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Hosting large displaced populations places an immense, long-term strain on municipal grids and public budgets, prompting local authorities to look towards renewable energy as a permanent solution.

In the Republic of Turkey, a new Solar Power Plant Project has officially been inaugurated in Kahramanmaraş Province, bringing 6 megawatts of clean generation capacity online to power refugee camps and temporary accommodation facilities. Built with the participation of the Kuwait Fund for Development through a US$4mn allocation, the facility directly addresses the energy demands of humanitarian shelters while easing the wider economic and environmental pressures faced by the local municipality.

Rather than relying on short-term emergency relief, regional response strategies to the Syrian crisis are increasingly anchoring their efforts in permanent, sustainable infrastructure. When municipalities absorb thousands of displaced residents, the basic costs of heating and cooling temporary shelters can quickly drain civic resources. By generating electricity directly from renewable sources in the Pazarcık district, the Kahramanmaraş facility lowers everyday municipal energy consumption and cuts carbon emissions. More importantly, it establishes a self-sustaining model that strengthens the resilience of host communities as they navigate ongoing social and economic challenges.

Key Specifications and Grant Allocation

Delivered through a partnership between the Kuwait Fund for Development and the Republic of Turkey—represented locally by the Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality—the initiative forms part of a broader financial package designed to upgrade both physical utilities and community infrastructure. The key operational and financial details include:

• Project Location: Pazarcık district, Kahramanmaraş Province, Republic of Turkey.

• Generation Capacity: A maximum output of 6 megawatts derived from renewable solar energy.

• Solar Plant Funding: US$4mn allocated specifically for the construction of the solar power plant.

• Total Grant Value: US$10mn extended by the Kuwait Fund to support the Turkey refugee and resilience plan in response to the Syrian crisis.

• Core Energy Objectives: Meeting the heating and cooling requirements of camps and temporary accommodation facilities, lowering overall energy consumption, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable energy adoption.

• Complementary Social Projects: Alongside the solar facility, the USD 10 million grant finances three community-focused developments: the Children’s Library and Arts Centre, the Guidance, Counselling and Career Planning Centre, and the Youth and Sports Centre.

Balancing Clean Utilities with Social Infrastructure

What makes the Kahramanmaraş programme particularly noteworthy for regional urban planning is how it pairs utility-scale renewable generation with civic amenities. While the 6-megawatt solar array tackles the immediate physical demand for climate control inside temporary accommodation facilities, the remaining US$6mn of the grant targets human development.

Investing in a Children’s Library and Arts Centre, a dedicated Guidance, Counselling and Career Planning Centre, and a Youth and Sports Centre ensures that the host municipality receives lasting educational and recreational assets. By improving the quality of public services available to residents, these combined initiatives work to raise living conditions and foster long-term stability across the affected areas.

Municipal Leadership and Diplomatic Backing

The official inauguration ceremony highlighted the role of international cooperation in delivering municipal infrastructure. Held under the patronage and in the presence of Mr. Fırat Gorgel, Mayor of Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality, the event was attended by a visiting delegation from the Kuwait Fund for Development alongside H.E. Ambassador Mohammed Marzouq Al-Shabou, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to the Republic of Turkey.

Addressing attendees during the ceremony, Mr. Fırat Gorgel emphasised that the Kahramanmaraş Solar Power Plant represents a substantial addition to the city’s sustainable development efforts. The Mayor expressed his appreciation for the financial support provided by the Kuwait Fund for Development, noting that the funding was instrumental in bringing the vital project to fruition. He further observed that the initiative reflects the depth of friendship between the Republic of Turkey and the State of Kuwait, demonstrating the value of international partnerships in backing development projects that leave a lasting local impact.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Al-Shabou stated that the facility embodies the commitment of the State of Kuwait, acting through the Kuwait Fund for Development, to supporting sustainable development projects that bolster the resilience of host communities in addressing local challenges and contribute to improving the overall quality of services provided to them.

A Long-Standing Mandate for Development Finance

The completion of the Pazarcık solar array aligns with a six-decade history of international development financing in the region. Established in 1961, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development was the first institution in the Middle East to take an active role in international development efforts. Operating through concessionary loans and targeted grants, the organisation finances essential infrastructure across developing countries, continuing its ongoing efforts to support stability and sustainable recovery in areas affected by the Syrian refugee crisis.

Managing energy intensity, reducing emissions, and securing reliable freshwater alternatives are no longer peripheral goals but central pillars of operational resilience.

ENOC Group has announced significant milestones in energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable resource management on the sidelines of the Water, Energy, Technology and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2026 in Dubai.

