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Wind and solar PV technologies have seen rapid cost reductions and can now provide electricity at or below the cost of traditional sources in a growing number of countries the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in a new report. This makes them more appealing for countries seeking to meet growing power demand and decarbonize their energy system at the same time added the report on Getting Wind and Sun onto the Grid . Since variable renewable energy (VRE) technologies have certain unique properties integrating them into power systems means understanding how they relate to other parts of the grid. The level of adaptation needed to effectively integrate VRE also changes as more low-carbon resources are built. Making the right changes when they are needed avoids both overspending delays and protects security of supply. In this context the report explains when certain challenges related to VRE integration are likely to e...

Iran has the capability to set up a 100 per cent renewable energy system for the country by 2030 by investing around 187 billion according to a study released by a Finnish university. According to the Lappeenranta University of Technology the country would need to develop about 49 gigawatts (GW) of solar power 77 GW of wind energy and 21 GW of hydropower to achieve a zero-emissions grid said an Iran Daily News report. Iran is heavily dependent on natural gas and oil to generate power and is one of the most energy-intensive countries in the world since state subsidies for fossil fuels encourage inefficient energy use. Per capita energy consumption in Iran is 10 times greater than in Europe according to the study. The university published the research at the 11th International Energy Conference in Tehran it said. Water shortage and air pollution however is becoming an acute problem for the country of...

Scomi Group a global service provider based in Malaysia has joined hands with Malaysian group Synergy Generated Sdn Bhd (SGSB) to set up a new company which will bid for engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contracts in the renewable energy sector particularly for solar photovoltaic farms. Besides EPC solutions the JV company will also offer operation and maintenance services for solar projects. SGB will be the majority shareholder of this JV company with 51 per cent interest while SGSB will hold the remaining 49 per cent. SGB is a global technology enterprise mainly in the energy and transport sectors. Through its subsidiary and associate companies it is involved in drilling development and production services for the oil and gas industry Marine services as well as the design and manufacture of Rail and Commercial Vehicles systems. SGSB offers unique cost effective and innovative solutions in the fiel...

Saudi Arabia is kicking off its 50 billion renewable-energy push as the world s top crude exporter turns to solar and wind power to temper domestic oil use in meeting growing energy demand said a report. The move comes in line with the Saudi government s plan to develop almost 10 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2023 requiring investment of 30 billion to 50 billion reported Bloomberg. Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia the UAE Jordan and Morocco are developing renewable energy to either curb their fuel imports or conserve more valuable oil that could otherwise be exported. The Saudi energy ministry has invited leading international and regional companies to submit bids for 700 megawatts (MW) of wind and solar power plant projects by March 20. The projects include a 300 MW solar facility at Sakaka in the country s northern Al Jouf province and a 400 MW wind plant at Midy...

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) on Thursday (January 19) outlined its key strategies and projects towards achieving the UAE s renewable energy objectives including cutting dependence on fossil fuels and reducing emissions. The biggest challenge that governments will face in the future is meeting their growing energy needs enhance energy security and sustainability and mitigating their environmental effects said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer the managing director and chief executive of Dewa. He was giving a keynote speech in a session titled Meeting the UAE s Renewable Energy Targets at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2017 in the presence of Suhail Al Mazrouei UAE Minister of Energy. The energy sector is a major element of our economic environmental and social development and in Dubai we are diversifying to increase the share of clean energy in our ...

The UAE today announced a landmark new 50 million fund for renewable energy projects in Caribbean island countries. Launched by Reem Al Hashimy Minister of State for International Cooperation the UAE-Caribbean Renewable Energy Fund represents one of the largest single investment in the region s clean energy sector as well as a significant deepening of bilateral relationships between the UAE and Caribbean countries. Grant funding is provided by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs managing the initiative and Masdar Abu Dhabi s renewable energy company leading implementation. The announcement which brings UAE development assistance for renewable energy to almost 1 billion since 2013 was made on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week as part of the annual General Assembly meeting of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena). &ldq...

The UAE Energy Strategy 2050 represents a future roadmap and reflects the strategic vision and strong commitment to the renewable energy sector a senior UAE official has said. In a statement on the sidelines of the seventh session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) Assembly in Abu Dhabi Ali Shaafar permanent representative of the UAE to Irena said the UAE will continue its strong support to the organisation. The UAE s role in the renewable energy sector is not only limited to hosting the headquarters of Irena but also extends to adopting the sustainable development policies at both government and domestic levels as well as providing foreign aid to the developing countries in the field of clean energy he said in the statment to Wam news agency. Al Shaafar stressed that there were programmes to provide support to countries in the field of renewable energy most notably the joint initiative of the ...

