Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) received 8,241 requests for electricity connections in 2024, reflecting a 4.51% increase from the previous year. The requests came from commercial projects using DEWA’s Al Namoos service, which provides electricity connections of up to 150 kilowatts (kW) within five days. Alongside traditional power connections, DEWA is working on smaller renewable energy projects in different areas of Dubai. In Al Quoz Industrial Area, a rooftop solar project is being tested on factory and warehouse roofs. The project has an installed capacity of 15 megawatts (MW) and is designed to help businesses reduce dependence on grid…
Author: Lakshita Kapoor
The UAE is expanding its renewable energy projects beyond large-scale developments. Several smaller initiatives are contributing to clean energy production across the country. The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy has introduced a pilot project for floating solar panels on water reservoirs. The project aims to test solar power generation on artificial water bodies to reduce land use while maximizing energy production. Initial testing suggests that floating panels could improve solar efficiency by keeping panels cooler. In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has installed solar panels at metro stations and parking facilities. These installations help power station operations and…
Enlight Renewable Energy Ltd. has announced plans to develop an integrated renewable energy and data center complex in Ashalim, southern Israel. The company will invest up to USD 1.1 billion in the project after securing a 50-acre site through a land tender from the Israel Land Authority (ILA). The project will include a data center with a 100-megawatt (MW) hourly electricity consumption capacity. To reduce reliance on external power sources, the facility will have an adjacent solar power plant and an energy storage system. The renewable energy produced on-site will partially cover the electricity demand of the complex. The initiative…
Masdar, through its subsidiary Saeta, announced plans to invest in Valle Solar, a solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Spain’s Valencia region. The project is located in the municipalities of Ayora, Jarafuel, and Zarra. It will have an installed capacity of 234 megawatts (MW), with the potential to integrate a 259 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the future. The plant is expected to begin operations in the first half of 2027. Valle Solar was initially promoted by Genia Solar Energy and Solar Ventures. The agreement to move forward with its construction includes initiatives to integrate renewable energy with environmental…
Masdar, a renewable energy company based in the UAE, is nearing an agreement with Iraq to develop a solar energy project with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW). Iraq’s Minister of Electricity, Ziad Ali Fadhil, announced this during discussions on renewable energy plans in the region. The proposed solar project is part of Iraq’s plan to increase its reliance on clean energy and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. The project aims to generate electricity using solar power to support Iraq’s growing energy needs. This will also help Iraq diversify its energy sources while working toward sustainability goals. Masdar has…
The Middle East is expanding its renewable energy efforts, with smaller, lesser-known projects complementing larger developments. While large solar parks and wind farms dominate the headlines, smaller regional initiatives are playing a role in clean energy growth across the region. In Oman, small-scale solar installations are being implemented in rural communities. The Rural Areas Electricity Company (RAECO) has launched off-grid solar projects to supply power to remote villages. These systems range from 10 kilowatts (kW) to 50 kW and provide electricity to areas without access to the main grid. In Kuwait, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) operates a…
Yellow Door Energy and EMSTEEL Group have announced a partnership to develop the largest industrial solar rooftop project in the UAE. The project will install a 31.5 megawatts-peak (MWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system across EMSTEEL’s facilities located in Abu Dhabi’s ICAD 1 industrial zone. The agreement includes solar panels installed on rooftops and carports across 40 buildings owned by EMSTEEL. The design incorporates high-efficiency bifacial solar panels for the carports, which can capture sunlight from both sides to maximize energy production. Yellow Door Energy will finance, construct, operate, and maintain the project under a solar lease model, enabling EMSTEEL to…
Spain’s Tecnicas Reunidas and Egypt’s Orascom Construction have signed a $2.6 billion deal to expand a 3-gigawatt combined cycle gas-fired power plant in Saudi Arabia. The project includes the addition of carbon capture infrastructure and a 380-kilovolt (kV) electrical substation. This agreement supports Saudi Arabia’s push for cleaner energy technologies and infrastructure upgrades. While this large project is underway, both Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been implementing smaller renewable energy initiatives to diversify their energy sources. In Egypt, small solar-powered irrigation systems are being deployed in the Nile Delta and Fayoum regions. These systems have capacities ranging from 5 kilowatts…
The World Bank is reviewing Jordan’s request for $200 million in additional funding to improve the efficiency of its electricity sector. This builds on a $250 million loan approved earlier in 2023 to reduce costs, increase revenues, and enhance the reliability of the electricity supply. The programme aims to reduce operating losses for the National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) and improve its technology and governance. It also focuses on maintaining renewable energy’s share in the electricity mix and reducing power outages. Jordan has expanded renewable energy in recent years. Solar and wind energy now contribute 27% of the electricity mix,…
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC (Masdar) recently announced an agreement to acquire a 49.99% stake in four solar plants in Spain. These plants have a combined capacity of 446 megawatts (MW). This transaction is part of Masdar’s continued investments in global renewable energy, particularly in Europe. While Masdar’s international activities are widely recognized, there are smaller renewable energy projects in Abu Dhabi that often receive less attention. The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has implemented solar-powered irrigation systems in farms across the emirate. These systems, with capacities ranging between 10 kilowatts (kW) and 50 kW, are…