Acwa Power breaks ground on its green hydrogen plant in Uzbekistan

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WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

TODAY: Acwa Power breaks ground on its green hydrogen plant in Uzbekistan + Biden gives COP28 a miss

Good morning, friends. We’re a mere 48 hours away from COP28 kicking off in Dubai and it’s another busy morning in the regional climate industry neighborhood. We have a compact issue full of updates across the sector, and news about one big no-show at the summit.

THE BIG CLIMATE STORIES- KSA renewables giant Acwa Power began construction on its green hydrogen production facility in Tashkent, Uzbekistan yesterday and UAE’s Emirates Development Bank has signed an agreement with the International Renewable Energy Agency to extend AED 1.3 bn (c.USD 350 mn) in financing to support Irena’s Energy Transition Accelerator Financing platform.

^^ We have the details on these stories and more in the news well, below.

HAPPENING TODAY- The World Green Economy Summit kicking off today and concluding tomorrow in Dubai. The event will bring together green tech developers and policymakers to explore pathways to accelerate the transition to net-zero sources and meet the Paris-agreed 1.5 °C warming threshold.

ALSO- Virgin Atlantic's mostly SAF-powered flight is taking to the skies today on a transatlantic flight from London to New York, The Guardian reports. The flight is the latest demo flight by the UK government and the aviation industry to prove greener flying is possible and 2050 jet zero aspirations are reachable. The plane will have a full tank of alternative fuel, synthesized from captured carbon and recycled oil, with a carbon footprint about 70% less than usual conventional jet fuel.

THE BIG CLIMATE STORY OUTSIDE THE REGION- It’s a no-show for Joe: US President Joe Biden — leader of the world’s seco nd biggest carbon emitting country — will not be attending the COP28 summit, Reuters reports, citing an unnamed US official. No reasons were given for Biden giving the summit a miss, confirming earlier whispers that he wasn’t going to attend. Biden attended past summits in Egypt and Scotland, although it is not customary for the sitting US president to attend each COP. US Climate Envoy John Kerry will be leading negotiations on behalf of his country at the conference. The UK’s King Charles and PM Rishi Sunak, Bill Gates, and Pope Francis are among those expected to make an appearance at the summit.

Biden seems to have other priorities:Earlier this month, Biden’s advisors were reportedly weighing the president’s priorities at a time when the US is heavily involved the war on Gaza, grappling with a Republican-controlled House of Representatives over federal spending, and working on an upcoming presidential campaign that is expected to heat up in January.

IN OTHER COP NEWS- Methane curbs will be a main focus at COP28: Although 150 nations have signed up for the EU-backed Global Methane Pledge aimed at slashing generation volumes of the greenhouse gas (GHG) by at least 30% by 2030, more action is needed to turn emission reduction commitments into action, Reuters reports, citing comments made by the COP28 Presidency.

Why it’s important: Methane emissions still totaled 135 mn metric tons last year and is the second most abundant anthropogenic GHG after CO2, the newswire writes. A legally binding agreement to phase it out needs to be hammered out during COP28 to meet global climate targets, the World Bank’s former Climate Envoy Rachel Kyte told Reuters. The US and China will partner with the UAE on holding a Methane and Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases Summit at COP28 to help realize that target.

How to get there: Mechanisms for mobilizing capital to transition emerging markets from methane producing fossil fuels, as well as national schemes regulating methane output from the the oil and gas, waste, and agricultural sectors have to be formalized at the upcoming summit, the Presidency has urged. The World Bank is expected to launch a fund with support from fossil fuel companies at COP28 with the aim of setting up methane monitoring and clean up programs in developing countries, Reuters notes. Beyond methane curbs, the COP28 Presidency has urged heavily-polluting corporations and countries to stop routine gas flaring by 2030.

