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The Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources oversaw a landmark agreement on Sunday, formalising the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for a new renewable energy facility.

The contract, officially signed between the Samra Electric Power Company (SEPCO) and Site Technology General Contracting Company, sets in motion the development of a 25-megawatt wind power project situated in the southern region of the Kingdom.

This pivotal infrastructure initiative is slated for development in the Batn Al Ghul area of the Maan Governorate, a region that is becoming increasingly central to the nation's clean energy ambitions. Under the newly formalised EPC contract, the project will entail the comprehensive design, supply, and installation of five high-capacity wind turbines, aggregating to a total output of 25 megawatts. The successful execution of this project is expected to deliver a robust injection of clean electricity into the national grid, reinforcing the region's green energy infrastructure.

A defining feature of this enterprise is its financial and strategic backing. The project is being fully financed by the government of the United Arab Emirates through Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, globally recognised as Masdar. This collaboration originates from a comprehensive joint cooperation agreement established earlier this year. In February, Jordanian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Al-Kharabsheh and Masdar's Director of Strategic and Special Projects Ali Abdullah Al-Shimmari signed the foundational framework that made this Emirati grant possible. The financial commitment underscores the depth of bilateral relations and a shared vision for decarbonisation.

While Site Technology General Contracting Company has been appointed as the executing contractor responsible for the physical realisation of the wind farm, the long-term operational framework rests firmly with domestic expertise. Upon the project's completion and subsequent handover, the Samra Electric Power Company will assume full responsibility for the operation, management, and ongoing maintenance of the facility. Established by the Jordanian government in April 2004, SEPCO currently contributes the largest share of electric power production in the country. The state-owned enterprise manages multiple alternative energy installations, including existing solar and wind farms, ensuring it is well-equipped to oversee the new Maan facility seamlessly.

According to official statements released by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, this developmental milestone is a profound testament to international cooperation. The ministry explicitly highlighted that the project reflects the strong partnership between Jordan and the UAE and supports the Kingdom's strategy to expand renewable energy capacity, enhance energy security and accelerate the transition to clean and sustainable energy sources.

This wind power project does not exist in isolation; rather, it is a crucial component of a much broader and highly ambitious national agenda. Over recent years, Jordan has been actively accelerating its deployment of renewable energy to address both environmental concerns and urgent economic imperatives. At present, renewable sources account for approximately 27 per cent of the country's total electricity generation. The government has set rigorous strategic targets, aiming to push this figure beyond the 30 per cent threshold by the year 2030 through an array of new solar, wind, and energy storage investments. Furthermore, the Jordanian Cabinet recently approved a comprehensive 2025–2035 energy strategy designed to aggressively elevate the share of renewable energy to 40 per cent of the overall electricity mix by 2035.

The introduction of five new turbines in Batn Al Ghul perfectly aligns with these national efforts to meet growing domestic electricity demand whilst actively advancing strategic development projects. By leaning heavily into wind power, Jordan aims to reduce its historical reliance on imported fossil fuels, thereby insulating its economy from volatile global energy markets.

The SEPCO and Site Technology agreement represents far more than a standard construction contract; it is a clear manifestation of shared environmental priorities between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. As the turbines prepare to rise in Maan, they will stand as a physical testament to a powerful partnership dedicated to achieving the Kingdom's sustainable development goals and securing a greener, more resilient energy future for generations to come.

The Jordanian Cabinet, during a high-level session chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan on Monday, officially approved a crucial financing agreement with the French Development Agency (AFD).

This strategic partnership is designed to help finance the ambitious National Water Carrier Project, featuring an initial financial contribution of US$97mn. This monetary injection comes as the government actively moves to complete the mega-project’s financial closure and begin implementation. According to a formal Prime Ministry statement, this approval marks another monumental step towards advancing the Kingdom’s largest water infrastructure project, which is expected to cost approximately US$5.8bn in total.

The foundational groundwork for this colossal undertaking was solidified earlier in the year. The government signed the project’s final technical and legal agreement in April, successfully paving the way for the completion of financing arrangements and the start of construction works. The National Water Carrier Project is considered the very first project of its immense scale in Jordan’s history. It operates as a structured Public-Private Partnership, driven by a special purpose vehicle known as the National Carrier Project Company. This consortium is spearheaded by major international stakeholders, with Meridiam holding a 90 per cent stake and Suez holding the remaining 10 per cent.

