The latest Renewable Energy Statistics 2024 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has sparked significant concerns in the Middle East, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), regarding the region’s progress towards sustainable energy goals. Released today, the report highlights a global surge in renewable energy capacity, with a remarkable 14% increase in 2023 alone. This growth continues a trend of 10% annual expansion since 2017, positioning renewable energy as a key contender to surpass fossil fuels in global power capacity. However, despite these gains, the Middle East remains challenged in meeting its renewable energy targets. According to…
Author: Lakshita Kapoor
RWE and Masdar achieved a key milestone for the DBS (Dogger Bank South) Offshore Wind Farms as the Development Consent Order (DCO) application has been accepted into the UK Planning Inspectorate examination phase.The DBS East and DBS West offshore wind farms, which could provide electricity for up to three million typical UK homes*, are located in shallow waters on the Dogger Bank over 100km off the northeast coast of England. The acceptance of the DCO application moves the projects into the pre-examination phase, which will become subject to a public examination later in 2024.Together, the projects will have up to…
In a significant stride towards sustainability, the Emirate of Sharjah marked a pivotal moment with the commencement of the largest solar installation to date. Spearheaded by the Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) in partnership with Emerge Limited, a joint venture between Masdar and the EDF Group, the 60MWp ground-mounted solar PV plant located at SNOC’s Sajaa Gas Complex promises to revolutionize the region’s energy landscape. This ambitious project is expected to generate ample clean energy, capable of offsetting a staggering 66,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually. To put this into perspective, it equates to removing over 14,600 cars from the…
In a groundbreaking development, the Centre for Advanced Materials (CAM) at Qatar University has unveiled a cutting-edge solar panel station equipped with autonomous dry-cleaning technology. This innovative project, detailed in the latest QU Research Magazine by CAM director Prof Mohammad Refa’at Irshidat, promises to revolutionize renewable energy efficiency within the university campus. The primary challenge addressed by this project is the accumulation of dust on solar panels, which significantly hampers their performance in Qatar’s arid climate. Led by Prof Irshidat and his team including Dr Zubair Ahmad and Dr Kishor Sadasivuni, the initiative introduces two autonomous cleaning systems. One utilizes…
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has designated a substantial 40% stake in its Ruwais liquefied natural gas (LNG) venture to global energy leaders Shell, TotalEnergies, BP, and Japan’s Mitsui, according to sources familiar with the matter. Scheduled for completion by late 2028, the project aims to significantly boost the UAE’s LNG production, increasing it by over 9 million metric tons annually. Each of the four companies—Shell, TotalEnergies, BP, and Mitsui—will acquire a 10% stake in the venture, underscoring their strategic involvement in expanding regional energy capabilities. Additionally, ADNOC plans to allocate a 5% stake to another partner, details of…
Denmark-based Global Container Shipping and logistics major AP Moller Maersk has launched Maersk Offshore Wind, that will provide installation services to the offshore wind market based on a new and state-of-the-art offshore Wind Installation Vessel (Maersk WIV) concept. The firm claims that the design and concept are estimated to reduce the installation time of offshore wind turbines substantially compared to conventional methods, thereby lowering the overall installation cost for the developers. The first vessel will be delivered in 2025. Denmark based firms like Vestas have enjoyed a strong position in the offshore wind market, expected to grow strongly to 2050,…
Azerbaijan, gearing up to host this year’s United Nations COP29 climate summit in November, has announced plans to enhance its national emissions-cutting targets. This decision, unveiled by Elnur Soltanov, CEO of COP29 and Azerbaijan’s deputy energy minister, marks an early move ahead of a crucial U.N. deadline next year. The updated targets are aimed at aligning with efforts to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, a critical threshold set by international climate agreements. Soltanov emphasized that Azerbaijan intends to lead by example, hoping to encourage other nations to follow suit before the summit in Baku. At a recent event…
Azerbaijan, gearing up to host this year’s United Nations COP29 climate summit in November, has announced plans to enhance its national emissions-cutting targets. This decision, unveiled by Elnur Soltanov, CEO of COP29 and Azerbaijan’s deputy energy minister, marks an early move ahead of a crucial U.N. deadline next year. The updated targets are aimed at aligning with efforts to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, a critical threshold set by international climate agreements. Soltanov emphasized that Azerbaijan intends to lead by example, hoping to encourage other nations to follow suit before the summit in Baku. At a recent event…
Qatar’s General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has announced the commencement of registrations for the 11th edition of its National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency, known as Tarsheed. This initiative, spearheaded by Kahramaa’s Conservation and Energy Efficiency Department, aims to inspire innovation and sustainable practices among government entities, private sectors, individuals, researchers, and students. The programme features 12 distinct competitions, each designed to promote the rationalization of electricity and water consumption across various sectors. Participants are encouraged to implement projects that enhance efficiency and contribute to environmental sustainability. Registration is open on Kahramaa’s official website from now until the…
Qatar is setting ambitious goals to significantly increase its use of renewable energy sources, aiming for 18% of its total energy mix to come from renewables by 2030. Currently, renewable energy accounts for about 5% of Qatar’s energy production. In an interview, Eng. Abdul Rahman Ibrahim al-Baker from Kahramaa highlighted the significance of renewable energy in achieving Qatar’s National Development Strategy 2024-2030. The strategy aims not only to diversify energy sources but also to enhance sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. The plan focuses on developing 4 gigawatts (GW) from centralized renewable energy projects and 200 megawatts (MW) from distributed projects…