The two companies will drive their decarbonisation agenda. (Image source: Canva Pro)

Airbus and SAF One, a provider of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) solutions, inked a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to encourage the aviation sector's adoption of SAF. 

Through greater use of SAF, the partnership aims to assist the aviation sector in achieving its decarbonisation objectives. Through a variety of advocacy efforts, the two businesses will collaborate to promote SAF adoption in the UAE and around the world.

The area has a lot of potential for SAF manufacturing and adoption because it is a major centre for international aviation. Its strong aviation industry, strong infrastructure, and strategic position make it the perfect place to scale SAF programmes. By encouraging domestic manufacturing and strengthening the supply chain, the area can significantly contribute to satisfying the expanding demands of the sector and quickening the shift to more sustainable air travel. 

"We are pleased to partner with Airbus in our efforts to advance the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel," said Mounir Kuzbari, director and co-founder at SAF One. "Through this collaboration, we will jointly engage with airlines to promote SAF adoption as well as support in promoting the use of SAF produced by SAF One's multiple facilities. By combining our respective airline networks and relationships, this coordinated approach to market development will help address the growing demand for SAF."

“Partnering with SAF One supports our commitment to advancing SAF production to help meet the growing industry demand. Strengthening the SAF ecosystem requires collaboration across the industry, and partnerships such as this play a vital role in scaling production and accelerating availability,” said Alexandros Kosmas, head of international cooperation Middle East & Africa at Airbus.

UAE growth

The company stated earlier this year that it has acquired Green Biotrade, a feedstock and biofuels trading company based in the UAE. Through this strategic acquisition, SAF One will acquire vital feedstock for its sustainable aviation fuel projects and improve its supply chain capabilities.

They hope to improve their capacity to find, acquire, and oversee the vital biomass supplies required for their SAF production by incorporating Green Biotrade's vast trading experience and strong feedstock network.

According to Hani Samsam, CEO and founder of Green Biotrade, This integration will also allow them to grow and expand their capabilities in feedstock and biofuels, enabling them to further drive innovation and contribute more broadly to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions.

SAF One has said that its mission is to provide innovative solutions with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and supporting the transition to a more sustainable future for aviation.

Also read: SAF MENA Congress to drive decarbonisation efforts in Abu Dhabi

Further upgrades include the installation of GE Vernova’s Advanced Gas Path. (Image source: GE Vernova)

The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity (MoE) and GE Vernova Inc. have completed a series of critical upgrades across multiple power plants, significantly improving Iraq’s power generation capacity and grid stability.

The modernisation efforts, which target 46 gas turbines across 12 facilities, are expected to add up to 500 megawatts (MW) to the national grid by summer 2025, supporting Iraq’s energy transition goals.

Several plants, including those in Ninawa, Al Diwaniyah, Hilla, Karbala, Shat Al Basra, Najibiya, Samawa, Dhiqar, Al Khairat, and Al Haidariya, have already switched from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to natural gas, increasing capacity by approximately 260 MW.

The remaining plants are set for completion by mid-2025, with an anticipated additional 250 MW boost.

Long-term vision

Further upgrades include the installation of GE Vernova’s Advanced Gas Path (AGP) technology on 9E gas turbines at Al-Quds and Dhiqar power plants, as well as MXLII upgrades on 13E2 gas turbines at Al Mansouriya.

These enhancements are expected to increase power output by up to 6% without additional fuel consumption.

As part of a broader services and maintenance agreement with the MoE, GE Vernova has also completed major overhauls at several power plants, including Qayyarah, Diwaniyah, Al-Haydariyah, and Baghdad South, covering a combined capacity of 3.7 gigawatts.

These initiatives aim to improve the long-term reliability and efficiency of Iraq’s electricity infrastructure.

Ziyad Ali Fadhil, Iraq’s Minister of Electricity, said, “These diverse and comprehensive projects significantly advance our goals of expanding electricity generation and enhancing energy reliability, particularly during peak demand periods. The projects also focus on improving power plant efficiency and increasing output without increased fuel consumption, leading to less carbon emissions per amount of fuel consumed. Collaborating with reputed international companies like GE Vernova is critical to achieving the Ministry's objectives and bolstering the nation's power sector.”

Joseph Anis, president & CEO, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Gas Power at GE Vernova, said, "We are proud of this ongoing collaboration to support the Ministry of Electricity’s strategic objectives of enhancing power generation efficiency across Iraq and accelerating the nation’s energy transition efforts. The timely completion of these projects is integral to GE Vernova's commitment to modernise Iraq's energy infrastructure and support the delivery of more efficient and more sustainable energy solutions.”

