The Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) inaugurated a new car parking project equipped with solar panels that produce renewable and clean energy, as part of the authority’s efforts to achieve environmental sustainability and make a quantum leap in the course of its projects so as to keep pace with recent developments in the field of energy and contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and confronting global warming challenges.

The project included the installation of 240 bi-facial solar panels, each with a capacity of 530 watts. The total electrical energy expected to be generated from the project is 205,000 kilowatt / hour yearly. The project also included 4 fast electric car chargers with a capacity of 22 kW each. This is within the framework of the Emirate of Sharjah's plan to expand the implementation of electric car chargers in various regions of the emirate, and it was implemented according to the best specifications.

Abdullah Abdul Rahman Al Shamsi, Director General of the Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority, stressed during the opening of the project that the establishment of car parks that produce clean energy through solar panels contributes to enhancing the concept of green and sustainable buildings, spreading a culture of sustainability in energy consumption, reducing dependence on traditional energy sources. He confirms SEWA’s commitment to providing the best services, and its keenness to implement initiatives related to the transition to sustainable buildings.

He pointed out the need for concerted governmental and private efforts to protect the environment and preserve its natural resources, as well as achieving  a balance between economic, social and environmental development, through integration between the various bodies and institutions, and concerted efforts to implement sustainable environmental initiatives and programmes in order to translate the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

He added that the authority seeks, during the next stage, to encourage various groups to expand the experience in public and private buildings, which supports efforts aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

Source: Sharjah 24

Dubai last month announced a roadmap to make its public transport emission-free by 2050, taking its ambitious strategy to transition to the green economy another step closer to reality. Featuring infrastructure, circular economy and green mobility initiatives, the implementation of the roadmap will bring AED3 billion worth of savings and eliminate 8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of planting 132 million trees, over the next three decades.

The roadmap forms part of a series of initiatives driving the emirate’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 that aim to generate 100% of Dubai’s total energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. Already one of the world’s leading cities in clean power infrastructure, Dubai is moving rapidly to achieve this target. 

Green economy hub

Dubai has set its sights on becoming a green economy hub with a five-pronged strategy focused on infrastructure, legislation, funding, capacity building and creating an environment-friendly energy mix. 

Dubai’s plans are aligned with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 and UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategy, which aim to significantly replace traditional energy production with renewable resources. Next year, the UAE will play host to the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), more commonly known as COP28. The conference, to be held in Dubai Expo City, will provide both the UAE and Dubai an opportunity to showcase their unique clean energy projects and achievements in reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.  

DEWA’s mega infrastructure projects

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is leading the charge to create a diverse infrastructure base for Dubai’s green energy transition. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, is set to produce some of the most cost-effective clean electricity on the planet. On completion in 2030, the AED50 billion Park will have 5,000 MW production capacity. The fifth phase of the project, currently being built, will be fully commissioned in 2023. It is adequate to serve more than 270,000 homes, eliminating 1.1 million tonnes (MT) of annual carbon emissions. Upon the Solar Park’s completion, it will reduce more than 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

The Solar Park will build on DEWA’s current power generation assets, which include the Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Complex, a key pillar of Dubai’s clean energy infrastructure aimed at meeting the needs of its growing daytime population estimated to expand to 7.8 million people by 2040. The Complex is the world’s largest single-site natural gas power generation facility and the largest single-site water desalination plant. 

Another project powering the emirate’s clean energy transition is DEWA’s Green Hydrogen Project, which has been built in cooperation with Expo 2020 Dubai and Siemens Energy at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park over an area of 10,000 square metres. The first initiative that uses solar power to produce hydrogen in the Middle East and North Africa region, the project is key to the UAE’s aim to acquire 25% of the global green hydrogen market by 2030. A high-value export commodity, green hydrogen, dubbed by many as the fuel of the future, has a variety of uses including power generation, transportation, feedstock for the chemical industry, reducing agent for the steel industry, and gas for residential heating and cooking.

