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DAILY NEWS DAY 1, 17 JANUARY 2022 Today 01

World Future Energy Summit spotlights critical industries The World Future Energy Summit 2022, which opens today in Abu Dhabi, puts the focus on five critical industries that are shaping sustainability and driving investments globally. The Solar & Clean Energy, EcoWASTE, Water, Smart Cities, and Climate & Environment forums will feature more than 275 industry leaders.

Grant Tuchten, Group Event Director at World Future Energy Summit, said, “These five forum programmes bring together leaders and stakeholders driving the sustainability agenda, through leadership and global investment strategy.

Attendees can network, do business and share knowledge about issues critical to sustainable development.”

Energy

The World Future Energy Summit provides a timely opportunity for global stakeholders to come together, exchange ideas and showcase new innovations that will support the development of a sustainable future.

Water

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Waste management

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Energy takes centre stage

Water security

A circular economy model

The Solar & Clean Energy Forum and Expo is the centrepiece of the World Future Energy Summit.

Building on the momentum generated by COP26, the Forum will provide a timely opportunity to discuss energy transition, hydrogen (including the UAE national strategy for hydrogen) net zero energy, sustainable finance, and energy storage.

Arab countries are home to 6% of the world’s population but have less than 2% of renewable water supply, according to the World Bank.

EcoWASTE 2022 Exhibition and Forum is set to launch under the strapline “Exploring future opportunities for waste management to achieve a circular economy.” Hosted by Tadweer, EcoWASTE will showcase best practices and experiences, as well as unveiling new projects and technologies in the waste management sector, as the UAE moves steadily towards adopting the circular economy model. This year’s eighth edition brings together more than 35 local, regional, and international companies.

It takes place as the GCC region accelerates the development of major infrastructure projects that significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels, with green hydrogen generation projects emerging as the crown jewel of these efforts.

Frost & Sullivan estimates that additional investment in solar in MENA could reach US$182.3 billion by 2025.

The Water Forum will cover decarbonising desalination, water efficiency strategies, water reuse priorities, food security – water nexus, and digitalisation and innovation highways.

“Attendees can network, do business and share knowledge about issues critical to sustainable development.”

H.E. Dr. Salem Al Kaabi, Director General of Tadweer, said, “EcoWASTE Exhibition and Forum is a unique opportunity for showcasing the latest innovations and technologies in waste management, which serve as a tool for creating a better world.”

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DAILY NEWS

“We will be a true national champion for the UAE in developing clean energy solutions at home and around the world.”

H.E. Mohamed Alsuwaidi, CEO of ADQ and Chairman of TAQA

ECOWASTE FORUM: Programme of events

25 Image credit:GE

Energy trends for a sustainable future GE, a world leader in power generation, has revealed key energy trends that will lead the way towards a more affordable and sustainable future for the Middle East region: Increased investment in decarbonisation technologies: These include Carbon Capture Utilisation & Storage (CCUS) and hydrogen to transition natural gas to a low carbon energy source. GE has projects around the world focused on coal-to-gas switching and hydrogen. GE is also actively investing in breakthrough technologies that reduce gas emissions even further, through the use of hydrogen or CCUS. In the Hamriyah Independent Power Plant in Sharjah, using three GE 9HA units in combined cycle operations is expected to help Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to four million tons per year. A recent joint cooperation initiative between ADNOC and GE is also exploring using hydrogen and hydrogenblended fuels for lower-carbon power generation.

A more modernised, resilient grid: The growing utilisation of data analytics and artificial intelligence will be used by utilities to create a complete view of the electric grid in 2022 and beyond. In Bahrain, GE is helping to modernise electricity and water networks by installing industry-leading grid software in a state-of-the-art control centre that will digitise operations for increased efficiency and operations redundancy.