Engineering the Future of Water Supply

From an engineering perspective, the sheer scale of the operation is absolutely unprecedented for the nation. The core infrastructure will involve the large-scale desalination of 300 million cubic metres of seawater annually, drawn directly from the Red Sea near Aqaba. Transporting this vital volume of water requires a remarkable feat of engineering. The comprehensive plans detail the construction of robust pumping systems capable of transporting water to staggering elevations of up to 1,100 metres above sea level. This is supported by a pipeline network extending approximately 450 kilometres to deliver potable water directly to Amman and surrounding areas.

Crucially, the project will rely heavily on renewable energy and advanced environmentally friendly technologies to actively offset the immense power demands typically associated with desalination. Upon its completion, the network is expected to reliably meet around 40 per cent of Jordan’s total drinking water needs. This represents a major, transformational boost to the country’s long-term water security efforts, helping to alleviate extreme stress on over-extracted groundwater resources in one of the world’s most highly water-scarce regions.

Modernising the Natural Resources Sector

Beyond the focus on national water security, the Cabinet session also yielded significant legislative developments. The Cabinet approved the validating reasons for the 2026 amendments to the Natural Resources Law, which will now be referred to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau for rigorous review and the completion of legal procedures. The proposed amendments are part of intensive efforts to modernise domestic investment legislation and create a significantly more attractive environment for investors within the natural resources sector, the Prime Ministry statement detailed.

These strategic legal updates are perfectly aligned with Jordan’s overarching Economic Modernisation Vision, an ambitious national blueprint which explicitly identifies mining as a key driver of “high-value industries.” The statement confirmed that the newly drafted legislation was developed following extensive consultations with public and private sector partners, aiming to bring Jordan’s regulatory framework perfectly in line with the best international practices. Under the draft law, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources would continue to seamlessly oversee policy development for the sector.

To further stimulate economic growth, the amendments are carefully designed to encourage robust investment in petroleum, natural gas, oil shale, and critical minerals. This will be achieved by allowing investors the flexibility to enter into production-sharing agreements or mining agreements immediately once the economic feasibility of their projects has been established, according to the statement. The proposed changes would also expand investment incentives, including specific exemptions aimed at encouraging exploration activities, while drastically simplifying procedures for allocating land for natural resource projects. Finally, the legislation proposes the establishment of an exploration and community development support fund. This initiative would powerfully support mineral exploration projects across Jordan, help update essential geological and petroleum data maintained by the ministry, and directly contribute to local communities graciously hosting mining, petroleum, and oil shale operations.

The first half of 2026 has witnessed a remarkable milestone in the Middle Eastern property sector, with DAMAC Properties firmly establishing its undeniable dominance in the United Arab Emirates.

Recognised widely as the largest private real estate developer in the UAE and the broader Middle East, the organisation has achieved unprecedented commercial success. According to recent performance metrics, DAMAC recorded an impressive 5,706 transactions during the critical H1 2026 period. These robust sales, which are valued at a staggering AED 15.6 billion, have propelled the developer to the very forefront of the industry, ranking it first in Dubai’s highly competitive primary off-plan residential market by sales volume.

To understand the true magnitude of this accomplishment, it is essential to examine the official governmental figures. Based on comprehensive Dubai Land Department data covering the period from January to June 2026, DAMAC comfortably secured the first-place position by sales volume. The nearest competitor trailed behind with 5,316 units sold. Furthermore, DAMAC ranked second overall in terms of total sales value. The wider context of Dubai’s off-plan primary residential market reveals a sector that remains exceptionally active and resilient against global economic headwinds. During this six-month window, the emirate recorded an astounding AED 92.8 billion in total sales across 46,794 apartment units, showcasing intense competition amongst top-tier developers who are continuously offering a broad mix of both luxury apartments and family villas.

Dominating the Off-Plan Villa Segment

However, it is specifically within the highly sought-after off-plan villa segment that DAMAC’s performance has been truly exceptional. Total sales for villas across Dubai touched AED 56.9 billion across 7,730 individual units over the first half of the year. Capturing a monumental portion of this specific demographic, DAMAC successfully sold nearly one out of every two villa units available on the market. This equates to an extraordinary 44.2 per cent share of the off-plan villa segment alone. To put this commanding market lead into perspective, this figure represents almost twice the overall share achieved by the next-ranked developer and ultimately accounted for a full 20 per cent of the total market share.

