RENEWABLES-

Sonelgaz is reviewing proposals for its 1 GW solar plant: Algerian energy company Sonelgaz has started reviewing the financial proposals for the tenders it launched for a 1 GW solar plant early this month, Algerian news outlet El Djazair reported. The project will comprise five solar plants, each with a capacity between 50 MW to 300 MW. Sonelgaz will select and evaluate the proposals based on the most competitive cost of solar energy produced per kWh, with the agreements with the selected firm set to be finalized by the end of the year. Construction is scheduled for early 2024.

Who’s interested? The company received 41 offers from 16 institutions, 5 of which were local companies while the other 11 were international candidates from UAE, Turkey, China, and Italy, amongst others. A company could be selected to develop more than one of the five stations.

Abu Dhabi and China partner on smart grids: The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has signed an MoU with the State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) to study the feasibility of jointly building renewables-powered smart electricity grids in Abu Dhabi, according to a statement. The agreement will also target improvements to the UAE’s power grid connections with the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority members.

The details: DoE and SGCC will assess mechanisms to upscale the demand management and network flexibility of the Emirate’s electricity grids, the statement said. The two sides will evaluate the feasibility of adopting AI technologies, Advanced Meter Infrastructure for the automation of distribution systems, and IoT systems for EVs and micro-grids. The development of energy-efficiency policies aimed at pushing down the Emirate’s power consumption, will also be discussed as part of the agreement.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES-

EHang moves into Abu Dhabi’s SAVI cluster: Chinese eVtol outfit EHang has partnered with Wings Logistics Hub, the eVtol-focused subsidiary of UAE investor EIH Ethmar International, to roll out Ehang’s autonomous eVtol aircraft in the UAE, according to a statement. The partnership will see Ehang move into Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) Cluster and coordinate with Wing Logistics Hub to streamline certification and operations of its EH216 series eVTOLs in the UAE. Wing Logistics plans to purchase up to 100 EH216 units from Ehang with variants for aerial logistics, transport, and firefighting. Deliveries are set to commence in the 1Q 2024, the statement said.

NUCLEAR-

More news from UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Plant: The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) says its subsidiary Nawah Energy Company has completed loading fuel assemblies into Unit 4 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, Wam reports. Once operational in 2024, the unit will increase the plant's capacity to 5.6 GW, supplying 25% of the UAE's electricity needs for around 60 years.

We knew this was in the works: ENEC started operational readiness procedures for the fourth and final unit of Abu Dhabi’s Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant back in June. The third unit also added 1.4 GW to the UAE grid back in February.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

  • NWTN Motors lands EV financing from ADIB: Abu Dhabi International Bank (ADIB) has partnered with UAE-based green mobility company NWTN Motors to provide financing for the purchase of the Emirate’s first locally manufactured EV, the Rabdan One. (Statement)
  • Yellow Door Energy to power Aldar’s properties: Aldar Properties has partnered with Yellow Door Energy to power 45 of Aldar's properties with 34 MW of solar energy for 20 years as part of its target to decarbonise its business and assets by 2050. (Wam)
  • ACUD to offer green building incentives: Egypt’s Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD) will offer new green building incentives by the end of 2023. ACUS also rescheduled EGP 10 bn worth of installments for developers working on 150 projects. (Ahram Online)
  • Desert Technologies + Siemens collaborate on EV charging expansion: Saudi Arabia’s solar developer Desert Technologies has partnered with Siemens Energy under a sub-representation agreement to work on commercializing e-mobility and charging infrastructure in the kingdom. (Statement)
  • 100 mn tons of copper found in Morocco: Morocco’s Red Rock Mining company has discovered a 100 mn ton copper reserve in the nation’s Anti-Atlas mountain range and has begun an evaluation to determine the amount of exploitable copper. (Ahdath)
  • Qatar University + EY partner on e-mobility: Qatar University and Ernst & Young were selected to become the academic and advisory partners, respectively, to the Autonomous e-Mobility Forum taking place in Doha next year. (Statement)
  • UAE’s Bee’ah brings forward its net-zero target to 2040: UAE waste management company Bee’ah Group has set a target to reach net zero emissions by 2040 within its operations. The company is close to reaching carbon neutrality in the Sharjah Emirate alone, where Bee’ah’s zero-waste strategies have enabled a 90% landfill waste diversion rate. (Statement)
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