There’s been progress ahead of COP: The US Methane Finance Sprint — which aimed to mobilize at least USD 200 mn during COP28 to help developing countries curb greenhouse gas emissions — will reportedly exceed its targets. The US and China — the world’s largest carbon emitters — have agreed to count all non-carbon greenhouse gasses including methane in the update of their national climate strategies. And over in the EU, lawmakers reached a provisional agreement setting methane emission restrictions for future oil and gas imports into the bloc earlier this month.

WATCH THIS SPACE-Carbon offset purchases sink for the first time in a decade:Purchases of carbon offsets by banks, airlines, and other businesses saw a 17% drop y-o-y in 2022 as the market continues to face criticism regarding its efficacy in curbing emissions, Bloomberg reports. The drop has been attributed to “an erosion of confidence on the corporate side,” offsets trade facilitator Emergent founder Eron Bloomgarden told Bloomberg. Meanwhile, the same period saw increased purchases by corporate buyers of offsets derived from wind, hydro, and solar projects, a “particularly controversial” source because energy from these sources is already the cheapest option in much of the world.

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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The UAE will host the Conference of the Parties (COP28) from Thursday, 30 November through to Tuesday, 12 December in Dubai. COP28 will be divided into Blue and Green zones with the former reserved for heads of states, government delegations, and UN bodies. The green zone — which will be open to the public — will serve as a central hub where developers, industry leaders, NGOs, and climate activists come together to explore pathways to accelerate the transition to clean energy. The zone will host over 300 talks tackling the climate crisis and showcase climate-focused interactive exhibits.

Oman will host its Green Hydrogen Summit from Tuesday 12, December through to Thursday, 14 December in Muscat. The two-day event will bring together green fuels developers, renewables companies, and policy makers in a bid to chart a course toward carbon-neutrality by 2050. Aside from the conference, the summit will also include masterclasses delving into the specifics of the green hydrogen value chain, from green electricity production to H2 production, distribution and storage. You can register for the event here.

Saudi Arabia will host theFuture Minerals Forum from Tuesday, 9 January through to Thursday, 11 January in Riyadh. The event will bring nations and private sectors together to enable the creation of resilient mineral value chains in the resource rich regions of Africa, Western Asia, and Central Asia. The forum will hold a ministerial roundtable with over 60 countries being represented., and delegates will discuss global critical mineral strategies as well as an international exhibition with over 150 exhibitors and industry sponsors.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.

Acwa Power breaks ground on its Uzbekistani green hydrogen plant + KSA pours USD bns into the country’s development

Acwa Power breaks ground on its green hydrogen plant in Tashkent: KSA renewables giant Acwa Power began construction on its green hydrogen production facility in Tashkent, Uzbekistan yesterday, according to the Uzbekistan National News Agency (UZA). The Saudi firm had signed an agreement with the Uzbek Energy Ministry and state-owned chemical company Uzkimyosanoat for development of the plant back in January.

More details: Acwa’s green hydrogen plant — expected to be commissioned in December 2024 — will be connected to an existing ammonia production plant inTashkent and will generate 3k tons of green hydrogen annually during its initial production phase. A 52 MW wind farm will be established to power the green hydrogen project, according to UZA, and a portion of the green hydrogen produced will be processed to generate mineral fertilizers.

Plans to use hydrogen for green ammonia production in Uzbekistan: Acwa Power said back in January it would conduct a feasibility study into establishing a green ammonia production facility with a 500k ton annual generation capacity in the Central Asian country. The proposed project would result in some 600 mn cubic meters of gas savings annually, offsetting about 1.5 mn tons of carbon emissions a year. Results of the study are due to be published in 2024.

Acwa has big plans for Uzbekistan: The renewables giant signed three power purchase agreements totaling USD 2.5 bn in March with the National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan and the country’s Investment, Industry, and Trade Ministry for 1.4 GW worth of solar projects and three battery energy storage (BESS) units totalling a capacity of 1.5 GWh. Acwa Power has a 10-project green energy portfolio in Uzbekistan with a combined USD 7.5 bn investment value.