Operating under the exhibition’s theme, “At the Forefront of Sustainability”, the integrated global energy player is demonstrating how targeted investments in green technologies and responsible resource allocation are yielding substantial commercial and environmental dividends.

Driving energy efficiency and emissions reduction

Decarbonising energy-intensive processing remains critical to the region’s broader net-zero trajectory. Through sustained integration of its Energy and Resource Management (E&RM) initiatives, the group has fundamentally restructured its consumption patterns. Since 2014, ENOC has invested AED 156.05 million in these specific programmes, resulting in a structural transformation of its energy overheads.

Key performance benchmarks include:

• An improvement in overall energy intensity by 21.7 per cent since 2014.

• A reduction in scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 11.5 per cent.

• The avoidance of approximately 1.47 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) in cumulative emissions.

• More than AED 478 million generated in cumulative financial savings across the group.

• Over AED 75 million in savings derived exclusively from renewable energy integration since 2017.

• A comprehensive waste recycling rate of 65.24 per cent achieved during the 2025 operational year.

Elevating industrial water security and circular reuse 

Beyond emissions mitigation, securing reliable water supplies represents a primary operational challenge in arid climates. Industrial operations across the region are increasingly aligning with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, which mandates a 21 per cent reduction in total water demand and an ambitious target to increase the reuse of treated water to 95 per cent.

ENOC is actively advancing these national targets by embedding water conservation deep into its value chain. In 2025, the organisation successfully recycled 688,785 cubic metres of treated water across its footprint—a volume equivalent to approximately 275 Olympic-sized swimming pools. This achievement secured a robust water recycling rate of 24.45 per cent. Concurrently, overall water intensity dropped to 0.0491 cubic metres per tonne of product, reflecting an approximate 20.4 per cent reduction compared to the 2014 baseline.

Highlighting the strategic importance of these initiatives, Hussain Sultan Lootah, Group Chief Executive Officer, ENOC Group, said: “Water security and responsible resource management are fundamental to the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the energy and industrial sectors, where water is essential to critical processes and operational continuity. As demand for energy and industrial output grows, so does the responsibility to use resources more efficiently, reduce pressure on freshwater supplies and integrate sustainable practices across the value chain.

“At ENOC, we are embedding this approach into our operations through practical solutions that expand water reuse, minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency. Our participation at WETEX 2026 provides an important platform to demonstrate how these efforts are translating into measurable progress, while contributing to the UAE’s long-term water security and sustainability ambitions.”

Tailoring recovery solutions across the value chain

Achieving these group-wide metrics requires engineering bespoke water and waste management schemes across specific midstream and downstream facilities. At the Jebel Ali refinery, for instance, approximately 72,389 cubic metres of treated wastewater was repurposed in 2025 for irrigation and industrial supply. This redirection significantly reduced freshwater demand and generated an estimated AED 812,107 in annual cost savings.

Similar circular principles are being deployed within the organisation's gas operations. Dubai Natural Gas Company Limited (DUGAS) treated and reused roughly 50,053 cubic metres of wastewater in 2025, securing an 18.2 per cent recycling rate. Meanwhile, Emirates Gas retains water from LPG bullet cleaning for subsequent washing cycles and recirculates run-off from cylinder-cleaning operations wherever viable.

At the retail level, water recycling systems integrated into the service station network recovered 527,043 cubic metres of treated car-wash water in 2025, reaching a dedicated recycling rate of 67.6 per cent. Furthermore, across terminals, aviation sites, and the ENOC Lubricants & Grease Manufacturing Plant (ELOMP), advanced oily-water separation systems enabled the transfer of 3,273 tonnes of recoverable slops to approved recycling contractors in 2025. Complementing these large-scale efforts, the Dubai Lubricants Processing Plant (DLPP) recently introduced a water purification system that drastically reduces reliance on bottled water, projecting an additional AED 15,000 in recurring annual savings.

As Abu Dhabi rapidly advances its manufacturing and commercial capabilities, the infrastructure required to support its workforce is undergoing a significant transformation.

The emirate is proactively seeking to elevate the standard of integrated workforce living within its expanding industrial zones. Addressing this critical demand for large-scale, high-quality accommodation, Sdeira Group, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, has officially unveiled the comprehensive masterplan for the Aryam Community – KEZAD Al Mamourah. This purpose-built development is strategically designed to establish a new benchmark in workforce accommodation, providing a supportive and flexible living environment for up to 27,000 individuals operating across the diverse logistics, commercial, and industrial ecosystem of KEZAD Al Mamourah.

