Energy

Elsewedy Electric acquires a 60% stake in UAE's Thomassen Service, boosting Middle East gas turbine maintenance.

Across the Arabian Gulf and the wider Middle East, power generation and industrial development continue to scale rapidly in line with national economic diversification and energy transition goals.

As regional demand for reliable energy infrastructure accelerates, maintaining these complex power generation systems has become paramount for continued growth. Responding directly to this escalating regional demand, Elsewedy Electric, a leading integrated provider of energy and infrastructure solutions operating across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, has formally announced a strategic acquisition. The firm has successfully acquired a 60% majority stake in UAE-based Thomassen Service, a highly specialised provider known for its gas turbine maintenance and repair services. The announcement, formalised in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in September 2026, signals a major shift in the regional energy supply chain by consolidating vital maintenance expertise closer to the point of need.

The official agreement was signed by Eng. Ahmed Elsewedy, CEO and Managing Director of Elsewedy Electric, and Eng. Peter Hertog, CEO of Thomassen Service. The formal signing ceremony took place in the presence of Mr. Sadek Elsewedy, Chairman, alongside senior leadership representatives from both organisations.

Historically, maintaining high-performance gas turbines in the region often required significant reliance on overseas facilities for complex maintenance. This acquisition is expected to significantly enhance the company’s ability to deliver high-quality, localised services directly across the region. Supported by Thomassen Service’s quarter-century of technical expertise, Elsewedy Electric expects to mitigate these historical logistical challenges.

Leadership perspectives on sector growth

The strategic alignment between the two firms underscores a mutual ambition for global expansion and technical excellence within the utilities sector.

Eng. Ahmed Elsewedy, CEO and Managing Director of Elsewedy Electric, commented: “This acquisition marks an important step in strengthening our technical capabilities and expanding the value we deliver to our customers across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Far East. By combining Thomassen Service’s specialized expertise with our integrated project capabilities, we are well positioned to meet the evolving needs of the energy sector.”

Eng. Peter Hertog, CEO of Thomassen Service, said: “Joining Elsewedy Electric opens significant opportunities to scale our operations and extend our reach into new markets. We are proud to become part of a group that shares our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer focus.”

Future outlook and industry impact

Looking ahead, Thomassen Service is set to benefit heavily from Elsewedy Electric’s financial strength, expansive regional footprint, and integrated engineering and construction ecosystems. This support aims to facilitate its expansion into high-growth markets and reinforce its position within the global energy services landscape.

Volvo Penta has stepped forward with a flexible approach. At IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, Germany, the organisation is demonstrating how mobile battery energy storage can bridge this widening gap.

The transition towards zero-emission commercial transport is gathering immense momentum, yet a formidable obstacle remains firmly in its path: inadequate grid capacity.

As operators modernise their fleets with heavy-duty electric vehicles, the demand for fast charging frequently outstrips the physical capabilities of local electrical infrastructure. Lengthy municipal permitting processes, substantial civil works, and overloaded fixed connections often stall critical deployment timelines.

Addressing this infrastructural bottleneck, Volvo Penta has stepped forward with a flexible approach. At IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, Germany, the organisation is demonstrating how mobile battery energy storage can bridge this widening gap, delivering reliable power exactly where and when it is needed most.

The Urgent Need for Flexible Charging Solutions

The move to fully electrified transport networks cannot wait for permanent grid upgrades. Transport companies frequently operate in temporary locations or remote hubs where installing permanent charging infrastructure is either financially unviable or logistically impossible. Even in established urban logistics centres, high-power electric vehicle charging during peak demand periods can easily overwhelm local grid connections.

By deploying mobile battery-powered charging units, commercial operators bypass these significant delays. A mobile Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) acts as a strategic buffer. It slowly draws power from a constrained grid connection or intermittent renewable energy source, storing that energy to discharge it at high rates for rapid vehicle charging.

Enter the Mobile BESS Subsystem

Volvo Penta is exhibiting alongside fellow Volvo Group company, Volvo Trucks. Taking centre stage is the company's adaptable BESS subsystem, built directly upon battery technology successfully deployed in Volvo Group’s demanding on-highway and off-highway vehicles. Engineered for the rigorous demands of continuous heavy-duty utilisation, this subsystem provides a robust foundation for off-grid power.

