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Monday, 23 September 2024
Monday, 23 September 2024
The roundup of news and trends that move our markets and shape our corporate agendas delivered straight to your inbox.
Subscribe hereGood morning, ladies and gents. It’s a busy start to the week with lots of ground to cover, but first, the latest climate developments straight from the UN as COP29 inches nearer…
THE BIG CLIMATE STORY OUTSIDE THE REGION- UN adopts Pact for the Future: The United Nations General Assembly adopted a " Pact for the Future " yesterday, described as a landmark agreement covering issues including sustainable development, climate change, and the transformation of global governance. The agreement pushes a need to reform international financial architecture by giving developing countries greater input on how decisions are taken at international financial institutions, reigniting the debate on a lack of support from World Bank and others. mobilizing more financing from multilateral development banks, reviewing sovereign debt architecture to ensure developing countries can borrow more sustainably, and strengthening the global financial safety net to protect the poorest in the event of financial and economic shocks.
Fossil fuel phase-out language is back: The pact sets the stage for a reintroduction to the fossil fuel phase-out debate at COP29 in November, confirming the need to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in order to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and keep global temperature rise to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.
Other points of interest: The pact also aims to improve how human progress is measured by looking beyond GDP to capture human and planetary wellbeing and sustainability, and includes a commitment to explore the introduction of a global taxation on high-net-worth individuals, the UN’s statement reads.
The story grabbed some ink in the international press: Reuters | AP | The Guardian | Deutsche Welle | NPR
IN OTHER NEWS- The Amazon’s wildfires are releasing tons of carbon into the atmosphere: Brazil’s hundreds of thousands of fires this summer, half of which are occurring in the Amazon rainforest, have only been amplified by severe drought affecting 60% of the country. 2.4 mn hectares of land in the rainforest burned between June and August with over 188k fires identified this year so far. As the Amazon burns, the carbon sink is releasing its stores of the greenhouse gas into the atmosphere with 31.5 mn tons of carbon — equal to running eight coal plants for a year — emitted between June and August alone. The story was picked up by Bloomberg over the weekend.
HAPPENING THIS WEEK-
The Decarbomed Forum will take place tomorrow and Wednesday in Tunis. The forum will showcase innovative solutions for transitioning to carbon neutrality in Tunisia and the Mediterranean region, focusing on helping businesses take advantage of new tech, renewable energy services, and green financing mechanisms to decarbonize operations.
On Wednesday, the Green Steel Summit will open its door and run through to Thursday in Dubai. The event will bring together steel industry professionals and decision makers to discuss market intelligence and the latest technological developments in sustainable steelmaking.
COP WATCH-
The Loss and Damage fund appoints new head: Senegalese finance specialist Ibrahima Cheikh Diong (LinkedIn) will serve as The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage first executive director from 1 November for a four-year term, according to a statement released on Saturday. Diong will provide “strategic leadership and oversight of the Fund’s Secretariat and assist the Board in delivering on the Fund’s mandate to provide financial support to vulnerable countries hardest hit by climate impacts,” the statement notes. The Fund’s board also finalized adding the World Bank as interim trustee and host of the Secretariat.
IN OTHER CLIMATE FINANCE NEWS- Western philanthropies gather USD 10 mn in climate finance: The Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Alliance for People and Planet — which includes the Ikea Foundation and the Bezos Earth Fund — have pledged USD 10 mn in funding to help the World Bank and African Development Bank support 15 green energy projects in Africa, the Financial Times reported on Friday.
The West is playing catchup to China’s contributions: China’s green financing in Africa reached about USD 500 mn in loans this past year from state-owned enterprises for three renewable energy projects, the FT wrote. The projects include a USD 50 mn solar plant in Burkina Faso, a USD 240 mn hydropower plant in Madagascar, and USD 200 mn for electrification in Uganda. China – Africa’s “biggest two way lender” – also recently hosted the China-Africa Cooperation Summit to try to convince leaders from 50 African countries to purchase more of its green exports in return for more loans and investment.
