The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and Global Environmental Management Services Ltd. (Reviva), a subsidiary of Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) Group, signed an agreement today to establish a plant for recycling marine and industrial waste at Jeddah Islamic Port. The project, valued at SAR 30 million, will cover an area of 10,000 square meters.
The agreement was signed by Mawani’s President Omar bin Talal Hariri and SIRC’s CEO Eng. Ziad bin Mohammed Al-Shiha in the presence of other officials.
This initiative is part of Mawani’s efforts to promote environmental sustainability, ensure marine safety, and develop a sustainable maritime sector. It aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the Green Ports Initiative, aiming to bolster Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics center and a hub connecting three continents.
The new plant will enhance waste utilization by converting waste into valuable resources, thereby promoting a thriving circular economy in the Kingdom. It will offer comprehensive waste management and recycling solutions, industrial maintenance services, by-product recycling, and transportation services, which will minimize waste generation and improve waste management operations while preserving the environment.
The collaboration between Mawani and Reviva will contribute to the Kingdom’s waste management goals as part of Saudi Vision 2030 and increase the private sector’s role in supporting economic growth. The initiative aims to position Jeddah Islamic Port among the top 10 ports globally.
Mawani is committed to launching pioneering initiatives connected to the Saudi Green Initiative, focusing on emission reduction and climate change control, while also strengthening public-private partnerships to enhance the global commercial appeal of the Kingdom’s ports.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
Wood, a global leader in consulting and engineering, has completed the front-end engineering and design (FEED) scope for the first phase of Aramco’s Accelerated Carbon Capture and Sequestration (ACCS) project in Saudi Arabia, expected to be the world’s largest carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) hub, upon completion.
With an ambition to further reduce carbon emissions from its upstream operations, the first phase of the ACCS project intends to capture carbon emissions from Aramco gas plant facilities near Jubail, on the east coast of Saudi Arabia, as well as from third-party emitters.
Wood designed the greenfield dehydration and compression facilities and the large pipeline network, including a 200+ kilometre dense-phase CO2 pipeline for the ACCS project, which aims to transport 9 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of emissions and sequester it within onshore geological storage by 2027. Aramco plans to store up to 14 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of CO2 equivalent by 2035 – contributing towards the Kingdom reaching its CCUS goal of 44 MTPA by 2035.
Craig Shanaghey, Wood’s Executive President of Projects, said: “We are proud to be at the forefront of designing the future of energy by leveraging our 20 years of experience in carbon capture engineering to bring the ACCS project to life, supporting Aramco as our long-term client on its energy security and transition ambitions.
“The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has underlined the significant role CCS can potentially play in helping to reach the 2-degree goal set out in the Paris Agreement, and it is investments like this world-leading project that can support that progress and make a tangible difference to reduce the carbon emissions of heavy industries.”
The FEED has been delivered by around 200 engineers from across Wood’s global Projects and Consulting business units.
Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Source: TradeArabia
Grundfos, a global leader in advanced pump solutions and water technology, showcased its dedication to sustainable water management and climate resilience in the Middle East and Africa region during a high-level panel discussion held at the Stormwater & Wastewater Conference 2024.
Taking place in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the 28th and 29th of May 2024, the panel discussion titled “Building Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Fostering Effective Flood Risk Mitigation Strategies for the Kingdom” brought together industry experts, policymakers, and thought leaders to address pressing challenges in water management and flood risk mitigation.
Representing Grundfos in the panel was Abdulaziz Daghestani, Area Sales Director, Water Utilities, MENA and Country Director for Saudi Arabia, alongside other esteemed panellists including Paul Pring, Executive Director – Infrastructure & Community Facilities, Diriyah Gate Company, Saudi Arabia, Gerry O’Toole, Director of Water, Jacobs, U.A.E. and Nariba Gittens, Associate Director – Water, Middle East, WSP, U.A.E. and moderated by Dr. Mohammed AbdulJawad, Executive Director – Projects & Quality; Director of Communication & PR – Western Region, Project Management Institute, KSA Chapter.
