than 160,000 homes.
This milestone is part of the UAE ’ s ambitious plans to diversify its energy sources and is one of the latest achievements in a 15-year journey in which the country has established itself as the world ’ s largest solar producer and the second largest consumer of solar energy by population.
The Al Dhafra Solar Power Plant contributes significantly to the UAE ’ s strategic goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
This is a goal that the country is moving steadily towards thanks to its huge investments.
To date, the UAE has fulfilled its commitments to invest more than $50 billion in renewable energy projects, both inside and outside the country.
In July 2023, the UAE unveiled additional plans to double its renewable energy supply and investment by $54 billion over the next seven years to meet growing energy demand.
The UAE has already begun to reap the benefits of its commitment to these pledges.
By 2030, the country will have doubled its renewable energy capacity and the share of clean energy in its diverse energy sources will increase by 30% with a total capacity of 19.8 GW.
Thanks to the UAE ’ s year-round sunny climate, solar energy is one of the most important and prominent sources of energy in the country.
In addition to the Al Dhafra solar plant, the Noor Abu Dhabi solar plant generates 1.2 gigawatts of electricity and provides power to 90,000 homes while reducing emissions by 1 million metric tons per year, enough to remove 200,000 vehicles from the roads.
The Shams plant in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi is one of the largest concentrated solar power plants in the Middle East and helps eliminate 175,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to planting 1.5 million trees.
In Dubai, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park comes with a production capacity of 5,000 megawatts by 2030, enough to power 800,000 homes by 2030 and reduce more than 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
Despite the country ’ s large and diversified investments in clean energy, its transition to clean energy is based on a long history and track record in sustainability that put his first daughters, the founding father of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was the forerunner in preserving the environment before increasing interest in this important topic.
Recently, the UAE has begun to take advantage of technological development to establish itself as a leading innovation hub based on a sophisticated system aimed at finding solutions to some of the world ’ s biggest challenges.
Although solar power is abundant, nuclear power contributes even more to efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
At the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the first nuclear power project in the Arab world, three of its four units have started commercial operations.
Once the fourth reactor is operational, the plant will generate 5.6 GW of clean energy, providing 25% of the UAE ’ s electricity needs.
The UAE has also succeeded in introducing wind energy on a large scale in its diverse energy sources by launching the UAE Wind Energy Program, where wind farms are located in three locations in Abu Dhabi and one in Fujairah, with a production capacity sufficient to power more than 23,000 homes annually.
Low-emission hydrogen is expected to play a key role in the UAE ’ s renewable energy portfolio, as the country prepares to strengthen its leadership in the production and export of low-emission hydrogen, with a target of 1.4 million metric tons per year by 2031 and 15 million metric tons per year by 2050.
In line with the UAE ’ s National Hydrogen Strategy announced in July 2023, it will establish two hydrogen-producing oases by 2031 and increase the number to five by 2050.
There are also plans to establish a dedicated hydrogen research, development and innovation centre.
The UAE has made significant progress in this area by entering into a number of important partnerships, with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four Dutch companies to develop a green hydrogen supply chain between Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam.
ADNOC also sent its first shipment of hydrogen ammonia to Germany in October 2022 as part of a landmark agreement between the UAE and Germany to increase energy security, decarbonize and tackle climate change.
At the same time, the UAE is developing its infrastructure to facilitate the manufacture of clean hydrogen.
This includes ADNOC ’ s plans to build a world-class blue ammonia plant in the Tamkeen industrial zone and chemicals hub in Ruwais.
This is in addition to the agreement signed by Abu Dhabi-based VertiGlobe, a joint venture between ADNOC and USSI, registered in the Netherlands, with Masdar and France to develop a competitively priced green hydrogen production facility in Ruwais with a potential capacity of up to 2 MW scheduled for operation by 2025.
Domestically, the UAE is making significant progress in meeting its energy needs, but its vision for a sustainable future transcends its borders.
In 2022 alone, the UAE allocated nearly $36 billion in foreign direct investment to renewable energy projects around the world.
Since its launch in 2006, Masdar has invested or committed to investing in projects around the world worth more than $30 billion.
These investments include the partnership agreement it recently signed with Egypt to build a 10GW wind farm, which is expected to become one of the largest projects in its class.
In addition to producing 47,790 gigawatts of clean energy annually, the farm will create 100,000 jobs during construction and 3,200 more once the project is completed.
It will contribute a 42% share of Egypt ’ s diverse energy sources by 2035 and help save $5 billion a year in natural gas costs.
Masdar also formed a new consortium to build a $1 billion solar power plant in Saudi Arabia after signing a power purchase agreement with EDF Renewables, Nesma and Saudi Power Purchase Company.
Under the agreement, the consortium will develop the 1,100-megawatt (MW) Hannakiya solar power plant, which, when completed, will power more than 190,000 homes a year and avoid the release of more than 1.8 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
While the UAE ’ s ambitious clean energy projects have proven to have a significant impact on reducing emissions, the country ’ s expansion of its clean and diverse energy sources promotes the development of sustainable development on a larger scale, creating jobs, increasing access to clean, affordable, reliable and safe energy, and paving the way towards a thriving sustainable economy.
Minister of Energy and Infrastructure
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The UAE has invested $163.5 billion in clean energy over 30 years, aims for net zero emissions by 2050, and is advancing smart grids and storage to integrate variable renewables. [12].

Title:

Content: The first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa
Dubai Electricity Launches Automated Smart Grid Restoration System
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Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched the first automated smart grid restoration system in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to increase the control, management and monitoring of the power grid remotely and around the clock without any human intervention.
The system relies on intelligent and innovative centralized systems to automatically locate, isolate and restore power grids, improving grid automation, fault detection, isolation and service recovery, and supporting DEWA ’ s efforts to continue providing reliable, reliable and efficient supplies.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, stressed that DEWA is sparing no effort to raise the capacity, efficiency and readiness of the electricity transmission network in Dubai to meet the future needs of customers, developers and business sectors, relying on the latest smart technologies, as part of DEWA ’ s efforts to promote digital transformation in all its service and operational operations.
Al Tayer added: “We are working within the framework of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to provide an advanced and integrated electricity and water infrastructure to meet the growing demand and meet the needs of sustainable development in Dubai.
The smart network is a key component of TRA ’ s strategy to develop an advanced infrastructure to manage facilities and services through smart and interconnected systems based on disruptive technologies and the latest technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
DEWA ’ s smart grid program, with a total investment of AED 7 billion, is in line with His Highness ’ directives to be the smartest and happiest city in the world, and supports Dubai ’ s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Dubai ’ s Carbon Neutrality Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.
As a result of its efforts to adopt the latest technologies in the production, transmission and distribution of energy, DEWA became one of the most distinguished and leading institutions in the world. In 2021, DEWA achieved a new world record in the average power outage per subscriber, with Dubai recording an average of 1.43 minutes per subscriber, compared to 15 minutes for selected electricity companies in the European Union.
DEWA also succeeded in reducing the loss of electricity transmission and distribution networks in Dubai to 3.3% compared to 6-7% in Europe and the United States. ”
Hussain Lootah, Executive Vice President, Power Transmission Sector, DEWA, said that the smart grid is a reinvention of power transmission, distribution and measurement methods, as it has become the new standard for service organizations and consumers.
The automation of the smart network is one of the main governance axes that ensures the smooth, fast and efficient operation of the smart network of the Authority.
Lootah pointed out that the total value of the Authority ’ s investments in electricity transmission projects between 2021 and 2024 amounts to 10 billion dirhams, of which 2 billion dirhams are for the main transmission projects with a voltage of 400 kV and 8 billion dirhams are for the main transmission projects with a voltage of 132 kV.
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DEWA’s smart grid program has invested AED 7 billion, introduced automated restoration, and achieved world-class reliability as the UAE scales solar. [45].

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Dubai records world’s lowest electricity Customer Minutes Lost (CML)

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Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), announced that DEWA has achieved the lowest electricity Customer Minutes Lost (the total number of minutes called CML, during which customers experience a power outage) in the world in 2023.

DEWA recorded just 1.06 minutes per customer, breaking its record of 1.19 minutes per customer in 2022. This is compared to around 15 minutes recorded by leading utility companies in the European Union.

“Following the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we continue to develop the energy and water infrastructure in Dubai. We take pride in DEWA’s contributions to the UAE and Dubai’s global accomplishments. DEWA has achieved the lowest electricity CML in the world, of just 1.06 minutes per customer yearly. This is the accumulation of DEWA’s efforts in innovation and managing facilities and services through a smart and integrated smart grid.

This utilises the latest disruptive technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, energy storage, Internet of Things, and others. This contributes to providing electricity and water services according to the highest standards of availability, reliability, efficiency, and sustainability.

This also enhances DEWA’s agility, resilience, and readiness to keep pace with the increasing demand for electricity and water in Dubai to provide the best facilities for the best city in the world,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.

Al Tayer highlighted that the Smart Grid that DEWA is implementing, with total investments of AED 7 billion, is one of the tools that contributed to this achievement. The smart grid provides advanced features that include automated decision-making capabilities and interoperability across the entire electricity and water network to ensure smooth, fast, and efficient operation.

Among the programmes launched by DEWA under the umbrella of the smart grid is an Automatic Smart Grid Restoration System, the first of its kind in the MENA region, to increase the control, management, and monitoring of its power network. The system works around the clock without any human intervention. It uses a smart, innovative, and central system that locates the fault in the power network, isolates it, and automatically restores the service.

This improves grid automation, fault detection and retrieval of connections. It also supports DEWA’s efforts to maintain power supply according to the highest standards of reliability, accountability, and efficiency.

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The solar park integrates large-scale storage including 5,907 MWh of thermal energy storage enabling up to 15 hours of dispatchability. [37].

