The Sustainabilist - The Key to the Kingdom by Dubai Carbon

The Sustainabilist ISSUE 19

The Key to the Kingdom

LAND OF THE FUTURE

KING SALMAN ENERGY PARK

ISBN 978 - 1978357310

A Peek into the Megacity Neom

SPARKing a New Phase of Growth

CHANGING WINDS

SETTING BENCHMARKS

Insight on Dumat Al Jandal Wind Project

The First Hydrogen Fuelling Station WWW.THESUSTAINABILIST.AE

Issue 19 | December 2019

uring the last decade, the Saudi government with its strong visionary leadership, made sustained efforts to protecting the environment, conserving biodiversity and natural resources and providing a better quality of life. It has contributed significantly to sustainable development, through the initiation of a number of regulations, polices and reports by relevant agencies that are playing a major role in achieving sustainability principles in the country

Eng Waleed Bin Salman Editor in Chief Dubai Carbon

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The Sustainabilist is published by Dubai Carbon. Articles reprinted in this issue are copyrighted 2019 by Dubai Carbon. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, in whole or in part, without prior written permission of Dubai Carbon is expressively prohibited. Printed by: Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing LLC P.O. Box - 5613, Dubai, UAE. Nothing in this magazine shall be taken as technical or advice and DCCE waives any liability with respect to any representations made.The production of this magazine will be offset with local carbon credits.

The Saudi Government has taken a very active role in initiating sustainable development. Vision 2030 has been drawn up, with a broad strategic vision of the economy and development that is geared to accomplishing sustainable development. The main objective is to satisfy the material, cultural and spiritual needs of people in addition to health and quality of life. The key objectives of Vision 2030 are to achieve sustainable development and eliminate any negative impacts on natural resources, the quality of life and public health while protecting the environment against harmful activities and practices. At the heart of KSA’s Vision 2030 is the plan to move away from oil dependence. This is dependence not just on exporting oil, as the key component of GDP, but also as a major factor in its electricity production. KSA currently produces 40 per cent of its electricity from oil, compared to a world average of just 4.3 per cent. To change this, Vision 2030 already outlines

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The key objectives of Vision 2030 are to achieve sustainable development and eliminate any negative impacts on natural resources, the quality of life and public health while protecting the environment against harmful activities and practices.

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Letter from the Editor in Chief

various steps and goals relating to reducing the amount of oil used for domestic electricity generation, and to increasing the role renewable energy plays in the energy sector. This issue explores, Saudi Arabia’s determination to developing an extensive energy infrastructure and planning heavy investments in renewable energy, aiming at improving the business climate and to invest in the latest technologies, drawing roadmaps for a better infrastructure for roads, railways, airports, ports, water and sewage systems and electricity networks. We also look at their plans to reach sustainable urban development and protect the biodiversity both on land and in water, amongst a range of other areas which are explored in more detail.

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2019 EDITORIAL CALENDAR JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

ENERGY

TECHNOLOGY

WASTE

GREEN INVESTMENTS

TOURISM

JUNE

SEPTEMBER

CLIMATE CHANGE

Sponsored by

ISBN 978 - 1978357310

EGA CHAMPIONS SUSTAINABILITY

The Sustainabilist

ISBN 978 - 1978357310

Issue 5

Manufacturing Sustainable Production

ISBN 978 - 1978357310

Issue 4

683 KG

ISSUE 05

Issue 6

A study has been conducted by researchers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the University of WisconsinMadison, on the development of a system that can cool down buildings without electricity consumption.

The Sustainabilist

ISBN 978 - 1978357310

Electricity- free air conditioning?

Therefore, we use normal paper, but offset it. Under a circular economy perspective, the latter is more viable from both a resource consumption pattern and the circular life of resources.

Emissions from Issue 1 – 10

Issue 2

The development is led by a consortium consisting of the French Group EDF Renewables and renewable energy developer Masdar. The consortium was awarded the project, for the country’s first and the Middle East’s largest wind farm, in January 2019. The project was awarded at the low price of US$2.1 cents per kWh, which was a record for the MENA region.

We have considered recycled paper, however to do that successfully, we would have to use twice as much recyclable paper, which would actually increase our emissions.

ISBN 978 - 1978357310

Middle East’s first onshore 400MW wind farm, Dumat Al Jandal, has made the world record for the lowest levellised cost of electricity of US cents 1.99 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).

t Dubai Carbon, we offset our resources used through our UAE-generated credit. A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for or to offset an emission made elsewhere. This approach, despite being more complex, is more beneficial in the long run as it has a 6x multiplier for green economy and green GDP.

ISBN 978 - 1978357310

Saudi Arabia’s wind farm claims world record

Achieving Carbon Neutrality

Issue 1

NEWS ROOM

WWW.THESUSTAINABILIST.AE

598 KG

CO2e

854 KG

CO2e

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Date: 19 December 2018 Reference: VC/0801/2018

VOLUNTARY CANCELLATION CERTIFICATE

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Reason for cancellation: Voluntary cancellation made by Dubai Carbon to offset emissions generated from printing The Sustainabilist from October 2017 to October 2018

Number and type of units cancelled Start serial number: AE-5-621404-2-2-0-7260 End serial number: AE-5-621413-2-2-0-7260

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The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

FEATURE

A Country in Sustainable Motion

“Together we will continue building a better country, fulfilling our dream of prosperity and unlocking the talent, potential, and dedication of our young men and women.” By Corrado Sommariva CEO and Founder, Sustainable Water and Power Consultants (SWPC)

n line with that vision, nongovernmental organisations are gradually implementing the government guidelines to sustain this momentum through a strong engagement with a young generation who are strongly committed to the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. Accordingly, the country has sharply reversed the trend of rising intensity levels in the last few years. Saudi Arabia has a young population around 38% of the total Saudi population falls between the ages of 15-34 years old, which gives Saudi Arabia a huge potential for population growth but also poses several challenges to the sustainability of economic development and adherence to the UN SDGs. The path to sustainability that is being implemented in the country follows these main directives: renewable energy, efficiency improvements, waste water reclamation and greenery plantation.

achieved in the world. Driven by this success, Saudi Arabia reconfirmed the World Energy Council’s view that was held in Abu Dhabi between 9 to 12 September 2019, that it aims at generating one third of its power from renewable energy by 2030. This announcement represents the next phase in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious renewable energy plans, which seek to achieve over 25 GW of wind and solar power generation in the next five years, and close to 60GW over the next decade; of which 40 GW will be generated from solar energy, with a further 16GW of onshore wind. These are ambitious targets.

Sun: The New Oil

However, the potential for Saudi Arabia is unique and encompasses the possibility for the country to become completely sustainable. In addition to large areas that can be allocated to energy generation through PV or CSP, Saudi Arabia has over 500 dams and an ambitious program to extend these dams to 1,000.

