WFES Dailies 2023 - Day 3

Today 03

Abu Dhabi Department of Energy: World Future Energy Summit “fundamental”

Carlos Gascó Travesedo, Energy Policy Executive Director at the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, inaugurated the second day’s proceedings at the Solar & Clean Energy Forum, praising the “fundamental” role World Future Energy Summit plays in the path to a complete energy transition.

“The one thing that doesn’t work is isolation. These kind of forums where you’re exposed to projects and other companies, regulators, and jurisdictions are a key input to improve not only your knowledge, but your decisions.

“It’s a great opportunity to network, and a fundamental component of knowledge sharing.”

Developing digital twins

Eng. Maitha Al Nuaimi, GIC Center’s Acting Director, brought a case study to the Smart Cities Forum, highlighting 'Dubai's city-wide digital twin'.

Al Nuaimi showcased her company’s very own digital twin: a 360-degree digital replica of Dubai. Explaining the impact of building digital twins, Al Nuaimi elaborated, "We're building the digital twin to try and support other entites in Dubai and the wider society to help the transition from city to smart city.

"We're using a number of technologies to make sure that digital twins remain updated, from LIDAR or mobile mapping to drones, from which we can guarantee a very high degree of accuracy for the digital twin."

Dissecting the waste dilemma

MESIA’s bright solar outlook

“The World Bank says the region’s waste dilemma will double to 255 million tonnes by 2050. This is one of the reasons why we need to rally our efforts to address this crisis. The EcoWASTE Forum and Exhibition will shed light on the leading role of the Gulf Co-operation Council states in supporting the adoption of a circular economy focused on Abu Dhabi’s growth in this area.

“Tadweer has supported efforts in sustainability by limiting disposal in landfills and investing in advanced waste management technologies.”

The Middle East Solar Industrial Association (MESIA) launched its Solar Outlook Report 2023 at the World Future Energy Summit, collating all aspects of solar development with contributions from more than 30 experts on topics ranging from regulations, the role of North Africa in supplying energy to Europe, green hydrogen, carbon credits, energy efficiency, the effectiveness of solar plants, COP27 and COP28, electric vehicles, and green technology advancements. The report gives snapshots for each country in the region.

“We are at the dawn of a new growth phase in solar energy, and we see that the collective experience gained in MENA has led to a drive to achieve greater energy yields and higher efficiencies,” said Denisa Fainis, Secretary General of MESIA.

Smart Cities

Solar

Eng. Ali Al Dhaheri, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer) gave a keynote address at the EcoWASTE Forum on the second day of the World Future Energy Summit.

EcoWASTE

Organised by

Image credit: Alain Charles Publishing

Carlos Gascó Travesedo, Energy Policy Executive Director, emphasised the importance of platforms such as the World Future Energy Summit in aiding the energy transition.

“World Future Energy Summit is important not only for the UAE, but as a platform for the entire Middle East.”

GORICA.

SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT: be’ah breaks new ground

DEWA brings key projects and innovative initiatives to World Future Energy Summit

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is spotlighting its key projects and boundarypushing initiatives in sustainability and clean and renewable energies at this year’s World Future Energy Summit.

At its stand in Hall 5, DEWA is notably highlighting the latest developments from the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park – the world’s largest single-site solar park utilising the Independent Power Producer model. The current production capacity of the park is 2,027MW, totalling around 14% of Dubai’s energy mix (14,517MW). Visitors at the stand can learn about the latest concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies to be used at the 950MW 4th phase of the solar park. This phase will use three hybrid technologies: 600MW from a parabolic basin complex (three 200MW units), 100MW from the world’s tallest solar power tower at 262.44 metres, and 250MW from photovoltaic solar panels. Upon completion, the project will boast the largest thermal storage capacity in the world – 15 hours.

DEWA’s stand showcases the Green Hydrogen project, which was implemented alongside Expo 2020 Dubai and Siemens Energy at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The pilot project, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa to produce hydrogen using solar energy, covers an area of around 10,000 square metres. It has been designed and built to

The stand spotlights DEWA’s innovation across solar power, green hydrogen, hydroelectricity, electric vehicles, and Digital DEWA.

accommodate future applications and test platforms for various uses of hydrogen.

