Kuwait May Re-Tender Dabdaba 1.5 GW Solar Project
Kuwait may re-tender its first major solar power project in Dabdaba to secure lower prices from bidders after a setback in awarding the contract. The project will produce 1.5 GW of electricity, a newspaper in the OPEC member reported. The Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), which oversees the project, is still awaiting government response on whether to re-tender or award the project to the contractor with the lowest bid of 439 million Kuwaiti dinars, the Arabic language daily Al-Rai said, quoting KNPC sources. “KNPC is awaiting a response from the government after a long delay in the execution of this vital project.it could either award it to the lowest bidder or re-tender it to save funds given technological advancements in this industry. There is also a possibility the project could be canceled altogether,” the report stated. The report added that bidding for the project has been extended many times since 2019 and bank guarantees offered by the four shortlisted bidders expire in mid-July. The Dabdaba project is part of government plans to tap renewable energy sources to expand their share of the energy mix to 15 percent by 2030 and has been on the cards for nearly two years. Early this year KNPC is planning to borrow around $1.1 billion from banks to fund the project while it would contribute 30 percent of its costs.
ADGM Inks Partnership with IRENA to Promote Sustainable Finance
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the lead intergovernmental agency for the energy transformation, and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the award-winning international financial centre, have signed a Memorandum of understanding (MoU) to signify their joint commitment to progressing sustainable finance across the UAE and the wider region. Through the MoU, IRENA and ADGM solidified their mutual dedication to promoting solutions that facilitate investment in renewable energy. The agreement was signed by Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA and Dhaher bin Dhaher, CEO of the ADGM Registration Authority (RA). As per IRENA and ADGM’s joint agreement, the two organisations have committed to engage with one another to facilitate investment in renewable energy, support in the development of a sustainable finance ecosystem that is inclusive of renewable energy, and support on any ongoing initiatives relating to sustainability. Additionally, IRENA and ADGM will explore additional approaches to support local initiatives, mutually promote their respective platforms, exchange information on important events and support one another in promoting common aims, initiatives and events.
DIAM To Set Up Solar Desalination Project In Oman
The Public Authority for Water (DIAM) is exploring desalination through solar evaporation to help sustain supplies to remote communities located beyond the reach of the country’s water distribution grids. The company in its 2019 Annual Report issued recently stated “Diam is working with a partner to develop a solar desalination plant, where the solar energy is harnessed directly to produce fresh water through evaporation. A number of sites are being assessed to enable the development of this innovative technology”. “In the first phase of the project, the company carried out a detailed analysis of the production and supply network and estimated the reduction in energy bills that could be achieved by monitoring and controlling the network in an automated and optimal process,” said Diam. The Authority also added that “The analysis showed that minimizing pumping and reducing water production during the peak summer electricity tariff periods together with abstracting water from the most cost effective plant will generate significant savings for Diam (and may negate the need to build additional peak power capacity in Oman). The target level of savings has now been guaranteed by a specialized company and we are now moving to the implementation phase,”.
UAE’s Ducab Inaugurates 2 MW Solar System At Its Headquarters
United Arab Emirates-based cable manufacturer Ducab Group recently inaugurated a 2 MWp solar installation at its headquarters in Dubai. They held a ceremony in Jebel Ali which was led by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA) CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer. Ducab developed the installation together with Etihad Energy Service Company. The project includes a rooftop array and ground mounted panels, which jointly generate 3.5 GWh of power yearly which can supply energy to 500 households. It will also save about 660 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) a year. The electricity produced from the solar project will cover the needs of Ducab’s PVC plant on site. This project is part of Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims at supplying 75% of the city’s power output from clean energy sources by 2050.
Air Products, ACWA Power and NEOM Sign Agreement for $5 Billion Production Facility in NEOM Powered by Renewable Energy
Air Products, in conjunction with ACWA Power and NEOM, announced the signing of an agreement for a $5 billion world-scale green hydrogen-based ammonia production facility powered by renewable energy. The project, which will be equally owned by the three partners, will be sited in NEOM, a new model for sustainable living located in the north west corner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and will produce green ammonia for export to global markets. The joint venture project is the first partnership for NEOM with leading international and national partners in the renewable energy field and it will be a cornerstone for its strategy to become a major player in the global hydrogen market. It is based on proven, world-class technology and will include the innovative integration of over four gigawatts of renewable power from solar, wind and storage; production of 650 tons per day of hydrogen by electrolysis using thyssenkrupp technology; production of nitrogen by air separation using Air Products technology; and production of 1.2 million tons per year of green ammonia using Haldor Topsoe technology. The project is scheduled to be onstream in 2025.
ALEC Energy in Agreement With Azelio for Development and Installation of Energy Storage in the Middle East and Africa
ALEC Energy and Azelio reached an agreement to expand its business offering, to supply electricity and heat to Commercial & Industrial clients using Azelio’s long-duration thermal energy storage. The unique storage technology developed by the Swedish company can be coupled to solar PV, wind power, or any other energy source, store the energy in recycled aluminum and cost-efficiently supply renewable power, as heat and electricity, on demand around the clock. ALEC Energy is a business division of ALEC Engineering and Contracting L.L.C (ALEC) and offers a complete spectrum of services, from concept to commissioning, operations and maintenance of Solar PV projects. “We look forward to working with Azelio in a long-term partnership with the opportunity to introduce this renewable technology across the wider region and constructing upcoming innovative energy storage verification project”, highlights James Stewart, General Manager of ALEC Energy.