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Content: Advertisements
Dubai Electricity launches a pilot project to store energy using lithium-ion batteries
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched a pilot project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to store energy using Tesla ’ s Li-ion battery systems with a storage capacity of 1.21 MW, a capacity of 8.61 MWh and a life span of up to 10 years.
HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, said: “The project is part of DEWA ’ s efforts to diversify energy sources and enhance energy storage technologies. It aims to assess the technical and economic capabilities and characteristics of this technology within the operational framework of solar photovoltaic power plants and to test the role of this technology in integrating clean energy and storage to achieve maximum efficiency and reliability. ”
Al Tayer pointed out that the Authority is working on other storage projects, including the use of concentrated solar energy in the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which combines concentrated solar energy and solar photovoltaic technologies with a capacity of 950 MW and will include the largest solar storage capacity in the world for 15 hours, which will allow the production of power 24 hours. In the Arabian Gulf region, electricity will be produced using water stored in the Hatta Dam with a storage capacity of 1,500 MWh; and the Green Hydrogen project, implemented by DEWA in collaboration with Expo 2020 Dubai and Siemens Energy, is the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa to produce green hydrogen using solar energy at the R & D facilities of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
Waleed bin Salman, Executive Vice President, Business Development and Excellence Sector, pointed out that this is the second project launched by the Authority at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, where it launched the first project in cooperation with Amplex Emirates to install and test NaS systems with a storage capacity of 1.2 MW and a capacity of 7.5 MWh.
He explained that the two pilot projects allow the storage of energy from the electricity grid or from solar power stations with the connection of storage systems to the TRA network.

Saudi Arabia targets 50% of electricity from renewables by 2030 and has announced carbon neutrality for 2060. [63].

Title:

Content: World Future Energy Summit to focus on providing ‘sustainability blueprint’

The three-day event will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from January 16 to January 18

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The 2023 World Future Energy Summit aims to provide a “crucial sustainability blueprint” amid a global focus on the energy transition and measures to boost investment in the renewables sector.

Energy industry leaders and policymakers from around the world will participate in the three-day event at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from January 16 to January 18, organisers said on Wednesday.

The summit is the centrepiece of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a global initiative championed by the UAE and Abu Dhabi's clean energy company Masdar to hasten sustainable development and advance economic, social, and environmental progress.

“This event has evolved just as the energy sector and our economies are transitioning,” said Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

“It has now morphed into the Middle East’s most important industry gathering, of which clean energy and infrastructure are key components.”

Countries in the Middle East such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman and Egypt are boosting investment in the clean energy sector.

The UAE is investing Dh600 billion ($163.5bn) in clean and renewable energy projects over the next three decades as it aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

It is building the world’s largest solar plant with a capacity of two gigawatts in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region that is expected to be ready next year, as well as the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park in Dubai with a capacity of five gigawatts.

Saudi Arabia, the Arab world’s largest economy, also announced a number of new renewable energy projects as it seeks to become carbon neutral by 2060.

Egypt, the most populous country in the Arab world, aims to derive 42 per cent of its electricity mix from renewable sources by 2035. The North African country is hosting Cop27 next month.

“This newly transitioned event profile is in the right place at the right time, underlining a much-needed shift towards reaching our clean energy goals, as well as achieving sustainable governance and adopting consumption and [the] production of natural energy methods that ensure the quality of life for current and future generations,” Mr Al Mazrouei said.

Renewable energy investment continued to rise amid green transition efforts globally. Capital investments in renewables are set to surpass oil and gas spending for the first time in 2022 as high power prices prompt countries to further diversify their energy mix, according to a report by Rystad Energy.

Investment in renewable energy is set to hit $494bn in 2022, outstripping upstream oil and gas spending at $446bn for the year, the Oslo-based energy consultancy said this month.

In addition to the focus on energy, water, eco-waste, solar, smart cities, climate and the environment, next year's event will also preside over the launch of a dedicated hydrogen innovation centre as demand for the clean fuel picks up globally amid green transition efforts, organisers said.

The event takes place at a time when the UAE is preparing to host Cop28 next year.

Updated: October 19, 2022, 10:41 AM
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Major projects include the 2,060 MW Shuaiba 2 solar plant in Makkah with a $1.75 billion investment and a 35‑year contract, expected to supply about 350,000 homes.

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Content: Saudi Arabia...
Signing an agreement to build the largest solar power plant in the Middle East and North Africa
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ACWA Power and BADIL, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), have signed an agreement to build the largest solar power plant in the Middle East and North Africa in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement published by the Water and Electricity Holding Company "BADIL", the production capacity of the project is 2060 megawatts, and will be held in Shuaiba in the Makkah region.
The company said that the project will be jointly owned by BADIL and ACWA Power at a rate of 50% each, through the establishment of a joint company for the development of the project under the name of "Shuaiba II Electric Power Company".
BADIL and ACWA Power will build, own and operate Shuaiba 2 and sell electricity through it to Saudi Power Purchase, which, when fully completed, will supply 350,000 residential units with electricity.
Shuaiba 2 is ACWA Power ’ s sixth solar power plant in the Kingdom, while ACWA Power ’ s local portfolio includes 13 power generation, water desalination and green hydrogen production plants.
ACWA Power announced yesterday that it has signed a power purchase agreement for the largest solar PV plant in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Shuaiba II Solar PV Plant in Makkah, with a production capacity of 2060 MW worth $1.75 billion.
She explained that the contract period is 35 years, indicating that the Shuaiba II solar PV plant will be developed, financed, built, owned and operated with a production capacity of 2060 MW.
Source: Saudi Media
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The 1.17 GW Al Kahfa Solar Power Plant uses advanced tracking systems to boost output, and Sudair incorporates 450 MW of Nextracker technology. [75].

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Content: | | |
Press Release
Using Nextracker ’ s solar tracking technologies and 450MW TrueCapture technology to develop Saudi Arabia ’ s largest solar power plant, Sudair Solar
Advanced Nextracker technologies play key role in meeting Sudair ’ s low cost solar production target
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 28, 2022 / PRNewswire / — Nextracker has announced that it has been selected to provide 450 MW of intelligent solar tracking systems and TrueCapture machine learning technologies as part of the first phase of the Sudair Solar Power Project, one of the world ’ s largest solar power plants, the largest of its kind under construction in Sudair Industrial City, Saudi Arabia.
With the completion of the project, the plant will provide the highest level of production efficiency to meet the energy needs of 185,000 residential units and reduce carbon emissions by 2.9 million tons annually.
Nextracker is known for its extensive experience and global leadership in solar systems and innovative solar tracking technologies that maximize the production capacity of solar power plants. Nextracker is certified by several independent bodies and highly acclaimed certified engineers.
Employing Nextracker solar tracking with TrueCapture technology will transform the energy efficiency and production capacity of Sudair Solar.
The Sudair solar project was developed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) through BADIL, a wholly owned subsidiary of PIF, in partnership with Saudi Aramco and ACWA Power.
Strategic Alliance partners have agreed to assign all engineering, procurement and construction work to global renewable energy specialist Larsen & Toubro (L & T).
Kashif Rana, CFO and Acting Head of Portfolio Management at ACWA Power, said: “As one of the largest solar power plants in the world, the Sudair Solar Power Plant is a key pillar in achieving Saudi Arabia ’ s goals of net zero carbon emissions by 2060, as well as generating half of the Kingdom ’ s energy from renewable sources by 2030.
Nextracker is a key partner for us at this stage by providing high efficiency solar energy production technologies at the lowest possible cost. ”
Marco Garcia, Head of Commercial Affairs at Nextracker, said: “Optimal use of solar tracking systems and TrueCapture technology significantly increases solar energy production in desert-themed power plants, thanks to the Earth ’ s whiteness and brightness of the desert environment.
Throughout our experience in developing solar power plants, these factors have contributed to a positive impact on the total energy produced, bringing added value to our customers at the lowest energy cost. ”
L & T has issued the supply decision to Nextracker, which specializes in solar tracking systems and TrueCapture technologies, as part of the first phase of the Sudair solar project.
Nextracker technologies aim to enable solar panels in power plants to track the movement of the sun as it moves, to maximize the rate of energy production unlike other applications installed on the ground.
Garcia also stressed the importance of cooperation and coordination with local manufacturers to meet the iron and steel requirements of the Sudair project, which will contribute significantly to the strengthening of the national economy.
Nextracker is collaborating with leading iron and steel manufacturers in Saudi Arabia to install and implement solar energy projects in the Kingdom, as well as exporting steel to support the development of solar energy projects around the world.
In 2021, Nextracker exported more than 20,000 tons of Saudi steel worth over SAR 112.5 million (US $30 million) to help support the installation of NX Horizon ™ and NX Gemini ™ smart solar tracking technology in new solar power plants in many countries. The 405MW Nextracker at the Sakaka Independent Solar Power Plant in Al Jawf, Saudi Arabia, also developed by ACWA Power and its alliance partners, installed around 14,000 tonnes of steel, which accounts for more than 45% of the total value of the trackers.
The Sudair solar project is part of Saudi Arabia ’ s National Renewable Energy Program (NREP), which aims to achieve 58.7 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030, with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) committed to developing 70% of the Kingdom ’ s renewable energy generation capacity.
The project is being developed over an area of approximately 30 square kilometers southeast of Majmaah city in Riyadh.
Installation of Nextracker solar tracking technologies is expected to begin during the second quarter of 2022.
About Nextracker
Nextracker is a leader in the development of intelligent and integrated solar tracking systems and software solutions that are used at the utility level and installed on the ground for solar power generation worldwide.
The company ’ s products aim to enable solar panels in utility-scale power plants to track the movement of the sun as it moves across the sky, and improve plant performance.
With over 50 GW worldwide, Nextracker has led the solar industry with its solar tracking technology, which can improve and increase plant capacity while reducing costs to maximize return on investment.
For more information about Nextracker, please visit www.Nextracker.com.
You can follow the news of the company through its accounts on: Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook
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The Iran News Gazette is mainly concerned with news and information about the Arab region and also covers international issues.
Its main objective is to provide reliable and verified information on the Arab region for publishing on the digital landscape.

