Read the Digital Magazine

Emirates Water and Electricity Company has announced the opening of registration for its Q1 2026 Clean Energy Certificates auction, which will close on 9 January 2026

EWEC plays a central role in coordinating the planning, procurement, supply and system dispatch of water and electricity across the UAE, and the auction forms part of its wider efforts to support verified clean energy use in Abu Dhabi.

The upcoming auction reflects continued growth in demand for Clean Energy Certificates across the emirate’s economy. Businesses, organisations and individuals are increasingly using CECs, issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, to confirm that their electricity consumption is sourced from renewable or clean energy. As Abu Dhabi’s only officially accredited mechanism for making renewable and clean energy claims, CECs allow participants to demonstrate measurable reductions in Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions while aligning with national climate and sustainability objectives.

Interest in the scheme remained strong throughout 2025, with auctions attracting participants from sectors including healthcare, industry, retail, real estate, events and commercial services. Sales volumes reached some of the highest levels recorded since the programme was introduced, highlighting a growing commitment to verified clean energy consumption at scale.

Mohamed Almarzooqi, chief asset development & management officer of EWEC, said, “The continued growth in Clean Energy Certificates usage reflects how organisations across Abu Dhabi are turning decarbonisation plans into verified outcomes. CECs provide a transparent, internationally recognised pathway to renewable and clean energy adoption, enabling companies and institutions to credibly track progress against sustainability goals, reduce Scope 2 emissions, and align with the UAE Net Zero By 2050 Strategic Initiative. As we open registration for the first auction of 2026, we invite all entities, including individuals, to participate and help consolidate the momentum we have collectively built.”

Clean Energy Certificates are the sole accredited instrument in Abu Dhabi for verifying both the environmental and economic value of clean energy consumption. Issued in units of one megawatt hour, the certificates comply with the International Renewable Energy Certificate Standard. EWEC serves as the scheme’s Single Registrant and Auction Operator, overseeing both registration and the auction process.

Ariston Middle East is preparing to showcase its newest line-up of innovative, future-ready and sustainable water-heating solutions at Big 5 Global 2025, taking place from 24-28 November at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The company’s latest technologies will be featured in Hall 3, Stand 3A131, within the pavilion of regional distributor MAHY Khoory, reinforcing Ariston’s long-standing brand promise: “The Home of Sustainable Comfort.”

“The Big 5 Global stands as the construction industry's most important and influential gathering, firmly rooted in Dubai,” said Alberto Torner, Head of International Markets (AMEA) at Ariston Group. “Thermal comfort has historically placed a significant burden on electrical networks and contributed to CO₂ emissions. As a global specialist with a 95-year heritage and leadership in over 40 countries, it is our responsibility to guide the conversation around energy transition. At Big 5, we are proud to showcase three innovative solutions that highlight the sustainability-driven technology embedded across our range.”

Taking centre stage at the exhibition is one of Ariston’s advanced heat-pump water-heating systems, the Nuos FIT. This compact thermodynamic water heater extracts heat from the surrounding air to dramatically reduce electricity consumption, delivering up to 50 per cent energy savings compared to traditional electric models. Using the environmentally friendly R290 refrigerant, it performs effectively across a wide temperature range from +7 °C to +42 °C and can achieve storage temperatures of 62 °C without relying on a backup heater. Four operating modes — Green, Green Plus, Boost and i-Memory — along with smart remote control via the Ariston NET app, further enhance efficiency and convenience.

Ariston will also feature the Velis Tech WiFi, an electrical water heater engineered to reduce energy use without compromising performance. With an ultra-slim 27 centimetre depth and twin-tank configuration, it offers faster heating and increased hot-water availability. Its ECO EVO mode intelligently learns household patterns to deliver up to 25 per cent energy savings, while the Boost function heats both tanks rapidly to 80 °C. Wi-Fi connectivity allows users to manage scheduling, monitor consumption and adjust settings through the Ariston NET app.

Completing the line-up is the PRO1 Eco, introduced earlier this year in the UAE. Powered by the patented CoreTECH-enabled ECO EVO system, it analyses daily usage habits to heat water only when needed. This results in up to 14 per cent reduced energy consumption while ensuring continuous comfort, making it well suited to sustainability-focused homes.

“We remain committed to leading the market through continuous innovation and product excellence,” Alberto Torner, Head of International Markets (AMEA) at Ariston Group concluded. “With 45 years of strong presence in the GCC, our comprehensive portfolio is perfectly aligned with the region’s sustainability goals. We invite all attendees of Big 5 Global 2025 to visit us in Hall 3 and experience our next-generation water-heating technologies firsthand.”

Jenan Real Estate Company has announced the full acquisition of the Dana Bay project, signalling a major milestone in its expansion strategy and marking the beginning of an ambitious new development phase under its sole ownership.