Next generation advances in nuclear energy technology: Nuclear energy is essential to achieve the net zero carbon emission goals of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and advances in nuclear energy technology will be highly visible. Unlike traditional nuclear reactors, small modular reactors can be deployed faster and at a lower cost, making them more flexible solutions. In the MENA region, the first phase of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE has generated over 2,100 GWh of cleaner electricity, and cut emissions of over 950,000 kilotons of CO2. Saudi Arabia plans to build two large nuclear power plants (NPPs) with the goal of achieving 17GWe of nuclear capacity by 2040 that will meet 15% of the Kingdom’s needs. GE commenced the manufacturing of blades for the Arabelle

GE highlights four key energy trends that will pave the way towards a more sustainable future. steam turbines that will help to power El Dabaa, Egypt’s first nuclear plant. The facility is expected to deliver enough CO2-free electricity to power more than four million homes to support Egypt’s energy sector diversification.

Increase in investment and research into accessible Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): SAF has the potential to reduce fuel lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% and is expected to help the aviation industry meet its net zero carbon goals by 2050. GE has initiated collaborations with Emirates and Etihad Airways on test flights and research programmes to increase the use of SAF in today’s flights.

New clean energy powerhouse established under the Masdar brand Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), Mubadala Investment Company and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) are partnering under the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) brand to create a clean energy powerhouse intended to spearhead the drive to net-zero carbon by 2050.

The partnership will consolidate their combined efforts in renewable energy and green hydrogen, and will have a combined capacity of over 23 GW of renewable energy, with the expectation of reaching well over 50GW total capacity by 2030. The expanded Masdar entity will become one of the largest clean energy companies of its kind and be well positioned to lead the industry on a global scale, cementing

its leading global role in green hydrogen.

The initiative builds on the creation in January 2021 of the Abu Dhabi Hydrogen Alliance, comprised of Mubadala, ADNOC and ADQ, and the launch in November 2021 of a new global renewable energy venture between ADNOC and TAQA. TAQA will take the leading role with a 43% shareholding in Masdar’s renewable energy business, with Mubadala retaining 33% and ADNOC holding 24%. ADNOC will take the leading role with a 43% shareholding in Masdar’s green hydrogen business, with Mubadala holding 33% and TAQA 24% respectively.

H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC

Managing Director and Group CEO commented, “Today’s historic collaboration between three Abu Dhabi powerhouses firmly places ADNOC at the forefront of the global energy transition and marks our entry into the international clean energy domain. Through our direct interest in Masdar, and in close collaboration with our partners, ADNOC will further capitalise on the many exciting local and international renewable energy and hydrogen opportunities.

“This bold and forward-looking strategic partnership will bolster Masdar’s position both locally and globally.”

As an early pioneer in the emerging market for hydrogen and its carrier fuels, ADNOC has ambitious plans to grow domestic and international hydrogen value chains, leveraging its trading capabilities, existing infrastructure and logistics.

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“By maximizing our collaboration, engagement, and resource optimisation, we can further enable an effective energy transition that boosts decarbonisation and economic prosperity.”

H.E. Ahmed Al Rumaithi, Undersecretary, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy

CIRCULAR ECONOMY: Latest devlopments

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Abu Dhabi moves on next major solar project

Johnson Matthey, a global leader in sustainable technologies, has launched HyCOgen to harness sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Water & Electricity Company (EWEC) has started to move ahead with the procurement process for the emirate’s next major solar project.

EWEC received proposals from consultants for the transaction advisory (TA) role for Abu Dhabi’s third major photovoltaic (PV) project.

The technology is used to convert captured carbon dioxide (CO2) and green hydrogen into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). By combining HyCOgen with the award-winning FT CANS Fischer Tropsch technology (developed in collaboration with bp), Johnson Matthey offers an integrated, scalable solution for use in the efficient and cost-effective production of renewable power-based SAF.

The project is likely to have a capacity of 1-1.5GW, according to sources in the emirate’s utility sector. As with the first two major PV projects in Abu Dhabi, the project will be developed under an independent power producer (IPP) model.

Abu Dhabi’s first major PV solar project, the 1.17GW Noor Abu Dhabi IPP was commissioned in July 2019, and was the largest single-site PV project in the world when commissioned.