WATCH THIS SPACE-
Masdar to go ahead with Saeta Yield acquisition: Renewables giant Masdar will reportedly finalize its acquisition of Spanish renewable energy firm Saeta Yield from Canada-based investment firm Brookfield this month, Bloomberg reports, citing people with knowledge of the transaction. Earlier reports from Spanish outlet Expansion in September indicated the transaction could be valued at over EUR 1.5 bn.
Mauritius mulls e-waste recycling project in Egypt: A group of Mauritian investors are exploring the possibility of constructing a large-scale electronic waste recycling facility in Egypt, according to a statement. The facility would extract gold, platinum, silver, palladium, and copper from the electronic devices and convert plastic waste into fuel, co-founder of Greentech Group Basil Botha told Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones during a meeting.
IN OTHER EGYPT NEWS- Will the country get a wind turbine blades production factory? The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) is looking to global investors to set up a wind turbine blades production factory, which would be the first of its kind in the region, Al Mal reports, citing a government document it has seen. No further details were provided.
Germany urges EU to delay rules threatening hydrogen market: Germany is calling for a seven year delay on temporal correlation criteria to prove renewables output on the grid and hydrogen production match, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing a letter it has seen sent from German Economy Minister Robert Habeck to EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson. Habeck also urged the EU to consider phasing out additionality norms until 2035 which require producers to make sure their hydrogen demand matches new low-carbon or renewable energy generation.
Germany did a 180 in the name of hydrogen: Germany had earlier supported these rules but now finds that “these requirements were still too high and are slowing down the ramp-up of the projects for the production of renewable hydrogen in Germany and many other member states,” Habeck wrote. Habeck maintains that a delay of the criteria — which would also affect blue hydrogen purchasing — would allow companies to handle high costs, Habeck added.
DANGER ZONE-
Weak demand hinders green investment from heavy industries: Highly polluting industries including steel, aviation, shipping and cement production are struggling to finance the 473 proposed large-scale low carbon projects due to insufficient demand creating a “critical investment barrier,” according to data from the UN-backed Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA). If that barrier is removed, USD 700 bn in financing could be channeled into the projects by 2030 to help the sectors decarbonize. Following through with the 473 proposed projects would account for 80% of emissions cuts needed by 2030 to align with the Paris Agreement’s climate goals.
What else can help along the investment push? Along with alleviating the “critical investment barrier,” policy interventions are needed with governments accounting for around 25% of global steel demand and 40% of cement demand, says ITA executive director Faustine Delasalle. Carbon pricing mechanisms, green purchasing mandates, and new product standards are also needed, she added.
REFRESHER- The ITA was launched in December 2023 at the World Climate Action Summit and aims to gather investment to bolster decarbonization efforts in heavy-emitting industries — aluminum, cement, chemicals, steel, shipping, and aviation. The accelerator also supports scaling clean industrial projects to help them reach final investment decisions.
THE SCORECARD-
#1- Multilateral development banks (MDBs) provided a record USD 125 bn in global climate finance in 2023, more than doubling their 2019 contributions, according to a press release from the Asian Development Bank on Friday. This funding was directed toward both climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, with USD 74.7 bn allocated to low- and middle-income countries and USD 50.3 bn to high-income economies. The majority of the funds for low-and middle-income economies went to mitigation, while USD 24.7 bn supported adaptation. Similarly, high-income countries received USD 47.3 bn for mitigation and USD 3 bn for adaptation. MDBs also mobilized significant private finance, totaling USD 28.5 bn for lower-income countries and USD 72.7 bn for higher-income nations.
#2- CAM raises USD 1 bn for natural capital projects: Climate Asset Management (CAM) — a JV between HSBC Asset Management and specialist climate change investment and advisory firm Pollination — has raised more than USD 1 bn to invest in natural capital projects, including regenerative agriculture and land rehabilitation, CEO Martin Berg told Reuters on Friday. The funds, driven by increasing demand from investors aiming to protect biodiversity, have already closed to new money, with backers like Germany’s Gothaer Asset Managemen t contributing USD 100 mn to the Natural Capital Fund.
Future fundraising plans: CAM has already allocated much of the raised capital and expects to resume fundraising in 2025, the newswire writes. The firm’s success is partially driven by nature-related reporting obligations, such as the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which is encouraging more institutional investors to enter the growing nature asset class.