With levelissed power tariffs from renewable energy as low as US$ 2.3 cents/kWh, the plant in Sakaka has challenged the lowest ever PV tariff ever

Presently, dams are mainly used for irrigation, water supply and flood control but some of them could be adapted for energy storage if coupled

with PV installation . Energy Efficiency and Low Water Tariff from Desalination Saudi Arabia has been a pioneer in seawater desalination worldwide and used desalination since the early development of this technology. For a long time thermal technologies have been the mainstay in the Kingdom. Robust and reliable, thermal technologies gave a great service to the Kingdom but became extremely energy inefficient when compared with alternative technologies such as reverse osmosis. Since 2016, Public Corporations in Saudi have embarked on a very ambitious program of either upgrading their desalination assets or adopting reverse osmosis in new plants. In particular, WEC (now SWPC-Saudi Water Partnership Company) introduced a new set of energy efficient SWRO technologies for their IWPs based on SWRO technology. These technologies have allowed SWPC to achieve new record prices for the levelised water cost (LWC) in 2018. The bid for the Rabigh 3 IWP, announced in August 2018, came in at SR1.99, or about US$ 53 cents per cubic meter. Four

Issue 19 | December 2019

Daytime Operation

Night-time Operation

Customer

24/7 Power purchase Agreement (PPA)

Solar PV Plant

Pumped Storage Hydroplant

24/7 Power purchase Agreement (PPA)

Solar PV Plant

Pumped Storage Hydroplant

Figure 1: Solar and hydro plant daytime and nighttime operation,

months later, SWPC announced pricing for the Shuqaiq 3 IWP, setting the bar in the Kingdom even lower at SR 1.95 per cubic meter of water (US$ 52.1 cents per cubic meter). SWPC has been the first procurer in the GCC that introduced a minimum level of energy efficiency for the SWRO operation at 3.5 kWh/m3 but reached values as low as 3.2 kwh/ m3 during the plant operation in Shoaiba IWP. The policy that SWPC has set up, is aimed at promoting energy efficiency during operations, as the developer shares the savings in the energy demand model if the electricity consumption goes below the specific energy consumption guaranteed but is not compensated for energy levels above the bid amount. More energy savings are expected to be generated in Saudi desalination projects as developers are allowed to install solar PV in order to minimise the internal process energy consumption.

Wastewater Reclamation and Beneficial Use of Sludge SWPC is also in the process of implementing two important waste water treatment plants at Dammam and Jeddah. Both of these projects have stringent environmental targets. The water treated must comply with the standards for unrestricted irrigation and â&#x20AC;&#x153;zeroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; sludge disposalâ&#x20AC;? is mandatory. This implies that only sludge which can be reused for beneficial purposes (farming, waste to energy, landscaping etc.) can leave the plant. The independent sewage treatment plants (ISTPs) must be developed, constructed and operated in accordance with the environmental protection regulations and stipulations of the Kingdom, including those issued by the environmental regulatory agency known as GAMEP and within the latest relevant World Bank & IFC Equator

Principles and Guidelines. Green Riyadh The Green Riyadh Project includes planting 7.5 million trees across the capital in gardens and parks, mosques, schools, academic, healthcare and public facilities in addition to King Khaled International Airport and most of the roads, streets, car parking spaces, and valleys. To secure the required irrigation water for this project, new irrigation networks will be established to use recycled water. King Salman Park is part of a US$23 billion project to create vast open green spaces in the Saudi capital that will create sustainable communities, drive action against climate change and aim at providing up to 70C temperature mitigation in city areas thanks to canopy shelter and evapo-transpiration. 7

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

Issue 19 | December 2019

COVER STORY

Clean. Safe. Renewable. The Sustainabilist in conversation with Mohammad Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA Power, on the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s evolution, alignment with Vision 2030, and the role of the private sector in supporting the governmentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; clean energy ambitions.

ow has ACWA Power evolved over the years to become the leader in industry? ACWA Power is a Saudi-based developer, investor, co-owner and operator of power generation and desalinated water production facilities. With presence in 12 countries across 3 continents today, the company has evolved rapidly over the past decade. Our mission is reliably delivering electricity and desalinated water at low cost to support social development and economic growth of nations, as well as ensuring ingenuity and entrepreneurship of the private sector. 9

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

of this progress, bringing affordable and sustainable energy to the grid for our people. How is ACWA Power contributing towards restructuring the Kingdomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power sector and increasing efficiency? During the past couple of years, the government has taken tremendous steps towards reforming the power and water sectors in line with global best practices, introducing more competition for the market, promoting private investment, and restructuring water and electricity sectors to improve accountability, transparency and customer response. On the retail side, the government has taken steps to discourage waste and promote efficient use of finite resources.

How is ACWA Power adapting to the changing landscape of water and energy in alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030? We are fully aligned with Saudi Arabiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vision 2030. Beyond diversifying the economy away from reliance on hydrocarbons and increasing levels of private sector participation in the electricity and water sectors, vision 2030 incorporates specific ambition on the establishment of a renewable energy sector. That will entail 58GW of renewable energy, out of which 40 GW are in solar. In addition the country plans an addition of over 15 million cubic meters per day of desalinated water production capacity. We believe that desalination efficiently integrated with renewable energy through concentrated solar power (CSP) will become a particular focus in the region for the years ahead. 10

In the case of CSP with molten salt storage, the combination provides an intermediary storage solution to eliminate the intermittency issue of PV and wind generated electricity. What is your outlook about the Kingdomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power sector? Where is it heading in the run up to Vision 2030? ACWA Power is leveraging its experience in the renewables energy space for the country and is working closely with the authorities in Saudi Arabia. About a dozen renewable energy projects are at different stages of development. ACWA Power is already implementing the 300 MW Sakaka PV IPP which was energised only recently. Work on the 2GW SUDAIR solar PV IPP is also at advanced stages. The Saudi Arabian government is moving fast towards implementing its vision, and we at ACWA Power are happy to be part

Competition is good for the private sector and all other stakeholders. It drives innovation, localisation and response time. At ACWA Power, our power and renewables tariffs have been some of the lowest in the world. Saudi Arabia offers excellent opportunities to both local and international investors and the government has created the right environment and a level playing field to reap the benefits of competition by reforming power and water markets, for the ultimate benefit of the people and the country. No wonder that in recent bids the government was able to almost halve water tariffs compared to prices 5 years ago. ACWA Power is very pleased to be part of this journey, which is not a goal but a continuous process. What are the current power projects that the company is working on in KSA? Are there any in the pipeline? ACWA Power owns and operates several major power and water desalination plants

Issue 19 | December 2019

Some of our projects produce both water and power such as the Shuqaiq IWPP, the Shuaibah IWPP which was the first IWPP developed following the Saudi government’s decision to open the market to private investment and the Marafiq Jubail IWPP, the world’s largest power and desalination plant at the time. Similarly, we’ve developed and own/ operate one of the most efficient gas fired combined cycle plants in the Kingdom, namely the Qurayyah IPP and oil-fired facilities at Rabigh-1 and Rabigh-2 IPPs. Additionally, ACWA Power also owns and operates the captive cogeneration facility providing uninterrupted supply of water, steam and electrical power to the high-end, sophisticated customer Petro-Rabigh Refinery in the Rabigh area. For renewables projects we have already mentioned our extensive work in Sakaka and SUDAIR. At the same time, we are ready to support any privatisation of the existing power and water facilities, as part of the government’s reform agenda. We are also engaged with the country’s top national oil companies in their different programs to support the supply of power, steam, water and other utilities in the downstream sector, in line with the success of the Petro Rabigh Refinery model. ACWA Power also submitted the lowest tariff at USD 0.53/m3 for one of the world’s largest desalination plants alongside the Saudi Brothers Commercial Company (SBCC) in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia. Rabigh 3 IWP will utilise reverse

osmosis (RO) technology to yield a capacity of 600,000 cubic metres a-day. The innovative design of this plant ensures the highest efficiency, reliability and availability for any comparable plant in the world. The water output will cater to the water demand of Makkah al-Mukarramah and Jeddah. This will ensure consistent, reliable and steady water supply to the citizens of the two cities and village,

“

ACWA Power is leveraging its experience in the renewables energy space for the country and working closely with the authorities in Saudi Arabia.

a local supply chain, technical know-how as well upskilling our people to manage, support and operate power and water plants both domestically and abroad. How else is ACWA Power supporting Saudi Arabia? How are you supporting localisation? ACWA Power is deeply committed to increasing Saudi Arabia’s capabilities and increasing local content. This makes perfect commercial sense for us. Not only does it helps reduce overall costs, but it also reduces lead time - allowing us to adapt and innovate in line with the local conditions and requirements. Localisation is at the heart of ACWA Power’s and the government’s policy and the push towards the development of local content is a common objective and motivator. We are always ready to contribute towards developing policies