Visitors to the stand can also hear about the pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant that DEWA is building in Hatta. With a production capacity of 250MW, and a storage capacity of 1,500MWh, it’s the first station of its kind in the

Arabian Gulf region. The energy storage facility is set for a 78.9% energy efficiency upon completion. Also on show is DEWA’s Innovation Centre at the Solar Park in Dubai, the Green Charger for electric vehicles (of which around 350 have already been installed across Dubai), and several subsidiaries of Digital DEWA, the arm which aims to redefine the concept of a utility for a digital future.

Trina Solar pushes PV parameters with new technology

The technology on show included its latest i-TOPCon

695W+.

The stand also features a scale

1P,

“Trina

Domen Bocker, General Manager Sales & Marketing,

Leading global PV and smart energy total solution provider Trina Solar is showcasing its 2023 product line at 2023’s World Future Energy Summit.

cell technology modules, which boast power up to

The Vertex N 605W for C&I and utility-scale projects together with the Vertex S+ 445W+ for rooftop PV systems are key components of Trina Solar’s n-type module portfolio, based on the 210mm product technology platform and n-type i-TOPCon cell technology.

prototype of the company’s latest utility scale ground-mounted solutions, comprised of the Vanguard

the SuperTrack Smart Tracking Algorithm and Trina Smart Cloud Monitoring and Control System, forming holistic solutions for photovoltaic plants.

Antonio Jimenez, Managing Director and Vice President, Middle East & Africa for Trina Solar, explained,

Solar is committed to technical innovation and continues to lead the industry with n-type technology... helping reduce costs and offering greater value to its customers.”

Trina Solar's stand at the World Future Energy Summit includes live prototype demonstrations and product range showcases.

Image credit: DEWA

Image credit: Trina Solar

Al Masaood CV&E showcases environmentally-friendly trucks

RO can fast track UAE Net Zero 2050 initiative

Bruce Smith, Executive Director, Strategy and Planning of Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), which plans, procures, and supplies water and power to consumers throughout Abu Dhabi, said reverse osmosis (RO) would actively support the UAE Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative by solving the much-debated trilemma of affordability, sustainability and security.

“New reverse osmosis technology supports reductions in CO2 emissions due to its high energy efficiency and by being powered from low-carbon electricity sources rather than gas,” said Smith, who dubbed RO ‘the unsung hero’ of desalination.

Bruce told Water Forum delegates, “Reverse osmosisbased desalination will play a key role in ensuring system security and operability as more nuclear and solar capacity is commissioned.”

EWEC continues its detailed technical and commercial evaluation process of proposals from Acciona, Engie and GS Inima for the development of Shuweihat 4 Reverse Osmosis (S4 RO) Independent Water Project. The contract award is expected to be announced by the end of March, with the project targeted for commercial operation in Q3 2025.

Al Masaood Commercial Vehicles and Equipment (CV&E) is participating in EcoWASTE Exhibition and Forum at the World Future Energy Summit 2023 to showcase the latest environmentally-friendly trucks from global brands UD Trucks and Renault Trucks. Al Masaood CV&E’s partners offer sustainable waste management solutions.

The division, which is part of the Al Masaood Group, is the sole distributor of UD Trucks and Renault Trucks in Abu Dhabi.

Mohammad El Zeftawi, General Manager of Al Masaood CV&E, said, “We are pleased to participate in EcoWaste 2023. UAE’s market is ever evolving with more demand for the greener solutions. Therefore, as a key player in the waste management sector, we at Al Masaood CV&E are dedicated to providing sustainable and environmentally friendly options

that fulfil the needs and requirements of our customers.”

The EcoWASTE Exhibition and Forum is a forefront of the zero waste in the MENA region and is dedicated to advancing new business opportunities and practices for sustainable waste management.

IEA: Clean energy to raise supply chain risks

The energy world is at the dawn of a new industrial age – clean energy technology manufacturing – that is creating major new markets and millions of jobs but also raising new risks, prompting countries across the globe to devise industrial strategies to secure their place in the new global energy economy, according to a major new IEA report.

