General Motors (GM) has announced the installation of a solar-powered roof at its Middle East Distribution Center (MEDC) in Dubai, UAE. This move is part of the company’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and adopt renewable energy in its operations. The solar project at MEDC has a total connected load of 461.45 kWp. It is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 512 metric tons annually. The project, which was announced in 2022, is now fully operational. The MEDC is one of GM’s most energy-intensive facilities. By switching to solar energy, the company aims to reduce the environmental impact of its…
Author: Lakshita Kapoor
Infinity Power, working with Pele Green Energy, has been granted six new solar energy projects in South Africa through the country’s REIPPPP program (Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme). These projects, which will collectively generate 1.28 GW of electricity, are located in different parts of the country. The projects include Highveld Solar (240 MW) in Mpumalanga, Palladium Solar 1 (240 MW) and Copper Solar 1 (240 MW), both in Limpopo, Vanadium Solar 1 (150 MW) in Limpopo, Onderstepoort Solar 1 (220 MW), and Onderstepoort Solar 2 (190 MW), both in North West Province. The ownership of the projects will…
A new collaboration has been launched to boost renewable energy in Egypt through the establishment of a solar panel production facility. The Arab Renewable Energy Company (ARECO), part of the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI), has joined hands with Sweden’s Sunshine Pro to develop the project, with the agreement formalized at AOI’s headquarters. The project is part of Egypt’s National Strategy for Integrated and Sustainable Energy. This strategy aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix to 42% by 2030 and over 60% by 2040. The project supports local manufacturing, reduces reliance on imports, and…
Emarat Petroleum Company (Emarat) and Lootah Biofuels have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on renewable energy initiatives in the UAE. The agreement focuses on collecting used cooking oils through Emarat’s retail station network for recycling into biodiesel by Lootah Biofuels. This initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote environmental sustainability. Both parties will define the necessary collection equipment, processes, and financial mechanisms to facilitate the program. The partnership also involves the inclusion of biodiesel blends, such as B5, in Emarat’s retail fuel offerings. These blends will be introduced in line with guidelines set by the…
Masdar, a clean energy company based in the UAE, has expanded its renewable energy portfolio in Europe. The company has finalized two acquisitions in the Iberian Peninsula, focusing on Spain and Portugal. Masdar acquired Saeta Yield, a renewable energy platform, from Brookfield Renewable Partners and its institutional partners. The transaction involved an enterprise value of €1.2 billion and an equity value of €696 million. Saeta’s portfolio includes 745 megawatts (MW) of wind and solar energy projects. This consists of 538 MW of wind energy in Spain, 144 MW in Portugal, and 63 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy in Spain.…
A new hybrid renewable energy station is set to be constructed in Zafarana, eastern Egypt, with a planned investment of $2.5 billion. The project will have a total capacity of 3.1 gigawatts, combining 2 gigawatts of solar energy and 1.1 gigawatts of wind energy. The station will operate under a build-operate-own (BOO) model, meaning the company responsible for the project will handle both its construction and long-term operation. The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), a state-owned organization, will purchase the electricity generated by the plant. Solar energy from the station will cost 2 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), while wind energy…
The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) has completed a research project focused on solar-powered desalination technology. The project, titled “Developing Performance Features for Using Integrated Solar-Powered Air-Gap Membrane Distillation Technology for Desalination of Seawater in Kuwait,” tested a new system for converting seawater into fresh water. A pilot unit was installed at KISR’s desalination research station. The system was tested using Arabian Gulf seawater under real-world conditions in Kuwait. The system uses solar energy to power the air-gap membrane distillation process, which heats seawater and drives it through a membrane to separate fresh water from salts and impurities. This…
The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) has announced attracting $64 billion in investments dedicated to green hydrogen projects. Chairperson Waleid Gamal El-Din shared this information during a meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, where discussions focused on the zone’s ongoing initiatives and development efforts. Out of 30 signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), 14 are currently active. The finalized agreements aim to produce 18 million tons of green hydrogen annually. Additionally, another project valued at $7.5 billion is being developed, with plans to generate 1.3 million tons of green hydrogen per year. SCZONE spans 455 square kilometers, comprising four industrial…
Trinasolar has announced a partnership with AMEA Power to supply 300MWh of its Elementa 2 platform for the Abydos Battery Energy Storage Project in Aswan, Egypt. The project is part of a larger solar initiative and is the first in Egypt to incorporate a utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Solution (BESS). The Abydos Solar PV Project, developed by AMEA Power, is expanding an existing 500MW solar power plant in Kom Ombo, Aswan Governorate. The addition of a 300MWh energy storage system aims to improve grid stability and support renewable energy use in the region. The project was inaugurated at a ceremony…
Egypt is advancing its renewable energy transition by expanding clean energy projects and upgrading its electricity grid. Mahmoud Esmat, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, outlined these efforts during the Ordinary General Assembly of the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC). The meeting reviewed the EETC’s performance during the 2023/2024 fiscal year. The ministry has been modernizing the national grid to accommodate growing renewable energy capacity and reduce energy losses. The transformation includes developing a smart grid system to enhance efficiency and manage large-scale electricity generation from renewable sources. This includes integrating solar, wind, and hydro projects into the grid. EETC Chairperson…