South Africa’s energy production is largely reliant on coal-fired power plants. Even this, coming on an antiquated grid, have been extremely poor in terms of reliance, plunging large areas regularly into power blackouts. The country is also seeing a gradual shift toward renewable energy. Solar and wind projects are being added to the energy mix, with increasing private-sector participation. However, reports suggest that at the current pace, South Africa may only meet its energy demand by 2040. Many large companies are turning to private energy procurement due to uncertainty around government energy regulations. Businesses are obtaining power directly from private…
Author: Lakshita Kapoor
Saudi Arabia’s National Energy Services Company (Tarshid) has signed an agreement with SAL Logistics Services to conduct a study on energy efficiency. The study will evaluate SAL facilities to implement energy-saving solutions. This agreement was signed during the Saudi Green Initiative Forum and the COP16 Conference in Riyadh. The study will include on-site surveys and a technical assessment to improve energy use and reduce carbon emissions. Since its establishment in 2017, Tarshid has reported annual energy savings of 7.3 terawatt-hours (TWh) as of the third quarter of 2024. These savings are equivalent to conserving 11.7 million barrels of oil and avoiding…
Cheiron Energy announced to expand its operations in Egypt by acquiring new concession areas. The company’s CEO, Alan Linn, discussed these plans during a meeting with Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Tarek El Molla. During the meeting, Linn emphasized the company’s interest in increasing investments in exploration activities. Cheiron also plans to introduce a hydraulic drilling rig to support shale gas production. This drilling technology aims to reduce costs, lower energy consumption, and enhance environmental protection. Egypt has also been advancing renewable energy projects alongside its oil and gas activities. One of the country’s major solar projects is…
Oman is set to initiate the third round of tenders for green hydrogen projects in early 2025, as announced by Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom), a state-owned entity. The announcement was made during the GH2 Investor Day, an event held under the patronage of Energy Minister Salim Al Aufi, where discussions centered on opportunities in green hydrogen and its role in the global shift toward cleaner energy. The event included leaders and investors to discuss the role of green hydrogen in global energy transition efforts. Discussions focused on improving local manufacturing, infrastructure development, and bidding mechanisms. These steps aim to strengthen Oman’s…
Wood, a global engineering and consulting firm, has secured $920 million in contracts across the Middle East in 2024. These projects focus on renewable energy, decarbonization, and energy transition in Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Among its recent work in renewable energy, Wood is collaborating with TotalEnergies in Iraq on a major integrated project. This includes front-end engineering design (FEED), detailed design, procurement support, and construction. The project also incorporates a flare gas reduction program, which has cut over 10 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. In Saudi Arabia, Wood is providing pre-FEED services for Saudi…
Saudi Arabia-based utility company ACWA Power recently submitted an application to the Capital Market Authority (CMA) for a capital increase. The proposed increase amounts to 7.125 billion Saudi riyals ($1.9 billion) and will be raised by offering discounted shares to existing shareholders, according to a statement from the Tadawul stock market authority on Thursday. The company stated, “ACWA Power announces the submission of an application to increase the Company’s capital by offering the rights issue to the Capital Market Authority.” ACWA Power has outlined plans to increase its annual investments over the period of 2024 to 2030. These investments are…
Algeria sent a delegation to the United States to discuss potential investment by GE Vernova in its renewable energy program earlier this week. The delegation, representing Algeria’s state-owned utility Sonelgaz, held meetings with GE Vernova executives in Atlanta with more discussions planned for later. The talks focused on GE Vernova’s involvement in Algeria’s plan to generate 15,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity from renewable sources by 2035. The plan, which was approved in 2020, is part of Algeria’s effort to reduce its reliance on oil and gas and to conserve its fossil fuel resources. Under the program, nearly 4,000 MW of…
Egypt is moving ahead with its renewable energy goals with the construction of a new solar photovoltaic (PV) factory in the Sokhna Zone, part of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE). The project is being developed by the Chinese company Elite Solar. Walid Gamal El-Din, Chairperson of SCZONE, attended the ceremony marking the beginning of the factory’s construction in the TEDA Egypt industrial zone. The factory will specialize in producing N-type solar cells and assembling photovoltaic components, including wafers, cells, and modules. With a planned production capacity of 2 GW, the facility will be built on 78,000 square meters of…
Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, participated in the inauguration of three renewable energy projects in Uzbekistan. The projects are managed by ACWA Power. The new energy projects include the Bash and Dzhankeldy Wind Power Plants, which have a combined capacity of 1,000 MW. These wind plants are connected to the electricity grid to provide clean energy. Another project is the Samarkand Solar 1 and 2 projects, with a total solar capacity of 1,000 MW and a 1,000 MWh battery energy storage system. Additionally, the Tashkent Battery Energy Storage System…
OQ Alternative Energy (OQAE) has partnered with France’s TotalEnergies to build renewable energy projects in Oman with a total capacity of 300 megawatts (MW). The electricity generated will be supplied to Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) through long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The projects include three renewable energy developments: the 100 MW North Solar project in Saih Nihaydah in northern Oman, and two wind projects, Riyah-1 and Riyah-2, located in Amin and West Nimr fields in southern Oman, each with a capacity of 100 MW. Together, the projects will produce over 1.4 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually. Ownership of the projects…