GREEN JOB

Finance Director

“

in Saudi Arabia, each playing a key role in ensuring uninterrupted supply of utilities to the consumer across all parts of the Kingdom.

especially during demand peak periods such as the Holy Month of Ramadan and Hajj seasons. Over the years ACWA Power has reached critical mass allowing the development of

Dubai Carbon is looking for a Finance Director to lead a highperforming team to new heights to add their expertise and strategic vision. This opportunity will suit someone who is creative, ambitious and eager to make a significant impact. To apply, please visit: https://www. ondemandassessment.com/link/ index/JB-UCHO8X5M4?source=Su stainabilist&u=183150

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

With the level of economic growth, urbanisation taking place and power and water being essential utility services, we see a lot of new projects being offered to the private sector. IPP - being a tested model - is the way to go. ACWA Power has a staged program to expand our outreach to more countries and markets given the right policies and bankability possibility. We foresee a strong project pipeline that meets ACWA Power growth criteria set by our board and shareholders. Therefore, for us, the sky is the limit, to say.

and plans to achieve better and faster results in line with the Vision 2030. At the moment, almost all our plants are led by Saudis, our companies are well ahead in the Saudisation targets, and we are reinforcing our flagship technology institute (Higher Institute of Water & Power Technologies) to triple annual student enrolment not only to meet our own requirements but for all other industry players. The institute launched training programs in solar technologies in 2016 in anticipation of the needs to have qualified local technicians in the renewable sphere. Earlier this year, Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Silk Road Fund (SRF) acquired a 49 per cent stake in ACWA Power Renewable Energy Holding. How will the deepening of ties usher in a new era of investments and 12

technological advancements? Given the magnitude of growth in the renewables sector, Chinese Silk Road Fundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation will help augment the pool of financing available to execute these projects on a long-term basis. Besides supporting on the financing and investment side, China is a major international player in the technology and EPC space and has the will and appetite to work with the right partners on a longterm basis. With China now fulfilling the role of a major player in the international financial markets, it is definitely smart to have a diversified pool of resources available to meet ACWA Powerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vision and growth plans. What is your outlook towards the general power industry in the Middle East and Asia?

With the changing scenario of global energy mix, what do you think will be the role of the private sector in supporting the governments in their clean energy ambitions? The energy landscape is changing fast and renewables is the order of the day. With the PV and wind tariffs dropping considerably and competing well with the fossil fuel-based generation, countries and markets are now focusing on grabbing the opportunities that exist today within their grid systems. However, there is a limit to the intermittent energy in the overall energy balance that will have to be further supported by CSP and/or storage facilities. Given these limitations within existing power systems, the next big wave will be distributed generation and local storage. We shall see a lot of new demand coming up, for example electric cars are expected to be a major new addition to the overall demand/supply balance. In the long-run, major transformation should be expected in the way the energy is produced, transmitted and balanced. For renewables, it is just the beginning. We anticipate the energy supply chain becoming smarter, less expensive, and more environment friendly and integrated.

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

#THEGREENECONOMIST

Sunshine on the Kingdom By Ivano Iannelli CEO, Dubai Carbon

he Saudi government has made significant efforts towards protecting the environment, by introducing a number of regulations and policies, and by participating in a number of global conventions over the past few years. General environmental regulations and its rules for implementation have been issued and approved; climatic research and reports have been produced; meteorological, environmental and air pollution measurements are being conducted; and the implementation of sustainable development is handled by collaboration between a number of ministries and agencies in the public and private sector. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), has laid out an ambitious plan to modernise the country and, move its economy away 14

from its dependence on oil. A key part of this plan is to begin meaningfully tapping one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most abundant natural resources: solar power. Setting a target of generating 40 GW of electricity demand met with renewable solar power, will give birth to several new, high-skilled industries, while also positioning KSA as a technological and environmental leader. 40 GW of solar power will be generated through 35 plus solar parks that will be developed across the Kingdom by the year 2030. The investment in solar energy will be a great opportunity for the Kingdom to become a leader in the adoption of renewables in the Middle East and attain its emissions goals for the Paris Climate Accord. Solar generation technology has been in the market for more than 50 years, and is

no longer an experiment but a commercial reality. Both PV and CSP technologies have enjoyed significant cost reductions in the past decade. Solar PV installation costs have decreased between 58 and 69 per cent since 2010, driven by lower module and inverter costs and higher efficiency of modules. Solar deployment around the world has increased 3x in the last decade, and this level of investment has created an optimised supply value chain. Further technological advances in solar PV modules, economies of scale and balance of solar PV system (BoS) costs could drive the global weighted installed cost down by 57 per cent in the next decade. The prospects for solar power continue to get sunnier and combined with relevant policies to support schemes that bring benefits to PV owners can take the Kingdom beyond the stated goals.

ETIHAD ESCO JOURNEY

030

7 TWH

2019

ELECTRICITY TO BE SAVED ANNUALLY

MILLION TONS

CO2 TO BE ABATED ANNUALLY

6 BILLION IG

WATER TO BE SAVED ANNUALLY

0,000 BLDGS

2021 Etihad ESCO is a DEWA venture that was established in 2013 to make Dubai built environment a Hotels Hospitals leading example of energy efficiency for the region and the world. As a Super ESCO (Energy Service Universities Company), itIndustries enables the energy performance contracting market in Dubai by developing energy efficiency projects targeting more than 30,000 buildings. Etihad ESCO aims to jumpstart the creation 2022 2020 ELECTROof viable performance contracting market for energy service companies by executing building MECHANICAL retrofits, increasing penetration of district cooling, building capacity of local ESCOs for private sector and facilitating access to project finance. Dubai Airports P-2 Dubai Police Dubai Municipality

Private Market Residential Sector

BE RETROFITTED

Hospitals Hotels

2018

The Dubai ESCOs 2016 market will provide newCOMMAND business opportunities for joint ventures, international & CONTROL CENTER TAQATI partnerships as well as engage UAE national entrepreneurs through a diversified supply chain from 2014 DIFC DEWA financial institutions, technology providers and equipment manufacturers to service providers across Lighting P-2 the project development, management and reporting stages. WASL Dubai Airports P-1 ENOC Dubai Golf DEWA Building

DEWA Building 1st Retrofit Project

2015

2017 SUSTAINABILITY

ETIHAD ESCO JOURNEY

SOLAR

OFIT

Dubai Airports Lighting Seven Tides IACAD -1 JAFZA P-3 Dry-docks DEWA Lighting P-3

JAFZA Accommodation DEWA Lighting P-1

ETIHAD ESCO JOURNEY

2030

1.7 TWH

2019

1.7 TWH

OF ELECTRICITY TO BE SAVED ANNUALLY

1 MILLION TONS OF CO2 TO BE ABATED ANNUALLY

5.6 BILLION IG 5.6 BILLION IG

OF WATER TO BE SAVED ANNUALLY OF WATER TO BE SAVED ANNUALLY

2022

2021

Hotels Hospitals Universities Industries

Dubai Airports P-2 Dubai Police Dubai Municipality

Hotels Hospitals Universities Industries

2020

Hospitals Hotels

Hotels

ELECTROELECTROMECHANICAL MECHANICAL Hospitals

Private Market Residential Sector

TO BE RETROFITTED

2019

Dubai Airports P-2 Dubai Police Dubai Municipality

2021

2022

Private Market 30,000 BLDGS 30,000 BLDGS Residential Sector

TO BE RETROFITTED

2018

2018 COMMAND &

2016 2014

2014 DEWA Building 1st Retrofit Project

DEWA Building 1st Retrofit Project

2013

RETROFIT

TAQATI

DIFC DEWA Lighting P-2

2015

2013

RETROFIT

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2015

SOLAR JAFZA Accommodation DEWA Lighting P-1

CONTROL COMMAND & WASLCENTER Dubai Airports P-1 CONTROL CENTER ENOC

2017 SUSTAINABILITY

2017 SUSTAINABILITY Dubai Airports Lighting Seven Tides IACAD -1 JAFZA P-3 Dry-docks DEWA Lighting P-3

Dubai Airports Lighting Seven Tides IACAD -1 JAFZA P-3 Dry-docks DEWA Lighting P-3

WASL Dubai Golf Dubai Airports P-1DEWA Building ENOC Dubai Golf DEWA Building

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

FEATURE

Innovative Solutions Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has signed a contract for the first independent sewage treatment plant project (ISTP) in the Kingdom with designed capacity of 350 thousand cubic meters per day.

