Energy

Emerge Limited, a joint venture between Masdar and the EDF Group, breaks ground on SNOC's 60MWp solar PV plant in Sharjah. (Image source: Masdar)

Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) and Emerge Limited, a joint venture between Masdar and the EDF Group, marked a major milestone with the groundbreaking ceremony for Sharjah's largest solar installation to date

Situated at SNOC's Sajaa Gas Complex, the 60MWp ground-mounted solar PV plant will annually offset 66,000 tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to removing over 14,600 cars from the road each year.

This project underscores SNOC's commitment to decarbonisation and its target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2032. It aims to significantly reduce SNOC's reliance on traditional fossil fuels while providing a cost-effective source of clean energy. Aligned with the UAE's ambitious Net-Zero 2050 strategy, this initiative promotes renewable energy sources, supporting the country's transition to a sustainable, environmentally conscious future for Sharjah and the broader region.

SNOC CEO, Hatem Al Mosa, stated, "SNOC is happy to witness this significant milestone on its path to achieve Net-Zero by 2032 across its own operations and to support the Emirate of Sharjah’s sustainability agenda and commitment to protecting the environment. We value this strategic cooperation with Emerge, Masdar and EDF and we look forward to more prospects in the same path."

Michel Abi Saab, Emerge general manager, said, "Emerge is proud to be a part of this landmark project, alongside our client SNOC. Our turnkey solutions offer businesses like SNOC the ability to transition towards a sustainable future without upfront costs. This project will empower SNOC to achieve its decarbonisation goals, and also to secure a more cost-effective energy future for the Emirate as a whole. We look forward to its successful completion."

Emerge will handle the entire project lifecycle under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) agreement. This includes financing, design, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance of the solar modules for a period of 25 years.

DEWA leads Dubai's green economy with innovative IPWP models, attracting billions in investments and setting global solar benchmarks. (Image source: DEWA)

DEWA leads Dubai's green economy drive with innovative IPWP models, attracting billions in investments and setting global benchmarks in solar energy pricing and sustainable development

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), underscored DEWA's alignment with the vision and directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai as a global hub for the green economy

Al Tayer highlighted DEWA's development of the Independent Power and Water Producer (IPWP) model, incorporating leading international practices tailored to Dubai's legislative and technical requirements. The IPWP model has attracted investments totaling approximately US$11.9bn over a decade, fostering partnerships between the government and private sectors. This approach has enabled DEWA to achieve the world's lowest Levelised Cost of Energy (LCOE) in solar energy projects, establishing Dubai as a benchmark for global solar energy pricing.

"The regulatory and legislative frameworks in Dubai, facilitating private sector participation in energy generation projects, have incentivized international investors and developers to engage in projects like the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park under the IPP model," noted Al Tayer. "Our IPWP initiatives support Dubai's Economic Agenda D33, aimed at doubling the city's economy over a decade and solidifying its position among the world's top three cities. They are also aligned with Dubai's Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, targeting 100% clean energy production by 2050."

Ideal environment for investment

Dubai's conducive business environment has made it a premier destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), attracting US$10.7bn in FDI capital in 2023, creating around 45,000 job opportunities, according to Financial Times Ltd.'s "fDi Markets" data.

Pioneering energy and water projects

This environment supports DEWA's efforts to draw foreign investments through pioneering energy and water projects under the Independent Power and Water Producer (IPWP) model, which DEWA has embraced since 2014, supplanting the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model.

Key among DEWA's IPWP projects is the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the world's largest single-site solar park slated to produce over 5,000MW by 2030, with a total investment of USD 13.6 billion. DEWA has commissioned five phases of the solar park and is currently implementing its 6th phase, a 1,800MW project costing approximately US$1.5bn. Noteworthy global consortiums, including major firms like Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), have participated in these phases.

DEWA's other significant IPWP-based projects include the Hassyan Power Complex, a 2,400MW natural gas facility employing state-of-the-art technologies in energy production, and a 180 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination project in Hassyan, the world's largest of its kind using RO technology under the Independent Water Producer (IWP) model, with an investment of approximately USD 925 million.

Installed solar panels. (Image source: Henkel)

Henkel Adhesive Technologies, the world’s leading solution provider for adhesives, sealants and functional coatings, has reached a significant sustainability milestone: all manufacturing sites in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region now operate on 100% renewable electricity.

Henkel's eight MEA Adhesive Technologies manufacturing sites, located in six countries, have successfully transitioned to renewable electricity sources, eliminating carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from their electricity usage, also known as Scope 2 emissions. This shift includes on-site solar installations and external renewable sources such as hydroelectric and wind energy.

Specific initiatives include renewable electricity derived from on-site photovoltaic (PV) solar and hydroelectricity in Turkey and Kenya, wind energy in South Africa, and solar power in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Through this, Henkel has eliminated approximately 10,471 tons of carbon emissions per year from its Scope 2 activities, equivalent to removing the carbon footprint of around 2,500 gasoline-powered cars driven for one year or 2,700 flights from New York to Singapore. By drastically reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, Henkel is making a substantial environmental impact and setting a benchmark for the industry.

Veerabhadra Konakalla, head of safety health & environment Henkel Adhesive Technologies IMEA, stated “By achieving complete decarbonisation of our scope 2 operations in our MEA sites, we’ve turned our commitments into tangible progress on the path to achieving climate positive operations by 2030. This achievement is a testament to the zeal of our IMEA team to drive transformative environmental change and create a more sustainable future.”

SAF can be seamlessly incorporated into existing jet engines and airport infrastructure. (Image source: Canva)

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on South Africa to mobilise its experience, resources, and infrastructure to accelerate the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production. The call came as government and industry officials gathered in Johannesburg for the IATA Wings of Change Focus Africa conference.

“South Africa has vast potential to become a leading Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) producer in the region. And there is a waiting market for SAF as airlines work to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. More than a strategy in support of aviation’s decarbonisation, it is a strategy for economic development and should be a top priority for the new South African government. Across agriculture, energy, and transportation, new jobs and industries are waiting to be created that would not only help fight poverty but also contribute to greater energy independence,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s senior vice president for sustainability and chief economist.

Growth in Africa and across the world

South Africa chaired the 2022 ICAO Assembly at which governments agreed to a long-term goal aligned with the aviation industry’s net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 commitment. The role of SAF in achieving this goal was emphasised by the ICAO CAAF/3 objective of a 5% average global reduction in aviation’s carbon emissions by 2030. As decarbonising aviation will require global collaboration, it is critical that global or regional stakeholders like States, development banks, industry, academia and other relevant parties bring forces together to help countries with SAF potential to develop their industry.

“Airlines are ready and waiting to purchase SAF as evidenced by the fact that every drop of SAF produced has been purchased and used. But the production volumes are a minute fraction of what aviation needs. That’s why it is essential for governments of countries with production potential, such as South Africa, to embrace what is a unique win-win-win opportunity for economic development, energy transition, and decarbonised air transportation,” said Thomsen.