Saudi is pouring USD bns into Uzbekistan: Saudi Arabia’s Investment Minister Khalif Al-Falih and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev — who both attended the construction launch ceremony of the green hydrogen plant in Tashkent — also oversaw signing of a USD 12 bn development agreement between both countries in the fields of energy, agriculture, infrastructure development, chemistry, IT, and pharmaceuticals, according to a separate UZA report. Both sides emphasized a particular interest in establishing utility-scale power projects in the Central Asian country, although it is not clear the nature of the energy generation.

And there’s more coming: A separate USD 11 bn agreement was inked between both countries for collaboration in, among other industries, the transport infrastructure and utilities, household waste processing, irrigation, and geology sectors, UZA writes.

UAE’s EDB will extend USD 350 mn to Irena’s Energy Transition Accelerator Financing platform

Irena’s ETAF platform nabs USD 350 mn in financing: UAE’s Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has signed an agreement with the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) to extend AED 1.3 bn (c.USD 350 mn) in financing to support Irena’s Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform, according to a statement.

More details: The agreement will see EDB provide financing for projects aligned with the Paris-agreed target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, the statement notes. EDB has a mandate to facilitate support to 13.5k companies across the renewables, manufacturing, technology, food security, and healthcare sectors by 2026, the statement notes.

About ETAF: The platform — supported by the UAE government — was launched in 2021 at COP26 to catalyze investments toward transitioning developing countries toward low-carbon resources. It surpassed its initial target of amassing USD 1 bn by 2030 by some USD 250 mn back in July. The Emirates' state-owned Abu Dhabi Fund for Development also committed to contribute USD 400 mn to the platform back in February.

What they said: “Our new partnership with IRENA comes at a critical time as the UAE prepares to host COP28 and bolster global efforts towards sustainable economic development. Through the ETAF platform, we will cultivate a robust pipeline of bankable renewable energy projects, and support entrepreneurs to bring high-quality, sustainable, and financially viable clean energy business to market,” EDB’s CEO Mohamed Al Naqbi noted.

Cairo Light Rail Transit project secures a USD 250 mn soft loan from Chinese companies

Fresh funds for Cairo LRT project: Chinese companies Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group will provide the National Tunnels Authority (NTA) with a USD 250 mn soft loan to finance the fourth phase of the Cairo Light Rail Transit (LRT) project, Asharq Business reports, citing government officials it says are familiar with the matter. The two companies will round up the funds from international institutions and banks.

REMEMBER-The two companies inked a framework agreement with the NTA earlier this month to design and construct in collaboration with local subcontractors the 16 km fourth phase of Cairo’s LRT project, which will extend the route to 10th of Ramadan City. AVIC — the main contractor for the LRT project — also signed an MoU for the fifth phase of the project, which will extend into the new capital, as well as an MoU for a light electric train that will link Al Rehab to the new capital.

Where will the money go? The funds will be used to install electrical and mechanical systems, including central control and signaling and communications equipment.

Egypt will pay up for the rest: The NTA will provide the financing for the construction work, which includes building the stations and laying the tracks, and is set to determine the total cost of this work by the end of the fiscal year.

China ? Egypt’s LRT: The Export-Import Bank of China (China Eximbank) agreed to lend the government some USD 400 mn in September to finance the third phase of the project, which will be implemented by AVIC. The Chinese lender also agreed back in 2019 to extend a USD 1.2 bn loan for the initial phases of the LRT’s construction.

ZeroAvia secures USD 116 mn in a Series C funding round with help from the Neom Investment Fund

We have an investment figure for ZeroAvia’s funding round: Hydrogen-electric aircraft developer ZeroAvia closed its Series C funding round last September with a total of USD 116 mn, according to a statement. The UK Infrastructure Bank joined the funding round as a cornerstone-level investor contributing USD 40 mn of the funding, the Financial Times reports. The funding round was also co-led by Airbus, Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital, and Saudi Arabia’s Neom Investment Fund, the statement notes.