E Eng Abdulrahman Al Fadley Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Chairman of the Water and Electricity Company, Chairman of the Supervisory Committee for Privatization in the Environment, Water and Agriculture Sectors - signed a Sewage Treatment Agreement (STA) for the development of the new wastewater treatment plant in Dammam. The plant has a designed capacity of 350,000 cubic meters per day and an initial capacity of 200,000 cubic

Issue 19 | December 2019

HE Eng Al Fadley explained that signing this agreement is an integral part of the plan set by the Ministry to tender similar projects to the investors in different regions across the Kingdom. This is in line with the Kingdom’s “Vision 2030” and the wider initiatives approved by the Cabinet of Ministers to further encourage private sector participation in economic development initiatives. Al Fadley pointed out that the project aims to upgrade services, make them more sustainable and increase capital spending efficiency by making the best use of the private sector experience in the environment, water and agricultural sectors. HE Turki Abdulaziz Al Hokail, CEO of National Center for Privatization and PPP, elaborated on this point explaining how the center contributes to supporting and enabling the privatisation program in the Kingdom to develop and to efficiently operate public-private partnerships projects. This initiative is the second privatisation initiative in the water sector signed in less than a month and the center is currently working closely with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, to complete other similar projects. Mr Khaled bin Zwaid AlQureshi, Chief

Executive Officer Water and Electricity Company, said, “The project will benefit the residents in West Dammam area with

The “objective of the privatisation projects is to achieve 2030 Vision targets by boosting service level, improving capital, spending efficiency and to benefit from private sector experience and participation in finance and investment.

“

meters per day and will serve the western region of Dammam. The project is the first independent sewage treatment plant project (ISTP) to be tendered to investors under a Build- Own- Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model and was awarded to the consortium led by the Metito Group and comprising the companies; “Metito”, “Mowah”, and “Orascom Construction”.

a designed capacity of 350,000 cubic meters per day, utilising the MBBR technology”.

“The project is expected to begin operation in February 2022 and that deciding to develop the project under an STA is aimed at securing more benefits, making the project more sustainable and eco-friendly through the use of innovative technological solutions able to reduce odors and noise and that will significantly cut electricity consumption”, added Mr Khaled AlQureshi. Mutaz Ghandour, Metito Group Chairman and CEO said, “Major infrastructure developments are taking place in the Kingdom. The Dammam ISTP is a true landmark being the first of its kind to be developed under this progressive and visionary leadership and we are very proud that the Consortium led by Metito has been awarded a project of this size and importance in one of the most dynamic markets in the world and a key market for Metito”. Sami Alrayes, Mowah Chairman and CEO said, “We are proud that Metito / Mowah / Orascom Consortium has been awarded the first Independent Sewage Treatment Plant Project (ISTP) in Saudi Arabia, West Dammam by Water and Electricity Company (WEC). The objective of the privatization projects is to achieve 2030 Vision targets by boosting service level, improving capital, spending efficiency and to benefit from private sector experience and participation in finance and investment.” Also, commenting on this agreement, Osama Bishai, CEO of Orascom Construction said, “ This project is a continuation of our efforts to build a solid portfolio of water-related construction projects similar to what we have achieved in power generation.” 17

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

FEATURE

Neom - Destination for the Future

NEOM incorporates the new way of life and the strategic crossroads in trade, innovation, and technology with livability at its core.

EOM is born from the ambition of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to see the country develop into a pioneering and thriving model of excellence in various and important areas of life. NEOM aims to thrive the transformation of the Kingdom into a leading global hub through the introduction of value chains of industry and technology. NEOM commands a unique location to bring together the best of Arabia, Asia, Africa, Europe and America. NEOM resides in the Northwestern region of Saudi Arabia, and spans over 26,500 km2. Overlooking the waterfront of the Red Sea to the South and the West, and the Gulf of Aqaba, NEOM enjoys an uninterrupted coastline stretching over 468 km, with 18

a dramatic mountain backdrop rising to 2,500 m to the East. A constant breeze leads to mild temperatures. The wind and sun will allow NEOM to be powered solely by regenerative energy. NEOM is situated on one of the world’s most prominent economic arteries, through which nearly a tenth of the world’s trade flows. Its strategic location will also facilitate the zone’s rapid emergence as a global hub that connects Asia, Europe and Africa, enabling 70% of the world’s population to reach it in under eight hours, which brings the potential to combine the best of major global regions in terms of knowledge, technology, research, teaching, learning, living and working. The site will also become the main entrance to the King Salman Bridge, linking Asia and Africa, which will add

to the zone’s economic significance. NEOM’s land mass will extend across the Egyptian and Jordanian borders, rendering NEOM the first private zone to span three countries. Investments and financing will play a vital role in NEOM, set to be spearheaded by the Kingdom’s economy and supported by PIF – a major global fund with access to a worldwide network of investors and major companies - set to be brought onboard to drive the success of NEOM. With the ambition of becoming one of the world’s future economic and scientific capitals, in addition to being the future commerce capital of Saudi Arabia, NEOM is set to attract new foreign direct investment that will contribute to PIF’s long-term growth strategy aimed at strengthening the Saudi Arabian economy. NEOM is developed to be independent of the Kingdom’s existing

THE FUTURE HAS BEGUN

Issue 19 | December 2019

The land of the future, where the greatest minds and best talents are empowered to embody pioneering ideas and exceed boundaries in a world inspired by imagination.

governmental framework, excluding sovereignty. NEOM will adopt a regulatory framework that fosters technological as well as societal innovation and entrepreneurship in accordance with international best practices. Investors, businesses, and innovators will be consulted at every step of the development in how best to create the economic framework, design the urban plans, and attract top quality talent that will drive the growth of this zone and its resident population. Flight

Solar Flight

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Solar

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Flight Solar

Solar

More than

A prime location at the crossroads of the world... More than

Wind speed Coastline

Coastline

450km

Wind speed

10.3 m/s

Wind speed

an ideal wind speed Approximately

10 %

“NEOM will be constructed from the ground-up, on greenfield sites, allowing it a unique opportunity to be distinguished from all other places that have been developed and constructed over hundreds of years and we will use this opportunity to build a new way of life with excellent economic prospects. Future technologies form the cornerstone for NEOM’s development: Disruptive solutions for transportation from automated driving to passenger drones, new ways of growing and processing food, healthcare centered around the patient for their holistic well-being, wireless high speed internet as a free good called “digital air”, free world-class continuous online education, full scale e-governance putting city services at your fingertips, building codes that make net-zero carbon houses the standard, a city layout that encourages walking and bicycling and all solely powered by renewable energy just to name a few. All of this will allow for a new way of life to emerge that takes into account the ambitions and outlooks of humankind paired with best future technologies and outstanding economic prospects”, said His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF)

Cooler World trade

World trade

Flight

70%

connectiviy

Environment

Solar

Cooler

of world trade flows through the Red Sea

20 MJ/m²

Solar

Perennial solar resources

NEOM’S ECONOMY Coastline

$ 500 Coastline

BILLION

World trade

$ 100

F U N D I NWind G speed

Cooler

Environment

Substantial job creation enhanced by the knowledge and know-how of international partners ECO N O M I C D E V E LO PM E N T

Enhancing the region’s importance by developing new economic sectors

Cooler

I N CO M E G E N E R AT I O N

Projected total GDP of $100 billion by 2030

Community

BILLION

J O B C R E AT I O N

Wind speed

A commitment of $500 billion by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and local and international investors

