WASTE MANAGEMENT-

Tunisia has approved several projects to improve waste management across the country, according to a statement published on Wednesday. The projects include an expansion of a waste management facility in the Sfax governorate, the construction of a waste management plant in the Gafsa governorate, and the commencement of feasibility studies for waste management facilities in Ariana, Manouba, Bizerte, Kairouan, Madaniyin, Mahdia, Monastir, Sousse governorates and Greater Tunis. The total cost of the projects was not disclosed.

REMEMBER- Tunisia’s parliament approved the Finance Bill 2025 which proposed an expansion of the Pollution Control Fund to add a new TND 20 mn financing line for investments in the green, blue, and circular economy projects. The fund contributes to financing operations aimed at reducing pollution, particularly, the collection and recycling of plastic waste, waste management, and expenses of the National Waste Management Agency.

GREEN TECH-

#1- UAE’s Dana Gas will deploy UK-based Levidian’s Loop carbon capture technology into its operations this year in a pilot project, according to a press release (pdf) issued on Wednesday. Dana Gas and Levidian inked an agreement back in September to finalize the engineering and design of the pilot unit, which captures carbon from methane to convert it into graphene and clean hydrogen.

Commercialization is next: The two companies hope to commercialize the project, tapping customers for graphene production offtake. The project includes plans to scale up to units capable of producing over 15 tons per year based on market demand.

UAE 💚 Loop: Adnoc Gas and US energy tech firm Baker Hughes deployed Levidian’s Loop tech at Adnoc’s Habshan gas plant earlier this month. Levidian had plans to establish a USD 100 mn manufacturing facility for its tech in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer) also partnered with Levidian to use the tech last year.

#2- Morocco grants Sparc Hydrogen its first patent for its solar hydrogen tech: Australia’s SparcHydrogen — a JV between Sparc Technologies and Adelaide University — has received the first patent for its photocatalytic water splitting reactor technology in Morocco, according to a press release (pdf) issued last week. Applications for patent protection in 17 other countries are ongoing.

About the reactor tech: The reactor’s solar design leverages the full solar spectrum to enhance photocatalytic water-splitting efficiency for hydrogen production. By using concentrated solar radiation, it accelerates reaction rates and reduces the amount of photocatalyst material needed, making hydrogen production less energy-intensive, scalable, and cost-effective.

#3- NextGen FDI + Climate First to boost UAE’s climate-tech ecosystem: The UAE’sEconomy Ministry’s NextGen FDI initiative has partnered with European private equity firm Climate First to accelerate the development of the UAE’s climate-tech sector, Wam reported last week. The collaboration — which debuted with the Climate First UAE Roadshow held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week — will see Climate First bringing its portfolio of climate tech companies to the UAE for networking and partnership prospects.

A full lineup at the roadshow: Five climate-tech innovators — Climeworks, Energy Dome, Aviva Zero, Cylib, and Glasspoint — participated in the roadshow to explore partnerships with UAE stakeholders driving decarbonization efforts. The companies are specialized solutions, including direct air capture, battery recycling, hydrogen-electric aviation, and solar steam generators for industrial processes.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE-

Dubai’s Green Data Center gets a second phase: Digital Dewa subsidiary Moro Hub launched the second phase of its Green Data Center project at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, according to a Dubai Media Office statement. The carbon-neutral project — planned to be implemented in 10 phases — will operate fully on solar power with a total capacity exceeding 100 MW. The first phase was launched in 2023.

SOLAR-

#1- Morocco boosts solar grid with USD 55 mn investment: Morocco’s National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water has commissioned two 400 kV power lines to connect the El Ouali substation to the planned 1.6 GWMideltsolarpower project at an investment cost of MAD 550 mn (c USD 55.13 mn), according to a statement published Wednesday. A 400 MWh battery energy storage system was reported as part of the planned Midelt development.

#2- The Jordanian Cabinet has granted approvals to three renewable energy projects, state news agency Petra reported on Sunday. The cabinet approved a 30 MW renewable power generation project, a 6 MW floating solar energy project by the Arab Potash Company in the southern Jordan Valley, and a grid-integrated 100 MW solar power generation project for the Jordanian Armed Forces in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone.

There’s more: The cabinet also extended the customs and sales tax exemptions granted for renewable energy and energy efficiency systems, devices, and equipment until 28 February.

WASTE-TO-ENERGY-

The Baghdad municipality has signed an investment contract with an undisclosed foreign firm to develop the city’s first 100 MW waste-to-energy project, according to a statement published Sunday. The project — located in the Nahrawan area in Diyala Governorate — is slated to process 3k tons of waste per day, with power generation efficiency higher than 30% and a landfill rate of less than 5%.

REMEMBER-The project saw 15 bids made by local and international companies to design, build, own, and operate the facility in April last year.

Iraq paving the way for WtE: Iraqi officials first began drafting legislation to encourage investments in waste-to-energy projects in 2022. Waste produced in Baghdad reportedly stands at 9.5k tons per day. The government is also planning another waste-to-energy facility to be established in Abu Ghraib, the Iraqi News Agency reported last week.

NUCLEAR-

UAE’s Enec eyes global expansion: The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) plans to expand internationally after completing the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant last year, CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi told Asharq Business last week. The company is in talks to develop projects worldwide and is focused on the US, the Global South, Europe, and the Philippines.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

  • Egypt greenlights RSWE wind farm expansion: Egypt has given final approval to Red Sea Wind Energy (RSWE) — a JV between Orascom Construction, Japan’s Toyota Tsusho Corporation/Eurus Energy Holdings Corporation, and France’s Engie — to add 150 MW of capacity to the 500 MW farm. Egypt’s cabinet approved the bid to add capacity last August. The company must complete and deliver the wind farm within the original budget and deadline in August 2025. (Statement)
  • Namaa Water expands wastewater infrastructure in Oman: Namaa Water has completed the expansion of wastewater treatment plants in Oman’s AlKhaboura and Suwaiq municipalities, which collectively treat 4.5k cbm of wastewater daily, with future capacity increases planned. Namaa is also advancing wastewater infrastructure in Musannah and Sohar. (Oman News Agency)
  • Morocco tests energy transition support scheme: Morocco launched a preliminary program to support the transition to solar-powered water irrigation stations. The program’s beneficiaries will receive financial assistance to purchase and install equipment for up to 30% of the project (MAD 30K), impacting an area extending 51k hectares. (MAP)
  • Oman to ramp up hydrogen & EV infrastructure: Oman’s Transport, Communications, and Information Technology Ministry will build the Sultanate’s first hydrogen station and launch a unified platform for EV chargers. The initiative also includes implementing the Green Corridors project to facilitate hydrogen-powered trucks. (Al Arabiya)
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