Saudi Arabia is already getting ahead of its energy needs with plans to integrate renewable energy into desalination projects and boost efficiencies in other energy-intensive industries said a top industry expert. The kingdom is moving into renewable energy to inject greater longevity affordability and accessibility into power and water sectors. An ambitious move but it is ideally positioned to see this through said Paddy Padmanathan the president and CEO of Saudi-based Acwa Power a leading developer investor and operator of a portfolio of power generation and desalinated water production plants. About 40 per cent of the electricity needs in Saudi Arabia could be fulfilled with renewable energy options and there are fiscally sound ways to achieve this he stated. Acwa Power will be taking part in the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2017. Padmanathan and Acwa Power managing director Thamer Al Sharhan...

Iran and Kazakhstan have agreed on plans for setting up eight renewable energy projects in southern Kazakhstan said a report. The two countries have decided to develop a number of energy plants including photovoltaic power stations (also known as a solar park) reported the Iran Daily News citing Kazakhstan s Minister of Investments and Development. The agreement will focus on key areas of customs banking agriculture water management transportation communication petrochemicals tourism health cooperative science technology and mines stated Zhenis Kassymbek after signing the agreement with Iran s Minister of Agricultural Jihad Mahmoud Hojjati at a recent joint economic committee meeting in Tehran. The Central Asian country is now planning to provide Iran with a list of companies destined for privatisation in a bid to increase economic ties between the countries he added. ...

A total of 30 international and local banks are preparing to negotiate with renewable energy projects to finance the second phase of the feed-in tariff projects with 3 billion a report said. The banks include the International Financing Corporation (IFC) the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) the European Investment Bank (EIB) the Export-Import Bank of China the KfW Development Bank BNP Paribas HSBC and the African Development Bank (AFDB) Daily News Egypt reported citing government sources. The list also includes English American Norwegian and Italian banks as well as Arab banks such as the National Bank of Egypt Emirates NBD the Commercial International Bank (CIB) the Arab African International Bank (AAIB) Banque Misr and the Al Baraka Bank of Egypt. The sources added that a number of banks had approved the financing of projects in the first stage but pulled out due to a dispute on the ...

Renewable energy generating capacity is showing record growth especially in developing countries according to a new report by REN21 a provider of comprehensive information on renewable energy. Renewables are now cost competitive with fossil fuels in many markets highlighted the REN21 Renewables 2016 Global Status Report. Government leadership continues to play a key role in driving the growth of renewables particularly wind and solar in the power sector. As of early 2016 173 countries had renewable energy targets in place and 146 countries had support policies. Cities communities and companies are leading the rapidly expanding 100 per cent renewable movement playing a vital role in advancing the global energy transition; and additional growth factors include better access to financing concerns about energy security and the environment and the growing demand for modern energy services in developing economies. Commenting Dr Stephan Singer World Wi...

More than 100 billion in Saudi renewable energy projects will help meet its skyrocketing energy demand and diversify its energy sector industry experts said ahead of the upcoming World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi UAE. The kingdom s energy demand is expected to grow by 45 per cent from 69 gigawatts (GW) in 2014 to 100 GW in 2040 an amount that is nearly as much as all of the rest of the GCC combined according to a recent report by Frost & Sullivan. Saudi Arabia plans to spend 109 billion to install 54 GW of renewable energy by 2040 added Frost & Sullivan. By 2020 Saudi projects alone will account for 70 per cent of the total value of the GCC s renewable energy projects. With the Middle East s renewable energy sector rapidly advancing Saudi Arabia holds the region s biggest potential for both solar and wind power said Roberto De Diego Arozamena CEO Abdul Latif Jameel Energy and Environmental Services which will be one of the k...

Scaling up modern renewables in Africa is an affordable means to help meet fast-growing energy demand while increasing energy access improving health and achieving sustainability goals a report says The African continent could generate nearly a quarter of its energy needs through the use of indigenous clean renewable energy by 2030 according to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena). Africa 2030 a comprehensive roadmap for Africa s energy transition finds that a combination of modern renewable technology could realistically meet 22 per cent of Africa s energy needs by 2030 a more than a four-fold increase from just five per cent in 2013. The report also finds that scaling up modern renewables in Africa is an affordable means to help meet fast-growing energy demand while increasing energy access improving health and achieving sustainability goals. Africa holds some of the best renewable ...

