In The Spotlight
UAE to announce new rain enhancement research grant winners
The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), overseen by the National Center of Meteorology (NCM), will unveil three new awardees for its Sixth Cycle grants at a press conference on 21 January at the NCM headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
The selected projects align with UAEREP’s key research priorities, which underpin the programme’s 10-year roadmap: Optimised Seeding Materials, Autonomous UAS, Limited-Area Climate Interventions, and Advanced Models, Software, and Data. Each awardee will present an overview of their winning proposal, highlighting their scientific methodology, expected outcomes, and potential contributions to global water security.
Research into optimised seeding materials aims to develop advanced cloud-seeding substances and innovative delivery techniques to enhance rainfall stimulation. Limited-area climate interventions explore localised methods such as solar radiation management and exploiting regional atmospheric conditions to improve cloud formation and precipitation.
Meanwhile, work on advanced models, software, and data focuses on creating sophisticated forecasting tools and decision-support systems that leverage data assimilation and machine learning to refine cloud dynamics modelling and operational efficiency.
Each grant recipient will receive up to US$1.5mn (AED5.511mn) over three years, with a maximum annual allocation of US$550,000. The funding is intended to accelerate next-generation rain enhancement technologies and address emerging challenges in water security worldwide, positioning the UAE at the forefront of climate innovation.
The announcement continues UAEREP’s commitment to fostering scientific research that supports sustainable water resources and strengthens the country’s expertise in cloud-seeding and rainfall enhancement technologies.
The contract underlines the growing momentum of the project. (Image source: SPA)
Nesma & Partners secures Expo 2030 Riyadh civil works
Expo 2030 Riyadh has awarded its Main Utilities and Civil Works package to Nesma & Partners, marking a key milestone in the development of one of the world’s most ambitious upcoming mega-events.
The announcement signals the project’s shift from early preparatory works to large-scale construction activity.
The awarded package will prepare the site for subsequent construction phases while supporting the operational requirements of the event. It covers the construction of internal roads across the Expo site and the installation of essential utilities that will serve as the infrastructure backbone for the entire development.
Approximately 50km of infrastructure networks are included in the scope of work, encompassing water and sewage systems, electrical and communication networks, and EV charging stations. These foundational works are crucial for enabling the next stages of the master plan, allowing Expo 2030 Riyadh’s signature structures and visitor experiences to take shape.
The contract underlines the growing momentum of the project as it progresses toward its target launch, highlighting the scale and complexity involved in delivering the infrastructure needed for a world-class international exhibition.
“This milestone marks an important step in accelerating construction activities in the Expo 2030 Riyadh site,” said Talal Al-Marri, CEO of Expo 2030 Riyadh Company. “By moving early on the infrastructure that underpins the entire site, we are creating the conditions for safe, coordinated, and high-quality delivery across all future phases of development, while ensuring a lasting legacy well beyond 2030. The contract has been awarded ahead of schedule to accelerate the delivery timeline as part of a phased approach that will see construction across infrastructure, buildings, and public spaces advance steadily through 2026 and into early 2027. ”
Samer Abdul Samad, president & chief executive officer of Nesma & Partners, said, “We are proud to be entrusted with delivering this phase of infrastructure for Expo 2030 Riyadh. This project is not only about scale, but also about precision, integration, and responsibility. Our focus will be on delivering high-quality infrastructure that supports the ambition of Expo 2030 Riyadh and sets a strong foundation for everything that follows.”
NGHC partners university on hydrogen skills
NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Fahd bin Sultan University to establish a three-year framework for cooperation focused on education, research and talent development in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk region.
The agreement was formalised at the university’s campus in Tabuk and signed by Professor Dr Abdullah bin Ibrahim Hussein and Wesam Alghamdi, chief executive of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company. The partnership is aimed at supporting the Kingdom’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy by strengthening local capabilities for the rapidly growing clean energy and hydrogen sectors.
NGHC said the collaboration comes at a pivotal stage in the development of its flagship project, with around 90 per cent of the world’s largest green hydrogen plant now complete across all sites. As the company moves from construction into testing, commissioning and ultimately full operations, it is placing increased emphasis on building national talent to support long-term operational excellence.
Under the memorandum, NGHC and Fahd bin Sultan University will work together on training programmes, academic research initiatives, scientific events and specialised technical development activities. A central feature of the agreement is the introduction of a bridging programme that will allow diploma holders to progress towards a bachelor’s degree in line with university regulations. The partnership also provides for the exchange of expertise, practical training opportunities for students, defined employment pathways and participation in workshops and seminars.
The two organisations will hold regular meetings to oversee implementation, appoint coordinators to manage joint activities and ensure continuity of cooperation beyond the duration of the memorandum.
Through the collaboration, a range of courses will be offered to equip students with industry-relevant skills, including engineering and technician programmes, technical and administrative training, occupational health and safety modules, and specialised content focused on renewable energy and hydrogen technologies.