World trade

R E D U C E L E A K AG E

Livability

Minimizing investment and spend Livability leakage from the Saudi economy

Community

W H AT M A K E S N E O M U N I Q U E Environment

Community

Environment

Livability

Community

E N VI RO N M E N T Sunstainability

Environment connectiviy

A uniquely pristine environment Community

Environment

Innovation

Cooler

Cooler than the rest of the GCC

World trade Cooler

of the globe lives less than 8 hours flight away

Environment

connectiviy

an area of land larger than Singapore

An average of Coastline Wind speed

of unspoiled coastline

World trade

x 35

Regulation

Innovation connectiviy

Sustainability as Regulation a living principle Livability

Livability Regulation

Sunstainability

connectiviy

SUSTAI N AB I L I T Y

Livability

Community Community

CO N N ECT I VI T Y

connectiviy

Livability

Sunstainability

Leadership connected Globally Sunstainability and well located Sunstainability

Creativity

Regulation

Leadership Regulation

I N N OVAT I O N Sunstainability Leadership Transforming the way we live andLeadership work

connectiviy

Innovation Innovation Innovation

Sunstainability Regulation

Innovation

Open, inclusive Leadership and respectful

Regulation

World-class regulation for people and business

Creativity

L E AD E RS H I P

CO M M U N I T Y Community

A center for creativity Creativity and innovation

REGU L AT I O N S Creativity Creativity

Leadership

Innovation

C RE AT I VI T Y

Livability

Leadership Creativity

Visionary Creativity and committed leadership

L I VA B I L I T Y

Environment

Community

Livability

NEOM aspires to be the best place to live and work

NEOM will achieve its ambitious goals of becoming among the top secure areas in the world – if not the most– by NEOM’S 16 ECONOMIC SECTORS ARE THE FUTURE OF adopting the future technologies in the fields of security and safety. This will raise the standards of public life activities and ensure the safety and protection of residents, visitors, WATER ENERGY MOBILITY BIOTECH FOOD MANUFACTURING and investors. All services and processes in NEOM will TOURISM SPORT LIVING AS WATER AND MOBILITY HEALTH & WELL BEING FOOD EDUCATION IOTECH FOOD ADVANCED MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTION BIOTECH ADVANCED MEDIA ENTERTAINM ENERGY ADVANCED ENTEES ENERGY AND MOBILITYBIOTECH BIOTECHFOOD ADVANCED MEDIA ENERGY ANDMOBILITY be 100% fully automated, with the goalAND of becoming the MOBILITY BIOTECH FOOD ADVANCED MEDIA MEDIA ENERGY AND NEOM’S MANUFACTURING DIGITAL MANUFACTURING WATER MANUFACTURING WATER MANUFACTURING WATER MANUFACTURING WATER FOUNDATION SCIENCES BIOTECH FOOD ADVANCED MEDIA EN ENERGY AND MOBILITY most efficient destination in the world, and in turn be MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT, TECHNOLOGY TOURISM SPORT MANUFACTURING WATER CULTURE AND FASHION AND DIGITAL implemented on all activities such as legal, government, and SPORT LIVING AS AS MOBILITY BIOTECH BIOTECH FOOD ADVANCED MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT ENERGY AND MOBILITY TOURISM SPORT LIVING ADVANCED ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGICAL TOURISM AND TOURISM SPORT NEOM’S LIVING AS MOBILITY BIOTECH FOOD FOOD ADVANCED MEDIAMEDIAENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGICAL ENERGY ANDENERGY MANUFACTURING AND WATER MANUFACTURING ANDDIGITAL DIGITAL WATER TOURISM SPORT LIVING AS A MOBILITY BIOTECH FOOD ADVANCED MEDIA ENERGYAND AND MOBILITY TOURISM SPORT NEOM’S LIVING BIOTECH FOOD ADVANCED MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGICAL ENERGY NEOM’S MANUFACTURING AND DIGITAL WATER others. NEOM will be subject investment procedures among FOUNDATION SCIENCES FOUNDATION SCIENCES NEOM’S MANUFACTURING AND DIGITAL WATER NEOM’ MANUFACTURING AND DIGITAL WATER FOUNDATION SCIENCES FOUNDATION SCIENCES FOUNDATI SCIENCES to the highest sustainability standards, and will provide all DESIGN AND SERVICES HEALTH AND EDUCATION LIVABILITY CONSTRUCTION WELL-BEING transactions, procedures, claims through and TOURISM SPORT LIVING ASENERGYand WATER HEALTH & paperless WELL BEINGTOURISM EDUCATION AL BIOTECH CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LIVING AS HEALTH & WELL BEING EDUCATION EDUCATION LIVING FOOD ADVANCED ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTION S TOURISM SPORT AS WATER MOBILITY BIOTECH FOOD ADVANCED MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT AND TOURISM SPORT SPORTLIVING AS WATERWATERTECHNOLOGICAL HEALTH & WELL BEING FOOD ADVANCED MEDIA MEDIA TECHNOLOGICAL CONSTRUCTION SERV NEOM’S ORT LIVING AS WATERENTERTAINMENT & WELL BEING EDUCATION SERVICES NEOM’S MANUFACTURING AND DIGITAL NEOM’S MANUFACTURINGCONSTRUCTION AND DIGITAL WATER HEALTHAND NEOM’S MANUFACTURING DIGITAL electronic means. FOUNDATION FOUNDATION NEOM’S SCIENCES FOUNDATION SCIENCES FOUNDATION SCIENCES Sunstainability

connectiviy

Innovation

connectiviy

Leadership

Innovation

FOUNDATION

NEOM.COM

Regulation

Sunstainability Creativity

Regulation

Leadership

Creativity

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

FEATURE

King Salman Energy Park Saudi Aramco builds SPARK, a sustainable global energy hub from the ground up.

s a business strategy, localisation can be right on the money, delivering reliability plus cost and time efficiencies to the bottom line. But the real power of local content development lies in its ability to add value beyond corporate borders, with a competitive boost to local and regional economies. Spurring a ripple effect of job creation, workforce development, technology transfer and local manufacturing, it can even be transformative. 20

That’s all part of the plan for Saudi Aramco’s supply chain initiative, the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) program. In a real sense, IKTVA aligns with the community engagement that the oil, gas and chemicals giant has manifested for more than 80 years. But that practice of giving back – and enabling economic growth – is about to enter a new phase with the King Salman Energy Park. Called SPARK, the megaproject is designed to position

Saudi Arabia as a global energy hub that furnishes a dynamic, enabling environment for foreign and domestic investment. This unprecedented plan to create a national energy sector from the ground up is an idea whose time has come. Targeting exploration, production, refining, petrochemicals, conventional power, and water production and treatment, SPARK will leverage Saudi Aramco’s pivotal role as the world’s most reliable energy supplier – and the world’s leading megaproject manager. With manufacturing and service activities ranging from equipment for drilling, electrical services, and liquids treatment; exploration and production services; to pipes, vessels, tanks, valves, and pumps,