Energy Technology Perspectives 2023, the latest instalment in IEA’s flagship series, provides a comprehensive analysis of clean

energy manufacturing globally in 2023 – including the production of solar panels, wind turbines, EV batteries, electrolysers for hydrogen and heat pumps – and their supply chains around the world, mapping out how they are likely to evolve.

The analysis shows the global market for key mass-manufactured clean energy technologies will be worth around US$650bn a year by 2030 –more than three times today’s level –if countries worldwide fully implement their announced energy and climate

“The displaying of UD Trucks and Renault Trucks products at EcoWASTE 2023 directly reflects on our pledge towards a sustainable future,” concluded El Zeftawi.

Renault Trucks K480 Euro 5 Evolution with Optidriver Gearbox will soon operate in the national capital.

pledges. The related clean energy manufacturing jobs would more than double from 6 mn today to nearly 14 mn by 2030 – and further rapid industrial and employment growth is expected in the following decades as the energy transition progresses.

At the same time, the current supply chains of clean energy technologies present risks in the form of high geographic concentrations of resource mining and processing as well as technology manufacturing.

The world is already seeing the risks of tight supply chains, which have pushed up clean energy technology prices in recent years, making the transition more difficult and costly.

CLEAN ENERGY: MENA renewables surge ahead

“We gather here to continue our commitment to pursuing the global energy transition.”

H.E. Eng Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary, Energy and Petroleum Affairs, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure

The models offer sustainable waste management solutions.

The display comprises global brands like Renault Trucks and UD Trucks.

Image credit: CV&E

SOLAR & CLEAN ENERGY FORUM: Energies fuelling change

Metito advocates for multi-layered solutions to address water scarcity

Rami Ghandour, Managing Director at Metito, outlines the technologies that enable cost-effective and efficient solutions to address the growing water scarcity issue.

“We need to continuously rethink 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. Metito’s 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,” said Ghandour.

Metito has introduced several new technologies:

• Membrane storage tanks: above-ground and underground-engineered geo-membrane storage tanks that are more cost-effective, quicker to implement and more environmentallyfriendly compared to concrete or steel tanks.

• Copper-silver ionization (CSI): this is the most effective technology for the systemic eradication of bacteria such as legionella in potable water systems, ensuring a high degree of disinfection. The treatment action is attributable to the positively-charged copper and silver ions forming electrostatic bonds with negatively-charged sites on micro-organism cell walls.

Technological advancements are emerging to protect the world’s most valuable asset.

• Chip based biomedia: biochip media is used for biological treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater for Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) systems. Due to the light configuration of biochip media, it 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: these are based on

artificial intelligence that collects operating data to better plan preventative maintenance, reduce power consumption and ensuring enhanced plant reliability.

• Process modelling and advanced control/optimization software platforms: provide up-to-date diagnostics to continuously improve a plant’s performance.

The US$3mn Prize is the UAE’s pioneering global award for sustainability, recognising and rewarding small- and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organisations and high schools around the world that are delivering impactful, innovative and inspiring solutions in health, food, energy and water.

“There is massive potential for hydrogen development in the Middle East because of the relatively low-cost power as well as the availability of land and sun.”

Chris

Smith, Founder and Chief Executive, Meld Energy

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented awards to the 10 winners of the 2023 Zayed Sustainability Prize on Monday.

The Awards Ceremony coincided with the beginning of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. Also present were various heads of state, ministers, and other senior-level dignitaries from the UAE and abroad, in addition to past winners, and the 2023 finalists.

Sheikh Mohamed reasserted the Prize’s role as a global catalyst for sustainability and humanitarian action. “The UAE continues to lead on important global initiatives at the heart of our mission to create a better future for all, both within the UAE and beyond our nation’s borders. The bold ambition of the Zayed Sustainability Prize remains at the forefront of these efforts. It creates a pathway for delivering life-changing humanitarian aid and solutions to communities around the world,” he said.

Image credit : Adobe Stock

Japan brings its zero-emission thermal goal to the World Future Energy Summit

Japan has brought its national pavilion, including 10 private sector delegates, to the World Future Energy Summit 2023.

The nation’s challenges of relying on thermal power generation means a big step must be taken to reach decarbonisation. Japan is not falling behind, however, with energy transitions to convert existing plants to zero-emission well underway, as part of its ‘Thermal Power for Zero Emission’ goal.

