Middle East second most popular region for renewable energy investment
The Middle East is the second most popular region for renewable energy investment after North America, according to a recent report from UK-based law firm Ashurst. The region is home to some of the largest renewable energy bets in the world. The UAE, for instance, is currently developing the Mohammed Bin Rashid Solar Park, the world’s largest concentrated solar power project in the world. Considering the huge renewable energy resources available in the region it is not surprising that the Middle East and North Africa ranked so highly for current and future investment. Added to that, the record-breaking low prices of solar in the region make the technology incredibly attractive to developers, said Ashurt’s Head of Middle East David Charlier. The report gathered data from over 2,000 senior business people in the Group of 20 countries that either work for energy companies, are investors in energy, service providers to energy companies, or have responsibility in energy decision making for other sector companies. Around 26 percent of respondents to the survey in the Middle East said that they were presently investing in energy transition, marking the region as the most popular for current investment in renewables, while 11 percent added that they were considering investing. In North America, the most popular region, 28 percent said that they were currently investing, with 11 percent stating they are considering investing.
No Exceptions By DEWA For PV Projects Under Shams Dubai
DEWA praises the continuous effort of Dubai’s solar industry to support Shams Dubai, executing projects in line with DEWA’s technical requirements and the applicable Laws and DEWA regulations. As per currently applicable Connection Conditions for Generators of Electricity from Solar Energy (DEWA DRRG Connection Conditions) published by DEWA on the basis of Executive Council Resolution number 46 of 2014 : – Ground mounted projects are no longer envisaged under Shams Dubai; – The maximum capacity to be installed in a plot is capped at 2,080 kW (lower limits can apply based on the customer’s total connected load in the plot, as per table in DEWA DRRG Connection Conditions). No exceptions to these restrictions will be granted by DEWA for solar PV projects initiated by customers under Shams Dubai, and no other regulatory framework is envisaged to accept any application not complying with the abovementioned restrictions and other Shams Dubai applicable regulations. Solar Contractor and Consultants are requested to make the above clear to customers and refrain from signing with them any contract for supporting or executing solar PV projects in Dubai not complying with abovementioned restrictions and other Shams Dubai applicable regulation. Strict compliance with these instructions is required, and violations will be subject to administrative action inclusive of removal from the list of DEWA enrolled Electrical and Solar PV Consultants and Contractors. This is without prejudice to other legal action as per applicable laws.
MASE signs operations and maintenance contract for Shamsuna 10 MW Solar PV Plant
MASE, the leading regional solar operations and maintenance firm, signed a turn-key contract with Catalyst Investment Management (CIM) to operate and maintain the Shamsuna 10 MW Solar PV Plant located within Solar Park I of the Ma’an Development Area in Ma’an, Jordan. The Plant, owned by CIM, is part of Jordan’s Round I Renewable Energy IPP Program. It is financed by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), acting as mandate lender for the Seven Sisters Program, together with the Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO). Under the contract, MASE will carry out turn-key operations, maintenance and management services comprising preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance to ensure the plant’s long-term performance and optimal availability. MASE was selected by CIM as part of a competitive request for proposal process, which involved technical and commercial due diligence carried out by the project lenders and their technical advisers. The process and subsequent award further cements the bankability of MASE’s solar O&M value proposition and adds upon its rapidly growing operational track record in Jordan.
BELECTRIC commissions 46 MW Jordan Solar and Storage Project
BELECTRIC is delivering a utility scale PV plant on challenging terrain: the company has completed a solar plant in Jordan on a mountainous terrain with varied ground composition close to the airport of Amman. BELECTRIC, via its subsidiary BELECTRIC Gulf Ltd., has built and commissioned the South Amman Solar Power Plant with a total installed capacity of 46.33 MWp as EPC (Engineering-Procurement-Construction) provider on behalf of the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. In addition to the turnkey PV solution BELECTRIC is delivering a battery storage system with a capacity of 2.6 MWh for the South Amman solar project. The battery storage facility is expected to be commissioned this summer. BELECTRIC will also provide operation and maintenance services (O&M) to the facility. A corresponding agreement has already been signed. The long-term service contract includes remote power plant monitoring, regular inspections and on-site support in the event of a fault.
Sungrow to Supply 1500V SG250HX Inverter Solutions to 500 MWac PV Plant in Oman
Sungrow announced it will supply 1500V SG250HX inverter solutions to the 500 MWac IBRI II project in Oman. The delivery of inverter solutions will commence in Q2 this year. The project is expected to come online in the summer of 2021. The IBRI II PV project is an Independent Power Project (IPP) to be developed on a BOO (build, own, operate) basis. The $400 million project was funded on a debt to equity ratio of 70:30 and a consortium consisting of ACWA Power, Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) and the Alternative Energy Projects Company (AEPC) has achieved the financial closure of it recently. The project will supply clean power to state-owned utility Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) under a 15-year contract. The plant can generate roughly 1,300 GWh annually, which is enough to power an estimated 33,000 homes and offset 340,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Dewa discusses enhancing cooperation with Singapore
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) discussed ways to enhance co-operation with Singaporean authorities besides exchanging of the best international practices and expertise, especially in clean energy. Al Tayer, MD & CEO, Dewa pointed out that Dewa had undertaken a set of precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of its staff and customers, in line with the Dubai Government’s efforts to provide the highest level of protection against Covid-19. Dewa has ensured the continuity of its delivery of electricity and water, according to the highest standards of availability, reliability, and efficiency. Its digital infrastructure and the training programmes staff attended over the last few years to use technological tools and channels, has enabled it to implement a remote working system. Over 6,000 employees of Dewa are currently working remotely. Kamal R Vaswani, Ambassador of Singapore to the UAE, expressed his interest in cooperating with the authority in its pioneering projects in clean and renewable energy and water. He commended the bilateral relations between the UAE and Singapore, as well as the Dewa’s relentless efforts to achieve the sustainable development of Dubai.