The move reinforces Jenan Real Estate’s growing presence in Saudi Arabia’s tourism and real estate sectors, aligning closely with the Kingdom’s long-term economic diversification goals.

The acquisition represents a strategic turning point for Dana Bay, one of the largest privately owned mixed-use waterfront tourism developments in the Kingdom. Located along a prime coastal stretch, the project spans more than 2.8 million square metres and is positioned to become a landmark destination on Saudi Arabia’s eastern seaboard. Once completed, the development is expected to reach a projected value of between SAR 6 billion and SAR 8 billion, underlining its scale and economic significance.

Jenan Real Estate continues to strengthen its role in shaping coastal tourism destinations by delivering fully integrated, high-quality developments that combine striking sea views with premium lifestyle amenities. These initiatives contribute to enhancing quality of life, attracting domestic and international investment, and generating both direct and indirect employment opportunities. The Dana Bay acquisition also supports Saudi Vision 2030 objectives by boosting domestic tourism and establishing leisure and hospitality as key drivers of sustainable national growth.

Through the comprehensive redevelopment of Dana Bay, Jenan Real Estate aims to stimulate domestic tourism by offering a destination tailored to families and visitors seeking a distinctive waterfront experience. The project boasts one of the longest private beaches in the Kingdom and will feature a diverse mix of residential, leisure and hospitality components. These include luxury beachfront villas with uninterrupted sea views, family-friendly chalets located close to the shore, and a wide range of supporting service facilities.

A standout feature of the development is “Loopagoon,” a women-only water park – the first of its kind in the Eastern Province – alongside a dedicated women’s spa and private beach, providing privacy-focused, high-end hospitality experiences. Dana Bay will also host world-class hotels and resorts catering to both local and international guests, as well as a fully serviced marina designed to attract yacht owners, sailing enthusiasts and luxury travellers.

Dana Walk will serve as a vibrant commercial and entertainment hub, offering restaurants, cafés, retail outlets and event venues with panoramic sea views. Premium catering services for events, celebrations and corporate gatherings will further enhance the destination’s appeal.

With plans to unveil a detailed development roadmap featuring major upgrades and new facilities, Jenan Real Estate aims to position Dana Bay as one of Saudi Arabia’s premier waterfront destinations and a key contributor to domestic tourism growth.

Metso has expanded its screening solutions portfolio with the introduction of the new Grande Series

The series represents a significant enhancement for mining and aggregates operators, delivering high-performance screening technology designed to optimize capacity, uptime, and operational efficiency across the most demanding continuous-use applications.

The Grande Series introduces three new stationary screen types, GLH, GMF and GFF, each engineered to support high-capacity production environments and deliver improved flexibility. With larger screen sizes than previously available in Metso’s lineup, the range enables customers to achieve greater throughput, minimise maintenance interruptions, and tailor their operations more effectively to meet business objectives.

“It’s all about helping our customers succeed with the right tools for their unique needs. With the newly launched Grande Series, customers gain more flexibility, easier screen replacements, and access to solutions for even the most demanding screening tasks,” commented Jouni Mähönen, vice-president, screening business line, Metso.

Screening options designed for varied operational applications

The GLH horizontal screens are optimised for heavy-duty use, including demanding slurry and water-handling duties in mining operations. Meanwhile, the GMF multi-slope banana screens are built to accommodate high-capacity screening for fine and near-size particle processing.

These additions introduce engineered-to-order configurations and ultra-large screen formats that were previously unavailable in Metso’s stationary screen offerings.

The GFF flip-flow screen type adds further capability by enabling efficient separation of difficult materials and fine fractions, reinforcing Metso’s position as a full-scope screening partner.

Compatibility with Trellex screening media ensures the new series integrates seamlessly with Metso’s broader screening technologies, enabling complete end-to-end solutions for users.

Easier replacement of non-Metso screens and flexible reconfiguration options further support customers looking to enhance or modify existing operations without disruption.

“The Grande Series is a result of our continuous screening portfolio development. We are strengthening Metso’s position as a screening solutions partner – expanding our offering with larger screens, lighter duty screens, and new flip-flow technology. With new technologies, larger sizes, and advanced capabilities, we’re expanding our portfolio to support the most demanding applications and strengthen our position in the growing screening market,” remarked Michael Gyberg, vice-president, capital equipment business, Screening, Metso.

Metso will roll out the Grande Series globally, with the GLH and GMF screens debuting publicly in early December 2025, followed by the GFF Series at the end of the first quarter of 2026.

Expanded screening portfolio and service ecosystem

The new Grande Series complements Metso’s broader offering, which includes UFS Series, EF Series, and BSE Series screens within the Metso Plus program, alongside a comprehensive range of multislope, inclined, horizontal, mobile, portable, and ultrafine screening solutions. Paired with Trellex rubber and polyurethane media systems, Metso provides full-spectrum screening solutions for diverse material-handling needs.