During the session, Daghestani highlighted Grundfos’s innovative approaches towards developing sustainable solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Emphasising the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors, Daghestani outlined Grundfos’s commitment to partnering with local stakeholders to implement effective flood risk mitigation strategies and build resilient infrastructure that withstands the impacts of climate change.
Abdulaziz Daghestani, Area Sales Director, Water Utilities, MENA and Country Director for Saudi Arabia at Grundfos shared his thoughts following the event: “It was an honour to have participated in this panel with esteemed peers from our industry. This event was a crucial platform for addressing the pressing challenges our industry faces due to climate change. The insightful discussions and shared experiences from fellow experts underscore the urgent need for innovative and sustainable solutions in the face of escalating stormwater and wastewater challenges. Specifically for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, building climate-resilient infrastructure is imperative to protect our communities and sustain our economic growth. Collaboration between the public and private sectors is vital to a water-secure future. At Grundfos, we are committed to driving these conversations forward and implementing advanced technologies to help build resilient infrastructure and mitigate flood risks effectively.”
The following key takeaways from the panel discussion act as a guide for the audience of industry peers to enhance climate resilience across water-led projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region:
- Balancing immediate and long-term: The panellists discussed the urgency for implementing proactive measures to address the escalating risks posed by climate change-induced flooding. But in doing so, there must be a balance between immediate infrastructure upgrades and planning for long-term resilience. Emphasising the critical nature of infrastructure to state and economic success, the discussion also advocated for treating infrastructure security with the utmost priority.
- Technological innovation and data-driven application: All panellists raised the significance of integrating advanced technologies and data-driven solutions in developing resilient infrastructure models. They discussed the potential of new technologies, such as AI and VR, to enhance flood risk management. They underscored the role of data, with a strong emphasis on gathering extensive data to inform decisions
- Sustainable solutions for flood mitigation: Introducing sustainable and green solutions is crucial for mitigating flood control damages. Energy-efficient technologies and integrating renewable energy into flood management systems are important. Community engagement and capacity building also play a vital role in enhancing flood resilience and promoting long-term sustainability, in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals for sustainable water management outcomes.
- Upkeep and maintenance: The discussion also discussed the rapid population growth demanding further urbanisation and expansion of city lines. The current infrastructure in urban areas may not require rebuilding. Instead, ongoing maintenance of any built infrastructure to ensure its longevity and effectiveness is a more economical and environmentally suitable route.
Grundfos remains steadfast in its mission to pioneer sustainable water solutions that contribute to a more resilient and water-secure future for communities worldwide. By actively participating in forums like the Stormwater & Wastewater Conference 2024, Grundfos reaffirms its commitment to advancing the global agenda for sustainable water management and climate resilience in the Middle East and Africa region.
About Grundfos:
Grundfos is at the forefront of addressing the world’s water and climate challenges, striving to enhance the quality of life for people globally. As a premier global provider of pump and water solutions, Grundfos is committed to upholding, safeguarding, and enhancing the circulation of water. The company achieves this through the provision of energy-efficient and water-saving solutions and systems across diverse applications for water utilities, industrial settings, and buildings. Operating across more than 56 countries, with an industrious team comprising over 19,000 dedicated employees, Grundfos remains dedicated to effecting positive change, one drop at a time.
Join us in our journey towards a sustainable future at: www.grundfos.com
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
The Alto Agency on behalf of Grundfos Middle East
Grundfos@thealtoagency.com
In a significant step toward safeguarding its marine treasures, Saudi Arabia is launching a groundbreaking project to assess the health of its vital ecosystems in the Arabian Gulf.
Led by the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), the project aims to create a comprehensive roadmap for protecting marine biodiversity and ensuring the long-term health of the Gulf waters.
NCW’s CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban said in a statement that scientists will evaluate the condition of the coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangrove forests. They will identify both natural and human-caused threats to these habitats and develop strategies to mitigate these risks. Ultimately, the project will use the collected data to design a management plan for the conservation and restoration of the coastal ecosystems.
Qurban said that the vast Saudi waters in the Arabian Gulf, spanning over 27,000 square kilometers, are a haven for a diverse array of marine life, all supported by the rich ecosystems of the Gulf.
The project will ensure that these vital habitats continue to thrive for generations to come.