Supporting the long-term vision for industrial growth

The launch of this expansive residential project is closely aligned with the wider economic ambitions of the United Arab Emirates. Specifically, the development will play a crucial role in supporting Abu Dhabi’s expanding industrial workforce as the emirate actively advances its comprehensive Industrial Strategy. This ambitious economic framework targets the substantial growth of the local manufacturing sector, aiming to reach a value of AED172 billion by the year 2031. Achieving such a significant milestone requires a stable, well-housed, and highly productive workforce. The Aryam Community masterplan, which was prominently announced at the Make it in the Emirates 2026 forum, aims to address this need by providing scalable accommodation solutions situated conveniently close to major employers.

Strategic location and phased construction roadmap

Situated within KEZAD Al Mamourah A, the upcoming community boasts a highly strategic location close to Khalifa Port and the vital Abu Dhabi–Dubai transport corridor. To ensure the steady and sustainable delivery of this massive project, Sdeira Group has outlined a meticulous two-phase development plan. A physical model of the project, alongside new architectural renders revealing flexible living options designed to suit different residents' needs, was displayed publicly for the first time at the KEZAD Connect event.

Key details of the construction and delivery timeline include:

• Construction of the development is expected to officially commence during the first half of 2027.
• Phase One of the project is planned to accommodate approximately 14,000 residents.
• This initial phase will cover a sprawling site area of 110,200 square metres.
• The built-up area for the first phase will span 137,800 square metres.
• Following the completion of both phases, the site will reach its full capacity of up to 27,000 residents.
• The entire two-phase development is scheduled to reach total completion in 2029.

Prioritising liveability and everyday wellbeing

Moving beyond basic accommodation, the Aryam Community masterplan places a strong emphasis on providing everyday amenities and vital services directly on-site. The residential complex will include dedicated supermarket and administrative facilities to streamline daily tasks for its inhabitants. Furthermore, a separate mixed-use building will serve as a central hub, bringing together a dedicated medical clinic, extensive retail space, and various other essential amenities.

Nutritional and domestic needs are also heavily factored into the community's design. Sdeira Group’s integrated catering services company, known as “ZOAD”, will operate a large-scale central kitchen. This facility will efficiently support meal preparation and distribution across the entire community, complemented by the inclusion of two spacious dining halls. Additionally, residents will benefit from “Your Laundry”, Sdeira Group’s proprietary laundry service, which will operate a dedicated on-site laundry facility to manage clothing and linen needs.

Encouraging an active and balanced lifestyle

Recognising the importance of physical health and social interaction for a productive workforce, the community will feature extensive recreational areas designed to make exercise, relaxation, and social activity part of everyday life. Residents will have direct access to four outdoor sports courts, alongside specially designed indoor recreation and leisure space.

Speaking on the strategic importance of the project, Abdulaziz A. Bawazeer, Chief Executive Officer of Sdeira Group, said: “Industrial growth is ultimately powered by people. As Abu Dhabi’s industrial economy expands, the communities supporting the people behind that growth will play an increasingly important role in business performance and industrial competitiveness. We are already seeing strong interest from employers looking to secure accommodation at Aryam Community – KEZAD Al Mamourah, reinforcing the need for communities designed around people’s needs. That is why we are placing liveability at the centre of Aryam Community – KEZAD Al Mamourah — helping residents live well, stay healthy and access what they need in daily life — to create the right conditions for a strong, stable and productive workforce.”

Committing to resource efficiency and sustainability

In line with broader urban sustainability goals, the design of the Aryam Community incorporates several forward-thinking environmental solutions. Smart metering, comprehensive energy-efficiency measures, and targeted water-conservation solutions are actively being incorporated into the community's architectural design. These essential features are intended to heavily support long-term operational performance and overall resource efficiency, ensuring the development meets modern environmental standards.

Aramco and Ma’aden have officially signed a shareholders’ agreement to establish a joint venture aimed at unlocking significant new frontiers for mineral exploration and hard-rock mining across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

This strategic collaboration, which was first disclosed in January 2025, represents a landmark effort to integrate Aramco’s advanced technical capabilities with Ma’aden’s extensive mining expertise to bolster the global energy transition value chain.

The newly formed entity is expected to be owned 51% by Ma’aden and 49% by Aramco. Its primary mandate is to focus on exploration activities within ‘Zone-4’, an area frequently referred to as the Transition Zone. Situated along the Arabian Platform, this exploration region covers approximately 182,000 square kilometres—an area equivalent to nearly 10% of the total land mass of Saudi Arabia.