Japan’s pavilion is hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, alongside private sector partners.

“We are presenting four key technologies behind our ‘Thermal Power for Zero Emission’ project –hydrogen, fuel ammonia, CCS, and CCUS. With us we have 10 private sector organisations, and our pavilion is home to a Showcase Demonstration Area, spotlighting these key technologies and the key technologies they have developed,” explained Naoharu Takata, spokesperson for Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

“Our pavilion has a number of live demonstrations in the Showcase Demonstration Area, from Toyota Motor Corporation’s hydrogen fuel cell car that is already on the market to a VR tour of a hydrogen carrier that has already begun importing hydrogen from Australia to Japan from Kawasaki Heavy Industries. “

Japan’s ‘Thermal Power for Zero Emission’ aim is very much on show through a live demonstration area and 10 accompanying private sector organisations.

The 2023 Toyota Mirai, on show at the stand, boasts 182 horsepower and has a range of over 400 miles between fills, powered by a fuel cell electric powertrain, allowing hydrogen to be converted into electricity via the onboard fuel cell.

“There’s such a long history between Japan and the UAE. We have projects undergoing development

and demonstration stages, especially in CCS and CCUS with ground pumps in the UAE and around the Middle East.”

Other international pavilions include Team Korea’s 5th appearance at the World Future Energy Summit, where KEPCO is showcasing the APR1400 advanced pressurized water nuclear reactor.

Driving the circular economy

“Circularity has three flows or elements,” he explained. “First is to change the design of how you do business. This can’t be driven by government, it’s more private sector. The second is change the concept of ownership, that keeps the waste material within the system, that’s another element of the private sector contribution. The final element is controlling the material flow. On that side of things, for example, the control of municipal waste, this is where governments can play a big role, both in organising the material flow and also in incentivising an offtake programme. For example, requiring producers of plastics to recycle a certain percentage of production. That’s where governments can intervene.

“The beauty of this region is that decisions are driven top down, there is a vision that is bigger even than the ambition of the private companies. Governments have the right targets and the right ambition to become the benchmark and benchmark others. In today’s ecosystem everyone has to play a role. So the question of chicken and egg between the private sector and public sector, should not exist. The push that’s coming top down in the region is pushing entities to act to make things happen.”

INNOVATION TRAIL: Make your way through the latest innovations

"We are at the dawn of a new growth phase in solar energy."

Denisa Fainis, Secretary General, MESIA

Hani Tohme, Senior Partner and Head of Sustainability Practice in the Middle East at Roland Berger discussed how governments and the private sector can work together to promote the circular economy, at the World Future Energy Summit.

Hani Tohme, Senior Partner and Head of Sustainability Practice in the Middle East, Roland Berger.

Image credit: METI

Image credit: Roland Berger

INNOVATION: Climate tech

MENA renewables set to surge

Energy security concerns caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have motivated countries to increasingly turn to renewables such as solar and wind to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, whose prices have spiked dramatically. Global renewable power capacity is now expected to almost double by 2,400 gigawatts (GW) over the 2022-2027 period, to become the largest source of global electricity by early 2025.

“Renewables were already expanding quickly, but the global energy crisis has kicked them into an extraordinary new phase of even faster growth as countries seek to capitalise on their energy security benefits. The world is set to add as much renewable power in the next five years as it did in the previous 20 years,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. “This is a clear example of how the current energy crisis can be a historic turning point towards a cleaner and more secure energy system. Renewables’ continued acceleration is critical to help keep the door open to limiting global warming to 1.5°C.”

In the Middle East and North Africa, solar PV dominates expansion because it offers prospects for low-cost power and hydrogen production, the report says. Renewable electricity capacity expansion in MENA is expected to triple in 2022-27 compared to the previous five-year period, reaching 45GW, with solar PV making up three-quarters of capacity growth due to attractive economics for utility-scale projects. Significant solar resources potential and favourable financing conditions in some MENA

countries have led to some of the world’s lowest awarded bid prices. The main catalyst for renewable capacity expansion are fast-growing power demand, long-term climate targets, and diversification away from fossil fuels. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel, Oman, Morocco and Egypt account for 85% of the MENA’s renewable capacity growth between 2022 and 2027, with competitive IPP auctions the key policy mechanism propelling renewable capacity growth in most markets.