Source: Saudi Gazette
To enhance institutional sustainability, the Ministry of Economy and Planning launched the Sustainability Champion Program on the sidelines of the special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The initiative will advance the sustainability revolution across Saudi Arabia by fostering unique collaborations between leading companies in vital sectors, part of ongoing efforts to develop comprehensive and sustainable economic growth paths.
The program is also part of Saudi Arabia’s approach to confronting environmental challenges in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Under the program, distinguished companies, known as “Champions”, will support other entities to enhance their sustainability practices.
The program was officially launched, with senior leaders from 19 Sustainability Pioneers attending to promote sustainability in their operation.
The program helps in developing a collaborative ecosystem and best practices to unleash sustainable growth. The 19 Sustainability Champions will also commit to changing sustainability practices of three other companies within Saudi Arabia, in order to create a ripple effect that will multiply the impact across the economy.
It also aims to build local capabilities and provide companies with the necessary tools and techniques to improve their sustainability reporting.
The Sustainability Champions Program underscores the proactive steps taken by Saudi Arabia to enable sustainable development through collaboration.
As the world converged on Riyadh for this special meeting, the launch of the Sustainability Champions program represents a new step in global sustainability efforts.
Saudi Arabia continues its leadership and commitment to achieving a sustainable future, setting the standard for countries around the world around the Sustainability Champions program.
The 19 leading companies that have registered in the program: Saudi Aramco, Saudi Electricity Company, ACWA Power, SABIC, Ma’aden, Al Rajhi Bank, National Bank of Saudi Arabia, First Saudi Bank, Riyad Bank, STC, Mobily, Zain, Red Sea International, Roshan, National Housing Company, Almarai, Savola, Olayan Finance Company, and Al Sulaiman Group.
Source: Saudi Gazette
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) offers a range of smart solutions to support developmental sectors in the Kingdom by leveraging data and artificial-intelligence (AI) technologies.
The solutions include supporting national efforts aimed at preserving the environment and natural resources and achieving a sustainable future, in line with achieving the Saudi Vision 2030 targets. This stems from its role as a national reference for data and AI in the Kingdom, covering everything related to their organization and development.
These efforts are aligned with parallel efforts by SDAIA to enhance the Kingdom’s position as a leading country in data and AI, enabling investment, innovation, and the development of technological infrastructure.
SDAIA has dedicated its efforts to establishing the Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence in Environment, Water, and Agriculture in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture. It aims to innovate sustainable solutions and applications using AI in the fields of environment, water, and agriculture.
The authority aims to build a data lake containing geospatial data and global satellite images from the past thirty years, as well as to conduct studies and research that benefit the environment, water, and agriculture sectors using AI.
SDAIA also aims to provide expertise in delivering AI solutions through various cases; working with historical, current, and future data; building and training national capabilities; and sharing knowledge across all AI technologies and tools.
Additionally, it focuses on developing sustainable use cases and solutions to assist the environment, water, and agriculture sectors in easily providing data analytics.
The efforts of the authority have resulted in the innovation of a life model based on AI algorithms. The model reads nine historical earth data sets to determine their correlation with the vegetation cover change index and predicts the change that will occur over the next 6 years with an accuracy exceeding 90%.
SDAIA also presented a range of cases that directly contribute to combating the effects of climate change, predicting desertification, and increasing vegetation cover to build a vibrant community with a healthy lifestyle and enhance the aesthetic aspects of the Kingdom.
Moreover, it has developed a data dashboard on vegetation cover change in the Kingdom, containing 6 billion data samples from the Normalized Difference Vegetation (NDVI) Index monitored from 1984 to 2023, and classified land into six types using satellite images.
SDAIA launched the “Smart Planet Program,” which is an intelligent platform for earth data that utilizes its historical data to build predictive algorithms. It has conducted studies, research, and design of several preliminary solutions for AI algorithms, sharing them with nature reserves and the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.
This aims to create innovative solutions to help leverage and sustainably exploit untapped resource potential, detect changes in vegetation cover, monitor and control agricultural crops, and monitor changes in water bodies.