Pioneering Exploration through Advanced Technology

The joint venture intends to leverage a combination of historical geological data and cutting-edge computational tools. By utilising high-performance computing and proprietary artificial intelligence algorithms, the partnership aims to identify areas with high potential for copper and other critical transition minerals. This approach is designed to streamline the transition from initial regional screening to definitive target discovery.

Saleh M. Al Saleh, Aramco Vice President of Transition Minerals, highlighted the extensive data foundation underpinning the project: “Over 90 years, Aramco has accumulated and analysed the largest amount of geological and geophysical data ever acquired in a single basin for the Kingdom. This partnership intends to leverage this legacy information to find minerals in the JV area within the basin. Maaden's expertise, our people, high-performance computing, and AI are expected to play a pivotal role in accelerating the discovery of key transition minerals at low cost.”

Strengthening the Global Energy Transition

The global demand for copper is experiencing rapid growth, largely driven by the increasing shift toward electric vehicles, advanced power networks, energy storage solutions, and renewable energy infrastructure. Currently, copper represents over 20% of the $1.2 trillion mined metals market. With the market valuation projected to climb from approximately $250 billion today to over $400 billion by 2035, the strategic importance of this joint venture cannot be understated.

In addition to copper, the exploration efforts will target other essential minerals, including zinc, lead, and various rare earth elements that are anticipated to be fundamental to the industries of the future.

Darryl Clark, Ma’aden Executive Vice President for Exploration, emphasised the scale of the ambition: “Maaden has been advancing one of the world's largest single jurisdiction exploration programs across the Arabian Shield to help unlock the Kingdom's mineral potential. This joint venture would take that ambition into a new area. By combining Maaden's exploration and development expertise with Aramco's extraordinary knowledge of the Arabian Platform, we would have an opportunity to move faster, explore smarter, and create new opportunities to discover the minerals that will power the energy transition.”

Regulatory Path Ahead

While the agreement marks a significant milestone, the incorporation of the joint venture remains subject to several conditions. The effectiveness of the shareholders’ agreement is contingent upon the successful fulfillment of various conditions precedent, including obtaining all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, as well as securing standard antitrust clearances.

By combining the operational strengths of two of the Kingdom’s most prominent organisations, the JV aims to reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role as a key player in the global minerals sector, ensuring a more resilient supply chain for the energy systems of tomorrow.

The integration of smart technologies, such as digital passports and automated inventory systems, requires robust labelling infrastructure.

Addressing this industry-wide need for sustainable and highly reliable printing, Brady Corporation has introduced the new i7500 RFID label printer, a device designed to eliminate consumable waste and streamline on-premise RFID encoding.

Eliminating consumable waste in calibration

Competitive printer models frequently waste between 10 and 30 labels following each consumable change during the calibration phase. This not only drives up material costs but also generates unnecessary industrial waste. The newly launched BradyPrinter i7500 Industrial RFID Label Printer addresses this challenge by ensuring that the very first RFID label is printed and encoded correctly, resulting in strictly zero label waste during the calibration process.

This technology limits the production of void labels and prevents significant time loss in demanding production environments. By eliminating calibration waste, the system offers an environmentally conscious and highly practical solution, particularly for users who may not be RFID technology experts.

Patent-pending technology and automated setup

One of the most complex aspects of industrial labelling is managing different tag types and specifications. Most conventional RFID printers require users to manually input data to locate chips and set parameters. In contrast, the i7500 RFID printer features patent-pending print and encoding technologies that automatically locate the RFID chips within the loaded labels.

• Automatic Optimisation: The device autonomously selects the correct internal antenna and optimal power level required to encode the specific UHF RFID labels currently loaded into the system.

• Precision Recognition: The automated technology accurately recognises RFID chips even on extremely small labels, operating effectively on widths as narrow as 15 mm.

• Rapid Changeovers: The automated setup process for diverse label types—including large, small, off-metal, and on-metal UHF RFID labels (up to 2mm thick), can be completed in under three minutes.

This  material setup speed makes the printer 25 to 2 times faster than most competitive models on the market.  The device actively protects industrial operational throughput, operating at a print and encode speed of just three seconds per label. It is designed to keep production lines moving, significantly reduces unplanned downtime, limits support interventions and prevents component scrap and production bottlenecks.

High accuracy data and global standards

The i7500 RFID printer includes a built-in automated UHF RFID label encoding verification system, ensuring high accuracy across everything from small component tags to large pallet labels. Beyond standard encoding, the printer supports versatile legacy applications by simultaneously adding human-legible text alongside tiny machine-readable barcodes and QR-codes, available in crisp 300 and 600 dpi resolutions.