Contracts to develop the even larger 2GW Al-Dhafra solar IPP were awarded in 2020, with a consortium led by France’s EDF and China’s Jinko Power appointed to deliver a levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) tariff of US$1.32/kWh, a world record for utility-scale PV solar production. The EDF/Jinko Power consortium will hold a 40% stake in the special purpose vehicle (SPV) set up to develop and operate the plant, with Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and Masdar holding the remaining 60%.

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The company’s ‘Reverse Water Gas Shift’ technology, is a catalysed process to convert green hydrogen and CO2 into carbon monoxide (CO), which is combined with additional hydrogen to form synthesis gas (syngas), a crucial building block in the manufacture of fuels and chemicals.

The integration with the FT CANS technology provides an end to end,

Image credit: Adobe Stock

A new solution for sustainable aviation fuel

The HyCOgen solution, along with the FT CANS technology, can help increase the supply of SAF through its efficient production at scale. optimised and highly scalable process that turns over 95% of the CO2 into high quality synthetic crude oil. This synthetic crude oil can be further upgraded into sustainable drop-in fuel products including aviation fuels, renewable diesel and naphtha.

The scalability of the integrated HyCOgen/FT CANS solution enables cost-effective deployment across a wide range of project sizes – from

Zurich International Life teams up with EEG Zurich International Life in the Middle East has announced a collaboration with Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) to improve its sustainable practices and responsible corporate livelihood, in line with the UAE's Sustainable Development Goals.

The key player in the insurance industry will bolster its sustainable development and amplify its ecofriendly efforts through a number of partnerships, including the most recent with EEG.

World Future Energy Summit | Daily News

Through the partnership, Zurich is targeting a clear alignment to the organisation's vision and commercial goals.

Reena Vivek, interim CEO of Zurich in the Middle East, said, “We at Zurich believe that sustainability needs to be a part of every company’s DNA and core business strategy. Not only do we need to have conversations around it, but as a community, we need to translate these dialogues into actions.

small-scale, fed by hydrogen from a single electrolyser, through to worldscale with multiple large electrolyser modules. The global aviation industry is responsible for 12% of transport related CO2 emissions, therefore substantial production of low carbon intensity SAF is essential to mitigate emissions. The solution, along with the FT CANS technology, can help increase the supply of SAF through its efficient production at scale.

"In a world where risk is increasing daily due to carbon emissions, Zurich has aided in curbing the threat by reducing its paper consumption by 97.45% across the Middle East as well as lowering the use of single use plastics by 93% across the region.

“Through process automation, digitalisation and innovative solutions, Zurich has made steady progress towards its sustainability goals.

“Our work with EEG will take our commitment to the region’s sustainable goals one step further and will help us make a direct contribution to the vision of a more sustainable UAE.”

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“The role of distributed renewable energy is crucial – and now recognised by all actors.”

Dr Kevin Kariuki, vice president for power, energy, climate and green growth at the African Development Bank

WATER FORUM: What’s going on

27 Image credit: NYUAD and EWEC

NYU Abu Dhabi’s Water Research Center joins hands with EWEC NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has partnered with Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) to support the NYUAD Water Research Center’s (NYUADWRC) mission for water security and sustainability.

The center serves as an interdisciplinary innovation hub for research in water desalination and membrane technology innovation, wastewater treatment, and social issues, where scientific knowledge is transformed into practical solutions.

The new partnership will engage NYUAD students to contribute to the continued advancement of water research, and educate them on water management, which is especially pertinent considering the UAE’s desert climate and limited fresh water supply.

The two institutions will co-host webinars, open to the public, delving into waterrelated topics and challenges. EWEC will also join the NYUAD Water Research Center’s Industry Advisory Board, a group of distinguished professionals in similar fields, where experience and knowledge can be shared to contribute to the challenges in a complex world.

Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, said, “EWEC is implementing a strategic low carbon water production programme using reverse osmosis technology that will decouple water and electricity production, and transition Abu Dhabi’s water desalination to a more sustainable and efficient system. Through this partnership EWEC will share expertise, co-develop engaging educational content, support the NYUAD-WRC’s research and development of cutting-edge, UAE produced RO membrane technology, and inspire NYUAD students to be the next innovators and leaders in sustainable potable water production.”

NYUAD Vice Chancellor Mariët Westermann added, “The Water Research Center’s critical mission for water sustainability and security is fundamental for the betterment of our communities across the nation. This new agreement with EWEC can help support this work and also transition our campus’s desalination process to more sustainable practices. As NYUAD accelerates its sustainability

AlNowais plans major solar and wind projects in Egypt.

The new partnership will enhance ongoing research on water desalination at NYUAD’s WRC. measures on and off campus, this partnership will advance the study, reach, and effectiveness of water research within the UAE.” According to UNICEF and the World Health Organization one in three people globally do not have access to safe drinking water.

AlNowais to invest US$1bn in Egypt renewable projects UAE-based AlNowais Investments will invest US$1bn in two clean energy projects in Egypt, both of which will be commissioned within the next three years. AlNowais is an investment company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, that owns and controls a diverse array of subsidiary companies.

Image credit: Adobe Stock

The first project will involve the development of a 500MW solar plant in Southern Egypt, and the second project includes the development of a 500MW wind project on the Red Sea coast of the North African country. The plans were revealed at an Economic Forum in Cairo by the firm’s chairman Hussain al-Nowais.

The chairman also said that that AlNowais was in negotiations with the Egyptian government about developing desalination projects in the country.

AlNowais is also planning to develop green hydrogen and green ammonia in Egypt, with the North African country aiming to take advantage of its large uninhabited land and location to become a key player in the impending global hydrogen boom. There is currently 7,600 sq km of unused land which has been allocated for renewable energy, Al-Nowais said. AlNowais is currently arranging a consortium with German, Japanese and Italian companies to produce green ammonia which can be used as a clean fuel source for aircrafts.

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“Increased awareness on climate change risk, rising public concern and stakeholder pressure have pushed sustainability to the top of corporate priorities.”

Capucine Dourdin Jeunet, Business Division Director for the Middle East and Africa, Schneider Eleectric

FLOORPLAN: Location of exhibitors

20 Image credit: Adobe Stock

Boosting energy storage solutions A new report from APICORP highlights the need to accelerate the deployment of energy storage solutions (ESS) in the MENA region in order to scale up renewable energy development.

Renewable energy systems are gaining momentum across MENA, driven by ambitious national renewable energy targets, technology costs declines, and increasing investments towards lowcost and low-carbon technologies as part of the energy transition.

Meeting renewable energy targets requires scaling up and systematic integration of variable renewable energy (VRE) systems into the power grid, which in turn necessitates deployment of energy storage solutions (ESS) for firming the power capacity, building flexibility, and ensuring power systems stability. ESS plays a critical role in managing intermittencies of VREs and mitigating potential power supply disruptions while providing ancillary services.

The pace of integration of ESS in MENA is being driven by three main factors, according to the report – a technical need associated with the accelerated deployment of renewables; technological advantages driving cost competitiveness of ESS; and policy support and power markets evolution that incentivises investments.

Some of the current technologies being used for energy storage in MENA include pumped hydro storage (PHS) and electrochemical energy storage – mainly sodium-sulfur and lithium-ion batteries.

Most of the planned and operational projects are

Several barriers need to be addressed to enable the energy storage market to grow. the GCC and North Africa, with several in the Levant – mainly in Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon.

There are 30 ESS projects planned in MENA between 2021 and 2035 with a total capacity /energy of 653 MW/3,382 MWh – out of which 24 projects are for VRE integration and grid firming.

The share of batteries out of the total energy storage landscape in MENA is expected to jump from the current 7% to 45% by 2025.