Saudi Arabia is localizing the solar supply chain, with JinkoSolar investing 7.157 billion yuan to build 10 GW of high‑efficiency batteries and TCL Central planning a 20 GW wafer project worth 15.1 billion yuan.

Title:

Content: Land solar energy investment set off the "Middle East fever" total amount of nearly 100 billion
China's new energy investment set off the "Middle East fever", solar industry giants Jingke Energy, TCL Central almost at the same time announced cooperation with Saudi Arabia (Saudi Arabia) sovereign fund solar projects, a total investment of about 3 billion US dollars (about NT $97.5 billion).
In addition, inverter giant Sunlight Power announced the successful signing of the world's largest energy storage project with Saudi company ALGIHAZ, with a capacity of up to 7.8GWh.
Analysts pointed out that the above case means that in addition to the continued investment of Middle East funds in the mainland, in the solar industry is subject to overcapacity criticism, mainland funds choose to go to the Middle East to develop the solar industry.
Founded in 1971, PIF is one of the largest and most influential sovereign renewable wealth funds in the world. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, RELC, is one of the largest and most influential renewable wealth funds in the world. and a leader in green energy technology manufacturing.
Founded in 2021 by two major conglomerates, Abunayyan and Al Muhaidib, VI aims to build a new energy industry chain manufacturing capacity in Saudi Arabia to meet the huge demand for new energy in the Middle East and the world, and is an investor and developer of green energy industrial projects to support the localization of supply chains.
Among them, JinkoSolar ’ s joint venture company plans to set up a joint venture company in Saudi Arabia to build 10GW of high-efficiency batteries and components, with a total investment of 7.157 billion yuan.
JinkoSolar has a market share of more than 50% in the Middle East in 2023, including more than 70% in Saudi Arabia.
The joint venture company of TCL Central has an annual output of 20 GW of solar wafer projects in Saudi Arabia, with a total investment of about RMB15.1 billion.
It is also TCL ’ s first overseas solar wafer factory in Central.
After the project is launched, it will become the first solar wafer project in Saudi Arabia and the largest wafer factory in the world.
Vision Group ’ s joint venture will manufacture wind turbines and critical components locally. Helping Saudi wind power value chain achieve 75% localized production by 2030.
And Vision is the global wind power leader, overseas wind orders for two consecutive years accounted for 70% of the orders of mainland China's wind power enterprises.
At the same time, Sunlight Power also announced three sites in the Middle East energy storage project, in the Najran, Madaya and Khamis Mushait regions of Saudi Arabia, with deliveries starting in 2024 and full capacity grid operation in 2025.
However, Sun Power did not disclose the contract amount in the announcement.
TCL Middle East Wealth
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The Kingdom is also pairing clean power with storage, including a 400 MW PV plus 1,300 MWh battery system for the Red Sea Project, while advancing green hydrogen at NEOM with 2.2 GW of renewables producing 600 tons of hydrogen per day. [39].

Title:

Content: It produces 600 tons of green hydrogen per day.
NEOM is preparing to launch the largest photovoltaic power plant in the Middle East
Thursday 10 August 2023 9: 57 AM
The Citizen - Translated by Hala Abdulrahman
NEOM Green Hydrogen Company plans to produce 600 tons of environmentally friendly gas per day, generating a demand of at least 4 watts of solar PV and wind power, as the management of the mega project contracted with a Chinese company to ensure that the plant is fully operational on a daily basis.
NEOM deal with a Chinese company
In a statement, China ’ s Sungrow announced that it has signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro to supply inverters for the 2.2GW solar PV plant, the largest utility-scale single-site solar PV plant in the Middle East, designed to power the NEOM Green Hydrogen Production Project in Saudi Arabia by the NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC).
The NEOM project will produce carbon-free hydrogen using renewable energy sources from wind and solar power to produce up to 600 tonnes per day of green hydrogen by the end of 2026.
The project will mark a milestone in Saudi Arabia ’ s progress towards achieving Vision 2030 and creating a clean and sustainable energy future.
NEOM Green Hydrogen Package Details
Sungrow is heavily involved in the NEOM green hydrogen project, and earlier Sungrow signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro to supply 400 MWh energy storage systems that include 536 MWh / 600 MWh DC capacity for the NEOM project.
Sungrow ’ s supply of 2.2GW Sungrow 1 + X Modular Inverter for the solar PV plant is a strong contribution of its kind to a historic and giant project such as the NEOM Green Hydrogen Project.
NEOM Green Hydrogen Project Objectives
NGHC ’ s giant Neom Hydrogen plant in Oxagan, Saudi Arabia, is expected to produce up to 600 tonnes per day of carbon-free hydrogen by the end of 2026, and will supply 4 watts of wind, solar and battery power, using more than 2 gigawatts of hydrogen electrolysis.
The project is the cornerstone of Saudi Arabia ’ s Vision 2030 project, which promises investments of up to $500 billion to build a linear city called Neom, 170 kilometers east of the Red Sea.
Importance of NEOM for Europe and Asia
The NGHC aims to produce green hydrogen on a large scale for global export in the form of green ammonia with a total investment of $8.4 billion.
Supported by 23 local, regional and international banking and financial institutions, the project achieved a full financial closure in May 2022, leading to the award of long-term contracts.
Saudi Arabia also has sun and air, infrastructure, ports and geographical proximity to Asian countries, as well as fossil fuels, which are an important component of hydrogen production, making it Asia ’ s preferred customer for green hydrogen.
Europe also needs 20 million tons of green hydrogen annually, of which at least 10 million tons are imported from outside the European Union, according to the latest European studies.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia generate the cheapest electricity from solar power, with Saudi Arabia’s first wind farm tariff at 2.13 cents per kilowatt-hour highlighting broader regional cost competitiveness.

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Content: The Middle East and North Africa have significant investments in wind energy
The Middle East and North Africa have significant investments in wind energy
Renewable energy throughout the Middle East and North Africa is usually talked about from one point of view: the sun shining strongly on the region ’ s deserts.
Solar energy is indeed a great source of energy and is designed to power equipment and appliances, but wind also blows through the plains, hills and seas of the Middle East, and megaprojects harness the power of wind and turn it into energy.
Political analyst Robin Mills says the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region actually started using modern wind energy on a commercial scale a decade before using solar power, with projects in Morocco, Egypt, Israel and in Tafileh in Jordan, where the turbines are slowly spinning near the ancient fortress of Karak.
The cheapest electricity in the world is generated from solar power in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and global projects such as the largest single-site solar farm in Al Dhafra in Abu Dhabi, with a power of 2 GW, and two of the largest multi-project sites, the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park in Dubai (5 GW) and Banban in Egypt (1.8 GW), can also be installed. solar on a smaller scale on the shelves of homes and factories.
Despite the lack of consistency unlike Northwest Europe, there are excellent wind resources in the MENA region.
Winds are blowing in southern Morocco and the areas around the Gulf of Suez and Aqaba in Egypt, Jordan, northwestern Saudi Arabia, southern Egypt and the southeastern coast of Oman.
Parts of Libya, southern Tunisia, the Algerian desert, inland Iran and Kuwait also experience strong winds, and in contrast to most parts of Europe, the region has open spaces where the construction of wind stations will not be rejected by some segments of society.
Egypt, which hosted the COP27, benefits from having projects that produce 1.59 GW currently installed, 0.75 GW under construction and 1.6 GW planned, and has signed a series of projects in recent weeks, which have included memorandums of understanding with Norwegian developer Skatek for 5 GW, with UAE clean energy company Masdar for 10 GW, and with Saudi energy development company Aqua for 10 GW.
It will be the second largest wind farm in the world, and the largest is Gansu, which produces 20 gigawatts in China.
Aqua is already building a 1.1 GW wind farm at Jebel Zeit on the Gulf of Suez, which will be the largest in the region when it comes into operation in late 2026, with Egypt ’ s total projected production capacity of 24 GW, the seventh largest national capacity in the world according to current figures.
In addition, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Morocco and Mauritania will need huge wind farms to build their planned green hydrogen projects, which use renewable electricity to analyze water with electricity.
Under MENA conditions, wind power is likely to be more expensive than solar, even if Saudi Arabia gets a very competitive tariff of 2.13 cents per kilowatt-hour for its first wind farm in Dumat al-Jandal (which was the lowest solar contract in the region at 1.03 cents per kilowatt-hour).
Wind power also takes longer to build, and production cannot be predicted after a few days.
But wind has many advantages: it is clear that it often blows at night more strongly than during the day, making it complementary to solar energy.
This is especially useful in hot early autumn evenings, when people need air conditioning even after sunset.
Solar energy in the region has achieved a capacity factor, which is the average output of the source as a proportion of its peak output, and is about 20 percent over the year, allowing work at night and different seasons, Egyptian wind power manages 53 percent, and solar and wind power in the best locations can have a combined capacity factor of more than 70 percent.
And there are still some vital questions about the location of turbines and mega projects planned in Egypt?
Wind lanes around Sinai are relatively confined and surrounded by mountains, and areas to the south on the Red Sea coast, or inland areas with difficult logistical hurdles, will have to be considered.
And will the region venture out and explore offshore wind power, as Northwest Europe has successfully done?
There are stronger and more consistent winds, and much more room to develop them, albeit at higher costs.
Will current project announcements overlap with green hydrogen projects?
If this is done, the wind requirements will be much greater, and will provoke competition for good sites and equipment.
Can countries in the Middle East and North Africa that are less exposed to wind power, particularly the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain, benefit economically from improved turbines for slower wind speeds?
Will other wind-blowing countries with low energy, such as Iraq, Kuwait, Libya and Tunisia, start adopting this technology?
If those questions can be answered with a yes, the spinning turbines and shimmering solar panels in the Middle East and North Africa will become a symbol of the region ’ s shift to clean energy.
arabic

Egypt has around 1.9 GW of solar capacity today and targets 42% renewable electricity by 2035.