Green Ammonia

In yet another major green energy project announced last month, Dubai’s leading oil and gas player ENOC Group signed an agreement with Japanese heavy-industry manufacturer IHI Corporation to establish a first-of-its-kind manufacturing unit for green ammonia, often dubbed as a ‘fuel of the future’. The produced fuel will be exported to Japan and supplied within the UAE and the region.

Produced by combining green hydrogen and nitrogen at high temperatures and pressures, green ammonia can help reduce global carbon emissions and be used within the transportation, power generation and industrial sectors. 

Complementing these projects is the pumped-storage hydroelectric power station that is being built by DEWA in Hatta, which will have a production capacity of 250 megawatts (MW), and a storage capacity of 1,500 megawatt-hours. The first station of its kind in the GCC region, the AED1.42 billion project is almost halfway through to completion. 

Another unique project that adds to Dubai’s renewable energy mix is the Dubai Waste Management Centre (DWMC), the largest waste-to-energy project in the world, being built by Dubai Municipality. The facility, which will be fully operational in 2024, has the capacity to process 5,600 tonnes of solid waste per day, converting 45% of Dubai’s municipal waste into renewable energy, feeding the grid with 215 MWh of clean energy capacity.

Legislative framework

Underpinning Dubai’s clean energy transition plan is a regulatory framework designed to encourage the private sector, global investors and developers to participate in clean and renewable energy projects, using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model. DEWA has attracted investments of around AED40 billion through this model, which encourages value-added partnerships between the public and private sectors.

Talent and innovation

Capacity building in the green economy is another vital pillar in the clean energy strategy. The emirate seeks to develop its pool of professional talent and industry expertise through various learning and training programmes conducted in cooperation with global institutions. It is also working with global organisations like the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to develop the specialised capabilities needed to boost research, innovation and excellence in this field.

Leading by example, DEWA has created an R&D Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to offer a global platform for emerging sustainability technologies.  The Centre aims to contribute to enhancing Dubai’s position as a global hub for R&D in solar power, smart grids, energy and water efficiency and capacity building. Projects launched at the R&D Centre include a pilot project for energy storage using Tesla’s lithium-ion battery solution. In July this year, the DEWA R&D Centre filed a patent for a redox flow battery stack with an improved electrolyte distribution that offers better battery performance and lower manufacturing costs.

The abundance of solar energy sources in Dubai, its massive infrastructure projects and the city’s emergence as a preferred destination for talent and expertise in the green energy sector, are set to make the emirate a global leader in transitioning to clean energy.

Dulsco Group, the integrated solutions provider across the UAE, has signed a Climate-Responsible Pledge in support of the UAE’s decarbonisation drive and in line with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, to fulfill both national and international climate commitments.

The Pledge, signed in collaboration with the Government of the UAE and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, took place in a ceremony held at Ajman X - Ajman Accelerators.

Dignitaries of the event included Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, Mariam Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment and Abdulrahman Al Nuaimi, Director General of the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department. The event was attended by John Grainger, COO of Environmental Solutions at Dulsco Group, who presented on the group’s environmental and climate action efforts and world-class facilities.

David Stockton, CEO of Dulsco Group, commented, "Our commitment to the UAE Climate Action Pledge will further support Dulsco Group’s commitment to reinforce the UAE circular economy and the UAE Net Zero target by 2050. We have worked tirelessly through numerous action and awareness campaign initiatives, including our renowned treatment, recycling and waste-to-fuel facilities and our most recent drive to vehicle fleet conversion to Compressed natural gas (CNG) to realise this vision.”

“We anticipate a very productive COP28 conference next year. The UAE has a history of leading world-class events, most recently with Expo 2020 Dubai, and we look forward to welcoming the world leaders” Stockton continued.