Dr. Ahmed Ali Attiga, CEO of APICORP, said, “With abundant land and low-cost solar and wind generation capacity, MENA countries have real competitive advantages that enable it to take the lead in energy storage and successfully navigate the energy transition.”

Although the energy storage market in MENA is set to grow, several barriers exist that hinder the integration of ESS and ramping up of investments.

The report suggests 10 key regulatory financial and

MENA countries have real competitive advantages that enable it to take the lead in energy storage and successfully navigate the energy transition.

Dr. Ahmed Ali Attiga CEO, APICORP

market policy support actions to achieve the objective of successfully integrated energy storage systems in the power markets in MENA and to serve as a roadmap for various stakeholders in the energy storage system: 1. Define energy storage as a distinct asset category separate from generation, transmission and distribution value chains 2. Adopt a comprehensive regulatory framework with specific energy storage targets in national energy policies 3. Amend the net-metering scheme to ensure the scheme does not create barriers to ESS, while maintaining incentives from distributed renewable energy 4. Define the ownership mandates of utilities, developers, operators and regulators for ESS 5. Establish a MENA Energy Storage Alliance supported by governments and private sector to boost ESS development by enhancing public-private partnerships 6. Create incentives to attract private sector investments 7. Adopt a time-of-use tariff to ensure the economic vitality of energy storage systems and incentivise reduced consumption at peak demand 8. Endorse eligibility of ESS in green financing facilities 9. Auction portfolios of renewable-plus-storage assets 10. Emphasise FTM applications for utility-scale solutions to assist in scaling up the deployment of VREs. ‘Leveraging energy Storage Systems in MENA’ can be downloaded at https://www.apicorp.org/wpcontent/uploads/2021/12/Leveraging_Energy_Stor age_in_MENA_EN_FINAL.pdf

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DAILY NEWS

“Increased awareness on climate change risk, rising public concern and stakeholder pressure have pushed sustainability to the top of corporate priorities.”

Capucine Dourdin Jeunet, Business Division Director for the Middle East and Africa, Schneider Eleectric

FLOORPLAN: Location of exhibitors

20 Image credit: Adobe Stock

Boosting energy storage solutions A new report from APICORP highlights the need to accelerate the deployment of energy storage solutions (ESS) in the MENA region in order to scale up renewable energy development.

Renewable energy systems are gaining momentum across MENA, driven by ambitious national renewable energy targets, technology costs declines, and increasing investments towards lowcost and low-carbon technologies as part of the energy transition.

Meeting renewable energy targets requires scaling up and systematic integration of variable renewable energy (VRE) systems into the power grid, which in turn necessitates deployment of energy storage solutions (ESS) for firming the power capacity, building flexibility, and ensuring power systems stability. ESS plays a critical role in managing intermittencies of VREs and mitigating potential power supply disruptions while providing ancillary services.

The pace of integration of ESS in MENA is being driven by three main factors, according to the report – a technical need associated with the accelerated deployment of renewables; technological advantages driving cost competitiveness of ESS; and policy support and power markets evolution that incentivises investments.

Some of the current technologies being used for energy storage in MENA include pumped hydro storage (PHS) and electrochemical energy storage – mainly sodium-sulfur and lithium-ion batteries.

Most of the planned and operational projects are

Several barriers need to be addressed to enable the energy storage market to grow. the GCC and North Africa, with several in the Levant – mainly in Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon.

There are 30 ESS projects planned in MENA between 2021 and 2035 with a total capacity /energy of 653 MW/3,382 MWh – out of which 24 projects are for VRE integration and grid firming.

The share of batteries out of the total energy storage landscape in MENA is expected to jump from the current 7% to 45% by 2025.

Dr. Ahmed Ali Attiga, CEO of APICORP, said, “With abundant land and low-cost solar and wind generation capacity, MENA countries have real competitive advantages that enable it to take the lead in energy storage and successfully navigate the energy transition.”

Although the energy storage market in MENA is set to grow, several barriers exist that hinder the integration of ESS and ramping up of investments.