More details: Returning investors include Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Horizons Ventures, Alaska Airlines, Ecosystem Integrity Fund, Summa Equity, AP Ventures, and Amazon Climate Pledge Fund, according to the statement.

Where is the money going? The funds will be used to help ZeroAvia develop its first hydrogen-electric engine — the ZA600 — for zero-emission flights and secure its certification by the end of 2025, the FT reports.

Why is this important? ZeroAvia is pursuing hydrogen-electric propulsion systems as the most economical and eco-friendly solution to the impact of aviation fuel on climate change, ZeroAvia’s earlier statement notes. Their hydrogen-electric engines use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, which is then used to power electric motors to turn the aircraft’s propellers, with water being the only byproduct during flight. Airbus is doing the same with its fuel cell systems which are an important part of its ZEROe aircraft concepts program, designed to deliver low-emission airframes of different sizes.

ZeroAvia also has regional links: The company signed an agreement with Masdar to explore hydrogen production and supply projects for aircrafts and paved the way for refueling its zero-emission aircrafts at commercial airports by 2030, with plans for the first hydrogen-fueled commercial flight by 2025. While the agreement initially targets North America and Europe for clean flight operations, they plan to later expand their operations in the UAE.

The Emirates Water and Electricity Company kicks off registration for 4Q CEC auction

Ewec opens registration for 4Q clean energy certificates auction: The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec) kicked off registration for its 4Q 2023 clean energy certificates (CEC) auction yesterday, according to a statement. Bidding for Ewec’s CECs will close on Thursday, 14 December.

What are CECs? Renewable energy certificates (RECs) — of which clean energy certificates fall under — are a MWh-by-MWh way of proving that you own or created renewable energy. An REC is issued when one MWh is delivered to the electricity grid from a renewable energy source, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes. While carbon credits help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy certificates offset non-renewable electricity use.The certificates are currently the only mechanism in Abu Dhabi guaranteeing clean energy utilization, according to the statement.

Ewec’s best trading year yet: The company has garnered the largest number of auction participants to date, the statement notes. Ewec made its biggest single sale of CECs to the UAE’s digital infrastructure developer Two Zero last May, selling 7k GWh of clean energy. Earlier in January, the company sold over 9k GWh worth of certificates to Abu Dhabi-based entities across different sectors, six months after the company’s fourth auction was held in June 2022.

The company has been lining up the green energy for upcoming CEC auctions: The company was part of the Masdar-led consortium that inaugurated the 2 GW Al Dhafra Solar park in Abu Dhabi last week. Ewec would be the project’s sole power offtaker.Earlier in October, Ewec secured a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the clean energy that will be generated by the UAE’s first wind power program. Ewec also invited developers to submit expressions of interest for the development of the 1.5 GW Khazna solar farm back in September, and plans to commission at least two other 1.5 GW solar projects as part of a target to increase Abu Dhabi’s solar capacity annually by 1 GW in the next decade.

KSA and Italy explore joint investments in mining and hydrogen

KSA and Italy talk hydrogen and critical minerals:Italy is currently in talks with Saudi Arabia on joint investments in the automotive, mining, oil and gas, defense, hydrogen and space sectors, Reuters reported on Monday, citing statements by Italian Industry Minister Adolfo Urso. The discussions come as Italian PM Giorgia Meloni pushes with efforts to reset ties with Gulf countries since she assumed office last year.

Lured in by the kingdom’s mining potential: Urso says Rome and Riyadh are set to develop a regulatory and industrial framework that accelerates strategic autonomy in the critical raw materials sector. "We explored the possibility of partnerships and joint investments especially in the mining sector, both in our respective countries and in third areas, such as the African continent,” he said.