Reflecting on this period of robust operational performance and subsequent growth, Amira Sajwani, Managing Director, DAMAC Properties, said: “These results reflect investor confidence in Dubai’s resilient real estate sector. Our focus remains on creating distinctive communities, maintaining disciplined growth and delivering homes that respond to the evolving needs of Dubai’s residents and an ever-expanding global investor base. DAMAC’s leadership by unit volume demonstrates the depth of demand across our portfolio and our ability to convert that demand at scale.”

Strategic Transition and Future Deliveries

Looking ahead, DAMAC’s immense sales momentum serves to actively bolster its broader strategic vision, a strategy that relies heavily upon combining innovative product design with sustained construction timelines and reliable physical delivery. The stellar sales performance witnessed throughout 2026 is structurally supported by a consistent, methodical cadence of property handovers. These scheduled handovers span several of the developer's flagship luxury developments across the city, most notably including renowned communities such as DAMAC Hills, DAMAC Hills 2, DAMAC Lagoons, Chic Tower, and Elegance Tower.

This strategic operational alignment is particularly vital as Dubai’s dynamic residential property sector actively transitions from being primarily launch-led to becoming fundamentally delivery-driven. In direct response to this ongoing market maturation, DAMAC is actively strengthening its already extensive development pipeline. The developer boasts a formidable historical track record, having already delivered more than 50,000 homes to buyers to date. Furthermore, another 8,800 properties are strongly anticipated to be delivered across Dubai before the end of 2026. Through these ongoing efforts, DAMAC remains resolutely committed to creating premium, lifestyle-driven communities that successfully elevate everyday living into a truly immersive experience for its modern residents.

The Sultanate of Oman is taking a decisive step towards bolstering its domestic construction industry and diversifying its economy.

The Ministry of Energy and Minerals has launched a public investment opportunity encompassing two highly anticipated limestone mining sites in Salalah. This strategic move invites qualified Omani companies to bid for the extraction projects, representing a core component of efforts to support the robust development of the nation's mining sector whilst strengthening local production of essential construction materials.

According to a recent ministry announcement, the application window for these locations remains open for three months, commencing on the 19th of July and concluding on the 18th of October 2026. Interested enterprises must submit proposals through the government’s Taqa digital platform. The opportunity explicitly covers two designated limestone mining sites situated within the Public Mining Area in Salalah, a region renowned for rich geological reserves.

Empowering Local Enterprises

A notable characteristic of this public tender is its strict exclusivity. The ministry has stated categorically that the bidding process is open solely to Omani companies and institutions. Furthermore, these entities must possess demonstrable, proven experience in managing mining projects and related operational activities.

This crucial requirement underscores the government's strategic focus on increasing local participation within the lucrative mining sector. By mandating a baseline of technical capability among successful bidders, the ministry ensures the nation’s natural resources are managed by competent domestic operators committed to long-term sustainable extraction.

Securing Domestic Supply Chains

Perhaps the most defining parameter of this new investment opportunity is the strict regulation regarding the destination of extracted minerals. Under the published terms, all limestone production from these two Salalah sites will be entirely restricted to domestic use, with exports strictly not permitted.

This condition is deliberately aimed at supporting the local building materials industry by guaranteeing a stable supply of raw materials for the domestic market. Limestone stands as one of Oman's most abundant mineral resources, serving as an indispensable raw material for cement, construction aggregates, and other building products. Driven by ongoing infrastructure projects, industrial developments, and rapid urban expansion across the Sultanate of Oman, domestic demand for high-quality construction materials is expected to remain exceptionally strong.

Fostering Fair Competition

To ensure equitable resource distribution, the Ministry of Energy and Minerals has implemented stringent regulatory measures regarding site allocation. While companies are encouraged to submit competitive bids for both mining locations, the ministry has firmly mandated that no single company will be awarded more than one site.