Issue 19 | December 2019

SPARK will be sure catalyst for Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s plan to diversify the Kingdom’s economy beyond oil and build a thriving private sector. Saudi Aramco’s directive is to set SPARK’s foundation as an economic initiative that can attract, establish, and encourage local energy industries capable of competing in the global arena, as well as foster companies specialising in power generation materials and providing engineering and oil field services. And as with all strategic business projects, location is everything. The 50-square-kilometer energy city will be constructed at between Dammam and Al-Hasa in the heart of the Saudi energy business, near major workforce providers and adjacent to highway and railway networks. This location will also allow for integration with Dammam’s 3rd Industrial City, as well as proximity to power generation and water sources, and logistical services. Saudi Aramco began the project by conducting studies and surveys with key international suppliers who concurred on requirements for creating a world-class, sustainable ecosystem: well-developed infrastructure, including a dry port; industrial training institutes; residential compounds; and commercial activities – all providing a one-stop shop to incentivise investment and enable small and medium enterprises, the backbone of a healthy private sector. By its 2035 completion date, SPARK is expected to support and increase the security of energy supplies that will be offered at competitive prices; lower the costs of the sector-related operational

products and services; and enable rapid response from domestic product and service providers to Saudi Aramco’s urgent operational and developmental requirements. SPARK’s long-term economic effect is expected to result in 100,000 direct and indirect jobs; increase annual GDP by SR 22.5 billion; localise more than 350 new industrial and service facilities; and establish an industrial base that facilitates innovation, development, and global competition. In this context, SPARK will drive value creation in all of its activities and contribute to Saudi Aramco’s local-content mission to develop a sector that covers 70% of local demand and can export 30% of its products by 2021, as well as create thousands of direct and indirect jobs by 2025. With its value proposition so clearly defined, energy industry leaders are committing to SPARK. In December 2017, Schlumberger was the first investor, planning a center for manufacturing onshore oil and gas well platform products, as well as their supply chain products. Negotiations are underway with more than 120 industrial investors in the initial phase. And as the developing company, Saudi Aramco will make SPARK its drilling and workover operation headquarters, and home to a supply chain management center. Construction began in September 2017, and the completion rate for the whole project’s engineering designs is now more than halfway complete. Investors’ plot allocations took place during third-quarter 2018, and the first phase as a whole will be completed in 2021.

GREEN JOB

Environmental Researches and Studies Specialist (19001740) Providing expertise and technical advice on issues and environmental issues for all concerned with management, preparing specialised environmental research studies and developing policies, laws, regulations and environmental strategies to reduce environmental pollution according to the work plans and strategic directions of the department. To apply, please visit: jobs.dubaicareers.ae

With these carefully calculated components creating an attractive environment for investors, SPARK will be a driver for energy manufacturing and services for the region, plus Africa, Asia and Europe. It will be a crucible for innovation and creation, and for broadening the capacity of our capable, qualified, and highly educated men and women. As we help reinvent Saudi Arabia for tomorrow’s opportunities, Saudi Aramco welcomes partners to join us in building higher on the Kingdom’s rich resources. SPARK’s wealth of opportunities will also help create a stronger global industry and a more secure energy future – a sure win-win for all. 21

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

Issue 19 | December 2019

I AM THE SUSTAINABILIST

Tanzeed Alam

Managing Director, Earth Matters Consulting

ave sustainability and environmental issues always been a passion of yours? How did you first get involved, and how did you develop your passion? As a child, I have always thrived on any connection with nature, and still do. In 1988, as a young boy, I was living in Dhaka, Bangladesh when the major floods hit the capital city. Our family was stranded on our 2nd floor apartment and we had to live with an uncle as the waters damaged our property. Of course, countries like Bangladesh are on the front line of climate change, with even greater risks being faced now and in the future. As I grew older, my studies in environmental science and Climate Change reinforced my curiosity, something that was reiterated through interactions with great teachers, friends and practical experiences in nature. I’m a firm believer that without a safe and secure natural environment, that societies and economies will not function. Have you actively tried to align your career with your passion for sustainability? And does this commitment to sustainability extend to your personal life? I have made a mindful decision to align my values and principles with a career in sustainability as it is crucial for my personal happiness. Issues like climate change and loss of wildlife and nature are things that need to be solved today by those in power and with the financial authority to make the needed changes. If we leave it to our children to solve,

then I feel it is a grossly unfair legacy for future generations. As a family, we talk to our children about the natural world, encourage them to be curious about plants and animals. We practice good behaviour to conserve energy and water and only have one car. We also try our best to separate our waste and recycle, getting the children involved in separating plastic, metals, paper and glass. Do you have a particular favourite area of sustainability or environmental issues? One of the most exciting things is how quickly the issues are moving forward, so what may be a favourite today, may be something different in the future. I’d say a key area of my expertise is on climate change science, mitigation and adaptation and working with people to find simple solutions to what may appear complex. Climate change is something that will affect all sectors, whether it is your health from heat waves, coastal infrastructure being damaged from storms, loss of food production, fossil fuel companies needing to change their business models to become more ‘climate friendly’ and risks faced by financial institutions. The solution lies across all these areas and there are clear economic and business opportunities to make positive changes and address these issues. Where do you see your career and commitment to sustainability progressing in the future, both professionally and personally? I recently set up Earth Matters Consulting

in the UAE and the UK (www.earthmatters.net). Starting a business has always been a professional goal and so far, one I’m greatly enjoying. You never know what the future may hold, but I’d like to see the company getting more involved as a technology provider or broker, possibly in the area of capture and re-use of carbon dioxide for other products and services. CO2 can be used to enhance food production and create other high value products. Being able to scale up such solutions is crucial to fight climate change. Another area is creating a better economic and business case for the use of natural solutions for climate change. Mangroves, sea grasses, coral reefs are all crucial natural systems that are havens for wildlife populations, can protect land from flooding and provide incomes for people. Why do you think sustainability is important to Dubai and the UAE? Is it something in which we should all be invested? Before the discovery of oil and trade, people in Dubai and the UAE had to live in a sustainable way, due to the lack of natural resources in a harsh desert environment. The growth of the country has been astounding and is due to the forward looking and positive mentality of the leaders. However, our economies and societies would not function without a healthy and safe environment, so we should all be invested. For example, if the air quality is so poor that it affects the health of my children, then I feel ‘poorer’ and less ‘happy’ as a result – this is not sustainable and hence why addressing these sorts of environmental concerns are crucial. However, I think things are headed in the right direction evidenced by the growing sustainability movement, more entrepreneurial and younger leaders and new institutions. 23

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

and act as a catalyst for investment across various sectors. Each of these giga-projects will generate high financial returns in the medium to long term.

FEATURE

Vision 2030

All you need to know about Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects.

he biggest development projects till date: Qiddiya Entertainment City, NEOM (page 19), the Red Sea Project and Amaala resort will shape the future of tourism as an important hub to meet and satisfy the recreational, social and cultural needs of the Kingdom’s current and future generations. In 2016, His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister, mandated the development of long-term model of prosperity for the Kingdom and the result was Vision 2030, an ambitious yet attainable blueprint to ensure that Saudi Arabia is a vibrant society, a thriving economy and a

progressive nation. These developments are part of the Crown Prince’s ambitious plan Saudi Vision 2030 that aims to diversify the economy, away from a dependency on oil and society with varied and rich experience of a quality lifestyle including world class tourism. The Public Investment Fund (PIF), a sovereign wealth fund owned by Saudi Arabia has been tasked with developing the series of “giga-projects.” The PIF program is targeting the development of a series of projects, unique in their scope and ambition, into integrated economic ecosystems that will support the economic transformation of the Kingdom

QIDDIYA The Qiddiya area is strategically located in the Riyadh region, covering an area of 334 square kilometers, about 40 kilometers to the southwest of the city of Riyadh. The project aspires to turn Qiddiya into the Kingdom’s iconic entertainment destination; home of activity, discovery, and engagement. Indeed, the project aims to redefine the entertainment notion in the Kingdom and take advantage of the promising opportunities offered by the local market. The project also seeks to enhance economic diversification, attract foreign investment, and reduce the Kingdom’s spending leakage in entertainment and recreation to other regional and international destinations. In addition, the project will contribute to the creation of new jobs and functions in the Saudi labor market. Qiddiya’s world-class entertainment offerings will include theme parks, motorsport and thrill activities, a sports city, events and cultural activities, and opportunities to enjoy natural beauty and wildlife. Retail malls and outlets, food and beverage strips, and an array of hospitality options will complement these exquisite features. By 2030, the number of visitors is expected to reach 17 million visitors per year for the entertainment sector, 12 million visitors for the shopping sector, and 2 million visitors for the hospitality sector. The project is expected to contribute SAR 17 billion to the GDP by 2030 and provide 57,000 jobs.

