SOLAR-

Emerge to install solar systems at Ghuweifat freight station: UAE’s national railway network operator Etihad Rail signed an agreement with Emerge – a Masdar and EDF JV – to supply Al Ghuwaifat freight terminal with solar power, according to a statement published on Friday. The agreement includes installing a 600 kWp solar PV and a 2.56 MWh battery energy storage system, powering 85% of the border-town terminal’s energy needs. The project will offset 8.5k tons of carbon emissions for the contract’s duration.

Etihad Rail is boosting its sustainability efforts: The company introduced a sustainable finance framework to align its future financing with its ESG strategy in August. It also partnered with Bee’ah subsidiary Bee’ah Tandeef in April to cooperate on sustainable waste management to curb emissions from landfills.

AMMONIA-

Adnoc L&S + Wanhua JV places USD 250 mn order for ammonia carriers: AW Shipping — a JV between UAE’s Adnoc L&S and China’s Wanhua Chemical Group — will purchase USD 250 mn very large ammonia carriers from China’s Jiangnan Shipyard, according to a statement (pdf) released on Thursday. The carriers are considered among the largest in the world, having an individual carrying capacity of 93k meters of ammonia, and are slated for delivery between 2027 and 2028. The contracts were announced during the launch of Jiangnan Shipyard’s first office in the MENA region in Abu Dhabi.

WATER TREATMENT-

Alkhorayef snags another O&M contract: Alkhorayef Water & Power Technologies has been awarded a SAR 49.5 mn (USD 13.2 mn) contract to operate and maintain (O&M) the Al Humaimah Water Treatment Plant in Hail Province, according to a Saudi exchange disclosure released on Thursday. The contract covers a 36-month period, and the financial impact of the project is expected to be reflected in 1Q 2025. Alkhorayef Water & Power Technologies will provide further updates once the agreement is finalized and signed.

Alkhorayef is on a roll: This is the second O&M contract secured by the company last week after it was awarded a SAR 39.4 mn (USD 10.5 mn) contract from the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA) to operate and maintain water and sewage treatment plants at the country’s land ports, according to a Saudi exchange disclosure.

CARBON CAPTURE-

Emirati Khalifa University + Levidian partner on carbon capture: Khalifa University’s Research & Innovation Center for Graphene and 2D Materials (RIC2D) has partnered with UK’s climate tech firm Levidian to research the company’s patented carbon capture LOOP technology, according to a Thursday press release. The pair plan to test the efficacy of Levidian’s tech — which can help decarbonize hard-to-abate industries by capturing carbon from gases like methane to produce clean hydrogen and high-quality graphene. Levidian and Khalifa University have crossed paths before to back UAE’s Zero Carbon Ventures.

The UAE might be betting on Levidian’s tech: Earlier in May, Levidian announced it intends to establish a manufacturing center in Abu Dhabi for its patented LOOP technology with a USD 100 mn investment. The Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer) also struck a partnership with Levidian in the same month to use its LOOP technology for decarbonization projects in the UAE and globally. The two companies had already inked an agreement last year to implement a pilot project using the same tech in Abu Dhabi’s landfills.

EMISSIONS-

Egypt reduces railway emissions by 20% through modernization: Egypt’s railways have reduced its carbon emissions by 20% as a result of adding a slew of modernized locomotives, including electric ones, into its freight transport system, AlMawqa3 reported on Saturday, citing transportation minister remarks. Expanding the use of electric locomotives would enhance emission reduction efforts, with the goal of reaching up to a 50% reduction, Transportation Minister Kamel Al-Wazir said during the inauguration of Upper Egypt Trains Station.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES-

EV sales stalled in Jordan after tax hike: No EVs priced above JOD 10k (c.USD 14.15k) have been cleared for sale since the government's decision to progressively increase taxes on luxury EVs, effective a month ago, AlMamlak reported on Saturday. The tax hike – announced last month – has created a financial crisis for traders, with most unable to sell vehicles due to the significantly hiked costs. The decision has left many vehicles stuck at ports, as cars priced above JOD 10k —representing 80% of the market— have seen price increases of around 60%.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

  • New global biodiversity fund selects 16 recipients with a total USD 2.6 mn in awards: The Executive Council of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) has selected a batch of projects that would support the goals of the the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The fund– established in 2022 during COP15 and features Egypt as a member of its executive council– aims at scaling up financing for the implementation of the framework. Out of 36 initial submissions, 16 projects were shortlisted. 10 of the recipients will be announced during COP29, the Egyptian Environment Ministry said. (Statement)
  • Qatar greenlights water conservation law: Qatar's Cabinet approved a draft law on water conservation that aims to ensure water security, promote water conservation, and prevent the depletion, waste, or pollution of water resources. The bill was sent to the Shura Council for final deliberations. (Press Release)
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