The report suggests 10 key regulatory financial and

MENA countries have real competitive advantages that enable it to take the lead in energy storage and successfully navigate the energy transition.

Dr. Ahmed Ali Attiga CEO, APICORP

market policy support actions to achieve the objective of successfully integrated energy storage systems in the power markets in MENA and to serve as a roadmap for various stakeholders in the energy storage system: 1. Define energy storage as a distinct asset category separate from generation, transmission and distribution value chains 2. Adopt a comprehensive regulatory framework with specific energy storage targets in national energy policies 3. Amend the net-metering scheme to ensure the scheme does not create barriers to ESS, while maintaining incentives from distributed renewable energy 4. Define the ownership mandates of utilities, developers, operators and regulators for ESS 5. Establish a MENA Energy Storage Alliance supported by governments and private sector to boost ESS development by enhancing public-private partnerships 6. Create incentives to attract private sector investments 7. Adopt a time-of-use tariff to ensure the economic vitality of energy storage systems and incentivise reduced consumption at peak demand 8. Endorse eligibility of ESS in green financing facilities 9. Auction portfolios of renewable-plus-storage assets 10. Emphasise FTM applications for utility-scale solutions to assist in scaling up the deployment of VREs. ‘Leveraging energy Storage Systems in MENA’ can be downloaded at https://www.apicorp.org/wpcontent/uploads/2021/12/Leveraging_Energy_Stor age_in_MENA_EN_FINAL.pdf

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“We are on the right track to achieve the goals of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of energy from clean energy sources by 2050.”

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)

NEWS: Renewable energy latest trends

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Innovative technologies for sustainable water management Metito is leveraging the latest smart technologies to provide sustainable and environment-friendly water management solutions.

Fady Juez, Managing Director of Metito, says that Metito is committed to a sustainable environment by providing effective water management solutions and treatment systems. These are built with environment-friendly technologies and alternative energy solutions to reconcile the ever-growing demand for water and dwindling natural resources.

“We are continuously rethinking the linear urban water model of ‘take, make, consume, and waste’ by providing a systemic and transformative approach to delivering water supply in a more sustainable, inclusive, efficient, and resilient way,” he says. “To do this, we look through a circular economy and resilience lens to offer our clients an opportunity to tackle the current unsustainable linear model.”

Smart water ecosystem “All our work is geared towards pursuing the vision of a smart water ecosystem. Through high value engineering capabilities, we are integrating intelligent digital technologies, reducing freshwater and energy use, and recovering nutrients and materials – with an aim to be a carbon free, sustainable hydrological cycle, in line with the concept of a resilient circular economy. Innovation is essential to achieve this.”

“All our work is geared towards pursuing the vision of a smart water ecosystem.”

Fady Juez Managing Director, Metito

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Juez goes on to explain that Metito has introduced several new technologies in its projects which include: • Engineered geomembrane storage tanks made of a soft material that is more cost effective, quicker to implement and environmentally friendly compared to concrete or steel tanks.

• Copper-silver ionisation (CSI), an effective technology for the systemic eradication of bacteria such as legionella in potable water systems, ensuring a high degree of disinfection.

• Biochip media, used for biological treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater for Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) systems. This uses a fine bubble-diffused aeration system which leads to a lower carbon footprint and high efficiency of the system.

• ION and OBI AI software, based on artificial intelligence that collects operating data to better plan preventative maintenance, reduce power consumption and ensuring enhanced plant reliability.

Commenting on water security, Juez says, “We can see a strong relationship between water security and economic growth. In the ever-growing climate emergency, water has taken centre stage, and improving its efficient use holds the promise to bring urban stability. In Egypt for instance, which is currently facing acute water shortages, we are working with the government on several noteworthy projects across desalination, agricultural reuse, and wastewater treatment to transform its agricultural sector and developing sustainable communities. Metito was awarded the largest Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant in the country, Al Galalah Project that is serving one million residents in the eastern coastal city. In 2021, Metito led the largest ever agricultural waste treatment plant in the world – the Al Hammam project – with a capacity of 7.5 mn cubic metres per day. The treated water is intended to irrigate up to 515,000 acres west of the Nile Delta area.”