Crucially, this restriction also extends to companies owned by the same shareholders. If cross-ownership exceeds the threshold of 30 per cent in relation to the same site, the entities will be subject to the one-site limitation. This measure is intended to promote significantly wider participation, foster healthy competition within the local industry, and prevent the consolidation of essential resource rights into the hands of a few operators.

Advancing Oman Vision 2040

This mineral offering forms an integral part of Oman's broader macroeconomic strategy to develop its mining sector. Mining is identified as a priority industry under the Oman Vision 2040 framework, which seeks to rapidly diversify the national economy beyond hydrocarbons. To actualise this vision, Oman has steadily expanded investment opportunities across various mineral resources. This expansion is heavily supported by geological surveys, regulatory reforms, and efficient digital licensing services designed to attract private-sector investment.

The ministry has increasingly utilised competitive public tenders and digital platforms to allocate mining concessions. This approach achieves greater transparency and operational efficiency whilst encouraging responsible resource development. These proactive measures guarantee that Oman's natural wealth is harvested efficiently and managed in a way that provides maximum benefit to the national economy over the long term.

Interested organisations must act promptly, as applications are required to be submitted electronically via the Taqa e-mining platform before the application period expires. Successful bidders will be legally expected to develop the Salalah sites in strict accordance with technical and regulatory requirements, fulfilling their mandate of supplying limestone exclusively to the domestic market.

Saudi-based Al Yamamah Steel Industries Company has officially named leading Italian engineering firm Danieli as the contractor tasked with establishing a state-of-the-art steel billet production plant in the kingdom.

The monumental project, scheduled for full completion by 2029, represents a significant milestone in the region's expanding industrial and manufacturing landscape.

Initially referred to in earlier regulatory disclosures as an unnamed specialised European corporate entity to protect commercial secrets and maintain competitive advantages, the true identity of the partner has now been publicly confirmed following formal updates filed with the Saudi bourse, Tadawul. The multi-million-dollar undertaking underscores the growing collaboration between Saudi industrial enterprises and world-class European engineering specialists.

Under the terms of the substantial SAR270 million agreement—equivalent to approximately $71 million—the scope of work assigned to the Italian corporation encompasses the complete manufacture, supply, and installation of advanced steel billet production equipment at the subsidiary's dedicated premises in the kingdom. Al Yamamah for Reinforcing Steel Bars Company, a key subsidiary of Al Yamamah Steel Industries, oversees this ambitious venture as part of its ongoing strategy to strengthen upstream steelmaking operations and expand domestic processing capabilities.

Corporate leadership has confirmed that the entire engineering, supply, and installation process will be executed swiftly, with Danieli targeted to finish all contracted works within a strict timeframe of two and a half years. Regarding the broader economic outlook, the Saudi group has noted that the financial impact of this landmark deal is expected to be formally reflected in financial statements during the second half of 2028. Furthermore, industry observers note that adopting such cutting-edge manufacturing methodologies aligns seamlessly with broader national objectives aimed at diversifying the industrial base and bolstering domestic production capabilities.

Headquartered in Buttrio, Italy, Danieli boasts a storied history and an unyielding reputation within the global metallurgical sector. Founded back in 1914 by Mario Danieli, the enterprise has evolved remarkably from its modest steelmaking origins in Milan into a massive, globally respected engineering and manufacturing corporation. Today, Danieli stands proudly recognized as one of the world's top three manufacturers of plants and machinery tailored specifically for the metals industry. The firm commands widespread expertise in designing and building specialised equipment for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, ranging from heavy-duty electric arc furnaces to complex rolling mills.

A defining operational strength of the Italian group is its comprehensive project oversight model. Danieli expertly manages every developmental phase in-house, stretching seamlessly from initial conceptual design right through to rigorous on-site commissioning. Furthermore, the corporation maintains strategically distributed manufacturing workshops worldwide to guarantee consistently standardised production standards across all international jurisdictions.

The announcement of this major industrial contract follows closely on the heels of important financial restructuring for the subsidiary involved. Last month, Al Yamamah for Reinforcing Steel Bars Company secured official authorization from regulatory authorities to implement a capital increase. This was achieved through the issuance of 25 million brand-new shares priced directly at the company's established book value of SAR12, which equates to roughly $3.20 per share.