Issue 19 | December 2019

Visitors will have access to more than 300 recreational and educational facilities designed around five cornerstones of development that drive the strategy: Parks and attractions, sports and wellness, motion and mobility, nature and environment, and arts and culture. THE RED SEA PROJECT The Red Sea project sprawls along the northwestern coast of Saudi Arabia, between the cities of Umluj and Al-Wajh, over an area of 34,000 square kilometers. It will be a luxurious waterfront destination established on a number of islands and mountainous areas surrounded by nature and heritage sites. The region has a number of outstanding features: • One of the best beaches and diving sites along the Red Sea (consisting of 50 islands and unique coral reefs) • A natural reserve of marine life (for example, hawksbill sea turtles) and wild terrestrial animals (for example, Arab tigers and wolves, falcons, and eagles) • Moderate climate, suitable to visit beaches throughout the year • Dormant volcanoes, representing main touristic attractions • Proximity to Mada’in Saleh and the historical village of Al-’Ula (the first Saudi heritage site on the UNESCO World List) The Red Sea project is a unique and luxurious tourist destination consisting of islands, beautiful nature, and distinctive cultural landmarks. The project will set new standards for sustainable development, create a new category of tourism, and put Saudi Arabia on the international tourism map.The project also aims to diversify and promote tourist activities in Saudi Arabia throughout the year and its strategic

location will attract visitors, who are expected to reach 1 million a year by 2035. The project will provide five tourist experiences for visitors: sun and sand, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, culture and heritage, and wellness tourism. The project will offer access to 130 activities divided into eight categories: wellness, eco-tourism, water sports, other sports, entertainment, culture, education, and health care. The project site will be located in a special zone, with its own regulations, and facilitated visa requirements. It will target the market for meetings, conferences, and exhibitions, as this market is witnessing remarkable growth in Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries. The final project development will include a wide variety of assets for commercial and private sale, including hospitality, luxury residences, retail, and entertainment activities. In general, the maximum number of resort visitors will be capped annually to

protect the environment and preserve the area. In this regard, environmental protection measures will be established in line with global best practices. The project’s capacity will be developed in line with expected demand growth (visitors). The project will be developed in two main phases: from 2017 to 2022, and from 2022 to 2035. The Red Sea project is expected to launch in Q3 of 2019, with completion of the first phase of the project by Q4 of 2022, including the development of luxury hotels and residential units as well as logistics infrastructure, including air, land, and sea transport centers. The project is expected to contribute SAR 15 billion annually to GDP and create up to 35,000 jobs after its completion and launch. Significantly, the Red Sea project ensures protection of ecology. As part of the planning process, major environmental studies were carried out to 25

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

north-western coast of Saudi Arabia. The development will cover an area of more than 3,800 sq. km. and will target more than 2,500, hotel keys and 700 residential villas, apartments and estate homes, plus over 200 high end retail establishments. Amaala will stand out for its natural diversity and a unique heritage offering with several stunning geological and historical sites, such as Madain Saleh and Al-Ula.

ensure that the area’s sensitive ecology was protected both during and after completion of the development. Furthermore, the master plan is underpinned by an extensive smart destination management system that will support a wide range of personalised products and services designed to appeal to the modern luxury traveler. The TRSDC employed the world’s first destination-scale computer simulation techniques, created in Saudi Arabia, to assess the impact of the development and future tourism on the environment. The resulting plan now targets a 30 per cent net increase in biodiversity over the next two decades, a conservation equivalent to designating the site as a marine protection area. Technology also underpins the destination’s sustainability initiatives, with a suite of sensors and monitoring devices in place to track and measure variations in environmental factors such as water salinity, temperature, visibility and tidal flows. 26

AMAALA Amaala is an ultra-luxury development that is part of an integrated approach to developing Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast focusing on wellness, healthy living, and meditation; it is intended to become the newest destination on the jet-setter map. Amaala will provide the facilities and services for guests to shape their own luxury experience. It will celebrate arts, culture, fashion, wellness and sports, providing every guest a bespoke luxury lifestyle of their own choice. Amaala will be part of a new Red Sea ecosystem – which includes NEOM and the Red Sea Project. All of the developments on the Red Sea are intended to co-exist in a complementary manner to cover different target audiences by providing different offerings to match their needs, and of course, futuristic business and industrial zones. Amaala will be developed over three sites located within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Natural Reserve on the pristine

Further, the Red Sea Coral Reef offers a truly unique and protected eco-system to explore and will appeal to visitors as one of the world’s last remaining pristine marine ecosystems. Amaala will be a significant driver of domestic and foreign direct investment, stimulating economic growth and job creation on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast, and, as envisioned in the Vision 2030 strategy, intends to support the diversification of Saudi Arabia’s leisure and tourism industry, while promoting cultural conservation, ecological preservation and sustainability. Amaala will also generate an expected 22,000 jobs across hospitality and tourism, leisure and retail, in addition to the opportunities created in construction and ancillary industries. In the strategic planning phases of this project, significant effort was made to ensure that the development of the project, and subsequently the operation of the resorts and facilities therein, co-exist with the natural eco-system of the area. The delivery of the sites will prioritise sustainability and source innovative, eco-friendly solutions such as sustainable farming, solar power generation and other features that will not jeopardise or destroy the fragile marine ecosystem.

Issue 19 | December 2019

CASE STUDY

Solar Panels that Create Fresh Water KAUST researchers have produced a device that can produce electricity from sunlight while simultaneously purifying water.

AUST researchers have produced a device that can produce electricity from sunlight while simultaneously purifying water. A new technology developed by KAUST researchers reactively utilises the waste heat of solar panels to drive a membrane distillation process to produce clean water. The multi-stage design enables the latent heat of water vapor condensation to be recycled and reused, leading to recordbreaking clean water production rate from seawater and other water sources with impaired quality. The clean water production does not affect the regular electricity generation performance by the solar panel.

electricity generation, are fully solar energy driven and are seamlessly integrated into one single device, which significantly reduces capital investment costs by sharing the same land and the same mounting system. This research represents a breakthrough in delivering drinking water to water scarce areas and also the possibility of transforming electricity power plants from water consumers into fresh water producers. “It’s still at an early stage. We at this point can produce a device [that’s] 10 centimeter by 10 centimeter,” Wang says. “But this proof of concept proves this technology works. Therefore, we are currently working on making much larger one. Our target is always to make this all the way to full size, which is the size of commercial PV [photovoltaic] panel one meter by one meter.” says Dr. Peng Wang Professor of Environmental Science and Engineering and member of KAUST’s Water Desalination Research Center.

