ELECTRIC VEHICLES-

RTA expands fleet with AED 1.1 bn low carbon bus order: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) purchased 636 new buses for AED 1.1 bn to enhance the emirate’s public transport system, according to a statement. The new fleet — set to be delivered in 2024 and 2025 — comes as part of the RTA’s plans to boost public transport use to 25% by 2030, and to convert 100% of public transport buses to electric and hydrogen-powered buses by 2050.

The breakdown: The order includes 40 electric buses and 50 city service buses from Chinese bus manufacturer Zhongtong, 400 city service buses from German MAN Truck & Bus, 76 double-deckers from Volvo, and 70 articulated buses from Anadolu Isuzu.

RENEWABLES-

#1- Kuwait Oil taps KBR for renewables projects: US-based engineering firm KBR secured an advisory consulting contract by Kuwait Oil Company for the production of 17 GW of renewables and 25 GW of green hydrogen by 2050, according to a statement published last week. The project will include deploying wind and solar power plants, combined with power storage capabilities, to support both internal industrial use and export purposes. KBR will conduct market analysis, techno-commercial feasibility studies, and training for Kuwaiti nationals for the next 18 months in preparation for the construction and launch of the renewables station.

#2- Sonelgaz places major order from GE Vernova: Algerian state-owned energy company Sonelgaz placed a major order of electricity grid equipment from GE Vernova through their joint venture GE Algeria Turbines (GEAT) to support the integration of renewables to Algeria’s grid, according to a press release published last week. GEAT will install high voltage equipment, components, and grid automation solutions for 134 substations by 2028 at Sonelgaz’s facility in Ain Yagout. Sonelgaz and GE Vernova signed an agreement earlier this year to expand GEAT towards high and extra-high voltage substations.

GREEN FINANCE-

Egypt + France partner for sustainable finance initiative: The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) signed an MoU with the French Development Agency to launch a program that aims to provide financial institutions and regulatory authorities with technical support on environmental risk management and sustainable finance disclosures, Ahram Online reported on Thursday. The initiative — called Finance in Common — will work on embedding sustainable finance in Egypt's financial sectors and will offer capacity-building programs, and credit facilities, particularly supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

  • Adesco to build solar plant at UAEU: Abu Dhabi Energy Services Company (Adesco), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) , will establish a 9 MW solar plant in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain. The project aims to install more than 14k solar panels on an area of 190k sqm on the university’s campus to provide 25% of the university’s annual electricity consumption and reduce carbon emissions by about 8k tons annually. (Al Bayan)
  • Iran localizes solar panel and inverter production: An Iranian renewables tech firm has successfully localized the production of 5 kW solar inverters and solar panels for use in grid-connected power stations. The company has also developed a solar-powered water purifier to provide safe drinking water in underserved areas. The power of the inverters ranges from a few 10 watts to several MWs depending on the type of PV system. (ANA)
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