SMS group has successfully completed a major modernisation project at Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill B.S.C. (GARMCO), a leading aluminum producer based in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, upgrading the motors and drives in the one-stand reversing hot rolling mill

Originally built by a third-party supplier, the mill has now been restored to full operational capacity and equipped to meet future demands in aluminum processing.

The upgrade replaced outdated DC motors with three-phase AC motors and advanced drive technology, including variable frequency drive systems powered by active front ends and new transformers. The new drive system delivers 20% higher torque than the original design, significantly enhancing the mill’s aluminum processing capabilities.

“The completion of this modernisation project is a testament to our commitment to maintaining world-class operational standards. SMS group’s expertise and advanced technological solutions have provided us with greater reliability and efficiency in our hot mill operations,” said Ebrahim Khalil, executive manager Operations at GARMCO.

The project scope was comprehensive, covering plant engineering, electrics and automation, equipment procurement and manufacturing, as well as installation and commissioning supervision. At the heart of the modernisation was SMS’s innovative twin-motor drive train equipment, featuring a custom gearbox to combine two electric motors with a rated power of 2150 KWs each, paired with two SMS giant torque spindles. The design offers high power capability, reduces space requirements, lowers investment costs, and provides some operational redundancy.

Additional equipment included the X-Pact Drive low-voltage frequency converter for the entry and exit coilers, a medium-voltage converter operated in load share mode, and transformers to supply the new systems. The equipment was tailored to GARMCO’s demanding operations, which include producing aluminum coils, tread plates, slit coils, and foils for industrial applications such as packaging and heat exchange systems.

The modernisation strengthens the collaboration between GARMCO and SMS group. This is the first joint project of this scale, reflecting SMS’s reputation for high-performance, reliable solutions with optimised technical features and superior power efficiency. The new drive system provides enhanced torque across the full speed range, a critical factor for rolling operations requiring high torque at elevated speeds.

“The project highlights the strong partnership between both companies and demonstrates how innovative solutions can elevate operational efficiency,” the SMS team noted.

Having previously supported GARMCO with technical services for its scalper machine, SMS group has built a foundation of trust and collaboration. With the hot rolling mill now modernized, GARMCO is well-positioned to deliver sustained operational excellence and produce high-quality aluminum products for its global customers.

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and ASRY (Arab Shipbuilding & Repair Yard) have signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore new opportunities for collaboration in the shipbuilding sector

Under the MoU, the two sides will jointly evaluate opportunities for the design and construction of offshore service and military vessels up to 80 metres in length, as well as the potential for export contracts in the Gulf area.

The agreement also includes maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for military, commercial and offshore vessels, as well as the exchange of know-how in naval design and production process optimisation.

The military vessels would be intended for use by the Bahrain Navy and Coast Guard.

ASRY is a leading operator in ship repair and marine services in the Gulf of Bahrain.

Fincantieri was represented by its chairman, Biagio Mazzotta, and Eugenio Santagata, general manager of the Fincantieri Naval Vessels Division, who signed the agreement together with Ahmed AlAbri, CEO of ASRY.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and managing director of Fincantieri, said the MoU represents an opportunity for Fincantieri to enter the Bahraini shipbuilding market and is a further step in consolidating the group's strategy and presence in the Middle East.

“This agreement strengthens our strategic position in the Gulf and confirms Fincantieri's desire to develop long-term industrial partnerships with leading partners such as ASRY,” said Folgiero.

“By combining complementary skills and converging visions, we are laying the foundations for a solid and structured presence in the Bahraini shipbuilding market, in line with the objectives of our integrated export platform in the Middle East.”

The signing of the MoU took place on the sidelines of the 46th Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in the presence of Italian President of the Council of Ministers Giorgia Meloni, and Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.

Separately, Fincantieri announced a partnership In Saudi Arabia with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to establish a scholarship aimed at supporting young researchers in maritime security, cyber-resilience and emerging applied navigation technologies.

It follows an MoU signed last January and reflects a shared commitment of both sides in promoting excellence in education and technology transfer, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a Fincantieri statement read.

“The scholarship will enable young and talented researchers to develop innovative solutions to counter new threats to navigation, such as recent cases of AIS and GPS spoofing, which can alter vessel positions and compromise the safety of shipping routes,” it stated.

The programme will focus on three strategic areas: the advanced authentication of AIS signals to prevent manipulation; the opportunistic detection of GPS spoofing through intelligent satellite data analysis, and star-based position verification enhanced by machine learning algorithms.

Fincantieri added that the goal is to develop an operational software platform that can be integrated into on-board digital systems, strengthening the collaboration between universities and industry and contributing to the growth of the Fincantieri Digital Ecosystem (FDE).