The country will need to increase focus on renewable and electrification technologies in the end-use sectors while also focusing more on the abundant renewable potential for heating and transport fuel Ermany is on track to realising its 2030 renewable energy targets according to a new report released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena). To meet even higher shares of renewables the deployment of renewable heating and transport technologies needs to be accelerated. Renewable Energy Prospects Germany finds Germany has the potential to further increase the amount of renewable power sourced from solar photovoltaics and wind and achieve significantly higher shares of renewables in the end-use sectors. Germany s rapid renewable energy expansion and ambitious targets have demonstrated to the world that a 30 per cent share of renewable power is possible says Irena director-general Adnan Z Amin. Howeve...

UNLOCKING the growing clean energy investment opportunities of the Middle East and Africa two of the world s most promising renewable energy markets will be a key focus during the World Future Energy Summit (WFES). WFES unites the key players from industry technology finance and government needed to accelerate commercial opportunities in the renewable energy and clean technology sectors. WFES takes place during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) January 17-24 a global platform attracting more than 32 000 delegates to address the interconnected challenges of economic development water scarcity poverty energy and climate change that affect the widespread acceleration and adoption of sustainable development and clean energy. As a result of ambitious energy targets countries in the region are incentivising the rapid scale-up of renewable energy says Dr Ahmad Belhoul CEO of Masdar Abu Dhabi s renewable energy company and host of ADSW. The development o...

THE Middle East this year enters a new era in which renewable energy will play a strategic role in delivering electric power to agriculture industry and urban areas. Total renewable energy capacity will grow to more than 30 000 megawatts (MW) by end of 2020 and total expected investment in non-hydroelectric power stations required to deliver the additional capacity will be 115 billion. Egypt will be the largest Middle East and North Africa (Mena) non-hydroelectric renewable energy generation market followed by Morocco Saudi Arabia and the UAE the latest research report by Meed Insight Mena Renewable Energy 2013 says. MENA SOLAR MARKET TO GROW The Mena solar energy sector is gearing up for significant growth with the regional market for photovoltaics and solar thermal power plants expected to reach 3.5 gigawatts (GW) by 2015 an expert says. Anita Mathews director of Informa Energy Group cites the Middle East and North Africa Out...

Renewable energy sources supplied 16.7 per cent of global energy consumption in 2011 but the 257 billion of investment in the sector was still 15 per cent lower than into fossil power generation two influential bodies reported. The investments were a 17 per cent increase on the previous year and 94 per cent higher than in 2007 the year before the beginning of the financial crisis. By the end of 2011 total renewable power capacity worldwide exceeded 1 360 gigawatts (GW) up 8 per cent on 2010 said two reports published jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21). Coal remains the world s top fuel for power generation followed by natural gas according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). The reports said that solar power generation had overtaken wind as the prime renewable energy source attracting nearly twice as much investment in 2011. Total investment in...

MANY of the world s foremost influencers and thought leaders on renewable energy including heads of state policy makers government officials business leaders technologists financiers and academics attended the Fourth World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2011 hosted by Masdar which was officially opened last week in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Delegate numbers were up by 16 per cent from 2 700 in 2010 to 3 150 at this year s opening ceremony. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber the CEO of Masdar the Abu Dhabi-based company focused on developing commercially scalable sustainable energy solutions and host of WFES 2011 provided the welcome speech at the opening policy and strategy forum before introducing a number of highly regarded keynote speakers including: Ban Ki Moon Secretary General United Nations; Olafur Ragnar Grimsson President of I...

REED Exhibitions the world s leading events organiser and organiser of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi from January17 to 20 2011 has confirmed the names of key speakers for the Finance Forum taking place on the final day of the summit. Focusing on the effects of the recently changed economic landscape WFES 2011 Finance Forum will take place on the fourth and final day of the Abu Dhabi event. The forum will see some of the world s most influential financiers meet to discuss the effects of challenging economic conditions on renewable energy projects products and services the criteria investors seek in projects and where the chief risks lie. Prominent financiers and venture capitalists participating in the forum will also reveal their outlook for future energy financing. Executives from leading international financing and specialised market intelligence firms including Bloomberg New Energy Finance European Climate Change Foundation United N...

in less than half a century the UAE transformed itself from almost empty desert to an oasis of air conditioned skyscrapers. For its next trick it aims to be environmentally sustainable too. From an indoor ski slope to the tallest building on the planet to a series of man-made islands and manicured golf courses kept lush with desalinated water Dubai and its fellow emirates are strewn with symbols of the defiance of nature. Its extravagant developments have lured the super-rich and the super-famous but attracted criticism from those who say such rapid development is destroying the natural environment. In a shift in keeping with a property slump that hit Dubai World the conglomerate responsible for many of Dubai s most ambitious developments the UAE has moved its marketing toward idyllic natural islands off the coast of Abu Dhabi. It has promised to get seven per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020. It has also embarked on th...

