The Middle East is expanding its renewable energy efforts, with smaller, lesser-known projects complementing larger developments. While large solar parks and wind farms dominate the headlines, smaller regional initiatives are playing a role in clean energy growth across the region. In Oman, small-scale solar installations are being implemented in rural communities. The Rural Areas Electricity Company (RAECO) has launched off-grid solar projects to supply power to remote villages. These systems range from 10 kilowatts (kW) to 50 kW and provide electricity to areas without access to the main grid. In Kuwait, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) operates a…
Author: Lakshita Kapoor
Yellow Door Energy and EMSTEEL Group have announced a partnership to develop the largest industrial solar rooftop project in the UAE. The project will install a 31.5 megawatts-peak (MWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system across EMSTEEL’s facilities located in Abu Dhabi’s ICAD 1 industrial zone. The agreement includes solar panels installed on rooftops and carports across 40 buildings owned by EMSTEEL. The design incorporates high-efficiency bifacial solar panels for the carports, which can capture sunlight from both sides to maximize energy production. Yellow Door Energy will finance, construct, operate, and maintain the project under a solar lease model, enabling EMSTEEL to…
Spain’s Tecnicas Reunidas and Egypt’s Orascom Construction have signed a $2.6 billion deal to expand a 3-gigawatt combined cycle gas-fired power plant in Saudi Arabia. The project includes the addition of carbon capture infrastructure and a 380-kilovolt (kV) electrical substation. This agreement supports Saudi Arabia’s push for cleaner energy technologies and infrastructure upgrades. While this large project is underway, both Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been implementing smaller renewable energy initiatives to diversify their energy sources. In Egypt, small solar-powered irrigation systems are being deployed in the Nile Delta and Fayoum regions. These systems have capacities ranging from 5 kilowatts…
The World Bank is reviewing Jordan’s request for $200 million in additional funding to improve the efficiency of its electricity sector. This builds on a $250 million loan approved earlier in 2023 to reduce costs, increase revenues, and enhance the reliability of the electricity supply. The programme aims to reduce operating losses for the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) and improve its technology and governance. It also focuses on maintaining renewable energy’s share in the electricity mix and reducing power outages. Jordan has expanded renewable energy in recent years. Solar and wind energy now contribute 27% of the electricity mix,…
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) recently announced an agreement to acquire a 49.99% stake in four solar plants in Spain. These plants have a combined capacity of 446 megawatts (MW). This transaction is part of Masdar’s continued investments in global renewable energy, particularly in Europe. While Masdar’s international activities are widely recognized, there are smaller renewable energy projects in Abu Dhabi that often receive less attention. The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has implemented solar-powered irrigation systems in farms across the emirate. These systems, with capacities ranging between 10 kilowatts (kW) and 50 kW, are…
Tanmiah Food Company has partnered with Emerge, a joint venture between Masdar and EDF Group, to develop a solar power plant at Tanmiah’s agricultural processing facility in Haradh, Saudi Arabia. The solar plant will have a capacity of 3 megawatts peak (MWp) and will provide 35% of the facility’s electricity needs. Emerge will design, finance, build, and operate the solar system for 25 years. The project is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 3,850 tonnes annually, equivalent to the electricity use of more than 800 households in a year. This project is part of Tanmiah’s strategy to reduce…
Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai, chaired by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum held its 87th meeting virtually. The meeting reviewed updates on Dubai’s sustainability goals, focusing on clean energy and energy efficiency regulations. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of the Council, and other senior officials attended. The Council discussed Dubai’s Green Building regulations, which aim to reduce carbon emissions by improving energy and water efficiency in new buildings. These regulations are part of a long-term plan to transition buildings into zero-energy structures. The Council also reviewed the implementation of Executive Council Resolution No. 16 of 2019, which…
ENOC Group and Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai have partnered to explore green hydrogen-powered transportation in the city. The agreement includes supplying green hydrogen fuel for RTA’s hydrogen-powered city buses and conducting a study to evaluate its feasibility. Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity from sources like solar and wind. It emits zero carbon dioxide during production and offers a clean alternative to traditional fuels. The hydrogen used in this project will be sourced from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in partnership with DEWA. Under the trial, ENOC…
Egypt has signed an agreement with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy to build a 500-megawatt (MW) wind power plant in the Gulf of Suez. The agreement was signed by the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) Chairperson Mona Rizk and Siemens Gamesa Egypt CEO Ayman Saad, in the presence of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Electricity Mahmoud Essmat. Under the agreement, Siemens Gamesa will handle the construction, financing, and operation of the wind plant. The project is part of Egypt’s strategy to increase its renewable energy capacity. The country aims to produce 42% of its electricity from renewables by 2030…
Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Egypt Hassan El-Khatib met with Vikram Kapur, Group President at India’s ReNew Power, to discuss plans for a $8 billion green hydrogen plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE). The project, which follows a framework agreement signed during COP27, aims to strengthen Egypt’s role as a regional hub for clean energy. The green hydrogen facility will be developed with supporting infrastructure. The project is expected to contribute to sustainable development and create new jobs. ReNew Power’s efforts align with Egypt’s renewable energy plans to diversify its energy sources and reduce carbon emissions. In…