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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-
Egypt will host the Portfolio Egypt conference on Monday, 30 September in Cairo. The event aims to enhance cooperation among Arab stock exchanges and will cover crucial topics including market integration, product diversification, carbon markets, and regional debt markets. It will aim to outline recommendations to strengthen regional financial markets.
Egypt will host Cairo Sustainable Energy Week from Tuesday, 1 October to Thursday, 3 October in Cairo. The event will bring together policymakers, companies, and experts to discuss collaboration on the renewable energy transition across 17 Arab countries.
The UAE will host the World Green Economy Summit from Wednesday, 2 October to Thursday, 3 October in Dubai. The summit will promote the push for a green economy and will offer a platform for international entities to collaborate on sustainable development, financing, and policymaking.
Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.
Tozeur solar project is under development: Tunisia has broken ground on a TND 135 mn, 50 MW solar plant in Tozeur developed by Norway’s Scatec and Toyota subsidiary Aeolus, according to a statement published on Thursday. The project is set to begin production by the end of 2025, the statement notes.
What’s next? Scatec — which was awarded a 20-year power purchase agreement with the option to extend 10 years from the Tunisian state utility firm Société Tunisienne de l’Electricité et du Gaz — is developing two EUR 79 mn solar projects in Sidi Bouzid and Tozeur in partnership with Aeolus. The Norwegian company will handle Engineering, Procurement & Construction, Asset Management, and Operations & Maintenance services.
The latest developments: Aeolus and Scatec signed a partnership agreement last month to jointly develop and own the solar projects in Tunisia last month. Aeolus acquired a 49% ownership stake in the projects under the agreement. The projects also reached financial close in parallel to signing the partnership agreement, a statement noted at the time.
EBRD is backing the projects: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the French development agency Proparco are lending the developers EUR 25 mn for the projects. The EBRD's financing package includes a EUR 12.5 mn loan, a EUR 8.2 mn concessional tranche from the Bank’s Clean Technology Fund (CTF), and another EUR 4.6 mn tranche from its Global Environment Facility.
Part of a bigger plan: Tunisia has set a national strategy to develop solar plants with a combined capacity of 500 MW across the country, with a target to have clean energy sources comprise 35% of its electricity mix by 2030, and its unconditional emissions reduction target to slash 27% — 35 mn tons of CO2 — by 2030 compared to 2010 levels.
We have another update on the Jordan Green Ammonia plant: Jordan Green Ammonia (JGA) — a JV formed between Poland-based Hynfra and Jordan-based Fidelity Group — has signed land use agreements with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and Aqaba Development Corporation to establish its USD 1.6 bn green ammonia production facility in Jordan, according to a statement released on Thursday.
What’s next? Under the terms of this agreement, JGA will have all the necessary permissions to conduct feasibility studies within ASEZA and move forward with the project’s implementation phase, the statement notes. The project will begin with a site assessment then move on to construction operational launch which is pegged for completion within five years. The project aims to produce between 100k and 300k tons of green ammonia annually.
REMEMBER- Project studies were recently completed: Jordan’s Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry received the technical and economic studies for establishing a USD 1.6 bn green ammonia and hydrogen production plant in Aqaba back in May.
And Jordan has export plans in mind: The company is looking to export surplus from the planned facility to EU markets. The project is set to be powered by 530 MW capacity from solar, and include an energy storage facility, and a seawater desalination plant.
Oman develops new energy transition strategy: Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM) is working with public and private organizations to develop a new energy transition strategy to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 in line with Oman Vision 2040, Oman News Agency reported on Saturday. The strategy will cover the areas of energy efficiency, renewables, hydrogen, and carbon capture.
The five pillars: Oman’s new energy transition strategy will build upon five pillars;
The details: Oman aims to increase the share of renewables to 30% by 2030, 70% by 2040, and 100% by 2050. The country also plans to improve energy efficiency to 6MJ per USD of GDP by 2050, , Director of Electricity and Energy Efficiency Policies and Strategies at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals Maryam bint Mohammed Al Hashimi told ONA in a statement. Further plans include selling only zero-emissions vehicles by 2050 and producing 1 mn tons of green hydrogen by 2030, 3.5 mn tons by 2040, and 9 mn tons by 2050.