The Benban solar complex is one of the region’s largest, with a capacity of about 2,000 MW, anchoring Egypt’s solar build-out.

Title:

Content: Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
I'm sorry.
Mohamad Elbaz
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Editors
I'm sorry.
Mohamad Elbaz
First in the area.
How has Egypt become one of the largest sources of renewable energy?
Egypt has sought to diversify its energy mix in recent years, especially renewable and clean energy sources, which has placed it in a leading position in the renewable energy sector in the region, and is making strides towards leading the region in green hydrogen as it has previously sought to lead in the renewable energy sector. Egypt ’ s Sustainable Climate Change Strategy 2050 enables the country to plan and manage climate change at different levels through a flexible and low-carbon approach.
Renewable Energy
Egypt aims to reach 42% of its renewable energy capacity by 2035, including 14% wind power, 21% solar photovoltaics, hydropower and concentrated solar power, and has already succeeded in raising the share of renewable energy in electricity generation capacity to about 20% by 2022.
Wind Energy
In terms of wind capacity, Egypt has three large wind farms, including the largest wind farms in the region, the Jabal al-Zeit plant, located in the Jabal al-Zeit area on an area of   100 kilometers, as part of a range of renewable energy projects all the way from Cairo to the Red Sea, passing through Zafarana, Hurghada and other Egyptian cities.
The first project of the plant includes about 120 wind turbines with a capacity of 240 MW, and connect about 100 of them to the national electricity network, while the second project includes 110 turbines, with a capacity of 220 MW, and the third phase 60 turbines to the electricity network, with a capacity of 120 MW.
Solar Energy
In terms of solar energy, Egypt has launched a number of vital projects, including the Benban solar power plant in Aswan governorate, which is the largest solar power plant in Africa and the Middle East, which will become the largest in the world once completed, and one of the largest investment projects in the clean energy sector, where 90% of the energy produced will be generated from the High Dam.
The project aims to produce 2,000 megawatts of electricity, and the size of the solar panels used in the plant is about 200,000 solar panels that produce 50 megawatts of clean energy, enough to light 70,000 homes.
The volume of energy generated from the already implemented solar projects is about 1808 MW, and projects are underway to provide another 720 MW.
Egypt ranked first in the Arab region to produce electricity from wind and solar power, with production rates of around 3.5 GW and a target of around 6.8 GW by 2024.

Policy incentives under Electricity Law No. 87 of 2015 include tax exemptions, feed-in tariffs, streamlined licensing, and subsidized land allocation to attract investors.

Title:

Content: Egypt ’ s move towards renewable energy represents a major shift in its energy policy, reflecting global sustainability trends and local environmental needs.
This detailed analysis explores Egypt ’ s legal framework for renewable energy projects, highlighting growth opportunities and regulatory challenges that must be overcome.
Aspirations for renewable energy and strategic plans
Egypt has set targets looking to increase its renewable energy production in line with global initiatives such as the Paris Agreement to combat climate change, and this commitment is reflected in Egypt ’ s strategic plans, which outline the goals and mechanisms needed to integrate renewable energy into the national electricity grid.
The legal framework governing renewable energy in Egypt
Central to Egypt ’ s renewable energy policy is the Electricity Law No. 87 of 2015 and its subsequent amendments. These legal provisions create a regulated environment for the development and regulation of renewable energy sources. The law gives the Egyptian Electricity Regulatory Authority the authority to oversee and implement regulations, ensuring effective and sustainable management of the sector ’ s growth.
Government incentives and international cooperation
The Egyptian government has provided various incentives under these laws to encourage investment in the renewable energy sector, including tax exemptions, tariff exemptions, and other financial incentives designed to make renewable energy projects more feasible and attractive to investors.
Emerging investment landscape in renewable energy
Egypt ’ s move towards renewable energy has opened up new investment opportunities, especially in the solar and wind sectors, as the liberalization of the energy market has made it accessible to private investors, both local and international. Successful renewable energy projects in Egypt are a testament to the sector ’ s potential, as they provide useful insights into market dynamics and future growth trajectory.
Detailed legal framework for renewable energy
The Electricity Law No. 87 of 2015 and its amendments form the basic legal structure governing the production, distribution and regulation of electricity, including renewable energy. This law defines the roles of various government agencies, such as the Egyptian Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), in overseeing the sector, paving the way for private sector participation and introducing regulatory mechanisms such as feed-in tariffs, which have been effective in attracting investments.
Renewable Energy Law and Investment Law
Egypt ’ s Renewable Energy Law and Investment Law form an important part of the state ’ s approach to advancing the renewable energy sector, and the Renewable Energy Law specifically addresses the development, promotion and use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydropower.
It also provides a legal framework for various renewable energy initiatives, detailing the responsibilities of both public and private entities involved in the production and distribution of renewable energy, and plays a key role in establishing regulatory mechanisms, including the establishment of feed-in tariffs, which are designed to offer attractive prices for renewable energy that feeds the national grid, thus stimulating private investment.
The Investment Law, especially Law No. 72 of 2017, complements the Renewable Energy Law by providing a set of financial incentives to promote investment in the renewable energy sector, including tax exemptions, where new investments in renewable energy can be exempted from certain taxes for a specific period.
In addition, the law provides for lower tax rates on profits generated by renewable energy projects, making these projects more financially attractive, and other benefits under the investment law may include exemptions from customs duties and other fees on equipment and machinery imported for use in renewable energy projects.
Together, these laws aim to create a supportive and financially viable environment for renewable energy projects and encourage local and international investors to participate in Egypt ’ s renewable energy sector. The government ’ s focus is not only to increase renewable energy production, but also to ensure that these projects contribute to sustainable economic growth and environmental conservation.
Regulatory Challenges and Bureaucratic Obstacles
Despite the supportive legal framework, developers often face challenges in dealing with the bureaucratic landscape, where the process of obtaining licenses and approvals can be complex, involve multiple government bodies and rigorous environmental assessments, and delays in these processes can hinder project timelines and affect the overall viability of renewable energy projects.
Andersen Egypt has expertise in liaising with government bodies and obtaining the necessary permits and approvals for large-scale renewable energy projects.
Environmental impact assessments and approvals
Despite the supportive legal framework, developers often face challenges in dealing with the bureaucratic landscape, where the process of obtaining licenses and approvals can be complex, involve multiple government bodies and rigorous environmental assessments, and delays in these processes can hinder project timelines and affect the overall viability of renewable energy projects.
Andersen Egypt has expertise in liaising with government bodies and obtaining the necessary permits and approvals for large-scale renewable energy projects.
Environmental impact assessments and approvals
Despite the supportive legal framework, developers often face challenges in dealing with the bureaucratic landscape, where the process of obtaining licenses and approvals can be complex, involve multiple government bodies and rigorous environmental assessments, and delays in these processes can hinder project timelines and affect the overall viability of renewable energy projects.
Andersen Egypt has expertise in liaising with government bodies and obtaining the necessary permits and approvals for large-scale renewable energy projects.
Environmental impact assessments and approvals
EIA ensures that environmental considerations are integrated into project planning and implementation. Obtaining approval for EIA can be a major hurdle, and requires thorough documentation and adherence to environmental standards.
Incentives to develop renewable energy
The Egyptian government offers several incentives to encourage the development of renewable energy in Egypt. These include tax incentives, duty exemptions and preferential tariffs under the “feed-in tariff ” system. These incentives aim to ease the financial burden on developers and make renewable energy projects more economically viable.
The following incentives can also be applied to large-scale renewable energy projects in Egypt:
A feed-in tariff system (FiTs) is a system of prices set by the Egyptian government that allows producers to sell renewable energy to the national grid, providing long-term contracts and ensuring a stable and predictable revenue stream for renewable energy projects.
• Tax incentives: Reductions in corporate income tax rates, exemptions from customs duties and sales taxes on imported renewable energy equipment, and other tax-related benefits are available to encourage investment in renewable energy
• Government subsidies and grants: direct financial contributions to reduce the initial capital costs of establishing renewable energy projects.
Land allocation: The government may offer land at subsidized prices or on special terms for the construction of renewable energy facilities, especially in areas with high renewable energy potential.
Regulatory support: Simplified approval and licensing procedures help reduce bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate the implementation of renewable energy projects.
Opportunities in the Renewable Energy Sector
Egypt ’ s evolving legal and regulatory environment offers significant opportunities for growth in the renewable energy sector. The government ’ s commitment to increasing renewable energy production has opened up prospects for investment, especially in solar and wind power. The sector ’ s potential is further enhanced by Egypt ’ s geographical advantages, such as high solar radiation and favorable wind conditions.
Challenges in Egypt ’ s Renewable Energy Sector
Dealing with the regulatory environment for renewable energy projects in Egypt poses many challenges.
They include:
Complex approval processes: Obtaining the necessary permits and approvals can be time-consuming and complex, involving multiple government bodies.
Infrastructure Development: Adequate infrastructure is still being developed to support renewable energy projects, including grid connectivity.
Despite government incentives, securing financing for renewable energy projects can be difficult due to anticipated risks and high upfront costs.
Market volatility: The renewable energy market is subject to fluctuations in technology costs, global energy prices and policy changes, which may affect the viability of the project.
• Technological advancements: Keeping pace with rapid technological advances in renewable energy while complying with regulatory standards is a major challenge.
Opportunities for growth and development
Despite these challenges, Egypt ’ s renewable energy sector offers many opportunities:
Government support and incentives: Strong government support for renewable energy, manifested in its legal framework and incentives, creates an enabling environment for growth.
Geographical advantages: Egypt ’ s geographical location provides an abundance of solar and wind energy resources, making it an ideal location for renewable energy projects.
• Private sector participation: The liberalization of the energy market has opened doors for private sector investment, both domestically and internationally.
• Sustainable Development Goals: In line with global sustainability goals, renewable energy projects in Egypt contribute to environmental conservation and economic diversification.
• Job creation and economic growth: The renewable energy sector has the potential to create jobs and stimulate economic growth, contributing to the overall development of Egypt.
Concluding remarks
The Egyptian legal framework for renewable energy projects, which is characterized by a mixture of opportunities and challenges, is a reflection of the country ’ s commitment to sustainable energy development, and although dealing with the regulatory trend may be complicated, the potential rewards and opportunities to achieve the desired goals are great.
As Egypt continues to improve its legal and regulatory environment, maintaining flexibility will be key for companies looking to take advantage of opportunities in this dynamic sector.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter.
Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Egypt has signed $83 billion of renewable agreements aiming for 100 GW of renewables in ten years and is expanding cross-border integration via a 3,000 MW HVDC link with Saudi Arabia. [20].

