KSA, Aerofarms form JV for indoor vertical farming: KSA’s sovereign wealth fund the Public Investment Fund and US-based AeroFarms have signed a joint venture agreement to build and operate indoor vertical farms in Saudi Arabia and MENA, according to a statement released last week. The first farm will be the largest of its kind in the region and will produce some 1.1 mn kg of crops. The JV will rely on smart agriculture technology to streamline the supply chain and support year-round, sustainable local sourcing of high-quality crops. AeroFarms also partnered with the Qatar Freezones Authority and Doha Venture Capital to build a vertical indoor farm in Qatar last November.

Masdar City broke ground on its 30k sqm sustainable and renewable-powered community “The Link” last week, according to a press release from WAM. The Link is expected to house the first net-zero shared living and working facility in the region, and will also be home to four low-carbon buildings. Once complete, the community will meet LEED Platinum, WELL Gold, 4 Pearl PBRS Estidama and LEED SmartPark Silver standards.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

  • Saudi’s Public Transport Company began operating its first electric bus in Jeddah on Thursday. The bus can run for 300 kilometers on a single charge and consumes 10% less electricity compared to the average electric bus. (Zawya)
  • Egypt-based NGO Bioenergy Association for Sustainable Development signed an MoU with the National Bank of Kuwait-Egypt to develop a biogas production facility in the country’s southern governorate of Assiut. (Statement)
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