Oman has joined the Global Alliance on Green Economy (GAGE), an international platform focused on supporting countries in their shift to a low-carbon economy. The membership announcement came during the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. GAGE now includes 90 member countries, including Oman. GAGE is an initiative by the World Green Economy Organization (WGEO) launched during the World Green Economy Summit in 2022. The alliance supports its members by providing technical and financial assistance to develop green economies. It facilitates the transfer of technology, promotes green economy policies, and creates opportunities for employment. GAGE’s main goal…
Author: Lakshita Kapoor
Alfanar Projects has signed contracts with the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) worth over SR20 billion. These agreements were formalized during the Energy Localization Forum organized by the Ministry of Energy. The event was attended by representatives from the energy and industry sectors, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s focus on strengthening its energy infrastructure. The projects are in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to localize energy systems and enhance energy self-sufficiency. One of the key initiatives under the agreement is the construction of the largest High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Converter Station in the Middle East and North Africa. This…
Al Jouf Cement Company has partnered with France’s Engie to construct and operate a solar power plant at its factory in Turaif, Saudi Arabia. The plant will have a generation capacity of 22 megawatts (MW) and is expected to meet about 25% of the factory’s electricity requirements. Al Jouf Cement will purchase electricity from the plant for 25 years after it becomes operational. The company stated that the cost of electricity from the solar plant will be lower than the current costs of generating power using heavy fuel oil and cheaper than connecting to the national grid under industrial electricity…
Acwa Power, a Saudi-listed energy company, operates across renewable energy, water desalination, and conventional power generation. The company’s total installed capacity is 65.2 gigawatts (GW), with projects in operation, construction, or advanced development. Its portfolio spans 13 countries and is valued at SAR 348 billion ($93 billion). In a recent development, Acwa Power signed an agreement with Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy to establish up to 2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS). The agreement allows Acwa Power to receive contractual priority for this capacity, enabling it to offer competitive tariffs for energy storage. Feasibility studies will be…
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), JERA Co., Inc., and AlBawani Capital have signed two 25-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with the Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC). The agreements involve developing two combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power projects, Rumah 2 and Al Nairyah 2, with a total capacity of 3.6 gigawatts (GW). The projects will use high-efficiency CCGT turbines and include future compatibility for carbon capture technologies. They align with Saudi Arabia’s energy diversification strategy, which aims for an optimal energy mix of 50% renewable energy and 50% natural gas by 2030. While these plants are gas-based, they play…
The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has signed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for five Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects with a total capacity of 9,200 megawatts (MW). The projects, which include thermal and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy, are part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its energy mix. The signing took place in the presence of Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman, according to a statement from the Ministry of Energy. The agreements cover four gas-fueled combined cycle power projects and one solar PV project. The gas projects, Rumah 1 & 2 and Nairyah 1 & 2, will use combined cycle…
Batelco, a telecommunications company under Beyon Group, has launched the first off-grid mobile site in the region, powered entirely by renewable energy. The site uses both solar and wind energy to operate independently of traditional power sources. This development marks a step towards sustainability efforts. The mobile site will help reduce environmental impact by cutting 280 tons of carbon emissions annually. It will also save 400 MWh of energy per site each year. The site does not produce any noise pollution, making it suitable for both urban and remote locations. The off-grid mobile solution is designed to support Batelco’s aim…
Egypt is set to increase its renewable energy capacity by nearly 10 gigawatts (GW) by 2030. The country plans to achieve this through a mix of public and private sector projects. Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, explained that nearly 4.7 GW of this capacity will come from projects carried out by the private sector. These private sector projects will account for just under half of Egypt’s renewable energy target for 2030. The total renewable energy target is to reach 42% of Egypt’s total energy mix by 2030. The Egyptian government has been working to…
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced a tender for advisory services for a 1,600 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant. The project will feature a 1,000 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with six hours of energy storage. The tender opened on November 14, 2024, and the deadline for submissions is December 17, 2024. DEWA has been involved in several renewable energy projects to support Dubai’s clean energy transition. One of these is the 250 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric plant in Hatta, which will use water stored in an upper reservoir to generate electricity during periods of high…
Masdar and SOCAR Green have reached financial close for the 445MW Bilasuvar and 315MW Neftchala solar projects in Azerbaijan. These projects, with a combined capacity of 760 megawatts (MW), are expected to contribute to Azerbaijan’s renewable energy goals. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB) are providing financing for the projects. The total cost of the projects is estimated to exceed $600 million. The financing agreements were signed during COP29 in Baku. Representatives from Masdar, SOCAR Green, EBRD, ADB, and AIIB participated in the signing. Construction…