It mitigates the transport electrification bottleneck through several technical advantages:

• High Energy Density: The battery pack stores maximum power within a compact, modular footprint.
• Favourable C-rate: Optimised for rapid charging and discharging, ensuring vehicles spend less time plugged in.
• Automotive-Grade Resilience: Managed by a sophisticated system that continuously monitors operational performance.
• Enhanced Cybersecurity: The robust architecture safeguards critical energy data from unauthorised interference.
• Maximised Longevity: Intelligent cell management prevents excessive degradation during high-intensity charging cycles.

This setup provides immediate charging capacity for unexpected disruptions. In fixed installations, it can boost limited grid connections, successfully supporting high-power charging even when demand is exceptionally high.

“Reliable power infrastructure is critical to the transition toward zero-emission transport,” said Tommi Wulff, Sales and Business Development Manager at Volvo Penta. “Battery energy storage can help bring fast charging to locations where grid capacity is limited or permanent infrastructure is not yet in place. At IAA Transportation, we are showing how Volvo Penta can support this transition by providing a proven, scalable BESS subsystem that our partners can build into complete charging and energy storage systems.”

A Collaborative Blueprint for Electrification

Volvo Penta’s core strategy is centred around collaboration. By supplying its proven battery technology alongside extensive application expertise, the organisation provides specialist partners with a robust platform to develop complete, field-ready energy storage solutions. This partnership model is essential for tailoring technology to specific markets and operating environments. A prime example showcased alongside the subsystem is the Hivolt 380X, a complete, ready-to-deploy mobile unit developed by system integrator Contour Advanced Systems.

“Volvo Penta’s BESS subsystem gives us a proven battery foundation for the Hivolt 380X,” said Jacco Lemmen, Business Development Manager at Contour Advanced Systems. “By combining Volvo Penta’s technology with our system integration and manufacturing expertise, we are showcasing a solution designed and made in Europe, with European components and software, and built around shared values of safety, quality and cooperation.”

Accelerating the Zero-Emission Future

Solving the charging challenge requires more than just advanced vehicles; it requires deployable energy networks that adapt to real-world limitations. The partnership between Volvo Penta and Contour Advanced Systems illustrates a highly practical pathway forward for the transport sector.

Volvo Penta is exhibiting at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, Germany, from September 15–20, in Hall 11, Stand F31.

The project was inaugurated by H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros.

Island nations across the globe face unique vulnerabilities when powering their economies, often relying heavily on imported fossil fuels that expose them to severe price volatility and supply chain disruptions.

Transitioning toward sustainable energy infrastructure has become an urgent priority for island archipelagos seeking true energy independence and climate resilience. In a landmark development for regional sustainability, the Union of the Comoros has officially inaugurated three major UAE-financed solar power plants, marking a transformative milestone for the nation's electricity grid and long-term socioeconomic progress.

The high-profile inauguration was led by H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros, alongside high-ranking officials from both nations. The comprehensive initiative reflects the UAE's longstanding commitment to supporting a more sustainable future and expanding the deployment of renewable energy solutions globally, showcasing how clean energy expertise can strengthen international energy security.

The ambitious project was financed by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), implemented by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar), and managed by Global South Utilities (GSU). By uniting these key entities, the project successfully bridges international development finance with cutting-edge technical execution to deliver tangible benefits to local communities.

Project Specifications and Technical Figures

The infrastructure initiative represents an investment of approximately AED 84.4 million, deploying advanced solar photovoltaic technology across the archipelago's main islands. Key project details include:

• Total Installed Capacity: Approximately 20 MW distributed across three primary solar photovoltaic facilities.

• Island Breakdown: 12.86 MW located on Grande Comore, 4.05 MW on Anjouan, and 3.1 MW on Mohéli.

• Energy Storage Systems: 16 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage capacity with an 8 MW power output across Grande Comore and Anjouan.

• Grid Integration: Approximately 30 kilometres of 20-kilovolt (kV) medium-voltage overhead transmission lines.

• Annual Clean Energy Generation: Estimated at approximately 33.75 GWh annually.

• Household Reach: Clean electricity sufficient to meet the energy needs of around 17,500 households.

• Environmental Impact: Avoidance of approximately 20,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.

Overcoming Severe Energy Deficits

This new solar capacity arrives at a critical juncture for the Comorian electricity sector, which has historically struggled with acute structural challenges and a heavy reliance on imported diesel. During 2024, imported diesel accounted for an overwhelming 91% of the country's total energy mix. At the same time, national electricity demand reached 254 GWh against an actual generation output of only 150 GWh, resulting in roughly 3,000 power outages throughout the year.