As part of this capital strengthening initiative, parent firm Al Yamamah Steel announced it would actively subscribe to 6.3 million shares within the rights issue, committing a total investment of SAR75.6 million. Crucially, this capital injection is being funded entirely through internal corporate resources. The fresh proceeds generated from the share issuance are earmarked to robustly bolster the subsidiary's overarching financial position while concurrently financing the construction phases of its expansive manufacturing plant.

By integrating Danieli's cutting-edge metallurgical technology with robust local funding and strategic vision, Al Yamamah Steel Industries is positioning itself for sustained growth within the competitive regional infrastructure sector. As construction gathers momentum over the coming months, the partnership serves as a testament to the robust economic ties driving modern industrial advancement across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Global utilities and leading power equipment manufacturers have united to address escalating bottlenecks within grid supply chains.

In a joint statement released during London Climate Action Week, industry leaders outlined steps to harmonise fragmented equipment standards and provide enhanced demand visibility, aiming to de-risk international procurement.

By 2030, Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA) members will require nearly 90,000 kilometres of transmission cable; enough to wrap around the Earth over twice, alongside 273 high-voltage transformers, 12,000 medium- and low-voltage transformers, and 77 substations.

These requirements severely eclipse current manufacturing capacities, with transformer wait times now exceeding three years. Addressing these material constraints is critical to maintaining the pace of global grid expansion.

Co-led by UK utility SSE and Abu Dhabi-based TAQA, UNEZA operates under the guidance of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, working alongside the UK Government-led Global Clean Power Alliance (GCPA).

UK Climate Minister Katie White stated: “This call from the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance shows that, by working with industry, governments can stop tying themselves in knots and start delivering the infrastructure needed to meet global demand – enough cable to wrap around the Earth more than twice. Through partnerships like the Global Clean Power Alliance, Britain is tackling long-standing barriers to clean energy. That will help us deliver the clean power mission, lower bills for good, and support other countries to reduce emissions and accelerate their own transition.”

Khalifa Al Mheiri, Chief Strategy & Investment Officer at TAQA Transmission, said: "As a utility investing in the next generation of electricity networks, TAQA recognises that delivering the energy transition at the pace the world requires depends not only on investment, but on our ability to strengthen and modernise global supply chains. Through UNEZA, utilities are taking practical action to improve coordination, harmonise technical approaches and explore pooled procurement models that provide greater certainty for suppliers while helping utilities deliver critical infrastructure faster, more efficiently and at lower cost. Collaboration across the value chain will be fundamental to building resilient electricity systems that support long-term energy security and net-zero ambitions.”

Glenn Barber, Director of Corporate Affairs at SSE, said: “We know from our experience in the UK that long-term visibility of demand is vital. It gives supply chain partners the certainty they need to invest in the manufacturing capacity and technical innovation needed to meet the demands of a monumental global energy transition. By bringing global utilities and supply chain partners together, UNEZA is not only helping to provide that visibility but tackling the practical barriers to supply chain development. The focus at London Climate Week on electrification of demand is welcome and necessary; at the same time, electrification will only be possible if grids can keep pace and the steps outlined today can plan an important role in that.”

Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, said: “We have spent the past decade proving that renewables can be deployed at scale. That case is made. The challenge now is ensuring grids and supply chains keep pace to deliver clean power reliably to homes, industries and communities. As electrification takes center stage in the next phase of the transition, with IRENA calling for a global electrification target of 35% by 2035, resilient supply chains will be essential. Initiatives such as the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance and the Global Clean Power Alliance show the value of governments, utilities and industry working together to accelerate progress while enhancing energy security and system resilience.”

Following a roundtable co-hosted with the GCPA, the alliance underscored massive financial commitments. At COP30, UNEZA members raised their collective annual investment target for renewables, grids, and storage from USD 117 billion to USD 148 billion. Overall clean energy investments between COP28 and 2030 are on course to exceed USD 1 trillion.

To secure supply chain resilience, UNEZA launched a Delivery Mechanism focused on pooled procurement. Members committed to three priority actions: providing annual demand signals to spur capacity growth, advancing harmonised equipment standards to improve interoperability, and scaling coordinated procurement. Now comprising 85 member organisations, UNEZA will continue developing this supply chain roadmap ahead of COP31, driving practical action to build robust electricity systems globally.