Good morning, folks, and happy new year. We hope everyone enjoys a restful few days of vacation with family and friends before kicking off 2025 in earnest. It’s a brisk issue this morning, with updates on Tunisian solar ambitions and a status check on Oman’s Manah 2 solar plant, along with an update on Manara’s long-awaited Reko Diq acquisition. But first…

A QUICK PROGRAMMING NOTE- EnterpriseAM Climate will be off for the rest of the week as we take a publication holiday to gear up for 2025. We’ll be back in your inboxes at the usual time next week.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Acwa Power has successfully entered the Chinese market by securing over 1 GW of renewable energy pipeline, according to a Tadawul disclosure. The portfolio — amassed during Acwa’s first year in the Chinese market — includes several solar and wind projects across multiple provinces, with Acwa Power partially or fully owning them. The company is in the advanced stages of completing these investments, the statement notes.

REMEMBER- Acwa Power said earlier this month that it aims to secure a 1.3 GW pipeline of renewables developments in China by yearend, with plans to invest up to USD 50 bn by 2030 in renewables, green hydrogen, and desalination. The company is aiming to reach 4-6 GW of capacity by 2025 and to add 5-6 GW annually thereafter.

#2- Iraq-GCC interconnector project is 90% completed, Iraq News Agency reports, citing Iraq’s Electricity Ministry Spox Ahmed Mousa. The project is mainly extending a connection between Iraq’s Al Faw transfer station and Kuwait’s Al Wafrah station, which will act as a gateway station for the rest of the Gulf region, reported Al Seyassah in November.

#3- Oman to expand plastic bag ban in 2025: Oman will begin the second phase of its plastic bag ban on 1 January 2025, expanding the restrictions on the use of plastic bags, Oman Daily Observer reports. This phase will target more sectors, including textile and fabric stores, mobile phone vendors, repair shops, clothing outlets, and furniture retailers. Compliance will be ensured through inspections, with fines imposed on violators.

BACKGROUND- The sultanate said it intended to roll out a sector-based gradual phase-out of single-use plastic bags last January, with the goal of achieving a full national ban by 2027, Muscat Daily reports. Last July, the government launched the first phase of the ban, targeting single-use plastic bags thinner than 50 micrometers in pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. To support the transition, Oman established 10 factories to produce environmentally-friendly bags, distributing 500k of them since 2021.

THE SCORECARD-

Qatar boosts sustainable finance in 2024: Qatar issued a total of USD 2.5 bn in green bonds this year, a major feat after a government push into economic diversification and increasing requirements for transparent sustainability reporting, according to a report (pdf) by the state’s Invest Qatar. Some of the efforts included the Qatar Central Bank publishing its ESG and sustainable strategy, and the Qatar Financial Centre also introduced a sustainable framework for Sukuk and bonds in 2022.

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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

The UAE will host the World Energy Summit from Tuesday, 14 January to Thursday, 16 January in Abu Dhabi. The summit will host over 350 speakers including energy industry leaders and policymakers with discussions ranging from eco-waste to sustainable cities. An exhibition will also be held for showcasing green products.

Saudi Arabia will host the Future Minerals Forum from Tuesday, 14 January to Thursday, 16 January in Riyadh. The forum will gather stakeholders from over 170 countries to discuss mineral technology and exploration. Speakers will include senior government officials and CEOs from renowned mining companies Vale, Rio Tinto, and Manara.

Bahrain will host the Sustainability Forum Middle East from Tuesday, 28 January to Wednesday, 29 January in Manama. Climate experts and decision-makers will convene to discuss a number of issues ranging from decarbonization to supporting SMEs on their path to net zero. Speakers will include GCC government officials and industry leaders from the banking and industrial sectors.

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