To address various challenges using AI techniques, the Ministry of Energy, in collaboration with SDAIA, announced the launch of the Artificial Intelligence Center for Energy, which aims to leverage AI in supporting initiatives within the energy sector, contributing to achieving the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Green Initiative in reducing carbon emissions.
The center plays a pivotal role in developing AI and modern technologies in the energy sector, bringing together digital technology experts and energy experts into one team. It has also worked on developing a clear methodology to prioritize AI solutions.
Meanwhile, SDAIA is actively monitoring reforestation and green areas in Riyadh through the National Smart Cities Platform using satellite imagery.
This is aimed at building and training AI models and processing data to provide a visual representation of green areas in Riyadh, displaying the percentage of green areas compared to the total area.
It creates indicators for the top neighborhoods in the green areas index and develops an index that measures the percentage of green areas within Riyadh and Diriyah.
Additionally, it provides a tool on the National Smart Cities Platform specifically for displaying and monitoring green area levels.
Source: Saudi Press Agency
Acwa Power, a leading Saudi developer of power and desalination projects, has signed an agreement with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology for the establishment of a new clean energy and water desalination technologies development centre within the KACST campus.
The new ‘Clean Energy and Water Desalination Technologies Development Center’ aims to conduct studies and scientific research in vital areas linked to the clean energy and water sector, said a statement from KACST.
The key topics of focus include development of solar energy technologies, devices for photovoltaic power plants for extreme climatic conditions as well as energy storage technologies to support future energy networks and innovative technologies and materials for desalination membranes.
These are mainly aimed at cutting costs and emissions of desalination processes, as the center will employ artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies to enable research and achieve goals, it stated.
The new facility aims to boost the presence of Acwa Power within the complex of national laboratories and innovation oases to contribute to spreading the culture of co-operation and innovation between the academic community and the business sector, and to transfer innovative water desalination technology to various areas of the industrial sector, it added.
The joint centre in partnership with Acwa Power comes as part of KACST’s efforts to link technical products to the needs of public and private sectors entities, said Dr Saeed Al-Shehri, the Vice President for the Energy and Industry Sector of KACST, after signing the deal with Thomas Altmann, the Executive Vice President of Innovation and New Technology Sector at Acwa Power.
It will help achieve national aspirations for research, development and innovation by utilizing KACST’s laboratories, scientists, incubator programmes and technology accelerators to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable technologies in the fields of water desalination and clean energy to reach the optimal energy mix that the kingdom seeks, stated Dr Al Shehri at the signing ceremony held in the presence of senior officials including Dr Munir bin Mahmoud Al Desouki, President of KACST, and Mohammad Abunayyan, the founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Acwa Power, as well as Dr Talal Al Sudairi, the Senior Vice President for Research and Development Sector of KACST.
On the collaboration, Altmann said: “We are thrilled to embark on an exciting journey with an esteemed organisation such as KACST, as collaboration is key to our approach to research and development. The partnership aims to develop practical, market-ready solutions to address commercial needs with agility and innovation.”
“It also seeks to contribute to the local research and innovation ecosystem, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. Utilizing the collective expertise and resources of both organizations, the collaboration will focus on optimizing joint programs through the development of services, pilot plants, laboratories, and cutting-edge simulation and monitoring tools,” he added.
Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Source: TradeArabia
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has unveiled a plan to recycle up to 95 percent of the country’s waste, a move it claims which contribute SR120 billion ($31.99 billion) to the gross domestic product, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The initiative will help create over 100,000 jobs in the sector for Saudi nationals and seeks to recycle up to 100 million tons of waste annually in a push toward its sustainability efforts.
This was revealed in the ministry’s year-end report detailing its past performance and plans for 2024. The scheme aligns with the Kingdom’s endeavors to achieve sustainable development goals through well-designed plans and processes in all its sectors, including the National Environment Strategy.
The plan includes a clear institutional framework that contains more than 65 initiatives entailing an investment exceeding SR55 billion.
The report highlighted that the ministry was able to preserve more than 90,000 hectares and plant more than 50 million trees across the Kingdom.
This was accompanied by an increase in the level of community awareness while monitoring efforts in environmental commitment contributed to raising the quality of life.
Earlier in January, King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Co. signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Investment Recycling Co. to promote waste management solutions.