With the increased demand for water reuse projects, Metito is a key enabler of a circular economy, as well as having pioneered decarbonisation projects in desalination, Juez says.

World Future Energy Summit | Daily News

Fady Juez, Managing Director, Metito.

“For desalination, we are addressing the energy intensive process of desalination in two ways: one through high value engineering – through our work with membrane technology providers and improving pump efficiencies, we have been able to significantly reduce the energy consumption across projects. The second is through utilising solar energy in desalination plants to partially offset the energy intensity.”

The desalination facilities set up in Saudi Arabia to serve Jubail, home to the largest industrial city in the world, and NEOM, illustrate the priority attached to innovation and environment protection.

“In Jubail, Metito has developed one of the largest seawater desalination plants in the Kingdom and is in the process of building another one that will utilise the most advanced technology in Reverse Osmosis applications,” says Juez. “The NEOM project has been designed using the most advanced reverse osmosis membrane and hybrid technologies to achieve efficiencies and cost reductions. The plant is partially powered by solar energy and is an exemplary project for the region and beyond. Using photovoltaic panels, the plant has integrated an augmented reality technology for all the supplied equipment, a first in the region, to optimise energy usage.”

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“Rewiring the energy system is a multi-trillion business opportunity and is good for the climate, humanity and economic growth.”

Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry & Advanced Technology, CEO of ADNOC

CALENDAR: Schedule for the three days of WFES

17 Image credit: Adobe Stock

Towards a new circular economy The Middle East can lead the way in making waste economically and environmentally sustainable across the value chain, says Martin Clark.

There’s an old saying in the north of England: where there’s muck, there’s brass. It basically means there’s money to be made out of old or used things, from scrap metal to second-hand clothing. Today, that business has somewhat morphed into recycling, an integral element of the circular economy, an idea gaining ever greater traction amid rising climate change concerns and resource scarcity. In essence, it means making waste economically and environmentally more sustainable, and closing the linear material cycles so that all end-of-life materials are used as input for new product cycles. And it’s a great challenge for us all – entire industries, companies, public sector bodies, even members of the public.

Increasingly, however, the approach is becoming more standardised in order to effect real change on a larger scale. In January 2021, the UAE Circular Economy Policy was approved. It offers a comprehensive framework for determining an approach to achieving sustainable governance and

Key measures include supporting the private sector in adopting clean production methods and in reducing natural environmental stresses.

The Middle East is making headway in circular economy initiatives. the ideal use of natural resources by adopting consumption and production methods that ensure quality of life for current and future generations. Key objectives include supporting the private sector in adopting clean production methods and in reducing natural environmental stresses.

Saudi Arabia

It marks the latest stage in a shift that has already seen recycling and green technologies embedded deep within industries from transport to construction, right across the Gulf.

Yet of course there is still an enormous amount of work to be done. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, it is estimated that just 10% of waste is currently being recycled, underlining the huge challenges ahead.

Under the government’s strategic Vision 2030 blueprint, Saudi Arabia aims to reduce its waste sent to landfill by 94% by 2035. The kingdom’s flagship infrastructure projects like NEOM now prioritise circular economy concepts throughout the development phase.

Bit by bit, there is now greater clarity on how this immense transformation will take shape. In October 2021, the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) launched a Circular Economy Committee to bring public and private sector together to shape best practice and drive actionable initiatives. The Dubai Financial Market also launched its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) index in 2020 to demonstrate a commitment to ESG and encourage local companies to follow suit. It may have taken a long time to get there, but momentum toward the circular economy is now evident across the board.