The IEA expects 14% (6GW) of MENA’s renewable capacity growth to come from plants dedicated to hydrogen production. Almost 80% of this growth is in Oman and Saudi Arabia, as both countries aspire to become exporters of renewables-based ammonia. Other uses of additional renewable electricity capacity include producing ammonia for

shipping fuel and renewable hydrogen for local industries such as petrochemical production and steelmaking.

Almost 75% of dedicated capacity is expected to be solar PV because of its economic attractiveness, which is one of the main motivations for hydrogen development in the region. Solar PV-awarded bid prices have fallen owing to the abundance of solar resources, investment cost reductions and beneficial financing conditions.

Owing to the region’s large amounts of available space, its ideal location along international shipping routes and its existing hydrogen use and infrastructure, MENA has announced 4.5GW of electrolyser projects powered by dedicated renewable electricity. However, only half of electrolyser capacity has reached final investment decision or started construction. Securing financing and off-takers are the main challenges to bringing projects to fruition, the report says.

“MENA’s total renewable capacity growth could be almost twice as high (77GW) if auctions proceeded more quickly, PPAs were signed in a more timely manner, and construction was begun on awarded projects. Clarity over regulatory reforms allowing distributed solar PV production and consumption, cost-reflective end-user electricity prices and remuneration of excess generation would also accelerate commercial and residential PV deployment,” the IEA comments.

“By building awareness and driving the conversation on environmental protection, we empower individuals with the knowledge that they are able to make a difference through the choices they make.”

Pascal Grante, Chief Executive Officer, Veolia Near and Middle East

Solar PV dominates expansion in the Middle East and North Africa because it offers prospects for low-cost power and hydrogen production.

Image credit: Adobe Stock

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Programme for the three days of WFES

Leading in sustainable waste management

Eng. Tariq Al Amri, CEO of Oman’s waste management company be’ah, discusses the company’s focus on economic and environmental sustainability. be’ah operates numerous state-of-the-art waste management sites including 10 engineered landfills and 16 transfer stations.

What measures have you put in place to promote sustainable waste management practices?

Over the years, be’ah entered into strategic agreements to further the company’s circular economy ambitions and made great strides with recycling through a number of key deals with stakeholders to support local recyclers. be’ah facilitated and supported two local companies to launch UCO recycling operations to use a biofuel and provided technical and logistics support to paper recycling plants.

By end-Q4, 2021, be’ah increased bin deployment across all governorates to address community concerns and achieved 100% service coverage based on reasonable solid waste expectations. The majority of the solid waste recorded came from the private sector, followed by industry and government. We continue to monitor requirements closely through the call centre and social media touchpoints and address overflow requests adequately for all regions. Further to this, be’ah now has at least one operated

Digitalisation in the waste management sector will deliver more effective waste management regimes.

Eng. Tariq Al Amri CEO, be’ah

engineered landfill in each service area except North Al Sharqiyah, which is still under construction. We are working systematically towards the completion of our operated transfer stations, and the rehabilitation of traditional dumpsites.

How is be’ah working to raise public awareness of waste management and to engage local communities in protecting the environment?

be’ah understands that every sustainability initiative begins with people. We invest in community projects so that our people can benefit from social and economic development. This investment is evident through the multiple approaches taken by be’ah to meet the themes of our projects.

Last year, we launched several successful initiatives: • be’ah joined forces with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Ministry of Health for a campaign about the proper disposal of masks. The awareness campaign to reduce littering of used masks in public places was launched on traditional and digital platforms. It created 261,008 views from 78 screens and billboards across 26 locations. Online, be’ah held three educational webinars and created a drumroll of content across various social media platforms resulting in a total of 495,663 views and 22,245 engagements.

• Our Ramadan campaign entitled ‘Unacceptable. Truly Unacceptable.’ aimed to educate the public about food waste. be’ah approached multiple stakeholders who enthusiastically participated by sharing our message. Overall, the campaign received over 35,000 shares and had a total of 79 posts across traditional media like print media, radio and television. Additionally, be’ah’s campaign ads numbered nearly 370.

