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RENEWABLES-
Acwa Power’s Nomac to help measure renewable energy in Uzbekistan: Acwa Power’s wholly-owned subsidiary Nomac has signed an MoU with the Uzbek Agency for Standards and Metrology to help develop renewable energy measurement systems in the Central Asian country, according to a statement. Under the agreement, Nomac will equip the National Institute of Metrology in Uzbekistan with advanced measurement tools for renewable energy plants including wind and solar power in Karakalpakstan. The investment for the project is estimated at USD 1.7 mn, according to the statement.
Acwa 💚 Uzbekistan: The Saudi renewable energy giant broke ground last week on the Beruniy wind plant in Karakalpakstan. The USD 260 mn project includes a 200 MW wind power plant and a 100 MW battery storage system. It also signed in May a USD 4.9 bn power purchase agreement to develop a new 5 GW wind farm in Uzbekistan. It also signed a USD 262.7 mn power purchase agreement in April for the development of the 200 MW Nukus 2 wind farm along with an accompanying battery energy storage system (BESS) facility.
GREEN HYDROGEN-
Kaust + Neom partner on green hydrogen research: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Kaust) has partnered with Neom to develop three sustainable hydrogen and fuel production research projects, according to SPA. The projects are exploring carbon neutral fuel development for marine engines, reducing the cost of large-scale clean hydrogen production through electrolysis, and cutting down on emissions from the use of ammonia as fuel.
Not the pair’s first collaboration on sustainability: Our friends at Hassan Allam Construction Saudi recently signed an agreement with KAUST to build the primary coral nursery of the world’s largest coral reef restoration project in Neom. The project — dubbed the Kaust Coral Restoration Initiative — is designed to counter the negative impact of climate change and rising sea water temperatures on coral reefs. It covers Neom’s Haddah beach.
ALSO- KAUST also signed an agreement with the Saudi Red Sea Authority to explore biodiversity protection initiatives and assess the impact of coastal tourism on the Red Sea, SPA reported.
DECARBONIZATION-
OQ Gas Networks to explore decarbonization initiatives: OQ Gas Networks (OQGN) — the pipeline subsidiary of Oman’s state oil giant OQ — has unveiled a decarbonization pathway aimed at significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Oman Observer reports. OQGN plans to explore various clean energy and electrification initiatives, including biomethane transmission, carbon capture, and solar energy integration over the next seven years. The company aims to achieve a 42% reduction in emissions by 2030 before they rise to 82% by 2040 under an ultimate goal of reaching net zero by 2050.
OQGN is not stopping there: It is one of the main stakeholders in the green hydrogen infrastructure company that Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom) is establishing with Oman Electricity & Transmission Company (OETC) and Nama Water Services.
GREEN MOBILITY-
Saudi’s Saptco to operate a number of electric buses in Tabuk: The Saudi Public Transport Company has signed a five year, SAR 84 mn contract with the Tabuk Municipality to operate the first phase of the city’s public bus transport network, it said in a disclosure to Tadawul. Some 25% of the fleet will be electric, SPA reported, citing statements by the Transport General Authority Chairman Rumaih bin Mohammed Al Rumaih. The TGA plans to implement similar plans to other cities and regions across the Kingdom, Al Rumaih said.
The details: The bus fleet will operate on four routes spanning 128 km to serve 106 stops, according to the TGA. The public bus network will operate for up to 18 hours a day, it said.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-
- Saudi’s KACARE launches solar energy certification programs: The King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) has introduced two professional certificates to enhance expertise in solar photovoltaic (PV) energy with a focus on designing and installing small solar PV systems. KACARE has set up 12 training centers across Saudi Arabia to train up to 1.4k specialists through 284 courses. (SPA)
- Egypt’s Public Enterprise Ministry + AOI partner on local manufacturing: Egypt’s Public Enterprise Ministry and the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation (AOI) have signed cooperation protocols to enhance local manufacturing. The cooperation protocols entail renewable energy systems, water purification plants, wastewater treatment solutions, and other products. (Statement)
- Egyptian gov’t institution first to complete carbon footprint report: The Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality has become the first government service institution to complete its carbon footprint report. (Statement)
- UAE’s Al Dahra sequesters 217k tons of carbon emissions in sustainability push: UAE-based agribusiness Al Dahra has sequestered 217.2k tons of CO2 by implementing regenerative agricultural practices in 2023. It said it is targeting a 30% reduction in carbon emissions and a 15% reduction in water usage by 2030. (Statement)
- Oman completes pilot project using recycled rubber-modified asphalt: Oman’s Transport, Communications and Information Technology Ministry has implemented a pilot project using asphalt modified with rubber from recycled tyres in its Al Khabourah dual link project. The project aims to help contribute to reducing environmental pollution caused from tyre waste. (Times of Oman)