The newly commissioned solar generation is expected to account for approximately 13.3% of total electricity demand and 22.5% of actual generation recorded in 2024. By diversifying the national energy mix, the initiative directly reduces exposure to imported fuel fluctuations and enhances system reliability.

Commenting on the milestone, H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros, stated: "I extend my sincere appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for his continued support in advancing our development priorities and strengthening the partnership between our two countries, guided by a oving the reliability of electricity that businesses, public services and communities depend o

With robust battery storage and enhanced grid infrastructure, the Comoros is laying a firm foundation for a cleaner, more resilient economic future.

The world’s largest integrated off-grid utilities system has entered commercial operation at The Red Sea destination in Saudi Arabia.

The evolution of sustainable infrastructure has reached a defining milestone, proving that mega-scale developments can operate entirely independently of conventional national grids.

The world’s largest integrated off-grid utilities system has entered commercial operation at The Red Sea destination in Saudi Arabia. The milestone follows the signing of the Project Commercial Operation Date (PCOD) between Marafiq Red Sea for Energy Company – an Acwa-led consortium with SPIC Huanghe Hydropower and Saudi Tabreed – and The Red Sea Utilities Company, a subsidiary of Red Sea Global.

Marking the official commencement of a 25-year concession, the agreement confirms that all primary utility networks across the luxury destination are in active commercial service. This represents the first time a giga-project in the Kingdom has brought its entire utilities infrastructure online powered exclusively by renewable energy, without reliance on or support from the national grid. The system now supplies operational hotels, community facilities, the staff village, logistics networks, an electric fleet, and the Red Sea International Airport.

World-Record Solar and Storage Capacity

Continuous energy delivery across the coastal destination is underpinned by a massive standalone generation and storage network. The setup pairs a 340 MWac solar photovoltaic plant with a 1,227 MWh battery energy storage system – the largest off-grid battery installation constructed anywhere in the world. Delivering up to 760,000 MWh of clean electricity annually, the system prevents roughly 600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year at full capacity. Furthermore, the infrastructure is designed to scale dynamically alongside the destination as future hospitality phases open.

Highlighting the importance of this milestone, Mohammad Abunayyan, Founder and Chairman of Acwa, stated: “The Red Sea project embodies the ambition of Saudi Vision 2030 and the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to deliver pioneering projects that redefine modern infrastructure and reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a global leader. As the world’s largest integrated off-grid utilities system, and the first of its kind at this scale, the project sets a new global benchmark for sustainable development.”

Comprehensive Multi-Utility Network

The concession spans five interconnected utility sectors delivered as a single cohesive platform:

• Potable water production across three seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plants.
• A municipal sewage treatment plant treating 16,000 cubic metres of wastewater daily to create wetland habitats and irrigate the RSG nursery and Shura Links golf course.
• A centralised waste management centre dedicated to resource recovery and responsible material processing.
• An energy-efficient district cooling infrastructure delivering 32,500 refrigeration tons (RT) to hospitality venues and airport facilities.
• Full charging and support networks for land- and sea-based electric vehicle logistics fleets.

Funded through approximately USD 1.33 billion in senior debt within a total investment of c. USD 1.84 billion, the development demonstrates landmark bankability for pioneer off-grid infrastructure. Engineering, procurement, and construction were completed by EPC contractor SEPCO III (the Shandong Tiejun consortium), achieving 30 million lost-time-injury-free hours in a complex coastal setting. Acwa Operations will manage operations and maintenance over the 25-year concession.

Ecological Protection and Local Industry

Developing utility infrastructure within pristine coastal and marine ecosystems required strict environmental safeguards. All utility packages underwent comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) processes, securing permits from the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC), with Marafiq executing ongoing monitoring to protect terrestrial and reef habitats.

Emphasising the environmental philosophy of the project, John Pagano, Group CEO at Red Sea Global, said: “This milestone brings our vision for a new model of regenerative tourism to life at full scale. By operating without a connection to the national grid and powering the destination entirely through renewable energy, we are demonstrating how sustainable infrastructure can support tourism that gives back to the natural environment and communities on which it depends.”

Local content was prioritised throughout construction and continues in operations. Materials were sourced from domestic suppliers wherever viable, with Saudi engineers working across all technical packages. Over the 25-year concession, the partnership will expand domestic expertise and build a resilient local supply chain aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.