The group has announced the onboarding of KPMG as a supplier and audit service, to aid Dulsco with measuring and reporting GHG emissions with full transparency and accuracy. KPMG, well known for its decarbonisation efforts and push towards renewable energy, will aid Dulsco in performing an in-depth carbon footprint exercise to determine the group’s baseline carbon emissions for 2022.

Dulsco Group continues to explore and invest in research for its portfolio of environmentally conscious driven facilities and public recycling awareness campaigns.

Emerge, a joint venture between Masdar and EDF, and Al Dahra, one of the largest integrated agri-businesses in the Middle East, have announced a strategic partnership to develop a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) installation at Al Dahra Food Industry at Khalifa Industrial Zone Facility Abu Dhabi (KIZAD).

The rooftop solar system will be installed on Al Dahra’s rice processing facility at KIZAD and will produce about 45 percent of its annual energy demand. Under the agreement, Emerge will provide a full turnkey solution for the 1.2-megawatt peak (MWp) project, including the design, procurement, and construction, as well as operation and maintenance of the plant. The project is scheduled to be operational next year.

"Al Dahra is always conscious of its impact when it comes to the environment. We believe that solar energy and this project justify our commitment to reduce our carbon emission in line with our goals,” said Gianluca Fabbri, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Al Dahra Group. “At Al Dahra, our vision aligns with our objective to give the greatest food and goods to our community by using our considerable agricultural expertise every step of the way, through partnering with national and international companies."

“Food security is a key strategic priority for the United Arab Emirates, so we are pleased to enter into this partnership with Al Dahra, which underpins their aim to optimise the energy consumption of their facilities. We look forward to leveraging our extensive energy services experience as we continue to support the UAE’s efforts to enhance availability, accessibility and affordability of crops and food supply,” said Michel Abi Saab, General Manager, Emerge.

Al Dahra is a pioneer of innovative farming in the world. The strategic partnership with Emerge aims to support the country's food security strategy by assisting with sustainable agricultural practices, supplementing existing electricity demand, and showcasing renewable energy technology and its impacts on industrial facilities.

The International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) REmap 2030 report on renewable energy prospects for the UAE stated that rooftop solar PV could potentially provide 6 percent of the country’s total power generation by 2030.

Source: WAM: Amjad Saleh/ Muhammad Aamir

The Cabinet has approved a nationwide plan to introduce new sustainability standards for buildings, roads and homes to preserve resources and reduce the country's carbon footprint.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, led a meeting of ministers in Ajman's Al Zorah nature reserve on Sunday.

The government has put the country on a path to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and was the first in the Middle East to set such a target.

On Sunday, they put in place a plan to cut the energy requirements of buildings and homes by 25 per cent and to reduce water consumption by 16 per cent.

The amount of energy and materials it takes to build roads would be cut by 45 per cent.

“Today, we approved the National Building Regulations policy, which includes sustainability standards for roads, buildings, housing and other [areas],” Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter.

“The objective is to reduce the use of natural resources and our carbon footprint, and to promote environmental sustainability standards for buildings in the UAE.”

Winter tourism campaign

Sheikh Mohammed also launched a winter tourism campaign, following the success of the World's Coolest Winter drive last year.

He said the 2021 winter campaign was credited with creating 1.3 million domestic tourists, boosting the staycation economy.

“Ajman, with its white sands, the Red Fort, the Masfout Mountains, and the valleys of Manama, is the starting point for the campaign,” he wrote.

He congratulated Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, his son Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid and his brothers for boosting the emirate's attraction as a tourism destination and its economy.

“This year's theme is 'our heritage', to spread the values ​​of these most beautiful Emirati people,” he said.

One-stop-shop for foreign investors

The Cabinet further approved the creation of a single platform for foreign investors to visit.

It would serve as a one-stop shop for people looking to invest in vital sectors such as financial technology, tourism, manufacturing, renewable energy, and others.

Education, agriculture and the creative industry will also feature.

This would allow a nationwide approach for foreign investment and streamline the process.