Moreover, our ongoing capacity building initiatives have been nurtured throughout the years to enhance both knowledge sharing amongst young Omanis, and educated them about new, futureproofed careers that are available. These initiatives are ongoing and include:

• Ejaad, a membership-based virtual collaborative platform where industry, academia and

Eng. Tariq Al Amri, CEO of be’ah.

government can interact and engage in energyrelated research and innovation activities.

• Eco-Innovate Oman (EiO) 2.0, a project that will run through 2022 and train Omani SMEs to evaluate their operations and their value chains using Greenhouse Gas Accounting which is considered the first step in identifying ways to make their operations greener and more sustainable.

What do you think is the role of innovation and new technologies in promoting safe and sustainable waste management operations?

Innovation is a comprehensive term. be’ah has been at the leading front of employing and incorporating the various aspects of it in its core strategies as well as daily operations. To give an example of innovation aspects; digitalisation in the waste management sector will deliver more effective waste management regimes. Their introduction in Oman will allow our economy to recover more of the valuable materials present in waste streams, reducing the amounts of raw materials mined or imported and avoiding the associated environmental and climate impacts.

As of the mandate of Oman’s Vision 2040 to achieve inclusive and sustainable development, be’ah aspires to establish sustainable waste management practices in line with international standards, provide adequate innovation and infrastructure to meet the waste management demand of the country, ensure efficient waste management services and raise the level of public awareness about waste management.

“Tadweer is committed to utilising the most advanced and integrated solutions and technologies for sorting and recycling waste to extract valuable materials and convert them into environment-friendly materials supporting the circular economy.”

“Eng. Abdul Mohsin Al Katheeri, Director of Projects and Facilities Department at Tadweer

Image credit: be’ah

The Middle East’s evolving role in tackling climate change

The Middle East has a number of green competitive advantages.

To what extent is tackling climate change a focus for the Middle East? And what progress has the region made so far in investing in, facilitating and developing climate technologies?

A number of countries in the region have taken major steps to reach their climate change goals, with a focus on pioneering technologies. A few days prior to COP27, Saudi Aramco unveiled a US$1.5 billion sustainability fund that would invest in the technology required to facilitate the transition to green energy. The fund will rank among the biggest venture capital funds with a sustainability focus in the world. The UAE also signed a US$100bn strategic agreement with the United States in clean energy projects, focusing on investing in reliable and responsible supply chains and encouraging investment in green mining. This was a significant development as the country prepares to host COP28. Other significant announcements in the region included the UAEbased Mashreq Bank's plan to increase its sustainable financing to US$30 million by 2030 and the Arab Coordination Group's promise to provide at least US$24 billion in climate finance by 2030 alongside the OPEC Fund for International Development, which coordinates climate finance.

GCC countries have been catching up with emerging and developed nations in renewable energy investments at an incredibly fast rate. In our recently issued report titled ‘Tackling climate change through technology: A global leadership role for the Middle East’, we’ve found that US$6bn has been invested in climate tech since 2013 by 12 Middle Eastern countries, and US$1.6bn of that was invested in the first half of 2022

With targeted investment, the Middle East will be able to assume global leadership in a number of

climate tech domains where it now enjoys a competitive advantage.

There are a number of reasons for this impressive growth rate in renewable energy investment witnessed in the region First of all, Middle Eastern nations can take advantage of their natural resources by building sustainable hydrogen and solar power plants thanks to differentiated availability of land. The cost of producing solar based electricity, and green hydrogen in the Gulf is significantly competitive due to the fact that the

DAILY PROGRAMME: Climate & Environment Forum

“Collaboration and alignment between all stakeholders is key to achieving the energy transition.”

Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of AMEA Power

GCC countries have been catching up with emerging and developed nations in renewable energies investments at an incredibly fast rate.

Dr Yahya Anouti PwC Middle East ESG Leader

Dr Yahya Anouti, PwC Middle East ESG Leader, discusses the potential

for the Middle East to assume a leadership role in climate technologies.

Image credit: Adobe Stock

EXHIBITOR LIST: Who’s at the show

region enjoys some of the highest solar voltaic output in the world. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia have made solar energy cost competitive as a result, and renewables have become an important regional investment focus.