Wesam Alghamdi, CEO of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company, said: "Developing national talent is fundamental to the long-term success of NEOM Green Hydrogen Company as we prepare to operate the world’s largest green hydrogen plant and support the growth of the broader clean energy economy in Saudi Arabia."
Professor Dr Abdullah bin Ibrahim Hussein said, "This memorandum reflects our commitment to advancing education that responds directly to the needs of future industries."
The partnership is positioned as a model for industry–academic collaboration, supporting Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification ambitions and its leadership in renewable energy and sustainable development.
EMSTEEL taps nuclear power to cut steel emissions
EMSTEEL has announced new progress with the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) to decarbonise steel production by sourcing clean, nuclear-generated electricity through Abu Dhabi’s Clean Energy Certificates Programme, certified under the I-REC Standard and managed by Emirates Water & Electricity Company (EWEC).
The move enables EMSTEEL to access verified low-carbon electricity, directly reducing its Scope 2 emissions and lowering the overall carbon footprint of steel produced in the UAE. The company said it is the first steelmaker in the region to utilise Clean Energy Certificates generated from nuclear power, positioning it at the forefront of decarbonisation in one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries.
The latest development builds on a decade-long partnership between EMSTEEL and ENEC. During the construction of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant – the first multi-unit operational nuclear facility in the Middle East and North Africa – EMSTEEL supplied 160,000 tonnes of nuclear-grade rebar, accounting for around 60% of the project’s total rebar requirements.
EMSTEEL said the initiative supports TrueGreen, its sustainability identity that brings together its long-running decarbonisation efforts. The company has now integrated 86 per cent clean electricity across its steel operations and 14% across cement production. In total, this includes 1,484,067 MWh from nuclear power and 651,594 MWh from solar certificates across both businesses. EMSTEEL aims to reach 100 per cent clean electricity by 2030 as part of its long-term decarbonisation roadmap.
Eng Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of EMSTEEL, said, “Clean energy, technology enablement, and verified data are central to credible industrial decarbonisation. Through TrueGreen, we are integrating these principles into every aspect of our operations. This synergy with ENEC strengthens our clean energy portfolio and supports our long-term strategy to scale low-carbon steel production. It reflects how national partnerships can accelerate industrial transformation and position the UAE as a global leader in sustainable manufacturing.”
His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Group CEO of ENEC, said, “Pairing ENEC’s carbon-free baseload electricity with EMSTEEL’s continuous industrial load demand shows what the energy transition looks like in practice: clean power at industrial scale, delivered with traceable certificates while in parallel ensuring grid reliability.”
The collaboration highlights how cross-sector partnerships are supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy, while reinforcing the role of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, which supplies up to 25 per cent of the country’s electricity demand and avoids around 22.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
EGA and Sunstone to build UAE anode plant
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s largest producer of premium aluminium, and Sunstone, the world’s largest independent pre-baked anode producer, have announced that construction of a new anode manufacturing plant in the UAE will commence in 2026.
The facility will have an annual production capacity of 300,000 tonnes of anodes, marking a significant step towards the UAE’s industrial ambitions under the Make it in the Emirates and Operation 300bn strategies. Once operational, the plant will replace the majority of EGA’s current anode imports and position the UAE among a select group of countries capable of exporting anodes globally. First anode production is anticipated as early as 2028.
EGA and Sunstone formalised the project through a Joint Venture Agreement, with EGA holding a 45 per cent stake and Sunstone 55 per cent. The partners plan to invest approximately US$300 million, proportionate to their respective shareholdings, to develop the new plant. Sunstone will be responsible for building the facility on behalf of the joint venture, with EGA acting as a financial investor and off-taker.
New UAE facility
Anodes are a critical input in aluminium smelting. EGA currently produces around 1.35 million tonnes of anodes annually at its Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah plants, with the remainder of its requirements sourced through imports. The new UAE-based facility will significantly strengthen EGA’s long-term security of supply while supporting domestic industrial growth and export potential.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said, “This project creates additional export opportunities for the UAE, further increases EGA’s local procurement and our contribution to UAE economic growth, and supports EGA’s long-term security of anode supply. We are pleased to partner with Sunstone, combining our decades of anode manufacturing experience to establish their first plant outside China in the UAE. This project is Make it in the Emirates and Operation 300bn in action – leveraging UAE industrial demand to build new manufacturing in the UAE to meet local needs and expand exports.”
Lang Guanghui, Chairman of Sunstone, added, “We are honoured to establish our first overseas foothold in the UAE and partner with a benchmark enterprise like EGA, which carries half a century of industry heritage and a mission to shape the future of aluminium. This collaboration represents a substantive move by both parties to respond to the green transformation of global manufacturing. We will go all out to set new benchmarks in efficiency and lay a solid foundation for future sustainable operations.”