MEM’s been busy this year: MEM launched a digital platform that aims to attract investments to the energy sector called Taqa in June. Earlier in March, MEM said Oman was set to invest between USD 40 to 60 bn by 2030 in green hydrogen production and its needed common-use infrastructure — up from the USD 20-30 bn announced last year. Also in March, MEM, Hydrom, OQ Gas Networks, and the Port of Duqm met with a delegation from Dutch energy network operator Gasunie with the aim of exploring collaboration opportunities in green hydrogen.
Morocco and China have signed an MoU to establish a three-year cooperation program on water resources from 2025 to 2027, MAP reported last week. The agreement will enhance expertise exchange, capacity building, and joint efforts on water-related projects, with a focus on water infrastructure development, flood and drought management, and improving water access in rural areas.
More details: Both nations aim to explore innovative solutions for sustainable water use, particularly in agriculture. The program will include annual meetings of the China-Morocco Joint Committee on Water Resources, technical exchanges, and a seminar to evaluate progress and explore further areas of cooperation.
REMEMBER- Water scarcity has been an ongoing problem in Morocco: Morocco has experienced five years of drought. Water inflows declined in the country from 2.5k cbm per capita annually in 1960 to 620 cbm in 2020, placing Morocco in a situation of structural water stress. Last year the country approached the absolute water scarcity threshold of 500 cbm per capita per year.
RECYCLING-
KSA launches region’s first biochar initiative using palm waste: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Palms and Dates and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture introduced its first biochar initiative, SPA reported on Saturday. The initiative aims to recycle palm waste to create a carbon-rich material for enhancing soil structure, retaining water, and increasing agricultural sustainability. Farmers using biochar can expect a 30% reduction in water usage, quicker plant growth, and higher yields.
SOUND SMART- What is biochar? Biochar — charcoal produced from burning agri and forestry waste — can improve soil health, while storing carbon and pushing down carbon emissions, rendering it viable for carbon offset sales. Biochar can ensure permanent carbon sequestration for more than 100 years.
Oman’s also interested in biochar: Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (Be'ah) signed an agreement with Omani waste management firm NTZ Solutions aiming to minimize consumption of natural resources and support establishment of the country’s first biochar production plant in November 2023.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES-
Volt Charge to boost Saudi Arabia’s EV infrastructure with mobile chargers: Volt Charge, a Saudi-based EV charger manufacturer, is finalizing a prototype for next-generation mobile EV chargers, Arab News reported Thursday. The mobile chargers, developed in collaboration with QSS AI & Robotics, will allow users to order chargers via an app, merging AI and robotics. The prototype was showcased at the EV Auto Show in Riyadh.
SUSTAINABILITY-
NTSC, Saudi Bulk Transport and Electromin collaborate to advance sustainable transportation: Saudi Arabia’s National Transportation Solutions Company (NTSC), Saudi Bulk Transport (SBT-SENDDEX), and Electromin have signed a Decarbonization Roadmap agreement focusing on sustainable transportation, according to a press release on Thursday. This collaboration aims to reduce the country's transportation emissions growth rate from 7% to 3% by 2030. The three companies are working on developing advanced transportation solutions, including the procurement of Electric Light Duty Trucks (LDTs).. NTSC will showcase its efforts at the upcoming EV Show, presenting its DarbConnect Fleet Management Software and engaging in discussions about the future of green transportation.
NTSC has partnered on fleet decarbonization with Sadafco: Sadafco, a food manufacturer, seller, and distributor in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, partnered with NTSC in October 2023 to reduce carbon emissions and establish a future driven by Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs). The five-stage partnership will see NTSC help SADAFCO quantify its carbon emissions, assess ZEV availability in KSA, chart the transition plan, and use digital platforms like PowerBI to analyze its results.
DECARBONIZATION-
Ducab partners with Schneider Electric on decarbonization: Cable manufacturer Ducab Group is strengthening its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) and decarbonization strategy by tapping Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Business as a strategic advisor, Wam reported last week. Schneider Electric will assist Ducab Group with developing a comprehensive ESG and Climate Strategy, targeting reductions in carbon emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3, in line with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Schneider Electric will also conduct an ESG Double Materiality Assessment and support ESG reporting, while its EcoStruxure Resource Advisor will help track sustainability progress.
