Sembcorp Utilities Pte Ltd, part of Singapore’s Sembcorp Industries, has started commercial operations of the Manah II Solar Independent Power Project (IPP) in Oman. The project became operational after completing necessary tests and was launched more than four months earlier than originally planned. Manah II has an installed capacity of 588 megawatts (MW), making it the largest solar power plant in Sembcorp’s renewable energy projects worldwide. It is also Sembcorp’s first renewable energy project built from the ground up in the Middle East. The project operates under a 20-year agreement with Nama Power and Water Procurement Company. This agreement ensures…
Author: Lakshita Kapoor
The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has announced the list of qualified bidders for the Group 1 Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) projects, which will have a combined capacity of 2,000 MW/8,000 MWh. These projects will be implemented across four locations in Saudi Arabia under a build, own, and operate (BOO) model. The first project, Al-Muwaih BESS, will have a capacity of 500 MW/2,000 MWh and will be located approximately 180 kilometers northeast of Taif in the Makkah Province. The second project, Haden BESS, also with a capacity of 500 MW/2,000 MWh, will be situated approximately 93 kilometers northeast of…
Saudi-based Acwa Power has announced the full operation of its Sirdarya Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Independent Power Project (IPP) in Uzbekistan. The plant, located in Shirin City in the Sirdarya region, has received its commercial operation certificate. This marks the transition of the project to full-scale operations. The Sirdarya power plant has a capacity of 1,500 MW. Acwa Power holds a 51% stake in the project. The plant is designed to provide electricity to meet the growing energy needs of Uzbekistan. The facility uses combined-cycle gas turbine technology to enhance energy efficiency during power generation. The company stated that…
Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), Abu Dhabi has announced plans to develop 4.6 GW of renewable energy projects across four sites in the emirate. These projects will include both solar and wind power installations, covering a total area of 75 square kilometers. The projects will consist of three solar photovoltaic (PV) plants and one wind farm. The solar plants will be located in Al Faya, Al Khazna, and Al Zarraf, with a combined capacity of 4.5 GW (AC). The wind farm, located in Sila, will add 140 MW of capacity. These developments are part of EWEC’s broader goal of…
The Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy, Tunisia has revealed the outcomes of the initial phase of its 1700 MW renewable energy initiative. Nearly 500 MW of solar capacity has been allocated across four projects. These projects will be developed by Qair Group in Sidi Bouzid and Gafsa, Scatec ASA in Sidi Bouzid, and Voltalia in Gabes. The selected bids were determined through a competitive process, with the lowest tariff offered at EUR 2.9¢/kWh. The awarded projects are planned to begin operation by 2027. Once operational, they are expected to produce around 1000 GWh of electricity annually. This would contribute…
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved $275 million in financing for a wind farm project located in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt. The project, with a planned capacity of 1.1 GW, is being developed by ACWA Power and Hassan Allam Utilities. Upon completion, this wind farm will be the largest in Africa and the Middle East. It is part of efforts to increase renewable energy production in Egypt and reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources. Of the $275 million syndicated loan, EBRD is contributing $200 million. The remaining $75 million is being provided by Arab Bank,…
Hyundai, in partnership with its UAE distributor Juma Al Majid Company, has delivered two new hydrogen fuel cell buses to Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC). These buses are part of the Green Bus Programme, which focuses on sustainable public transportation in the UAE capital. The Green Bus Programme aims to assess and implement hydrogen and electric-powered buses. It evaluates technologies to provide cleaner transportation options for residents, visitors, and commuters in Abu Dhabi. The programme also collaborates with international manufacturers and government bodies to ensure the solutions are effective and suitable for the local environment. In addition to these…
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…
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…