{"id":89387,"date":"2025-03-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/climate\/2025\/03\/07\/debt-watch-green-infrastructure-mining-startup-and-solar-updates-from-across-the-region\/"},"modified":"2025-03-07T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T00:00:00","slug":"debt-watch-green-infrastructure-mining-startup-and-solar-updates-from-across-the-region","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/climate\/2025\/03\/07\/debt-watch-green-infrastructure-mining-startup-and-solar-updates-from-across-the-region\/","title":{"rendered":"Debt watch, green infrastructure, mining, startup, and solar updates from across the region"},"content":{"rendered":"

DEBT WATCH-<\/p>\n

EBRD backs<\/strong> Turkish TEB Arval EV fleet expansion:<\/strong> The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is lending EUR 50 mn to Turkey\u2019s TEB Arval, according to a press release<\/a> issued on Thursday. The financing will help the fleet leasing company acquire 1.2k EVs \u2014 including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) \u2014 to support decarbonization in the transport sector and help TEB Arval cut emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.<\/p>\n

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GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE-<\/p>\n

Saudi <\/strong>Arabia\u2019s Umm Al-Qura Cement has signed an agreement with Saudi National <\/strong>Electricity Transmission Company to construct an electricity transmission station<\/strong> for the company\u2019s Radwan-Taif plant, according to a disclosure<\/a> on Wednesday on the Saudi Exchange. The 37.5 MVA station will support the cement company\u2019s Liquid Fuel Substitution Program, which aims to reduce its liquid fuel consumption by 95% by 2030, Asharq Al Awsat<\/a> reported back in 2023, citing the head of the program Mohammad Abdel Latif. The agreement is valid until the end of the year or the project's completion.<\/p>\n

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MINING-<\/p>\n

Jordan to start minerals mapping:<\/strong> Jordan\u2019s Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry signed an MoC with Harmony Investments Company to advance geological surveying and mineral exploration across the country, according to a statement<\/a> issued Wednesday. The agreement covers the use of drone technology to produce a minerals map of the country. The ministry is also in talks with four additional companies to finalize implementation agreements. <\/p>\n

ALSO- The country <\/strong>is planning to <\/strong>open up southern Aqaba\u2019s mining sites to private <\/strong>sector investors soon<\/strong>, AlGhad<\/a> reported on Sunday, citing an Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry report. The investment push covers multiple sites including Wadi Mubarak, Jabal Bir Al Tank, Wadi Lebanon, and Wadi Omran that include a combination of zinc, copper, lead, iron, and tin. This year\u2019s state budget earmarks JOD 1 mn for mineral exploration \u2014 up from a revised JOD 700k.<\/p>\n

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES- <\/p>\n

Volkswagen<\/strong> to roll out first EV with Rivian tech: <\/strong>Automotive giant Volkswagen (VW) has unveiled a budget-friendly EV offering, dubbed ID. EVERY1, at a price tag of EUR 20k and a production date slated for 2027, according to a press release<\/a> published on Wednesday. The ID. EVERY1 will be the first car to feature new software developed under VW\u2019s JV with Abdul Latif Jameel-backed EV maker Rivian, Forbes<\/a> reports. The vehicle\u2019s newly-minted 70 kW motor will peg its top speed at 130 km\/h, giving it a range of 250 km.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s not all: <\/strong>The German carmaker is also rolling out a slightly pricier EV \u2014 the ID. 2all \u2014 at a price tag of EUR 25k, pencilled in for a 2026 release.<\/p>\n

REMEMBER-<\/strong> VW raised its investment<\/a> in Rivian to USD 5.8 bn late last year to establish a 50\/50 joint venture leveraging Rivian\u2019s tech to provide software services for other EV makers. Both companies had announced plans to roll out EVs that integrate such software prior to 2030.<\/p>\n

STARTUP WATCH- <\/p>\n

Emirates\u2019<\/strong> UICCA + MOEC partner to support climate startups: <\/strong>The UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) and the Economy Ministry signed an agreement to support climate-focused startups through the Circular Economy Cycle of the UICCA Launchpad Program, according to a statement<\/a>. The program \u2014 launching in May 2025 \u2014 will provide mentorship and resources for startups tackling waste management and circular economy challenges. The ministry will also help connect startups with investors and enhance regulations for green technologies. <\/p>\n

If you have a startup \u2014 whether local or international \u2014 working in either of those areas<\/strong>, you can apply to the program here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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SOLAR-<\/p>\n

#1-<\/strong> Amea <\/strong>break<\/strong>s <\/strong>ground on USD 60 mn solar plant in Ivory Coast: <\/strong>The UAE\u2019s Amea Power has broken ground on its 50 MW Bondoukou Solar PV Plant in Ivory Coast\u2019s north-eastern Gontougo region, according to a press release<\/a> issued last Friday. The USD 60 mn project \u2014 developed through AMEA\u2019s local subsidiary Goutougo \u2014 is expected to generate 85 GWh of electricity annually, powering around 358k households and cutting over 52k tons of emissions each year. Financing is being provided by Dutch development bank FMO and Germany\u2019s DEG. <\/p>\n

The first, but definitely not the last: <\/strong>The Bondoukou plant is Amea\u2019s first operational asset in Ivory Coast and supports the country\u2019s plan to raise renewables\u2019 share of the energy mix to 45% by 2030. The company is also moving forward with a second 50 MW solar project in the country, currently in advanced development. <\/p>\n

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-<\/strong><\/p>\n