At the 2023 COP28 summit, nearly 200 countries agreed to double the global rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. This decision highlights energy efficiency as a critical part of the clean energy transition. However, one year later, progress remains slow, with improvements in energy efficiency showing only a modest increase of about 1% in 2024, similar to 2023. This rate falls short of the target set for 2030. That is a real pity, as efficiency measures hold the promise of achieving much without the commensurate investments that adding green energy capacity, for instance, demand. Energy efficiency measures can play…
Author: Lakshita Kapoor
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is exploring the possibility of providing up to $200 million in debt financing for a new wind farm project in Egypt. This project, led by Suez Wind Energy, aims to build and operate a 1.1 GW wind farm in the Gulf of Suez region. The wind farm is part of Egypt’s broader goal to expand its renewable energy capacity, helping the country achieve its target of 10 GW of renewable energy under the National Water, Food, and Energy program. The Gulf of Suez is known for its strong wind resources, which will…
Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) announced winning bids for two major power projects in Saudi Arabia. The contracts were awarded to consortiums led by International Company for Water and Power Projects (Acwa Power) and Abu Dhabi-based energy group Taqa. Together, these projects, known as Rumah I and II and Al Nairyah I and II, will add a total power capacity of 7,200 megawatts (MW) to the kingdom’s energy grid. SPPC, a government entity, oversees the planning, tendering, and purchasing of power from independent projects. It operates under a license from the Saudi Electricity Regulatory Authority. These new power projects are…
Turkey’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has announced a new solar energy tender for a total of 800 MW. The tender includes six projects across different regions. The proposed projects involve a capacity of 385 MW in Karapinar, 200 MW in Karaman, 75 MW in Malatya, 60 MW in Van, and 40 MW each in Antalya and Kutahya. This tender builds on Turkey’s other recent renewable energy projects, such as the Karapinar Solar Power Plant in Konya, which aims to reach a capacity of 1,000 MW. The Çanakkale Wind Power Project is another major project, adding 300 MW to…
UAE-based Hodler Investments and GCL Energy, a subsidiary of China’s GCL Group, have partnered to develop a distributed energy infrastructure in Ethiopia. This project will power data centers hosting AI, blockchain, and other applications via green energy. The Memorandum of Understanding between the two companies outlines plans to invest in energy-efficient and sustainable projects. GCL Group, an integrated clean energy company, will supply energy infrastructure designed to utilize under-used energy resources in Ethiopia. The aim is to attract global data center operators and reduce carbon emissions. In April 2024, GCL Group also signed two production sharing agreements with the Ethiopian…
Earlier this week, Dhofar announced four new environmental projects as part of its “Neutrality 3” program, an initiative in Oman’s National Programme for Carbon Neutrality. These projects focus on improving sustainability and addressing environmental challenges across the governorate. Dhofar Municipality shared details of the first project, called “Green Belts,” which aims to expand green areas across Dhofar. This project will combat desertification and increase tree cover, particularly in regions facing severe land degradation. As part of Green Belts, Dhofar will establish two tree-lined areas in Dhalkut, create a baobab tree garden in Mirbat, plant a myrrh tree garden in Thumrait,…
A group of Omani women has launched an initiative to tackle food waste in Oman through the “Zeelah Project.” This project aims to recycle leftover food from households and businesses, converting it into fertilizer to support environmental sustainability. The project, developed by seven women from National Finance, won the Best Project Award at Ooredoo’s Springboard competition. Alia Al Balushi, the leader of the Zeelah Project, explained that the project’s name, “Zeelah,” comes from Omani culture and refers to a bin traditionally used to store food scraps for animals. The project focuses on reducing food waste and promoting sustainable practices. The…
Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of ADNOC and UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, recently highlighted the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on energy consumption and the renewable energy sector. Speaking at ADIPEC 2024, he noted that AI’s rapid growth, especially since tools like ChatGPT emerged, has created new energy demands. As AI systems require significant power, particularly for data centers, there is an increasing need for renewable energy to support these operations. Dr. Al Jaber indicated that oil companies, including ADNOC, may explore greater investments in renewables to meet the energy needs of this rapidly expanding technology sector. ADNOC…
Mercantile & Maritime Group has announced the expansion of its biofuel processing plant at MENA Terminals in Fujairah, UAE. The expansion, valued at AED 2.2 billion, will add more than 1 million square feet to the existing facility. It is expected to be completed by 2026. Once finished, the plant will produce up to 150 million liters of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) annually. This will account for nearly 10% of the current global SAF production. The facility aims to support the UAE’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and develop local low-carbon aviation fuel sources. The plant will focus on producing…
The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has begun the qualification process for its first group of battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. This initial batch consists of four projects, each with a total capacity of 500 megawatts (MW) and a storage duration of 4 hours, bringing the total capacity to 2,000 MW across all projects. The projects are located in different regions of Saudi Arabia, including Makkah, Qassim, and Hail provinces. The four projects include the Al-Muwyah BESS site and the Haden BESS site, both in Makkah province. Each of these sites will have a 500MW/4Hrs capacity. The Al-Khushaybi BESS…