Title:

Content: Advertisements
Important information about the electrical connection between Egypt and Saudi Arabia
We publish to you in the following lines important details and information about the project of electrical interconnection between the two largest electricity generation networks in the Arab world between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which allows the possibility of selling energy to the Gulf countries in the future, and the total cost of the project is $800 billion, of which the Egyptian side bears 8 billion pounds.
It is expected that the electricity interconnection project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, when put into operation, will achieve a number of common benefits for the two countries, including:
- Strengthening the reliability and stability of national electrical networks.
- Take advantage of its available generating capacities and time differences at peak electrical loads.
Regarding the information related to the electricity interconnection project between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, here are the following:
The project represents a strong link between Egypt and Saudi Arabia with a total capacity of 150,000 MW.
The total capacity generated by the Egyptian and Saudi electricity networks represents 38% of the total energy produced in the Arab world.
The total capacity of the connection line between Egypt and Saudi Arabia is 3000 megawatts with 500 kV HVDC technology.
The project consists of the construction of three high voltage conversion stations, East of the city station, Tabuk station in the Kingdom, and Badr station east of Cairo.
The transformer stations are connected by air transport lines with a length of about 1350 meters and submarine cables in the Gulf of Aqaba with a length of 22 kilometers.
The construction of the electricity link between Egypt and Saudi Arabia takes 42 months from the date of signing the contracts.
7- Operation of the first phase with a capacity of 1500 MW in October 2024.

Oman targets 16% renewables in electricity by 2025 and 30% by 2030, supported by projects like the 607 MW Ibri PV plant generating 1,598 GWh annually and avoiding 340,000 tonnes of CO2. [15].

Title:

Content: To enable Oman Vision 2040, PowerChina sets new standards in renewable energy through the Oman Ibri Solar PV Project
BEIJING, Dec. 22, 2022 / PRNewswire / — Report from haiwainet.cn:
According to a recent World Government Summit report, Oman, Jordan, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria and Morocco have topped the list in achieving 60% of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Oman is promoting global cooperation in renewable energy following the launch of Oman Vision 2040.
In January 2022, Oman ’ s largest renewable energy project, the Oman Ibri Solar PV Project, implemented by PowerChina, was completed.
As the largest solar PV project in Oman at present, it has a installed capacity of 607 MW and annual power generation of 1,598 GWh, which could cover the annual electricity consumption of 50,000 local households.
It is important to secure energy supply and diversify Oman ’ s energy structure.
The construction of a large-scale photovoltaic power plant in the desert needs to take into account not only summer extremes, but also complex geological conditions and dust storm weather.
During the storm, a thick layer of dust will accumulate on the photovoltaic panels, reducing the efficiency of power generation.
To deal with the dust storm, the project team made a groundbreaking attempt – installing intelligent cleaning robots on the panels.
The cleaning robots will automatically clean the dust covered on the panels.
This project combines photoelectric tracking system and automatic cleaning system for the first time, greatly improves power generation efficiency and reduces operation and maintenance costs, and sets new standards for large-scale power plant operation and maintenance in the Middle East.
PowerChina has obtained 41 patents for inventions and utility models, completed one study, and published 8 scientific reports through this project.
At the same time, the clean energy produced by the Oman Ibri solar PV project is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 340,000 tons per year, contributing positively to addressing climate change and achieving carbon neutrality.

Jordan achieved 31% renewables ahead of its 2030 schedule and plans to reach 50%, supported by citizen solar loans at 0% interest. [22].

Title:

Content: Among them Iraq.
5 Arab Countries Leading Solar Energy Support Programs
2023-11-07 | 02: 22
Alsumaria News – Economy
Solar subsidy and loan programs in Arab countries continue at a time when the need for alternative energy sources is acute, as the effects of climate change intensify, and the global energy crisis that began with the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022 intensifies.
Solar energy in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Kuwait receives official support, either through direct legislation approved by the parliaments of these countries, or through loans made available by government and official banks there, or through national and national projects provided by the ministries of energy and electricity, according to the specialized energy platform.
In the coming years, support for solar energy in Arab countries is expected to gain momentum, with many declaring their commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by mid-century and plans to increase the contribution of renewable energy to their electricity mix by 2050.
* Support for solar energy in Jordan
The most prominent support received by solar energy in the Arab countries is that provided by Jordan, through a range of programs supervised by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, as the solar loan project in Jordan witnessed a new step on Sunday, October 29, as part of efforts to motivate citizens to adopt clean energy.
The Agricultural Credit Corporation signed an agreement with the Renewable Energy Promotion Fund to support the second phase of the program to install solar cell systems for farmers to cover the interest on the loans, according to a press release.
* Solar Loans in Jordan
The Minister of Agriculture and Chairman of the Agricultural Lending Corporation, Khalid Al-Hanifat, said that the agreement will reduce the cost of production for farmers, as it targets all animal and plant agricultural activities, as it covers beneficiaries with a ceiling of 20 thousand dinars (28.1 thousand US dollars) without interest.
At the same time, Jordan is preparing for the third phase of the strongest support program witnessed by solar energy in the Arab countries, the installation of solar cells in homes, the second phase of which ended in July 2023, according to information monitored by the specialized energy platform.
This program aims to support the use of solar energy in Jordanian homes, as well as the installation of solar heaters, which will reduce the cost of electricity for citizens, while reducing the energy import bill for the state.
* Solar Loans in Lebanon
As part of the efforts to support solar energy in the Arab countries, the Lebanese effort, which aims to alleviate the energy crisis, is highlighted through an important program to grant solar energy loans, which are an appropriate and sustainable solution to overcome the energy threat, as described by the Lebanese government a year ago.
The installation of solar energy in the homes of Lebanese will solve the crisis of high electricity bills, as these loans are provided to the low- and middle-income by the initiative "Loans to the low- and middle-income", in cooperation with the Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation.
Loans for the installation of solar energy systems and plants in Lebanon range from 75 million to 200 million liras ($2,590 to $6,900) per person, up to a maximum of 80% of the project cost, and at an interest rate of 4.99% per annum, depending on the specialized energy platform.
* Information on Solar Loans in Lebanon
It is noteworthy that the solar energy market in the Arab countries is witnessing increasing growth, especially in Lebanon, which, despite its major crisis, witnessed during 2020 about 313 projects authorized, with a capacity of 14 MW, before this number increased, and the country records 662 applications for the installation of solar plants, during the period from October 2021 to March 2022.
According to the Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation, the installation of solar power plants in Lebanese homes will save citizens the value of high bills, which makes them able to save the value of the loan within two to three years, especially since the repayment is limited to paper lira only.
Solar energy in Egypt
In August 2023, the Committee on Energy and Environment in the Egyptian House of Representatives set a number of rules to increase the number of small household units to consume electricity from solar energy, as part of its recommendations on the Economic and Social Development Plan for 2023-2024.
The Committee stressed the need to develop alternative renewable sources of energy, to take action to mitigate and adapt to climate change and its consequences, while working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the transition to low-carbon vehicles.
Solar energy in Egypt
Prior to these directives, Egypt witnessed one of the strongest solar energy subsidy programs in the Arab countries, with four banks, including government banks, providing loans of large amounts to support the installation of solar energy systems and their stations for homes, through various repayment programs.
HSBC Egypt, one of the largest solar loans in the Arab world, is offering EGP 2 million ($64,675) with a repayment period of about seven years, while QNB is offering a loan of EGP 400,000 ($12,930) for seven years.
Misr State Bank also offers a financing program worth up to EGP 500,000 ($16,168) and a repayment period of up to 10 years, while the Commercial International Bank (CIB) offers a loan worth EGP 350,000 ($11,300) with a repayment period of 5 years.
* Solar energy in Kuwait
As the State of Kuwait prepares to complete new phases of the Shaqaya CSP project, the State continues to encourage citizens to use solar energy in their homes, as part of its drive to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce emissions by mid-century.
The State of Kuwait adopts a unique approach that distinguishes it from all consumers of solar energy in the Arab countries, as it encourages citizens to sell electricity in excess of their consumption to the government, generated from solar panels installed on rooftops.
* Solar energy in Kuwait
According to an analysis by Mordor Intelligence, seen by the specialized energy platform, the solar energy market in Kuwait is expected to register a compound annual growth rate of more than 7%, especially as this market is achieving a significant recovery, despite the damage caused by the outbreak of the Coronavirus three years ago.
Despite this, Kuwait ’ s solar market is not growing in line with expectations, as initial spending is large, and there is a lack of multiple government programs during the forecast period, but over time internal subsidies continue, leaving the country with the most important solar projects in the Arab countries.
At the same time, the Kuwaiti government is working to provide solar energy to citizens by building huge power plants from an inexhaustible renewable source, especially as Kuwait enjoys a very high brightness, which qualifies it to enter this market from its widest doors.
Iraq to finance solar installation
As Iraq faces one of the difficult electricity crises, caused by the lack of Iranian gas supplies, and seeks alternative sources, both external (such as Qatari gas) and internal (such as the tendency to burn gas associated with electricity generation), Baghdad continues to provide one of the most important forms of solar energy subsidies in Arab countries.
In January 2022, the Central Bank of Iraq issued controls to finance electricity generation systems from renewable energy, as the governor of the bank signed the first circular that allows citizens and institutions to buy systems and power plants from solar energy.
Solar energy in Iraq
This initiative is in line with the State ’ s commitment to the decisions of the Paris Climate Conference, as the interest on loans provided to citizens to install solar power plants did not exceed 1%.
While the value of loans ranged between 7 million Iraqi dinars (4 thousand and 800 dollars) for stations 3 kilowatt hours, and one billion dinars (685 thousand dollars) for large projects in residential squares, according to the website of the Central Bank of Iraq.
Source: Energy Platform
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Qatar has integrated an 800 MW solar plant with 1.8 million panels using sun tracking over 10 square kilometers, providing around 10% of peak demand, and is targeting 5 GW of solar by 2035.