REMEMBER- We’re going big with energy transition metals: Saudi Arabia aims to become a global hub for green metals critical for the energy transition under efforts to diversify its economy away from oil. This includes tapping significant amounts of uranium and titanium discovered in the country, according to officials. KSA says it has untapped metals and minerals — including copper, zinc, phosphate, and gold — collectively worth USD 1.3 tn.

Bahrain’s Riffa Views and UAE’s Agthia Group ink solar agreements, China’s Exeed luxury EVs hit Egyptian streets

RENEWABLES-

RVOA signs lease agreements with Sirajpower: Bahrain’s Riffa Views Owners Association (RVOA) has inked a 25-year solar lease agreement with Emirati solar energy provider SirajPower that will see SirajPower implementing solar solutions with a capacity of 1.6 MWp at Riffa Views, according to a statement. The project aims to produce 70GWh of energy over the course of 25 years, offsetting approximately 50k metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, the statement notes.

Yellow Door Energy secures solar plant contracts from Agthia: UAE-based food and beverages giant Agthia Group has awarded Yellow Door Energy (YDE) contracts to establish two 5 MWp solar power plants, according to an ADX filing. The plants will cover 20% of the energy consumption of Agthia factories and generate 287 GWh. YDE is looking to deploy upwards of USD 1 bn in projects in the region after raising USD 400 mn from shareholders focusing on executing sustainable energy solutions.

Agthia operations get greener: The conglomerate signed an MoU with Beeah Group and Veolia Middle East subsidiary Repeet in January to assess the feasibility of a 40k sqm, 12k ton per annum polyethylene terephthalate recycling plant to cut around 18k metric tons of CO2 annually.

SDX integrates renewables in its new strategy: UK-based SDX Energy revealed a new corporate strategy (pdf) yesterday which will see the company shift to becoming a hybrid energy provider in Morocco. The company plans to expand into renewable energy production while maintaining its Moroccan gas operations and explore the "commercially compelling cross-sell of gas and green electricity," as SDX aims to become a regional player in the energy transition sector. The company said it was divesting its Egyptian assets last September to focus on planned diversification in Morocco's energy transition sector.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES-

Egypt’s Natcowill distribute Exeed EVs locally: Egypt's National Automotive Company (Natco) has acquired exclusive rights to Chinese automaker Exeed ’s high-tech luxury cars and EV models in the Egyptian market, according to a statement. Egypt’s government launched an electronic platform earlier this month for the Egyptian Automotive Industry Development Program to encourage EV localization and enhance the country’s existing assembly and manufacturing capabilities. Mercedes-Benz also released a range of all-electric sedans in Egypt earlier this month.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

Iran’s SATBA + INIF to support small-scale renewable energy projects: Iran’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA) have signed an MoU with the Iran National Innovation Fund (INIF) to provide IRR 3 tn (USD 6 mn) in funding to implement small-scale projects in the renewable energy sector, including supply contracts, industrial self-supply power plants, and renewable power plants in industrial and specialized solar towns. (Tehran Times)

Spain’s Iberdrola and Australia’s IFM will bns in the UK’s renewables sector and green transition + Mozambique set to launch their USD 80 bn energy transition plan

Iberdrola will sink EUR 12 bn in the UK’s renewables sector: Spanish renewable energy giant Iberdrola is investing around EUR 12 bn (USD 13 bn) in grids and renewable projects in the UK between 2024 and 2028, according to a statement. The company already invested more than EUR 2 billion in the UK as part of its previously announced EUR 6.7 bn program and plans to build on this with over EUR 7 bn more in the years 2026-28, amounting to EUR 12 bn. Iberdrola will also continue investing in its East Anglia 3 offshore wind farm and other onshore wind and solar projects. Iberdrola has giant backers including Norway's sovereign wealth fund and Masdar.

