WIND-

Ewec invites bids for Al Sila wind plant: Emirates Water & Electricity Company (Ewec) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 140 MW Al Sila Wind independent power project to 16 pre-qualified companies and consortiums, according to a press release issued on Thursday. The project, located near the existing wind farm in Al Sila, will be developed under a public-private partnership model, with the successful bidder holding up to 40% and the Abu Dhabi government retaining the rest. The project scope includes the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and ownership of the wind farm, with the selected developer entering a long-term power purchase agreement with EWEC. Proposals are due by 2Q 2025.

This has been in the works: The RFP follows an Expression of Interest call last October, during which interested firms submitted statements of qualifications. Once operational, the project is expected to generate up to 140 MW of renewable energy, displace 190k tonnes of CO2, and boost Abu Dhabi’s total wind capacity to nearly 240 MW.

SOLAR-

Jordan makes plans to install solar cells and heaters: Jordan’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Al Kharabsheh has signed 12 agreements with charitable and cooperative associations for the installation of solar cell systems and solar heaters in homes, according to a government statement published on Monday. Through the agreements, 4k solar systems and 5k solar heaters will be installed by the end of 2025. The organizations will be tasked with marketing the initiative, and the Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF) will provide 30% of the required financing.

Part of an ongoing effort: JREEEF signed20 agreements in October 2024 to partner with charitable and cooperative associations in installing the same amount of solar systems and heaters by yearend last year. The non-governmental partners served as financing windows for the 2024/25 household sector program, which is supported by a 30% subsidy from the ministry.

DECARBONIZATION-

Egypt joins the Industrial Transition Accelerator: Egypt’s Industrial Modernization Center has signed an MoU with the UAE’s Industry and Advanced Technology Ministry to join the Industrial Transition Accelerator, according to a statement released on Monday. The agreement aims to reduce carbon emissions from the industrial and transport sectors in alignment with requirements related to the global carbon border adjustment mechanism.

ICYMI- The ITA partnered with the UAE and Bahraini governments to expedite industrial decarbonization across the MENA region last year. The ITA aims to support large-scale industrial projects to reach Final Investment Decisions by 2026 and become operational by 2030, a critical timeline to meet Paris Agreement goals.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

  • Lucid’s Gravity lands in Saudi: Lucid Gravity Grand Touring is now available to order in Saudi Arabia with a starting price of SAR 487k. The EV boasts 828 horsepower and over 700 kms of projected range per charge. (Press release)
  • Rivian expands plug-in van customer base: Abdel Latif Jameel-backed Rivian will now sell the electric delivery van it developed for Amazon to other customers, as it looks to increase revenues to make up for slowing EV demand in preparation for the launch of its R2 SUV. Fleets of any size can purchase the vehicle and deliveries are set to begin in 2Q. (Bloomberg)
  • CST + MWAN partner to boost e-waste recycling: Saudi Arabia’s Communication, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) has inked an MoU with the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN) to recycle 90% of electronic products in the country, including e-waste and used batteries, by 2040. The agreement focuses on building local and global partnerships, facilitating knowledge exchange, conducting studies, and putting in place regulations to support implementation. (SPA)
  • Morocco to acquire new EV fleet for major sports events: Morocco is set to purchase 30 electric buses for upcoming sports events like the 2030 World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations The country has already launched the tenders for the EVs and is preparing to become one of just five countries that manufacture EVs “from mine to factory.” (Morocco World News)
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