SOLAR-
Masen to launch tenders for two new solar plants: The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) is set to launch tenders for the construction of two new solar power plants near Khouribga within the next few months, according to a statement from earlier this month. These plants will be built on communal lands spanning 127 and 114 hectares, located in the Oulad Kouaouch commune.
REMEMBER- MASEN has other solar projects in the works: Masen prequalified eight consortiums for the development of the 400 MW third phase of its 1.6 GW Noor Midelt solar complex in the Atlas Mountains last December.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-
Australia expects to finalize a critical minerals agreement with the US by the end of the year, Bloomberg reported on Saturday, citing comments made by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to reporters after a meeting with US President Joe Biden last Friday. The agreement, part of the Australia-US Climate, Critical Minerals, and Clean Energy Transformation Compact, is aimed at reducing reliance on China, which currently controls 70% of the global rare earth market. The cooperation will also other nations including Canada to ensure a stable and sustainable supply of these valuable resources.
Australia is also working with the UAE on critical mineral supply chains: The UAE and Australia agreed to the terms of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement to facilitate investment in “priority sectors” including renewable energy and critical mineral supply chains last week. The trade agreement is the Australian labor government's first since taking office in May 2022, and Australia’s first with a country in the MENA region.
India’s state-owned Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) plans to invest INR 180 bn (USD 2.16 bn) in equity for renewable capacity expansion by 2030, and has plans for an IPO in one or two years, Reuters reported on Friday. SECI is set to tender 20 GW of projects this fiscal year. The size of the IPO has not yet been determined. The move comes amongst a broader push in India to invest in renewables as the government aims to add at least 500 GW of clean energy by 2030.
Consortium conducts ship-to-ship ammonia transfer in Australia: Japan's Mitsui Lines, Norway's Yara, and Singapore's Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation have completed the world's first ship-to-ship ammonia transfer at anchorage in Australia's Dampier port, Reuters reported last week. The operation simulated real bunkering conditions and involved two transfers of 4k cubic meters of ammonia between a Mitsui gas carrier and a Navigator Gas carrier. The Pilbara region, known for its ammonia production, is expected to become a hub for ammonia bunkering.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-
G42 + NVIDIA partner on AI-enhanced weather forecasting: UAE AI outfit G42 is partnering with US-based computer tech company Nvidia to advance climate technology by developing AI-driven solutions for more accurate global weather forecasting, according to a press release from Friday. The pair will work on using Nvidia’s Earth-2 platform to create a high-resolution, sq km weather forecasting model.
And they’re building an R&D hub: The pair will also launch a Climate Tech Lab in Abu Dhabi to develop tailored climate and weather solutions in a bid to help organizations worldwide achieve sustainability goals through data-driven strategies, the statement notes.
NVIDIA isn’t new to the game: Nvidia already developed an AI weather-forecasting tool called FourCastNet that utilizes a deep learning architecture known as Adaptive Fourier Neural Operators. It is designed to handle high-resolution, global weather forecasting by predicting weather patterns across multiple time steps.
Major players have already created their own tools: Microsoft researchers developed a new AI foundation model, Aurora, that uses atmospheric data to help mitigate the effects of climate-related crises back in June. Aurora is set apart by its quick ability to predict air pollution in less than a minute.
SEPTEMBER 2024
23-25 September (Monday-Wednesday): Powerlec Bahrain, Manama, Bahrain.
24- 25 September (Tuesday - Wednesday): Decarbomed Forum, Tunis, Tunisia.
25-26 September (Wednesday-Thursday): Green Steel Summit, Dubai, UAE.
30 September (Monday): Portfolio Egypt 2024, Cairo, Egypt.
OCTOBER 2024
1-3 October (Tuesday-Thursday): Water, Energy and Environment Technology Exhibition, Dubai, UAE.
1-3 October (Tuesday-Thursday): Cairo Sustainable Energy Week, Cairo, Egypt.
2-3 October (Wednesday-Thursday): World Green Economy Summit, Dubai, UAE.