ALSO- Australia’s IFM will back the UK’s energy transition: Australian global investment manager IFM Investors is set to roll out GBP 10 bn in funds by 2027 after signing an MoU with the UK government, according to a statement. IFM’s investment will go towards large-scale infrastructure and energy transition projects.

Vietnam finalizing climate reform commitments to unlock G7 funding: Vietnam is reportedly close to finalizing national reform commitments with G7 countries and multilateral lenders in a bid to unlock bns of USD in funding for renewables and power grid upgrade projects that would help it reduce dependency on coal, Reuters reports, citing a source familiar with the matter. Vietnam — for whom coal constituted 31% of the installed energy mix in 2020 — signed an agreement with international investors last year that could unlock as much as USD 15.2 bn in green commercial loans over three-five years provided it makes changes to its regulatory framework to help remove investment obstacles, the newswire notes.

Coming soon: The reform commitments agreement has to be finalized before COP28 kicks off on Thursday to make 272 of the country’s planned electricity grid enhancement, solar energy, and wind power projects eligible for the USD 15.2 bn green financing, Reuters notes. Vietnam has set a target to stop coal-fired plant expansions after 2030, but plans to increase coal capacity to 30 GW by the same date from about 21 GW in 2020.

Mozambiqueapproves USD 80 bn energy transition plan: Mozambique approved a USD 80 bn strategy to attract investments and reduce the nation's dependence on fossil fuels by 2050, Bloomberg reports. The Energy Transition Strategy will see the addition of 2 GW of hydropower capacity by 2030 and the expansion of the transmission grid to allow for the addition of more renewable energy. President Filipe Nyusi will announce the full program of the plan on 2 December at COP28, Bloomberg notes.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

Greenpeace accuses China of “greenwashing” LNG purchases: Greenpeace is accusing Chinese oil and gas companies of using carbon offsets to greenwash their natgas imports, while failing to make significant cuts to their emissions. Chinese firms including PetroChina and CNOOC Gas and Power have penned agreements with Shell to buy "carbon neutral" LNG, which uses "forest offsets" to balance out carbon emissions. (Reuters)
China is offering households incentives to curb emissions: China is implementing “carbon inclusion” programmes in a bid to urge citizens to help in the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2060. The "carbon coins'' program offers commuters a chance to earn shopping vouchers and travel cards in return for using public transport. (Reuters)

Morocco is keen to increase its renewables capacity, but it faces many obstacles

Morocco’s eyeing more renewables, but location is key: Morocco has presented significant plans for green energy production in its budget for 2024 — including provisions for wind, green hydrogen, and ammonia — however, around 81% of the allocated land for these projects is located in the contested Western Sahara, Forbes reports, citing a report from the NGO Western Sahara Resource Watch. Morocco is betting big on renewable energy — with a particular emphasis on wind power — as the Western Sahara’s coasts have strong, consistent winds ranging from 7-11 meters per second, Forbes writes. Morocco has already built a 300 MW wind farm in Tarfaya — the largest wind farm in Africa — just across the border from the Western Sahara.

The EU may not budge: The European Union has said that it would not import energy from the Western Sahara due to the disputed status of the territory, which it recognizes as separate from Morocco under international law, Forbes writes. However, EU countries including Portugal, Spain, France, and Germany signed a Joint Declaration (pdf) with Morocco in 2016 for future cooperation on renewable energy.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

UAE reportedly planned to discuss fossil fuel deals during COP28: Leaked briefing documents reveal the UAE planned to use its role as host of the COP28 summit to discuss fossil fuel deals with 15 nations. The UAE’s COP28 team did not deny its intention to conduct business talks during the climate summit, saying that "private meetings are private" and work has been focused on “meaningful climate action.” (BBC)
Mining giants fight for Australia’s lithium corridor: Global mining companies are warring over the acquisition of mining rights in the lithium corridor in Australia's western desert. Giants like US-based Albemarle and Chile’s SQM failed to acquire supply from Liontown Resources and Azure Minerals respectively as Australian magnate Gina Rinehart bought in both companies to drive other suitors off. (The Financial Times)

CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 2023

27-30 November (Monday-Thursday) Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW), Abu Dhabi, UAE.

