TODAY: Morocco is getting a new wind turbine manufacturing plant

Good morning, nice people. We have a compact issue for you this morning with some bits and pieces from around the region, but first…

A quick programming note: Enterprise Climate will be taking a publication holiday tomorrow and be back in your inboxes at our regularly scheduled time on Monday morning.

THE BIG CLIMATE STORY OUTSIDE THE REGION- A new study has revealed the presence of a lot more plastic particles in bottled water than previously thought, suggesting that plastic pollution’s health hazards are vastly underestimated. The peer-reviewed study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), has found that a typical one-liter bottle of water contains about 240k plastic fragments on average, up to 100x more than previously estimated levels. The study is the first to evaluate bottled water for the presence of “nanoplastics” (particles under 1 micrometer in length). Nanoplastics are so tiny they can pass through the digestive system and lungs, entering the bloodstream and from there to other organs including the heart.

A global treaty aimed at curbing plastic pollution could see the light this year: Back in November, UN negotiators kicked off a round of talks — the third yet — in a bid to hammer out an agreement on controlling plastic pollution by the end of 2024. The UN Environment Programme laid out a strategy back in May for reducing the world’s plastic waste levels by nearly 80% in less than two decades using pre-existing technologies.

The story made headlines in the international press:Reuters | AP News | CNN | Washington Post | CBS | Euronews | NBC

IN RELATED NEWS- The IAEA and Argentina partner on Antarctic microplastic research: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched in partnership with Argentina a scientific research expedition this week aimed at investigating the prevalence of microplastics in Antarctica, according to a statement. The two-person research team will undertake a month-long study to assess the occurrence and distribution of microplastics in seawater, lakes, sediments, sand, discharge water, and animals of the Antarctic ecosystem near the Argentine Carlini scientific research station.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Amarenco is investing USD bns in Egyptian green hydrogen plant: A consortium led by Irish-based renewables developer Amarenco is investing around USD 4-7 bn in Egyptian industrial developer GV Developments’ green hydrogen project in Tarboul Industrial City, GV Investments CEO Sherif Hamouda told Al Mal. The project will have a production capacity of 1 bn tons of ammonia annually and is expected to be completed within 3.5 years. The consortium already broke ground on the project, Hamouda added. Tarboul is planned to become Egypt’s largest industrial city covering an area of 109 mn sqm.

REMEMBER- This has been in the works: The consortium announced in June that it is planning to sign the framework agreement for a utility-scale green hydrogen and ammonia production project in Tarboul. GV Developments also signed an agreement with Aramenco in 2022 to invest an initial amount of USD 255 mn in clean energy and green hydrogen in the first phase of the city’s construction. In 2022, Aramenco signed an agreement to acquire a 73% stake in Solariz Egypt with the aim of establishing 300 MWs of solar energy projects.

#2- Algeria has set aside 940 hectares (9.4 sqkm) of land in Ghardaia Province for the construction of five solar power plants with a total capacity of 490 MW, Elitihad reports. The initiative is part of Algeria’s goal to achieve 15 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032. Director of the Energy and Mines department in the province Talib Boukhalifa said that both national and international tenders have been launched for the solar energy plants, Elitihad writes.

The breakdown:The land for the upcomings projects will be spread out amongst a number of areas in the province. The Metlili town will see two plots of land allocated for the project, one with an area of 500 hectares (5 sqkm) and another on a 20 hectares (2k sqm) plot. El Guerrara and El Atteuf towns will each have an allocated 200 hectares (2 sqkm), while Berriane will have 20 hectares.

Algeria has been exploring partnerships on solar energy:A delegation from Italy’s Zhero met with Algeria’s Energy Minister Mohammed Arkab to explore cooperation in solar energy and green hydrogen production back in November.

#3- Brics’ New Development Bank secures loan for infrastructure projects: The Brics’ New Development Bank (NDB) has secured a USD 2 bn syndicated loan from more than 10 banks to fund infrastructure and renewable energy projects for some of its member countries, including the recently invited Egypt, Al Shorouk reports, citing sources familiar with the matter. Brazil, India, China, South Africa, will also be eligible to receive the proceeds, as well as honorary member Bangladesh, Al Shorouk said. The fifth core member Russia was not mentioned, as well as the other recently joined members Iran, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. If confirmed, the move will mark the bank’s first-ever syndicated loan since it was established.

Some regional banks backed the loan: The loan was arranged by the First Abu Dhabi Bank, and received pledges from Gulf Bank of Kuwait and Ras Al Khaimah National Bank, Al Shorouk added. Other non-regional banks that supported the loan were Bank of China Limited, DBS Group Holdings, State Bank of India, and Standard Chartered.

NDB raised more than initially planned: NDB was looking to raise USD 1.25 bn through a three-year USD-denominated loan in October, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg at the time.

DATA POINT-

The world could save USD 2 tn annually through energy efficiency action: Accelerated action on energy demand by businesses could reduce consumption by 31%, saving the global economy up to USD 2 tn a year by 2030 and eliminating the need for 3k power stations, according to a new report (pdf) by the World Economic Forum. These actions, focusing on energy efficiency in buildings, industry, and transport, are projected to drive growth, cut costs for companies, offer a competitive edge, and reduce emissions.The report suggests steps businesses can take including leveraging artificial intelligence in factory designs, fostering value chain collaboration, and promoting clean energy initiatives through industrial clustering. At COP28 last month, countries agreed to doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.

***

YOU’RE READING ENTERPRISE CLIMATE, the essential MENA publication for senior execs who care about the world’s most important industry. We’re out Monday through Thursday by 9am Cairo / 10am Riyadh / 11am UAE.

EXPLORE MORE OF ENTERPRISE ON THE WEB —tap or click here to read EnterpriseAM, EnterprisePM, Enterprise Climate, Enterprise Logistics, and The Weekend Edition on our powerful new website packed with reader-friendly features.

Were you forwarded this email? Get your own subscription without charge here or reach out to us on climate@enterprisemea.com with comments, suggestions and story tips.
***

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

Libya will host the Libya Energy and Economic Summit on Saturday, 13 January to Sunday, 14 January in Tripoli. The forum will bring together key stakeholders in the energy sector, including government officials, industry leaders, investors, and experts to discuss opportunities in Libya’s energy industry, including in renewables.

The UAE will host the Management and Sustainability of Water Resources Conference from Monday, 26 February to Wednesday 28 February in Dubai. Water availability in arid and semiarid regions, global water issues, and future water and environmental challenges are all on the agenda.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.