“The platform, which is supervised by the Ministry of Economy, works to highlight opportunities in all these sectors for investors of all categories,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

Emirates clean campaign

Ministers also approved the launch of the “Clean Emirates” campaign, coinciding with International Volunteer Day on December 5.

The campaign, launched by the Ministry of Community Development and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment until December 15, aims to involve officials, ministers and work teams of federal and local authorities volunteering to clean up tourist destinations.

Decisions were also made to increase the efficiency of border crossings and economic free zones.

Other decisions related to a new campaign to tackle the root causes of unhealthy lifestyles, “strengthening the structural, institutional, human and health systems' capabilities and redirecting them to the process of preventing diseases,” state news agency Wam said.

A decision relating to provision of health services was also approved, while the Cabinet approved the UAE's accession to the Beijing Convention, which relates to security in civil aviation.

Majid Al Futtaim, a leading shopping malls and leisure pioneer in the region, has signed its second Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL), structured as a $1.25 billion revolving credit facility (RCF) linked to the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) related targets.

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the UAE’s largest bank, led the transaction as Sustainability Coordinator and Agent. In line with Majid Al Futtaim's ambitious sustainability strategy, the company has set Sustainability Performance Targets (SPTs) which will be measured on an annual basis throughout the tenor of the facility.

The SLL aims to facilitate the reduction in Majid Al Futtaim’s carbon footprint by reducing its Scope 1 & Scope 2 emissions and implementing LEED certification for its buildings as well as improving gender diversity within the organisation demonstrating its commitment towards the environment as a socially responsible employer.

The facility positions Majid Al Futtaim as the largest SLL borrower in the region and the company continues to be the region's only "penalty-only" borrower, demonstrating the Company’s commitment to achieving real, tangible sustainability targets.

Ziad Chalhoub, Chief Financial Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Holding, said: “Sustainable finance options are a vital solution in the quest to ensure the private sector creates a resilient economy and supports development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the future. Today’s announcement maintains Majid Al Futtaim’s long-held commitment to becoming one of the most sustainably considerate companies regionally and globally.

“Through the new SLL, we are further extending our accountability in how we finance our operational and capital expenditures across the Group. As our second such SLL signed in as many years, we are aligning our actions with our long-term strategic target of reaching a Net Positive business model by 2040.”

Mustafa Al Khalfawi, Head of Global Banking UAE & Global Head of Government, Sovereigns & Public Sector at FAB, said: “We are proud to lead this transaction with Majid Al Futtaim and to support a key UAE entity in achieving its ambitious sustainability targets. FAB is the region’s leading bank for unlocking innovative sustainable finance solutions, having issued the first green bond in the GCC in 2017 and as the first UAE bank to commit to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across our operations and portfolio.

“There is strong and growing demand for sustainability-linked banking facilities from UAE and GCC corporates, and we are working closely with our clients to drive positive environmental outcomes.”

The facility is structured on the basis of three key performance indicators (KPIs) which will be independently assessed on an annual basis. The KPIs for the facility are ambitious and core to Majid Al Futtaim’s operations and in line with Sustainability Linked Loan Principles as published by the Loan Market Association (LMA) as follows:

•    Reducing the Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity of Majid Al Futtaim’s property portfolio, calculated as tCO 2 e/managed sqm, in line with the Company’s science-based targets (SBTi) towards net positive by 2040
•    Having all its malls certified LEED Gold or equivalent or better by 2026. In addition, the Company has set a target of increasing the number of malls in Majid Al Futtaim’s portfolio with a LEED Platinum or equivalent rating by 2027
•    Achieving 32% of women in the top 3 seniority levels (board, senior executive and senior management) by 2027, exceeding the previous 30% target set on the Company’s existing SLL – TradeArabia News Service

Rahmania Mall, a one-stop community shopping and leisure destination in Sharjah, achieved significant milestones in its sustainability agenda during the third quarter of 2022. The mall, in line with its commitment towards the sustainability goals of the UAE, has cut its carbon emissions by 944 tonnes, recycled 236 tonnes of waste, and reduced its general waste generation to 58 tonnes. In addition, the mall recorded a significant reduction in water consumption, bringing it down from 285,357 gallons in July 2022, to 206,298 gallons in September 2022.

