ELECTRIC VEHICLES-

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide EGP 500 mn to Abou Ghaly Motors to expand its London Cab fleet of EVs, according to a statement (pdf). The tranche will fund the purchase of 100 electric cabs to add to its existing fleet of 250 electric London Cabs.

Remember: The EBRD provided a EUR 10 mn loan to Abou Ghaly Motors back in 2022 to fund the purchase of 250 electric vehicles for its taxi fleet. The loan was part of a drive to electrify the company’s entire cab stock.

SOLAR-

Oman’s first solar thermal water plant to begin operations this month: Omani upstream energy firm ARA Petroleum has completed the construction of one of the world’s first solar thermal powered desalination plants located at its Qarat Al Milh site in Dhofar, according to a press release. The facility — developed in partnership with Austrian solar tech startup Heliovis — is scheduled to start commercial operations within the next few days, the statement added.

About the project: The plant — which was first announced in May — is expected to produce up to 140 cubic meters of drinking water daily from “produced water” — a byproduct of hydrocarbon production typically full of hydrocarbons and high levels of dissolved mineral salts. Heliovis will install its forward osmosis desalination plant with a direct-osmosis zero liquid discharge unit to extract potable water from the produced water and generate clean industrial process heat.

Implementing new technology: American water purification tech company Trevi Systems is also implementing its Forward Osmosis Technology (FOT) in the plant, which operates without the high pressures required by reverse osmosis, according to the statement. Instead, it uses a proprietary draw solution to pull fresh water through a membrane, offering a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly way to treat oilfield water.

GREEN TECH-

InSky Robotics establishes solar cleaning robotics facility in Ras Al Khaimah: Australian tech company InSky Robotics is launching its first GCC facility, VIM Solar Robotics, in Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Hamra region, Wam reported on Thursday. This facility will assemble and supply Voltimate robotic solar panel cleaners designed to withstand the UAE’s harsh weather while requiring minimal maintenance. The GCC has been experiencing a growing demand for robotic solutions for solar panel cleaning as installed solar capacities continue to rise.

About Voltimate: The Voltimate robot works mechanically without batteries or intricate electronics, making them more robust with a lifespan exceeding 20 years, matching that of typical solar panels. The robots are built using standardized components, which simplifies maintenance and substantially cuts down on operational costs. The product was developed in partnership with Australia’s JoyMechanix.

Ras Al Khaimah is set to be a clean energy hub: The UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah is one of the top ranking cities for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) with 120 certified projects.

EAD launches new system to track emissions: The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) launched the Stacks Automated Monitoring System (AMS) — an e-linking system to monitor emissions of particulate matter, moisture and other pollutants emitted from industrial stacks and ducts — across the industrial, energy, and fossil fuel sectors in Abu Dhabi, Wam reported last week. The initiative aims to enhance air quality and public health by using artificial intelligence to predict air quality and take proactive measures when emission limits are exceeded.

The details: The system will also enable facilities to submit data through a specialized electronic portal, integrating emissions information into a central database, Wam adds. The database — which currently links 53 stacks — will support atmospheric modelling, national inventory reporting, and the development of future policies and regulations.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

  • Algeria launched climate change strategy: Algeria's Environment and Renewable Energies Ministry launched the process to develop the country’s National Climate Change Strategy. The strategy will aim to prepare Algeria for medium and long-term climate challenges by analyzing developmental models and enhancing adaptive capacities. (Statement)
  • ONEE launches major water supply project in Morocco: Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Potable Water set in motion a USD 13.5 mn project — funded by the African Development Bank — aimed at expanding water treatment facilities and laying 60 km of pipelines. The project aims to boost water capacity by 16.4k cubic meters daily, secure supply until 2035, and reduce the impacts of drought exacerbated by climate change. (MAP)
  • GCCIA gets an A+ from Fitch: The Gulf Cooperation Council InterconnectionAuthority(GCCIA) has received an A+ rating with a stable outlook from Fitch Ratings. GCCIA maintains a solid financial profile with predictable revenues and strong government support despite recent debt increases due to expansion projects. (Statement)
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