The agreement was signed at an event titled “Meeting National Targets for Waste Management and Recycling,” held in Riyadh.
The MoU was endorsed by Ziyad Al-Shiha, CEO of SIRC, and Gautam Sashittal, CEO of KAFD DMC.
Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the event, Al-Shiha said: “SIRC has developed a robust recycling infrastructure that includes collection centers and material recovery facilities. These facilities are equipped with advanced technologies to sort, process, and recycle different types of waste materials.”
He added that his company believed in waste sorting and segregation at the source.
“We encourage individuals, businesses, and communities to separate recyclable materials from general waste to maximize recycling rates and minimize landfill disposal,” he said.
Source: Arab News
In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, NTSC and NAQEL EXPRESS have joined forces to lead a comprehensive decarbonization initiative of NAQEL EXPRESS’s commercial fleet. This strategic partnership aligns with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and highlights both companies’ commitment to innovative and sustainable logistics solutions.
The partnership will leverage NTSC’s expertise in sustainable transportation to develop the Fleet Decarbonization Roadmap for NAQEL EXPRESS. A key aspect of this initiative is the introduction of NTSC’s advanced Q-Light QARGO4EV electric trucks, which are set to revolutionize NAQEL EXPRESS’s operations, significantly reducing their carbon footprint and paving the way for a fully sustainable fleet by 2030.
Gary Flom, CEO of NTSC, reflected on the new partnership saying: “In NAQEL EXPRESS, we’ve found a partner who shares our vision for a sustainable future. This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to the environment and a crucial step towards realizing the Kingdom’s goals for reduction of the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions as stated in the Vision 2030.”
Dr. Fadi Al Buhairan, Acting CEO of NAQEL and deputy CEO of SPL, also remarked: “This partnership is not just a strategic collaboration; it’s a reflection of our commitment to our community and our planet. We’re embarking on a transformative journey beyond mere business objectives.”
This groundbreaking collaboration between NTSC and NAQEL EXPRESS is a proactive response to the global need for sustainable transportation solutions in the logistics industry. It sets a new benchmark for environmental stewardship within the sector. It’s a bold statement in an industry vital to the global economy yet faces increasing demands for greener operations.
Source: Saudi Gazette
State offtaker Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has received bids for the contracts to develop Saudi Arabia’s next wind independent power producer (IPP) projects.
According to industry sources, the following developer teams have submitted proposals for the contracts to develop the three wind IPP schemes:
- Acwa Power (Saudi Arabia) / TotalEnergies Renewables (France)
- EDF Renewables (France) / Masdar (UAE) / Nesma Company (local)
- Engie (France) / Albawani Company (local) / Haji Abdullah Alireza & Company (Haaco, local)
- Marubeni Corporation (Japan) / local partner
- Sumitomo (Japan) / Aljomaih Energy & Water Company (Jenwa, local) / Shikoku Electricity Power Company (Japan)
The projects, procured under the fourth round of the kingdom’s National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP), have a total combined capacity of 1,800MW.
These include:
- Yanbu wind IPP: 700MW
- Al-Ghat wind IPP: 600MW
- Waad al-Shamal wind IPP: 500MW
SPPC qualified 18 companies to bid for the contracts, as MEED reported in December 2022. The last day for bid submissions is 30 October.
The financial advisory division of Tokyo-based Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation is advising SPPC on procuring the three wind IPPs.
Saudi Arabia has procured only one wind IPP under the NREP so far.
Tendered under round two, the 400MW Dumat al-Jandal wind IPP was connected to the Saudi electricity grid last year.
A team of EDF Renewables and UAE-based Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), which won the $500m contract in 2019, is developing and operating the scheme.
Saudi Arabia aims to install 58,700MW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 through the NREP.
The energy ministry, through SPPC, is tasked with procuring 30 per cent of this capacity through public tendering, while the Saudi sovereign wealth vehicle, the Public Investment Fund, will procure the rest under the kingdom’s Price Discovery Scheme.
Both initiatives aim to drive renewable sources to account for 50 per cent of electricity production in Saudi Arabia by 2030, displacing liquid fuels, with natural gas accounting for the remaining 50 per cent.