28-29 November (Tuesday-Wednesday): World Green Economy Summit (WGES), Dubai, UAE.

30 November - 12 December (Thursday-Tuesday): Conference of the Parties (COP 28), Dubai, UAE.

DECEMBER 2023

1-10 December (Friday-Saturday): Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week COP28 Special Edition, Dubai, UAE.

3-7 December (Sunday- Thursday) International Congress of Engineering and Technology(ICET), Doha, Qatar.

4 December (Monday): Saudi Green Initiative Forum, Dubai, UAE.

4 December (Monday): Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), Dubai, UAE.

4-7 December (Monday-Thursday): International Conference on Global Warming, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.

6-7 December (Wednesday-Thursday): Reuters’ Energy Transition MENA Conference, Dubai, UAE.

7-8 December (Thursday-Friday): Future Investment Initiative (FII) Priority, Hong Kong.

8 December (Friday): Youth for Sustainability Forum (Y4S), Dubai, UAE.

12-14 December (Tuesday-Thursday): Green Hydrogen Summit Oman, Muscat, Oman.

18-20 December (Monday-Wednesday):Saudi Arabia Smart Grid Conference, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

JANUARY 2024

9-11 January (Tuesday-Thursday): Future Minerals Forum, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

FEBRUARY 2024

26-28 February (Monday-Wednesday): Management and Sustainability of Water Resources, Dubai, UAE.

MARCH 2024

4-6 March (Monday-Wednesday): International Conference on Sand and Dust Storms in the Arabian Peninsula, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

APRIL 2024

16-18 April (Tuesday-Thursday): World Future Energy Summit, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

23-25 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Connecting Green Hydrogen MENA, Dubai, UAE.

MAY 2024

19-21 May (Sunday-Tuesday): Saudi Energy Convention, Riyadh, KSA.

JUNE 2024

5 June (Wednesday): World Environment Day, Saudi Arabia.

OCTOBER 2024

10-12 October (Tuesday-Thursday): Autonomous E-Mobility Forum, Doha, Qatar.

DECEMBER 2024

2-13 December (Monday-Friday): Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification, Riyadh, KSA.

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

2024

Early 2024: The 2023 US Algeria Energy Forum, Washington DC, USA.

12-14 February (Monday-Wednesday): Sustainable Aviation Futures MENA Congress, Dubai, UAE.

End-2024: Emirati Masdar’s 500 MW wind farm in Uzbekistan to begin commercial operations.

QatarEnergy’s industrial cities solar power project will start electricity production.

2025

International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

UAE to have over 1k EV charging stations installed.

2026

26-29 October (Monday-Thursday): World Energy Congress, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

UITP Global Public Transport Summit, Dubai, UAE.

Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, Bangkok, Thailand.

1Q 2026: QatarEnergy’s USD 1 bn blue ammonia plant to be completed.

End-2026: HSBC Bahrain to eliminate single-use PVC plastic cards.

2027

MENA’s district cooling market is expected to reach USD 15 bn.

2030

UAE’s Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) wants to provide AED 35 bn in green financing.

UAE targets 14 GW in clean energy capacity.

Tunisia targets 30% of renewables in its energy mix.

Qatar wants to generate USD 17 bn from its circular economy, creating 9k-19k jobs.

Morocco’s Xlinks solar and wind energy project to generate 10.5 GW of energy.

2035

Qatar to capture up to 11 mn tons of CO2 annually.

2045

Qatar’s Public Works Authority’s (Ashghal) USD 1.5 bn sewage treatment facility to reach 600k cm/d capacity.

2050

Tunisia’s carbon neutrality target.

2060

Nigeria aims to achieve its net-zero emissions target.

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