A major selling point of the HYPR Energy solution is its sustainability. (Image source: Positive Zero)

In a conversation with Technical Review Middle East, Stanislav Betin, the general manager of HYPR Energy, a Positive Zero company, provided an in-depth overview of their innovative mobile battery system designed to power construction sites. A key focus was how these batteries are powered by renewable energy.

 Betin explained the evolution of their electric power unit (EGPU), starting with a 175 kWh battery and upgrading to a 423 kWh battery mounted on a trailer. As he noted, "It's very mobile. We can bring it anywhere. We can mobilise the site within three to four hours." This mobility is a crucial advantage, allowing the system to be quickly deployed at construction sites.

A major selling point of the HYPR Energy solution is its sustainability. Betin emphasised that the system is "zero noise emitting, zero CO₂ emitting" and often cheaper than traditional diesel generators. He explained how the company leverages its access to solar infrastructure, stating, "We also couple this product with our access to solar infrastructure across Dubai. We have 500+ different projects, and we are using the credits from those projects, which are accumulated over time. And we use those credits about the batteries. So we try to have this like a circular economy, omitting CO₂ emission at every possible stage."

A data-driven approach

The real-time monitoring and fleet management capabilities of the system were also highlighted. As Betin noted, "Every element of our system, either the charger, battery, a port, even a truck, is IoT connected. So we see the real time location, and we also see all the key parameters for that specific element, like the state of charge and state of health." This data-driven approach allows the company to optimise operations and predict maintenance needs.

Betin acknowledged that the company faces some challenges in scaling up and quickly introducing their mobile battery system to the market. As he explained, "The challenge currently is the speed at which we should introduce the batteries to the market.”

^{Whenever peak power is required, the battery can sustain up to 250 kilowatt output}

He noted that the temporary nature of construction sites requires frequent demobilisation and remobilisation of the battery systems, which adds complexity compared to more permanent solar installations. Betin said the company is working to address this by targeting clients with longer-term construction projects, up to 28 months, to provide more consistent service.

Despite these challenges, Betin expressed confidence in the company's ability to scale up, stating their plans to expand the battery fleet significantly this year, with new batches arriving in the coming weeks. He emphasised the strong demand they are seeing, driven by the booming construction sector and companies' focus on sustainability targets.

The Battery Show will showcase game-changing battery technology. (Image source: Informa Markets)

The 49th Middle East Energy trade show will run from 7-9 April across 16 DWTC halls – two more than the previous edition. The additional space will include a host of new features, including a sixth product sector – Battery & eMobility – and a dedicated hall for exhibitors within the battery and eMobility space.

“Middle East Energy has always been at the forefront of innovation, and 2025 is no exception,” said Mark Ring, group exhibition director for the energy portfolio at Informa Markets.

With our expanded footprint, showcasing regional and global market-leading products and services, the addition of The Battery Show, and a strong line-up of conferences, Middle East Energy 2025 is set to redefine how we address the region’s energy needs and promises to power the future, connect innovators, and drive meaningful change across the entire spectrum of the global energy landscape from a single location.

The event will be held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, reinforcing it as a cornerstone of innovation and collaboration in the energy industry, and underlining its commitment to fostering collaboration, driving advancements, and supporting the Middle East and Africa’s energy transition.

Battery show debuts with entire hall takeover

Spanning an entire hall, this 13-year-old global platform – The Battery Show will showcase game-changing battery technology and powerful solutions. Bringing together engineers, business leaders, industry leading companies, and disruptors.

The Battery Show Conference will dive into crucial topics such as the impact of electrification on the automotive sector, advanced materials for electric vehicle manufacturing, and alternative battery technologies, offering attendees a rare chance to connect with industry thought leaders.

The exhibition’s expansive knowledge programme will host six CPD-accredited, free-to-attend conferences. They are: The Middle East Energy Leadership Summit; the Technical Seminar; Intersolar & ees Middle East Conference; Global Innovation Forum; Africa Business Leaders Forum; and The Battery Show Conference.

The 2025 event has also accrued an impressive line-up of major sponsors, including Alfanar, The Riyadh Cables Group, Baudouin, MEMF, Bahra Electric, Ducab, Su-Kam, Al Ojaimi, LTC Group, Eastman, Riello UPS, Jeddah Cables Company, and AquaVolt Solutions.

To find out more about Middle East Energy, visit: www.middleeast-energy.com

To register for Middle East Energy, visit: https://middleeast-energy.me/4jduIT1