10-12 October (Thursday-Saturday): The IEEE International Conference on Artificial Intelligence & Green Energy, Yasmine Hammamet, Tunisia.
10-12 October (Thursday-Saturday): EVs Electrify Egypt Summit, Cairo, Egypt.
13-17 October (Sunday-Thursday): Cairo Water Week, Cairo, Egypt.
15-17 October (Tuesday-Thursday): EV Auto Show, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
15-16 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): Solar & Storage Live KSA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
16-17 October (Wednesday-Thursday): Upscaling Investment on Small-Scale Renewable Energy in Rural Areas Forum, Tunis, Tunisia
17-19 October (Thursday-Saturday): Africa Solutions Week 2024, Rabat, Morocco.
NOVEMBER 2024
4-7 November (Monday-Thursday): Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC), Abu Dhabi, UAE.
4-8 November (Monday-Friday): World Urban Forum, Cairo, Egypt.
4-8 November (Monday-Friday): African Energy Week, Cape Town, South Africa.
6-7 November (Wednesday-Thursday): Renewable Energy Forum Africa, Tunis, Tunisia.
6-7 November (Wednesday-Thursday): Critical Mineral Africa Summit, Cape Town, South Africa.
11-22 November (Monday-Friday) United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties (COP29), Baku, Azerbaijan.
11-14 November (Monday-Thursday): Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
18-19 November (Monday-Tuesday): G20 Summit, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
19-22 November (Tuesday-Friday) Aquaculture Africa 2024, Hammamet, Tunisia.
26- 27 November: (Tuesday - Wednesday): World Food Security Summit, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
26-28 November (Tuesday-Thursday): Future Power Expo, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
26-28 November (Tuesday-Thursday): Egypt Energy Show, Cairo, Egypt.
27-28 November (Wednesday-Thursday): RAK Energy Summit, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
DECEMBER 2024
2-13 December (Monday-Friday): Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
3-4 December (Tuesday-Wednesday): MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2024 conference, Dakar, Senegal.
10-12 December (Tuesday to Thursday): International Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
JANUARY 2025
12-15 January (Sunday-Wednesday): World Renewable Energy Congress, Manama, Bahrain.
14-16 January (Tuesday-Thursday): World Energy Summit, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
14-16 January (Tuesday-Thursday): Future Minerals Forum, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
28-29 January (Tuesday-Wednesday): Sustainability Forum Middle East, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
FEBRUARY 2025
23-25 February (Sunday- Tuesday): Global Water Energy and Climate Change Congress, Manama, Bahrain.
24-26 February (Monday-Wednesday): Connecting Hydrogen MENA, Dubai, UAE.
24-27 February (Monday-Thursday): Oman Climate Week, Muscat, Oman.
EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE
2024
End-2024: Emirati Masdar’s 500 MW wind farm in Uzbekistan to begin commercial operations.
QatarEnergy’s industrial cities solar power project will start electricity production.
November: Arab Forum for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Amman, Jordan.
2025
International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
UAE to have over 1k EV charging stations installed.
Middle East Electric Vehicle Show, Sharjah, UAE.
2026
26-29 October (Monday-Thursday): World Energy Congress, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
UITP Global Public Transport Summit, Dubai, UAE.
Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Bangkok, Thailand.
1Q 2026: QatarEnergy’s USD 1 bn blue ammonia plant to be completed.
End-2026: HSBC Bahrain to eliminate single-use PVC plastic cards.
2027
MENA’s district cooling market is expected to reach USD 15 bn.
World Water Forum, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
2030
UAE’s Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) wants to provide AED 35 bn in green financing.
UAE targets 14 GW in clean energy capacity.
Tunisia targets 30% of renewables in its energy mix.
Qatar wants to generate USD 17 bn from its circular economy, creating 9k-19k jobs.
Morocco’s Xlinks solar and wind energy project to generate 10.5 GW of energy.
2035
Qatar to capture up to 11 mn tons of CO2 annually.
2045
Qatar’s Public Works Authority’s (Ashghal) USD 1.5 bn sewage treatment facility to reach 600k cm/d capacity.
2050
Tunisia’s carbon neutrality target.
2060
Nigeria aims to achieve its net-zero emissions target.