Decarbonization, green policy and industry updates from UAE and Bahrain

CARBON CREDITS-

Ewec introduces wind energy certificates: Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has launched Clean Energy Certificates (CECs) for energy produced by the UAE’s first utility-scale wind program, according to a press release. These CECs enable companies to certify clean energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions to support their sustainability goals.

REMEMBER- EWEC + Masdar are cooperating under the wind program: The introduction of wind CECs follows EWEC's power purchase agreement with Masdar in Q4 2023. The wind farms, located at Al Sila, Sir Bani Yas Island, and Delma Island, have a combined capacity of 99 MW, powering around 22k homes and slashing 115k tons of CO2 annually.

GREEN POLICY-

DoE issues low-carbon water regulations: The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has introduced a new regulatory policy aimed at promoting low-carbon water production and reducing the impact of water desalination emissions, according to a statement. The policy outlines the framework for issuing low-carbon water certificates, which are expected to incentivize the adoption of cleaner technologies and practices in water production.

Why does this matter? The UAE relies heavily on desalination for its water needs with around 42% of its water requirements coming from desalination plants.

GREEN INDUSTRY-

Alba + Daiki partner on sustainable aluminum production: Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) and Japanese aluminum product manufacturer Daiki Aluminium have partnered to establish a sustainable aluminum dross — a byproduct of the aluminum melting process — recycling facility in Bahrain, according to a statement. The collaboration aims to leverage Alba's industry expertise and Daiki Aluminium's technologies to recover valuable aluminum metal and significantly reduce waste.

Alba is upping its green efforts: Alba is installing a new 680.9 MW turbine — which will be the first of its kind in the world — that will be compatible to run on green hydrogen in the company's fifth power plant. Alba is also working with Mitsubishi to capture CO2 from its aluminum smelter and flue gas plants which could together help capture 500k to 1 mn metric tons per year by 2030.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

• Zerova + Muscat Gas to develop EV charging factory in Oman: Taiwan-based EV charger manufacturer Zerova Technologies and Muscat Gas signed an agreement to develop the first electric vehicle charging equipment and supplies manufacturing plant in the Middle East. (Statement)
• Mashreq achieves LEED zero carbon status: UAE’s Mashreq Bank has received the LEED Zero Carbon certification from the US Green Building Council for fully offsetting the emissions produced by its building headquarters in Downtown Dubai for a year. (Statement)