At the same time, sovereign wealth funds are in a position to support a significant push into climate tech innovation locally as well as globally, at a time when the global economy is in a phase of slowing growth. Add to the aforementioned, the fact that the region is investing largely in new industrial zones that are set to be sustainable and circular. One final point is related to the capabilities. The region can easily pivot its capabilities in the chemicals sector towards the hydrogen economy, and direct its youth towards STEM education in related fields.

Despite the plummeting of the overall venture funding for climate tech start-ups by US$52bn over the first three quarters of 2022, our analysis reveals an increasing desire for investment in the Middle East. However, broader tech investment trends in the Middle East also follow the global trend: after sharp increases in overall tech funding over the past few years that continued into the first half of 2022, the investment momentum slowed in the second half of the year.

What areas or sectors do you think offer the most promising opportunities for the region to take a leading role in developing innovative solutions?

Given the above-mentioned green competitive advantages and the existential challenges, the region has the right to win in six climate tech areas:

1. Green fuels: green hydrogen and synthetic fuels

2. Green industries (e.g. heavy industries – steel, aluminum, titanium; and consumer centric products – sustainable fashion)

3. Climate resilient agri tech (precision fermentation)

4. Decarbonising the built environment with circular economy (e.g. plastic recycling, construction waste recycling, energy recovery from waste)

5. Direct carbon capture from air

6. Nature-based solutions for arid environment (e.g. mangroves plantation, high carbon capture trees with low water intensity, blue economy concept on the Red Sea side).

To win, the region has to move fast and in an agile way, noting that we have a unique window of opportunity to attract foreign direct investment looking to walk the ESG talk.

At PwC, we believe that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) imperatives can accelerate the massive and fast transformation of our region.

Through the strategic role the region plays in the energy transition, pioneering hydrogen and circular economies, developing sustainable destinations, localising supply chains, generating employment, expanding social inclusion and good governance, ESG can both drive the transformation and create opportunities to develop world-leading, competitive advantage.

What factors will need to be leveraged for the region to successfully play a leadership role in climate tech?

Funding climate tech in the MENA is one part of the equation – the easy one. Success requires a holistic and mission-oriented or moonshot approach that hinges on the following:

Connect the dots between sovereign wealth funds, government programmes, and national champion plans: essentially launching a climatetech mission. Connecting the dots also goes beyond the region, to include deeper partnerships with countries that share common goals.

De-risk through longitudinal collaborations: it will be important to create off-take markets for the local innovations, by connecting green product end-consumers such as airlines or shipping companies for synthetic fuels with the green fuel supplier, supply-chain innovators including

electrolyser manufacturers, and carbon feedstock providers, where relevant.

Make climate tech a major R&D priority and channel long-term and “patient” funding that brings in innovators and researchers around missions: in addition, the region should design new educational programmes and dedicate applied institutes related to climate technologies, such as nature-based engineering and the hydrogen economy.

Pivot existing capabilities: GCC countries could leverage their expertise as global leaders in oil and gas to develop other, capital-intensive, and geological complex green energies, including geothermal energy and carbon air capture and sequestration. The region’s capabilities and knowhow in petrochemicals could likewise be critical to develop synthetic fuel production and the hydrogen economy. Ammonia subsidiaries or business units can become core growth platforms.

Create an enabling ecosystem: establishing regulatory “sandboxes” in which new approaches could be tried and tested in a careful but encouraging environment will help with their development. Better data about climate investments, including reporting requirements for companies, could help track how and where funds are flowing, and thereby help set clearer priorities.

Galvanise the younger generation: climate change is an inter-generational problem, and the Middle East, with its young populations, has the potential to galvanise the younger generation into action, providing new purpose and new vision for the region. That will require a focus on education, to ensure that climate science and its ramifications become part of the core curriculum. Employers can also help unleash youthful energy.

“We will continue to build on our integrated waste management and zero waste to landfill ecosystem.”

Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO, BEEAH Group

Dr Yahya Anouti, PwC Middle East ESG Leader.

To win, the region has to move fast and in an agile way, noting that we have a unique window of opportunity to attract foreign direct investment looking to walk the ESG talk.

Dr Yahya Anouti PwC Middle East ESG Leader