THE foremost renewable energy gathering in Europe has announced a star line up of experts to appear in London from October 19 to 21. A world-class debate will take place for three days with how to fund the future of energy as the leading issue. The European Future Energy Forum (EFEF) 2010 will kick off with keynote presentations from international leaders from around the world including Dr Sultan Al Jaber CEO Masdar Christine Lins secretary-general EREC (European Renewable Energy Council) Chris Huhne secretary of state for energy and climate change UK Lykke Friis minister for climate and energy Denmark Pedro Marin secretary of state for energy Spain and Carlos Zorrinho vice minister for energy and innovation Portugal; before engaging in a debate including government ministers industry leaders and key influencers such as Kumi Naidoo executive director Greenpeace International. This fast-paced and exciting debate chaired by Steve Sedgwick CNBC a...

MASDAR Abu Dhabi s renewable energy company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) and Deutsche Bank (DB) have launched of the DB Masdar Clean Tech Fund and announced its first closing raising 265 million. This fund brings together for the first time the deep sector knowledge and scope of the Masdar Initiatives with the global asset management and research capabilities of Deutsche Bank. Co-managed by Masdar Venture Capital and DB Climate Change Advisors (DBCCA) the DB Masdar Clean Tech Fund seeks to build a diversified venture capital and private equity portfolio that will include some of the world s most promising and pioneering clean tech and renewable energy companies. The Fund will invest primarily in expansion and later stage companies in the clean energy (power generation storage) environmental resources (water waste management) and energy and material efficiency (advanced materials building and power grid efficiency enab...

MORE than 18 months after ground was broken on the scheme the 22 billion Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) initiative is starting to take shape. Through a series of projects the emirate is attempting to create the world s first carbon-neutral city and establish itself as a world centre for renewable-energy technologies. In September the first 92 students started their post-graduate research at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology the world s first graduate academic institution dedicated to the research of alternative energy environmental technologies and sustainability. With bidding under way or under preparation at a series of Masdar s centrepiece projects Abu Dhabi s leaders have the comfort of knowing that their scheme is at a more advanced stage than rival carbon-neutral cities such as China s Dongtan City outside Shanghai which has suffered significant delays. Masdar is as ambitious a megaproject as anything that has emerged fr...

THE alternative energy sector is expected to grow 25 per cent annually and account for almost 70 per cent of the global energy market through 2030. The sector s current 150 billion share of the estimated 800 billion worldwide energy infrastructure will rise by then to around 600 billion. Key issues related to this growth and the Middle East s aggressive push towards alternative energy will be examined during the 2009 Alter Energy Convention running from October 27 to 29 2009 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Gulf states are expected to collectively spend around 70 billion in energy projects in 2009 to accommodate massive energy consumption. The UAE s 10 per cent average annual energy use growth alone is double the 4 per cent global rate; this has spurred heavy investments into various sustainable energy initiatives such as the Masdar initiative where renewable energies and green technologies are set as top priorities on the project s age...

AT a time when the world is stressing upon the need to explore renewable energy sources to meet growing energy needs India s vice president Hamid Ansari warns that renewable energy systems have proved to be land intensive particularly in the case of bio-diesel blending and solar thermal electric generation and it is also facing the problem of grid capacity for transporting renewable energy. Ansari says though the government has ambitious programmes under way to utilise renewable energy and has announced the New and Renewable Energy Policy 2005 and the National Policy on Bio-fuels that aims to raise blending of bio fuels with petrol and diesel to 20 per cent by the year 2017 the country might not be able to provide the vast tracts of land that would be required for the purpose. Stressing that many renewable projects already face the problem in transporting the energy from areas of production to areas of consumption the vice president says the government would have to ...

THE World Future Energy Summit has done it again. Not only has it achieved prominence in the financial energy government and construction sectors it has scored top accolades at the prestigious event awards held in London September 26 2008. The awards claimed were the Best International Event and Best Launch Exhibition beating off stiff competition from Gastech and Live Earth and Business Travel Show Dubai respectively. The 2008 summit has now won a total of four industry awards with global recognition coming from Dubai London and the international Association of Event Organisers. Richard Hease chairman of Turret Middle East event organisers of the summit says We aim to be back in the running next year our line up for January 2009 is bigger and better . Turret Middle East organises the summit on behalf of Reed Exhibitions. Reed purchased the show from Turret ME after the success of the inaugural summit. Judges were a mix of the event industry...