For seamless operational integration, data can be directly sourced from internal company systems and transmitted to the printer via multiple connectivity options, including:

• Ethernet

• USB

• Wi-Fi

• Bluetooth

Also, the device fully supports common global data standards, allowing users to print and encode item-level barcodes and GS1 standards for worldwide unique RFID EPC codes.

Next-level track and trace connectivity

This printer is a foundational element for next-generation facility management, bringing on-premise RFID printing to a wider range of industries. By giving any asset, item, or product a unique digital identity that can be read from a distance without a direct line of sight, organisations can completely overhaul their operational tracking.

When integrated into a broader workflow, the encoded labels can trigger Internet of Things (IoT) events and automations upon being scanned, whether individually or in specific volume batches. This unlocks the ability to enable home-in applications on tagged assets, drastically improve just-in-time tracking, and strengthen overall supply chain compliance. Products can also be directly linked to their digital passports using RFID technology.

Forming part of a complete industrial RFID solution that includes reliable labels, software, and RFID readers, the BradyPrinter i7500 RFID delivers quality traceability for any industry seeking to modernise their operations.

Modern ports and land borders must operate as seamless logistical hubs, accommodating exponential growth while maintaining rigorous security protocols.

At the forefront of this operational evolution is the Emirate of Sharjah, which is actively advancing its cross-agency integration to fortify its vital infrastructure. In a significant move to streamline operations, the Organisational Committee of Ports and Border Points in Sharjah recently convened to implement comprehensive efficiency upgrades across the emirate.

The 9th Strategic Leadership Meeting

Held at the Khatmat Malaha Border, the 9th meeting of 2026 brought together key government and security entities. The session was chaired by H.E. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Raisi, Director of Ports and Border Points Affairs at the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, and Chairman of the Committee. A central focus of the assembly was to review the latest developments across Sharjah’s expansive network of maritime and land borders.

Opening the session, Al Raisi welcomed newly appointed members, whose selection followed the issuance of Sharjah Executive Council Decision No. (39) of 2026. This recent mandate amended the earlier Executive Council Decision No. (30) of 2020, which regulates the Committee. He also conveyed greetings from Sheikh Khaled bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority, wishing the team continued success in their duties.

Balancing Rapid Transit with Rigorous Security

A primary theme of the discussions was the absolute necessity of working as a unified team. Al Raisi stressed the importance of intensifying collective efforts to continuously develop the border points system. Operational and security readiness must align perfectly with the emirate’s overarching trajectory of growth.

Addressing the complex dynamics of modern border management, Al Raisi stated: "Ports and border points serve as vital gateways for both Sharjah and the UAE. Continued growth in passenger and commercial traffic places a responsibility on the entities operating at these facilities to continue developing their operational systems, improve procedural efficiency and strengthen coordination and integration. These efforts are essential to balancing smooth movement with faster processing while maintaining the highest standards of security, oversight and safety."

Key Operational Enhancements

To achieve these ambitious targets, the committee reviewed its updated mandate under the new regulatory decision. The agenda highlighted multiple pathways to strengthen integration among the diverse entities operating at these checkpoints.

The committee was briefed extensively on recent developments, discussing critical operational matters raised by stakeholders. Key focus areas identified to enhance services for travellers and commercial entities include:

• Refining Inspection Procedures: Developing more sophisticated methods for processing cargo and travellers safely.
• Boosting Checkpoint Efficiency: Upgrading the operational capacity of individual inspection points to reduce wait times.
• Strengthening Oversight: Enhancing overall security measures without compromising the speed of transit.
• Information Exchange: Fostering closer field coordination and the rapid sharing of vital expertise between operational teams.
• Actioning Recommendations: Ensuring that strategic measures proposed in previous meetings are swiftly translated into tangible field operations.

Cross-Agency Alignment and Future Readiness

In a move to further solidify the leadership structure governing these efforts, Brigadier Abdulaziz Sarhan Al Zaabi, Director of Land Ports at the General Directorate of Ports, was officially selected as Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

The immense scale of this cross-agency integration was reflected in the diverse array of senior attendees at the meeting. Alongside the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the session included Colonel Sultan bin Taliah, Director of the Land and Sea Ports Department at Sharjah Police General Headquarters; Lieutenant Colonel Staff Mohammed Al Shamsi, Commander of the Northern Sector at the Border Guard Group of the National Guard Command; and Abdullah Al Badwawi, Director of the Customs Risk and Ports Security Department at the General Directorate of Customs and Ports Security. Representatives from the State Security Department (SSD) and Abdullah Abdulrahman Al Kindi of the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority were also present.

By translating strategic recommendations into practical, on-the-ground measures, Sharjah is building an agile infrastructure capable of anticipating the future demands of global transit.