Title:

Content: Qatar launches first solar power plant in partnership with France ’ s Total Energy and Japan ’ s Marubeni
Qatar, one of the world ’ s largest producers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), on Tuesday inaugurated its first solar power plant in partnership with France ’ s Total Energy and Japan ’ s Marubeni Group, in a project costing QR1.7 billion (about $466 million).
Minister of State for Energy Affairs and CEO of the state oil company Qatar Energy, Saad bin Sherida al-Kaabi, said the plant, located in Khorasah, west of Doha, is “one of the largest solar power plants in the region. ”
The plant covers an area of 10 square kilometers and includes more than 1.8 million solar panels using the technology of tracking the movement of the sun from east to west, and will be carried out by robots cleaning at night using treated water.
The plant has an installed capacity of 800 megawatts and will provide about 10% of electricity consumption during the peak period.
The plant, which has been operational since June, is owned by a joint venture launched in 2016 between subsidiaries of Qatar Energy Renewable Solutions (60%), Japan ’ s Marubeni (20.4%) and France ’ s Total Energy (19.6%).
Organisers of the 2022 World Cup have made a promise that the tournament in Qatar will be carbon neutral, using solar energy in the stadiums.
But Kaabi told a news conference on Tuesday that he had no information on the matter.
In late August, Qatar, which aims to generate more than 5 gigawatts of solar power by 2035, announced a project to build two solar power plants that would allow it to double its production capacity within two years.
The minister explained that the concrete solar power plant will be “expanded ” by 2035.
But the wealthy emirate ’ s moves are lagging behind compared to the Gulf states.
Saudi Arabia announced this year that it plans to increase its solar capacity to more than 5 gigawatts by 2030, while the UAE has been using solar power plants for nearly a decade.
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The country’s IC Solar project adds 875 MW across two plants, lifting renewable capacity to 1.675 GW.

Title:

Content: Qatar Energy announced on Tuesday that its affiliate QatarEnergy Renewable Solutions, has awarded the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for its Industrial Cities (IC) solar power project to South Korea’s Samsung C&T.

The approximately 2.3 billion Qatari riyal ($632 million) IC Solar project, which consists of two large-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar power plants with a combined capacity of 875 megawatts (MW), is Qatar’s second utility-scale solar project after the 800 MWp Al Kharsaa Solar PV Independent Power Plant (IPP), which is currently under construction.

The project’s power generation capacity is strategically distributed between the two main industrial cities in Qatar, Mesaieed Industrial City (MIC) and Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC), Qatar Energy said in a press statement.

The MIC plant will have a capacity of 417 MW while the one in RLIC will have a capacity of 458 MW, the statement said, adding that the two plants, spread over a combined area of 10 square kilometres, are expected to start electricity production by the end of 2024.

The statement noted that the IC Solar project will increase Qatar’s renewable energy generation capacity to 1.675 gigawatts (GW).

Qatar is targeting 5 GW of solar generated power by 2035.

The statement also said the output of both plants will contribute to the reduction of QatarEnergy’s GHG footprints from its facilities in RLIC and MIC, mainly its NFE and NFS LNG expansion projects, in addition to expanding grid capacity in other locations.

(Writing by SA Kader; Editing by Anoop Menon)

(anoop.menon@lseg.com

Kuwait aims for carbon neutrality by 2060 with a strategy to shift from oil to solar and full adoption of electric vehicles by 2040, complemented by policies allowing citizens to sell excess solar power to the grid. [64].

Integrating high shares of solar requires grid modernization and storage, with batteries essential for regulation and stability across the MENA region.

Engineering is scaling to meet this need, exemplified by a 3.5 GW solar program in the Middle East that includes grid interconnections, substations, and transmission lines.

Title:

Content: L&T Secures Mega Renewable Energy Project in Middle East

Larsen & Toubro's renewable energy division has landed a significant project in the Middle East, entailing the construction of two Gigawatt Scale Solar PV plants. With these new orders, the company’s renewables portfolio is projected to reach a cumulative capacity of 22 GWp.

Devdiscourse News Desk | Updated: 08-07-2024 12:17 IST | Created: 08-07-2024 12:17 IST
  • Country:
  • India

The Renewable energy arm of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has clinched a major energy project in the Middle East, the company announced in an exchange filing on Monday. The project involves building two Gigawatt Scale Solar PV plants with a key developer in the region.

These solar plants will have a combined capacity of 3.5 GW (Gigawatt). The orders also encompass grid interconnections, including pooling substations and overhead transmission lines. Engineering and initial construction work for the project is slated to commence shortly.

Last month, the company announced securing a solar-cum-storage plant project in India. With the addition of these new mega orders from the Middle East, L&T's renewables portfolio is expected to reach 22 GWp (Gigawatt Peak) in cumulative capacity, comprising both solar and wind projects. 'The successive order wins stand as a testament to our engineering and project management capabilities,' noted T Madhava Das, Whole-time Director & Sr Executive VP (Utilities) - L&T.

Larsen & Toubro is a USD 27 billion Indian multinational enterprise engaged in EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing, and Services. 'The Middle East is leading in sustainable energy infrastructure. These orders are valuable additions to our green portfolio as we envision the future with next-generation technologies,' said S N Subrahmanyan, Chairman & Managing Director - L&T.

Shares of the company stood at Rs 3602.45 on Monday at the time of the report filing. (ANI)

(Disclaimer: With inputs from agencies.)

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Dubai’s system investments have reduced transmission losses to 3.3% and achieved extremely low outage minutes, illustrating the role of smart grids in reliable solar integration. [45].

The Middle East aims to lead in green hydrogen, with expected export revenues of about $120–200 billion annually by 2050 and ambitions to capture a significant share of the global hydrogen market. [8].

The UAE seeks a 25% share of the low‑carbon hydrogen market valued at over $400 billion, while Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project achieved financial close for an $8.4 billion green hydrogen plant. [74].

Localization of solar manufacturing and storage in Saudi Arabia through major investments by international firms signals a broader strategy to build post‑oil supply chains and jobs.

Renewable expansion is tied to economic diversification, with the Gulf expected to create around 225,000 renewable energy jobs by 2030 and achieve $138 billion in green transformation savings by the same date. [51].

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Content: Skip to content
Today, August 10, 2022, the world celebrates World Biofuels Day, and the first product was produced by researcher Georges Chavan in Belgium in 1930.
Biofuels are a natural alternative to diesel extracted from oil, and are made from some vegetable oils such as rapeseed, palm, mustard, jatropha, soybeans, as well as animal manure.
Biofuels, especially biodiesel, are a simple solution to the energy needs of all consumer groups.
Biodiesel is a fuel made from raw materials of animal or plant origin that can be used to power mechanical engines.
Biodiesel is characterized by the fact that it does not need to be drilled for extraction, and its use does not lead to catastrophic oil spills, as it occurs frequently and repeatedly in oil exploration in offshore fields, threatening to destroy aquatic animal life on the coasts where these accidents occur.
In January 2010, the UAE announced that Masdar Institute of Science and Technology had signed an agreement with Boeing, Etihad Airways and UOP, a subsidiary of Honeywell, to implement a biofuel research project in Abu Dhabi.
It is dedicated to sustainable energy solutions.
The project, called Sustainable Bioenergy Research (SBRP), will be based on integrated agricultural systems that use saltwater to support the development and commercialization of biofuel sources for the aviation sector and shared products, Masdar Institute said in a statement.
In the first quarter of 2016, the UAE Biofuel Production Initiative was launched, which reduces emissions by 50-80%, through the use of water, food and energy sources.
$12 trillion.
The UAE Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Tawq Al Marri, expects that the integration of circular initiatives and projects in urban areas, within the framework of the green transformation for a sustainable economy, will contribute $138 billion in savings in the GCC by 2030, and the green economy is also expected to contribute $12 trillion to global output by 2030.
This came during the participation of the UAE Minister of Economy, in a session entitled “Green transformation in the Middle East ”, within the work of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, from 22 to 26 May 2022, entitled“ The World ”.
Embrace the turning point of government policies and “business strategies, ” with the participation of more than 2,000 government officials and decision makers.
UAE produces biofuels from algae
In 2013, the UAE announced that marine algae is one of the sources of clean energy and biofuel production, joining a group of major countries that have begun scientific and practical steps to produce energy from algae in the laboratory, so that biofuels are produced from algae.
It has become one of the sources of biofuel used in automobile engines.
Aircraft, because they will become a competitive cost in the future, will make them more attractive, supported by the UAE ’ s ownership of the components to produce this type of fuel.
According to energy company Clean Edge, investment in clean technologies is expected to accelerate in the foreseeable future, with global biofuels growing from $83 billion to $139 billion in 2022.
Emirati-Egyptian Cooperation
The Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum announced in a statement on May 18, 2022, the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United Arab Emirates company Riga Green Energy for the production of algae oil.
The statement pointed out that algae oil will be used in the production of aviation biofuels and the production of green naphtha for use in the production of environmentally friendly petrochemical products.
Egypt ’ s petroleum ministry says it plans to build new green petrochemical projects worth $1.25 billion, including a $600 million plant to produce biofuels from algae oil.