EGA and Sunstone have been collaborating through a series of early-stage agreements during project development, most recently signing a joint development agreement at the Make it in the Emirates Forum in May 2025, underscoring their commitment to advancing the UAE’s industrial and export capabilities.
Fakhruddin and Holcim UAE sign sustainability MoU
Fakhruddin Properties and Holcim UAE have signed an MoU to jointly advance sustainable construction across the UAE and the wider region.
The agreement brings together Fakhruddin Properties, one of the UAE’s leading sustainability-oriented developers, and Holcim UAE, a key partner for sustainable construction solutions.
It also marks a regional milestone for Holcim, representing its first MoU with a developer headquartered in the Middle East. The partnership reflects Holcim’s ambition to expand its regional footprint while supporting the UAE’s net-zero goals through low-carbon and circular building practices.
The collaboration will draw on Holcim UAE’s expertise in low-carbon and circular construction under its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy, alongside Fakhruddin Properties’ long-standing commitment to sustainable development. Together, the partners aim to deliver future-ready communities that balance environmental responsibility with social value.
Sustainable operations
Fakhruddin Properties is recognised as a multi award-winning sustainability pioneer in the UAE’s real estate sector. The developer introduced the country’s first in-building waste management system, diverting 90% of waste from landfills, and continues to focus on wellness-driven developments through smart home solutions, air purification systems and energy-efficient technologies designed to address rising global energy consumption.
Commenting on the announcement, Yousuf Fakhruddin, CEO and managing director, Fakhruddin Properties, said, “This MoU supports the UAE’s national sustainability agenda and aligns with the 2015 Paris Agreement, reinforcing the UAE’s long-held commitment to achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. We will work closely with Holcim UAE to reduce both embodied and operational carbon, promote circular economy principles, and scale practical sustainability solutions with full transparency.
“For example, low-carbon materials supplied by Holcim and other manufacturers will be a staple across our future projects. This partnership demonstrates that effective decarbonization requires joint efforts across developers, sustainable solution providers, as well as government and industry stakeholders, combining innovation with measurable climate action.”
Ali Said, CEO, Holcim UAE, added, “Sustainability is not just a goal, it is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration, transparency, and innovation. Through this partnership, we will embed low-carbon, circular, and resilient practices across the built environment. By ensuring traceability of materials along the entire value chain and integrating sustainable design and construction solutions, we will create communities that support wellbeing, respect the environment and nature, and set new benchmarks for sustainable development, starting with the UAE.”
ACCIONA launches platform for real-time concrete monitoring
As part of its ongoing commitment to the digitalisation of construction processes, ACCIONA has developed a new digital platform designed to enhance the monitoring of concrete quality and maturity across its projects.
Known as DIGICONCRETE, the platform is intended to improve efficiency, accuracy and transparency in the quality control and traceability of structural concrete elements on site.
DIGICONCRETE enables real-time monitoring of concrete placement and performance by providing remote access to key data on strength development and curing progress.
This allows project teams to oversee critical stages of construction without relying solely on manual inspections or paper-based records. By consolidating information within a single digital environment, the platform supports more informed decision-making and improves coordination between site teams and technical offices.
Through the use of interactive dashboards, DIGICONCRETE streamlines quality control and traceability processes by digitising data acquisition and facilitating verification of compliance with applicable regulations, including updated structural codes.
Key features
The system keeps construction teams continuously informed about the maturity level of each concrete pour, helping to optimise formwork removal and stripping times. As a result, construction sequences can be better coordinated, reducing delays and improving overall site productivity.
The platform incorporates advanced data capture technologies, including optical character recognition (OCR) to digitise documentation, alongside wireless devices equipped with high-precision temperature sensors.
These sensors play a critical role in accurately tracking concrete curing conditions, particularly during the early stages of strength development. DIGICONCRETE is accessible via mobile devices, tablets and computers, ensuring seamless collaboration and information sharing across multiple stakeholders regardless of location.
DIGICONCRETE is particularly well suited to projects in the Middle East, where extreme temperatures and challenging environmental conditions can significantly affect concrete behaviour. In hot climates, accelerated setting times increase the risk of quality issues if curing is not carefully controlled. The platform supports more precise monitoring under such conditions, helping teams mitigate risks, maintain quality standards and optimise construction schedules. Its remote monitoring capabilities are especially valuable for large-scale infrastructure and building projects common across the region.
ACCIONA has already deployed DIGICONCRETE on several projects in Spain, including the new Tax Agency headquarters in Valencia, the Palma de Mallorca Airport terminal remodelling project, and a road construction scheme in Zaragoza. Following these implementations, the company is positioning the platform for broader international rollout, including future projects in the Middle East, as part of its wider strategy to integrate digital solutions into construction delivery.