Important local enterprises include the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, founded in 2017, in part, to help nurture the circular economy within the kingdom. Since its formation, it has been active supporting various projects to reduce waste and boost recycling efforts. They include a project to start integrated waste management and recycling activities in the Eastern Province. The goal here is the recycling of 81% of the two million tons of annually produced municipal solid waste and 60% of the 1.5 million tons of construction and

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“The UAE is moving steadily towards adopting the circular economy model and attracting the latest innovative technologies for sustainable waste management.”

H.E. Dr. Salem Al Kaabi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer)

demolition waste per year. It means building stateof-the-art facilities with the National Waste Management Centre to process all types of waste into productive recyclables such as fertiliser, paper, plastics and metals.

Another initiative pairs it with King Faisal University in the Eastern Region’s Al-Ahsa Governorate for research into new food and agricultural waste solutions. This includes work with the Date Palm Research Centre of Excellence. Food waste is estimated to cost Saudi Arabia SR40 billion (US$10.6bn) every year, the Saudi Press Agency has reported previously. Closing this gap could make a huge impact on waste and in boosting overall food security.

In the plastics and packaging market, Napco National of Dammam was recently recognised by Frost & Sullivan as its GCC company of the year for its “robust implementation of complete circularity”, with a strong commitment to sustainability, innovation, and partnerships.

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It (Napco National) leads the GCC packaging industry’s efforts to implement closed-loop recycling processes by collecting post-industrial and post-commercial polymer waste from customers and suppliers.

Diya Menon Industry Analyst

UAE investments On a much wider level, the notion of the circular economy builds on existing interest in the green and clean tech industries generally, which have been trending now for some years across the globe. The Middle East is now at the epicentre of this movement, with Abu Dhabi chosen a decade ago as the world headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency. Meanwhile, in Egypt, a first ‘green sovereign bond’ valued at US$730mn was launched to solidify its commitment to renewable energy projects, where it is a frontrunner in solar and wind-based power generation.

According to Village Capital, a US-based supporter of small start-ups, the green tech sector generally is ripe for investment across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It is an area that is severely water-stressed, one of the least foodsecure regions and with high waste production.

Image credit: Adobe Stock

“Its initiatives to drive a circular economy throughout Saudi Arabia and markets served include optimising energy consumption at operations, lightweighting products to use fewer materials, increasing recycled and renewable raw materials use, redesigning packaging for recyclability or biodegradability, and recycling post-industrial and post-commercial plastic scrap,” said Diya Menon, industry analyst. “It leads the GCC packaging industry’s efforts to implement closed-loop recycling processes by collecting post-industrial and post-commercial polymer waste from customers and suppliers across industries.”

SOLAR & CLEAN ENERGY FORUMS: Programme of events

Moreover, entrepreneurs with clean-tech ventures often struggle to find investment, mentorship and the talent necessary to succeed.

This could be about to change. Innovation that improves the resilience of the planet with a focus on sustainable sourcing and food systems, and regenerative farming practices, has a real opportunity to drive change in the region, according to the US financier.

Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer) continues to make headway on countless individual projects that continue the transition towards the circular economy. It operates dedicated facilities to recycle everything from construction and demolition waste to agriculture and animal waste, as well as recyclables recovered from municipal solid waste. Tadweer’s Civic Amenities for Recyclable Waste initiative, which encourages members of the community to segregate recyclable waste at source, has proven to be very effective in encouraging members of the community to adopt eco-friendly lifestyles and practices. Tadweer is also looking to develop a major waste-to-energy project in partnership with Emirates Water & Electricity Company (EWEC), with RFPs expected to be issued early this year.

Tadweer is teaming up with other investors to get things done. That includes a food-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic recycling plant in a partnership between Veolia and Alliances for Global Sustainability, another Abu Dhabi-based initiative. It will also be supported by Abu Dhabi’s Environment Agency and Abu Dhabi Ports subsidiary KIZAD.

Saudi Arabia’s SIRC is supporting projects to boost recycling.

The circular economy is a concept still in its infancy, both in the MENA region and beyond. Businesses and initiatives that connect to the circular economy have a long journey ahead of them, but one that will see them in good company and with plenty of support.

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