Individual projects also create local employment and value, with the UAE’s 2 GW Al Dhafra solar farm creating 4,500 jobs during construction.

Region-wide, energy investments of about $879 billion are expected over the next five years, with renewables a growing share as countries scale solar and wind.

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Content: BasicEnvironment
US $9 BILLION ARAB ENERGY INVESTMENTS
The Arab Petroleum Investment Company (APICORP) expects total planned and committed investments in the energy sector in the region to exceed $879 billion over the next five years, an increase of $74 billion from last year ’ s investments of $805 billion.
According to the Middle East and North Africa Energy Investment Outlook for 2022-2026, the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war on the region ’ s energy sector is mixed, with energy exporting countries leading the way in spending on renewable energy projects, benefiting from windfall gains in oil and gas revenues after the war led to a sharp rise in prices.
However, geopolitical volatility and unfavorable global conditions will not slow the growth of oil, gas and petrochemical investments in the region over the next five years.
Committed Projects
In the GCC, committed projects represent about 45 percent of total energy investment in the Arab region, 50 percent higher than the overall regional average of 30 percent for this category of projects.
For countries that import most of their energy needs in the Levant and North Africa regions, energy investments have declined, as these countries are more vulnerable to the geopolitical risks of war, exacerbated by economic pressures imposed by inflation and debt burdens.
Rami Ashmawy, senior energy specialist at Apicorp, said: “The latest report reveals that the region is on its own path to energy transformation, with the region taking the largest share of future global oil and gas investments to ensure global energy security and avoid the imminent risks of accelerated growth that pose a major threat to the global economy.
At the same time, the region continues to invest in clean and renewable energy and decarbonization technologies, as part of a long-term strategic vision to build a low-carbon future through a cleaner, more balanced and more sustainable energy mix. ”
Hydrogen
Apicorp forecasts that blue and green hydrogen will dominate emerging hydrogen markets across the region in the near term, as the fundamentals of hydrogen markets will lead to their expansion.
For the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region – and the GCC countries in particular – the focus will be on exporting low-carbon hydrogen via ammonia shipments to demand centers in Europe and Southeast Asia.
Suhail Shatila, senior energy specialist at Apicorp, said: “Blue hydrogen has proven to be a more attractive option for the MENA region in the medium term, with a relatively low production cost and limited impact on existing business models of national and international oil companies.
This is a key measure in the energy transformation journey, given the important role of hydrocarbon producers in supporting decarbonisation efforts in oil and gas exploration and achieving net-zero emissions targets by mid-century. ”
Diversification of energy sources
Countries in the region are seeking to integrate renewables into their energy mix, in line with their shared goal of diversifying the mix of power generation with low cost and low carbon sources, to enhance the security of energy supply.
The report predicts that the Arab region will boost the total installed capacity of renewable energy sources by 5.6 gigawatts during the current year 2022, which is double the capacity that was put into operation in 2021, which amounted to 3 gigawatts.
By 2026, the region is expected to add 33 gigawatts of installed capacity from renewables, of which about 26 gigawatts are in the form of electricity and distributed solar photovoltaic panels.
Apicorp predicts that natural gas, the dominant fuel in power generation, will continue to grow and maintain 70 to 75 percent of the region ’ s power generation by 2024.
As a positive sign of sustainability, the use of oil-fired energy sources is expected to decline from 24 to 20 percent of total power generation by 2024.
In Saudi Arabia, the report points to an increase in electricity generation by gas over the next five years, and a decrease in oil generation during the same period, predicting that the share of electricity generation by oil in the energy mix will fall to less than 30 percent in 2022, compared to 32 percent in 2021.
In the UAE, the share of natural gas in the power generation mix is expected to fall from around 90 percent to less than 60 percent over the next five years as it seeks to diversify its energy supply through the use of nuclear and renewable energy.
Nuclear energy production levels in the Middle East and North Africa remain relatively modest, accounting for only 3 percent of the total energy mix in 2021.
Regulations, equities, capital markets and the private sector
With oil and gas companies facing tighter financing terms, ever-changing regulations, and striving to contribute to socio-economic development and affordable energy, governments are shouldering the bulk of hydrocarbon investments to ensure the security of energy supplies.
Sustainability bonds and green bonds issued in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in 2021 more than tripled compared to 2020, reaching a total value of $18.64 billion.
2021 also saw the birth of the first voluntary carbon trading program in the MENA region, by the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul), paving the way for the development of a formal market for trading and exchanging carbon insurance and compensation.
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The UAE hosted COP28, where parties adopted a resolution to transition away from coal, oil, and gas, aligning with regional efforts to cut emissions.

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Content: Analyzing The Impact On -And What's Next For- The Middle East After The UAE's Momentous Staging Of COP28 The United Nations climate conference in Dubai made history last month, uniting nearly 200 nations to adopt a resolution to "transition away" from coal, oil and gas in this decade.

By Megha Merani

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

The 28th edition of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) may have wrapped up- but the spotlight still remains fixed on the Middle East, with the UAE at the center, as it emerges as a potential key influencer in the global climate agenda. This focus comes amidst expectations from industry leaders that the summit's resolutions will spark a new wave of innovation and strategic rethinking across the region.

The United Nations (UN) climate conference in Dubai made history last month, uniting nearly 200 nations to adopt a resolution to "transition away" from coal, oil and gas in this decade. The landmark decision on fossil fuels -a first of its kind in the conference's three-decades- was won after intense debate and considerable resistance from leading energy producers.

Fossil fuels, which are responsible for the majority of global warming emissions, still account for more than 80% of the world's energy consumption, even amid a steady rise in renewable energy capacity. COP28 President Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said the deal "delivered a paradigm shift that has the potential to redefine our economies," but stressed the importance of action over rhetoric, signaling a turning point in international energy policies. "We are what we do, not what we say," he said. "We must take the steps necessary to turn this agreement into tangible action."

Salaal Hassan, founder and CEO of Ahya, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered solution for businesses to measure and reduce emissions, said heightened awareness of climate challenges spurred by COP28 opens key opportunities for both policymakers and the private sector. "The private sector must move beyond an outlook of seeing climate change as corporate social responsibility (CSR), and instead adapt from purely capitalist models to green social capital-based enterprises," he said. To make the shift, he recommends the adoption of "double materiality", a concept that focuses on reinvesting profits into climate protection and accurately assessing climate risk.

Salaal Hassan, founder and CEO, Ahya. Source: Ahya

As for the road ahead, Hassan predicts the COP28 dialogue will be a major catalyst for climatetech innovation in the region, especially for software startups focused on database management, reporting, and reduction processes for climate initiatives. "Such solutions already exist in the US and European Union, but they are not transferable to the UAE due to cost, support, localization, and compliance aspects," he noted. As the region -which has been historically reliant on fossil fuels- pivots towards a sustainable future, Hassan also sees potential for Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology for greenhouse gas mitigation. However, he also pointed out that its capital-intensive nature poses limitations in emerging markets.

Meanwhile, Shukri Eid, General Manager for the Gulf, Levant, and Pakistan at American multinational IBM, said the urgency to measure carbon footprints, as well as the increasing demand for comprehensive data, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, have exerted immense pressure on organizations. "To start, organizations need to establish baselines and develop data-driven strategies- deciding what data to collect, where to store it, and how to manage it for audits, performance assessment, and driving improvements," Eid said. Unfortunately, existing data is often "fragmented, incomplete, or outdated," Eid noted.

Shukri Eid, General Manager, IBM-Gulf, Levant, and Pakistan. Source: IBM

But he noted that technologies infused with AI "hold the most promise for climate action," citing IBM's collaboration with the US' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on a foundation model for weather and climate. Trained on geospatial information, the model offers a novel approach to tackle climate change. "Unlike traditional AI models, geospatial foundation models can be fine-tuned for diverse applications, from flood detection to fire scars, driving impactful solutions across climate-related challenges," Eid explained.

Closer to home, IBM -which was an Associate Pathway Partner for the COP28 conference in Dubai – has also partnered with Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence to map the urban heat islands in the UAE. The research involves a fine-tuned version of IBM and NASA's geospatial foundation model to understand Abu Dhabi's urban environment and the formation of urban heat islands influenced by local landscapes. At the same time, IBM's Sustainability Accelerator is fostering innovation in water management at the University of Sharjah, which is developing a model and application to monitor and forecast water access in the Middle East and North Africa.

The financial sector is also adapting to take the lead in environmental initiatives. Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the GCC at global digital payments leader Visa, said that finance and payment players "bear a significant responsibility" in driving adaptation, and that they are essential to bridging the gap between consumers and businesses in instilling sustainable practices. "The imperative for banks extends beyond merely reducing the reliance on cash payments and paper," she said. "It encompasses providing crucial capital to sustainable businesses, and creating an environment that fosters their growth. Any technology or innovation that inspires individuals and businesses to awareness and climate action holds great promise."

Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager GCC, Visa. Source: Visa

Dr. Jaffar cited Visa's collaboration with sustainability-as-a-service startup Ecolytiq to launch an "Eco Benefits" bundle, in partnership with Mashreq Bank in the UAE and Qatar Islamic Bank in Qatar, as a prime example. The solution leverages payments data to allow consumers to track their carbon footprint per transaction, enabling them to understand the impact their spending behavior is having on the environment, and offers guidance on how to offset their carbon impact.

In the UAE, the carbon emissions insights are available to nearly one million Mashreq personal banking customers. "Rather than just offering products and services, we aim to craft experiences that truly benefit our customers," Faisal Al Shimmari, Head of ESG and Corporate Strategy at Mashreq Bank, said. "These products are designed to promote climate-positive behaviors, while delivering tangible impact for Mashreq customers."

Meanwhile, Mashreq is also actively ramping up its efforts to provide sustainable financing with a goal to reach US$30 billion by 2030, making it among the top facilitators of the UAE Banks Federation's (UBF) pledge at COP28 to mobilize $272 billion in sustainable finance by the end of the decade. The bank has already facilitated more than 30 deals in sustainable financing since 2021, including structuring and underwriting the recently closed Bapco Energies' $2.5 billion dual tranche Islamic and conventional term facility, the largest sustainability-linked loan in the region so far. Other projects that have received financing include adaptation-related projects such as water projects in Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Related: A Silicon Valley for Climate Tech? It Could Well Be the UAE

Having noted important gaps in climate finance for decarbonization in the UAE, Al Shimmari called it "a matter of national priority". This is why Mashreq is set to launch a UAE ESG Ecosystem Government Accelerator, an initiative uniting public institutions and financial private sector organizations to expedite the UAE's green transition.

Meanwhile, as 2024 now gets underway, Al Shimmari noted that UAE climate startups will need to confront regulatory uncertainties and funding challenges, yet promising avenues for innovation and growth await. "Startups should focus on increasing their technology readiness level through university collaborations and market-funded programs, and work on addressing climate risk stress testing, including data availability and governance challenges," he advised, noting a bright outlook especially for agri- and water-tech sectors.

However, Ahya's Hassan highlighted that the scarcity of capital for climatetech is a major obstacle to progress. "The biggest challenge is that of investors not having the risk appetite or a specialized thesis, due to the need to dive deep into the macroeconomics and regulations, which are distinguishably different from other sectors, as well as the need to see climatetech returns on a mid to long term horizon," Hassan said. "Here, very few investors have a focus on climatetech. And enterprises, whilst having sustainability departments, do not have specialists running them and have a general view of sustainability as an operational expense or CSR function. This can only change through confidence building, and simplifying the macro regulatory context."

Echoing Hassan's view, Victor Sunyer, Partner at Dubai-based investment firm Nuwa Capital, said that venture capitalists, in line with market conditions, "will continue to exhibit increased selectivity and caution." This cautious approach comes just as UAE-based data platform Magnitt noted a significant global investment growth in climatetech. The sector saw $82 billion in investments in 2022, up 20% from the previous year.

Victor Sunyer, Partner, Nuwa Capital. Source: Nuwa Capital

In the more nascent Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) market, climatetech startups attracted $651 million across 148 ventures between 2018 and 2022. However, Nuwa Capital envisions climatetech as "a fundamental area for growth and investment in the region" over the next few years, Sunyer said, motivated by the urgency to mitigate climate change impact. "Consumer sensitivity towards responsible behavior adds momentum to this trend," he said. "We are pursuing investment opportunities in the climate action space, spanning both early and growth stages."

Sunyer also said that the region is seeing "the beginnings of a solid climatetech ecosystem", also pointing to accelerator programs sponsored by major energy companies directing their focus to energy efficiency and transition. ADNOC, for example, launched a $1 million decarbonization technology challenge last year. Sunyer also noted "heightened enthusiasm" for water management and efficiency post-COP28, as well as technologies focused around low-carbon foods and locally grown produce, and on reducing building energy consumption. "Given the relevance of the construction sector and the climatic conditions, implementing energy-conserving measures for buildings is crucial for enhancing overall energy efficiency," Sunyer said. "Anticipated strides by policymakers in this regard underscore the potential impact."

With buildings accounting for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, Maged Marie, CEO at Egypt-based real estate firm Magnom Properties, emphasized the role of the built environment in global energy transition discussions at COP28. The summit focused on practical solutions to decarbonize the buildings sector, Marie said, describing it as a move to "course-correct."

Maged Marie, CEO, Magnom Properties. Source: Magnom Properties

At the summit, the governments of France and Morocco, alongside the UN Environment Program (UNEP), launched the Buildings Breakthrough, setting a goal for near-zero emissions and climateresilient buildings by 2030– an initiative Marie lauded as one of the "most important sector-specific outcomes" at the conference in Dubai. "While the speed and scale of urbanization globally has brought manifold challenges to the climate crisis, the buildings sector is also uniquely positioned to be part of the solutions as we move forward on the path of net zero," Marie said. "At Magnom Properties, for instance, we are tapping into the long-term potential of clean hydrogen to power 75% of the total energy demands of the Forbes International Tower in Cairo, Egypt, designed to be one of the most sustainable buildings globally."

The Forbes International Tower, a commercial project planned to be constructed in locations including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, will also use solar power, while also incorporating water recycling and smart technologies for efficient use. The tower is set to reduce its carbon footprint by 58%, equivalent to 60 million kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, and it is also targeting Platinum LEED certification.

Commenting on the industry as a whole, Louise Collins, Head of Engineering and Energy for the MEA, and Head of Project and Development Services for the UAE, at real estate services firm JLL, said that sustainability is "high on the agenda" for both local and global businesses operating in the real estate sector. More time, resources, and money are being spent on sustainability, she said, which is expected to continue in the years ahead. According to JLL, 59% of the top 100 office occupiers in Dubai have carbon commitments.

Louise Collins, Head of Engineering and Energy for the MEA, and Head of Project and Development Services for the UAE, JLL. Source: JLL

Collins said that much of the demand for low-carbon space is coming from international occupiers. But the Emirate faces a unique set of challenges in meeting this demand, she said, including extreme climate conditions, rapid urban development, and high-energy demand buildings. That said, the market also presents unique opportunities. "As Dubai continues to develop rapidly, local government officials and developers benefit from implementing stringent buildings codes and construction practices to ensure buildings are sustainable at the onset– a much easier route than having to go through expensive and complex retrofits," Collins explained. "Building owners can also capitalize on abundant solar energy potential and leverage smart city technologies."

A spokesperson from NWTN, a UAE-based electric car manufacturer and green energy provider, forecasted transformative shifts in the regional energy landscape, including an uptick in investments in renewables like solar and wind power, that would potentially lead to the emergence of new renewable tech companies. "Given the UAE's abundant solar resources, innovations in solar energy, such as more efficient photovoltaic cells or concentrated solar power systems, are particularly promising," the spokesperson said. "Wind energy, especially offshore wind turbines, could also see significant advancements."

Other promising technologies include green hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources. "It can be used in various sectors, including transportation, industry, and power generation, making it a versatile option for decarbonization," the spokesperson said. These, along with advanced energy storage systems including batteries and other novel storage technologies, along with smart grid technology, are essential for managing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources.

Peter May, Vice President of Operations at Dubai-based proptech startup Silkhaus, underscored the shared collective accountability for climate action. "Climate action is everyone's responsibility across sectors, and not just that of cleantech businesses," he said. But startups face challenges, he added, in "avoiding the lure of greenwashing," and resisting the misconception that purchasing carbon credits is a primary solution. Advocating for a more comprehensive approach, May said companies need to focus on education, optimization, and direct impact reduction.

Peter May, VP of Operations, Silkhaus. Source: Silkhaus

But despite hurdles in the shift to green, May is upbeat about COP28's long-term effect on Middle East economies. Ultimately, the unprecedented agreement is encouraging as it aligns with the region's ambitions to diversify away from oil-dependence, he said. After all, expanding into non-oil sectors -while fostering sustainable practices- is a win-win scenario.

Related: What Are The Climate Solutions That We're Leaving On The Table? Ask Women Entrepreneurs.

Megha Merani

Independent Journalist

Megha Merani is an independent journalist based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Her stories have made headlines across a number of publications including Reuters, Associated Press, Entrepreneur Middle EastBloomberg Middle East, Arabian Gulf Business Insight, Arabian Business, and former local daily 7DAYS.

Megha also produces editorial for government platforms including the World Government Summit and World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the Global Future Councils. She has been a grant winner of the Thomson Reuters Foundation and The Global Initiative Against Organized Crime funded by the government of Norway to report on the online trade in illegal wildlife.

Megha is also an Associate Fellow (AFHEA) at Murdoch University in Dubai and leads its Digital Newsroom course unit. In addition, Megha serves as a United Nations Women mentor to support equal opportunities for women entrepreneurs, and supports various other programs including TIE Women, 60 Day Startups, and the Watt Inc. Business Incubator.

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The huge investment packages are said to come with the full support of Saudi Arabia Crown Prince HRH Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who remains committed to accelerating tech developments in Saudi Arabia.

The COP28 pledge aims to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030, a target that Middle East countries are integrating into national strategies.

National targets include the UAE’s net zero by 2050, Saudi Arabia’s carbon neutrality by 2060, and Egypt’s 42% renewable electricity by 2035, supported by large-scale solar deployment. [12].

With world‑class solar resources, record‑low PV costs, expanding grids and storage, and pro‑investment policies, the Middle East is poised to scale solar from about 2% of its energy mix today to a central pillar of its post‑oil economy and climate strategy. [3][42].