As part of its waste management policy, the Mall deployed a cutting-edge food digester which enabled it to recycle 16, 19, and 17.5 tonnes of food waste, in July, August, and September

Abdullah Al Huraimel, Executive Director of New Enterprises at Sharjah Coop, said: “Since its inception in March 2021, Rahmania Mall has channeled its efforts to promote the sustainability agenda of the UAE and Sharjah, while also implementing several eco-friendly projects and recycling initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. The innovative programs at the mall reflect the need for sustainable practices among the population of the Emirate, in line with the UAE Green Agenda 2015-2030, which has a key role in steering the sustainability vision of the region.” 

“In keeping with this vision, we look forward to implementing more initiatives, such as the installation of a photovoltaic system. We will also install solar system panels on the mall's roof, covering nearly 600 meters, to help with renewable energy production of approximately one megawatt, as well as convert the centre management system from manual to automatic, in order to reduce energy usage,” he added.

Rahmania Mall’s sustainability-focused efforts have raised the benchmarks for eco-friendly practices in the business community of Sharjah in terms of operational sustainability and adherence to environmental safety conditions. In accordance with its 2022 vision and efforts to implement sustainable practices, Rahmania Mall has conducted a feasibility study for a photovoltaic system which is being evaluated by the authority and has also amped up its focus on improving safety and security policies. 

The mall’s efforts in contributing to a sustainable future for the UAE and Sharjah, have established it as a leader in the region’s transition towards a clean and green future. The third quarter report clearly underlines its commitment towards encouraging sustainable practices among the business community of the Emirate. 

Food waste is becoming a serious global problem. While 1.3 billion tons of edible food is wasted every year, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization, more than 800 million people around the world go hungry every night, the World Food Program states. This isn’t just an economic and social issue – it’s also an environmental problem with deep ramifications.

In the UAE, the issue is even more pressing. Known for its vibrant food culture, the UAE has one of the highest rates of food waste consumption in the world. According to the Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence, food wastage in the UAE is estimated at 3.2 million tons, with around 38% of food prepared daily going to waste.

A significant contributor to food waste is the country’s hospitality sector. Since hotels and restaurants usually cater to large number of guests, a substantial amount of food usually goes to waste or gets thrown away, further adding to the country’s food waste problem.

Repurposing Food Waste

However, one hotel group is trying to change that. JA Resorts, a chain of hotels in Dubai, Maldives and Seychelles, is prioritising food waste to not only improve its operations, but to also become an environmentally conscious business. As such, the group was invited to participate in the Living Business program developed by HSBC bank, to further strengthen and enhance its sustainable initiatives, particularly in the UAE.

“Implementing clear policies and targets for reducing our carbon footprint helps in the long term, because the hotel industry is one of the leading contributors of waste,” says Samuel Njoroge, Cluster Quality Assurance Manager at JA Resorts. “We have a lot of food that we produce, and at the same time, we have a lot of food that we waste. So, we really need to rethink alternatives of how we can reduce and repurpose our food waste.”

With support from Living Business, the resort – which comprises three properties: JA Beach Hotel, JA Lake View Hotel, and JA Palm Tree Court – launched a food waste programme in October. The programme converts food waste into natural fertilizer for food production. It uses WasteMaster technology to convert food into a bacteria-free and nutrient-rich residue. As a result, the resort can eliminate up to 80% of its food waste and repurpose about 20% as soil conditioner, which is then distributed to bio farms across the UAE. 

“So, we’re looking at up until 13,725 kgs of food waste being diverted in a month, which will amount to about 164, 250 kgs a year,” says Njoroge. “And over a period of five years, it will be about 821,250 kgs, so that’s a massive, significant amount of food waste that we’re going to be able to divert from landfill into soil conditioners.”

The resort is also in the process of establishing ESG metrics for measuring and monitoring food waste on its properties. “We need to have proper measuring tools so that we can see our performance, because if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it,” he adds.

These initiatives are in alignment with Dubai Tourism’s 19 sustainability requirements, which includes everything from sustainability management approaches to energy, water and waste management plans.

More sustainability in the pipeline

Now that the company has its waste management program in place, it is also looking into renewable energy alternatives to not only save on costs, but to help lower carbon emissions and reduce reliance on electricity consumption. JA Resorts is currently considering using solar panels to heat water and to save energy in other ways.

“Sustainability never stops,” says Njoroge. “It’s all about improvement and looking at the right solutions.”

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has announced the approval of the federal law regulating the linkage of distributed renewable energy production units to the electrical grid.

The new law aims to enable the production of electricity from renewable sources and achieve the UAE's objectives in terms of diversifying renewable energy sources and optimal utilisation of natural resources, to cut emissions and achieve carbon neutrality.

Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, stated that the new law supports environmental conservation efforts by reducing the country's carbon footprint, reducing peak electricity demand rates, and setting a clear path to achieve the objectives of both the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050.

Al Mazrouei explained that the law seeks to unify efforts across federal and local government entities, as well as the private sector, to enhance the UAE's leading role in keeping pace with the global energy transition and push its drive to achieve net-zero targets.

Source: WAM, Amjad Saleh

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has purchased Clean Energy Certificates for 1.1 million megawatt hours of electricity supplied by Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), supporting EGA's production of CelestiAL solar aluminium.

The certificates track the use of solar power from Noor Abu Dhabi, one of the world's largest single-site solar power plants. Noor Abu Dhabi is located at Sweihan, with 3.2 million solar panels generating approximately one gigawatt of electricity.

The transaction is the largest acquisition to date of Clean Energy Certificates that track the use of solar power in Abu Dhabi and will certify EGA's production of around 80,000 tonnes of CelestiAL. The volume of CelestiAL EGA produces each year depends on solar power imports from the electricity grid.

The generation of the electricity required for aluminium production accounts for approximately 60 percent of the global aluminium industry's greenhouse gas emissions. The use of solar power by EGA significantly reduces these emissions in line with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.

Abdulnasser bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said, "This agreement provides EGA with a new source of certified solar power for the production of our CelestiAL solar aluminium. I thank EWEC for their partnership and leadership in developing solar power in Abu Dhabi.

“The launch of CelestiAL solar aluminium last year was a landmark for EGA and our industry. CelestiAL and other low carbon metal is key to our sustainable future – both for our company and our world.”

Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, said, “EWEC is actively pursuing an ambitious energy transition plan, developing record-size solar power generation capacities to serve our current and future partners. We are proud of our strategic partnership with EGA to support the decarbonisation of their industry in line with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative objectives. We look forward to our continued collaboration with EGA and together playing a key role in the realisation of the UAE's economic and sustainability agenda.”

Clean Energy Certificates are issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and conform to International Renewable Energy Certificate standards and best practices. EWEC is one of the key parties enabling the implementation of the scheme and operates auctions selling certificates for both solar and nuclear-generated electricity in Abu Dhabi.

Clean Energy Certificates are the only accredited method in Abu Dhabi to prove ownership of the environmental and economic benefits achieved by using renewable and clean energy.

EGA currently exchanges limited amounts of power with the grid to optimise power generation efficiency. Earlier in 2022, EGA announced a strategic initiative with TAQA, Dubal Holding and EWEC to divest its natural gas-fired power assets and instead source all its electricity from the grid, including an increasing proportion of clean energy.

The initiative would unlock significant further development of solar power within EWEC's fleet, allowing power asset and grid optimisations, and enabling EGA to vastly increase its import of solar power and, therefore, production of CelestiAL.