GREEN JOB

HR Specialist (19002024) Optimisation of daily operations, providing information to management, organising travel arrangements for the team, liaising with government stakeholders amongst other responsibilities. To apply, please visit: jobs.dubaicareers.ae

The two processes: clean water and 27

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

INTERVIEW

The Natural Choice

In conversation with Dr Richard Soppe, Plant Growth Facilities Manager at Core Labs, on the scope of sustainable farming and expansion plans in Saudi Arabia.

hat is it about the work you’re doing that’s disruptive? Disruptive sounds so negative. The work that we are trying to do focuses on a complex system of technology, behavior, knowledge and scale. Technology in agriculture is a combination of water management technology for water quality and water quantity (irrigation for crop water demand, but also to maintain favorable chemical composition in the root zone of the crop), as well as soil management, from physical structure to fertility and microbial activity. Improving plant response to drought, salinity and other stresses is another aspect of agricultural ‘technology’. The behavioral aspects involve how people manage these living systems. How are 28

economic drivers combined with a long term sustainable approach to the farms? Is suitable land limited, or is it the shortage of good quality water? Is the global demand for food matched with financial reward for farmers? Since the questions related to balancing production with sustainability and management are very diverse, the research groups at KAUST are tackling different aspects of agricultural production that are specifically important to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region. Protecting date palm production from pests and diseases, domestication of wheat and barley, developing a better understanding of the interaction between soil microbial life and plant stresses for drought tolerance, and selection of a variety of plants that are more

tolerant to higher salinity are elements that can balance demand for higher intensity production with more sustainable approaches. My own work contributes only a small part of the overall complex system, which is why team work is so important. Bringing together all the different disciplines is, in my opinion, the only way to come up with long term sustainable solutions and approaches. Disruptive indicates a fast change over a short time span. At the same time, we are trying to get long term behavior adapted to future requirements. Education is an important tool. Recently, we organised a seminar in collaboration with the Embassy of The Netherlands in Riyadh to showcase new generation greenhouses

Issue 19 | December 2019

specifically designed for coastal conditions in the Kingdom, optimal pest management solutions using integrated pest management, basically using natural enemies of common agricultural pests to reduce chemical pesticide applications, improved lighting control to increase crop production in horticulture, and the latest research activities on irrigation water management automation. Representatives of Bosman Van Zaal, Koppert, Signify (previously known as Philips Lighting) and Wageningen University presented to an audience of students, researchers and practitioners from the Kingdom. What are some of your long-term goals for food security in Saudi Arabia? The terminology “food security” is open for interpretation. Ensuring that the trade routes for agricultural products remain intact and protected will provide a level of security for food availability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. At the same time we see opportunities for local production of food as well. Some of that food can be produced with high tech greenhouse systems that recycle water, make optimal use of solar energy, manage the climatic conditions like temperature, humidity and light quantity and quality for the specific plants. Better understanding of threats to conventional agricultural systems is also important. Pests like the red palm weevil are affecting date palm production and finding safe methods to protect this industry helps in securing food security. Another element is providing fodder to goats, sheep and camels. Instead of using good quality water to grow this fodder, we are growing this with saline water in the coastal areas. Combining this with the strong fishery sector along the Kingdom’s coast, where focus has intensified on maintaining sustainable

conditions covers a large range to create long term sustainable food security for the Kingdom. One of the short term actions at King Abdulla University of Science and Technology is to install sustainable greenhouses, both for research of plants, as well as a proof of concept that not all elements of greenhouse production require non-saline water. A start-up at KAUST, Red Sea Farms, will focus on alternative cooling systems, combined with salt tolerant fresh vegetable production. Do you think technological developments might be used to combat global problems such as land use and food insecurity in the Kingdom? Technological developments are definitely one of the focus areas to find solutions to global problems. At the same time, we have learned that technology alone is not the solution. Its use, the people that use it, the behavioral changes that accompany the new technologies have as big a role to play. When we look at the introduction of the smart phones in combination with wireless internet access we can’t deny that this has brought a lot of progress for many people. It changes our behavior in education – instead of learning tables by heart, we now need to learn how to find these tables quickly from the resources that are available at our fingertips. We continuously carry encyclopedias in our pockets and hand bags. The same technology allows us to continuously monitor energy and water consumption in high tech agricultural systems, turn the tap on or off remotely, and program and automate many agricultural activities. This has the potential to use natural resources more efficiently, but may at the same time also result in less of a link

with the agricultural production process. I am always a little bit sad when children think that tomatoes come from the supermarket instead of from a farm. What I am trying to say is that technology is definitely helping to find solutions, but at the same time we should not underestimate the need for human interaction with those technologies. What are your plans for the next five years? At KAUST, my main task is to provide the best plant growth facilities for research. We are trying to achieve this through the best selection and development of technology and practices. This continuous learning process needs to be shared with the research and farming community in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but also with the larger region, since our challenges are so similar. With the construction of a new agricultural field site at KAUST, we will have more opportunities to not only talk about the technologies and practices, but to demonstrate them as well. For the Kingdom, showing the impact of our University’s research is important. At the same time, we have a role in supporting Vision 2030, which we can do by supporting the start-up companies in the Kingdom, as well as the small and medium enterprises (SME’s). This varies between greenhouses that require less fresh water to grow crops, horticultural shade screens with build-in photovoltaic cells to capture energy, composting companies that turn green waste in a valuable resource, and robotics development. It is an exciting time to be part of these activities, and I expect that the next five years will require lots of enthusiasm and energy. I am happy to contribute to this. 29

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

CENTREFOLD

Change is in the Air EDF-Masdar consortium reaches financial close on Dumat Al Jandal wind project.

The Renewable Energy Project Development Office (REPDO) of the Saudi Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources (MEIM) awarded the US$500 million Dumat Al Jandal wind farm in January following a call for tenders in August 2017. The winning consortium submitted the most cost-competitive bid of US$21.3 per megawatt hour (MWh). With an installed capacity of 400 megawatts (MW), the Dumat Al Jandal project will be Saudi Arabia’s first wind farm and the largest in the Middle East. Led by EDF Renewables and Masdar, a subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, project construction will begin shortly and commercial operations are due to start in the first quarter of 2022. Vestas is the contracted wind-turbine technology provider and responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract. TSK will be responsible for the balance of plant (BOP), while CG Holdings will provide the substations and high-voltage solutions. 30

“We are delighted to take part in the first wind project in the country, which is set to be the most powerful wind farm in the Middle East. This new step reflects the quality of our partnership with Masdar, which has enabled us to jointly submit the most competitive bid. Wind power is now representing a renewable and economical solution in the energy mix,” said Bruno Bensasson, EDF Group Senior Executive President responsible for Renewable Energies, and Chairman and CEO of EDF Renewables.

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With an installed capacity of 400 megawatts (MW), the Dumat Al Jandal project will be Saudi Arabia’s first wind farm and the largest in the Middle East.

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he consortium consisting of EDF Renewables and Masdar has completed the financing of the Dumat Al Jandal utilityscale wind project in Saudi Arabia, with the backing of Saudi and international banks.

Issue 19 | December 2019

QUICK FACTS

400 MW wind farm

SAUDI ARABIA’S FIRST WIND Farm

“This new project demonstrates our ambitions in the country and represents another step forward under the EDF Group’s Cap 2030 strategy, which aims to double its renewable energy capacity by 2030 – both in France and worldwide – to 50GW.” Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar said: “The award of Saudi Arabia’s first and the Middle East’s largest wind farm during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in January was a momentous occasion for our company and our partners. It also illustrated the depth of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to realise its bold strategy to substantially increase the contribution

largest wind farm in the middle east

of renewables in its total energy mix to 27.3GW by 2024, from wind as well as solar energy. The over-subscribed financing of the Dumat Al Jandal project further illustrates the confidence of local and international lenders, and the investment community, in the economy of the Kingdom and its potential as a hub for highly cost-effective renewable energy development.” The Dumat Al Jandal wind farm will supply electricity according to a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Saudi Power Procurement Company, a subsidiary of SEC (Saudi Electricity Company), the Saudi power generation and distribution company.

1,000,000 tc02E

CO2 displaced per year

Osama Khawandanah, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Power Procurement Company, said: “We are proud to see the Dumat Al Jandal wind project progress to the construction stage, and we congratulate the winning consortium members for spearheading the future of wind energy in the region. The Dumat Al Jandal project has set the benchmark and shows the potential for onshore wind energy in the Kingdom, and is a new reference point and source of confidence as we continue to diversify our power generation system.” The wind farm will be located 560 miles (896km) north of Riyadh, in the Al Jouf region of Saudi Arabia. 31

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

FEATURE

Green Riyadh The project involves planting 7.5 million trees across the capital which will help reduce average ambient temperature of Riyadh by 2 degrees Celsius.

reen Riyadh is one of Riyadh’s four grand projects launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister of

Saudi Arabia, under supervision of the Committee of Grand Projects chaired by His Royal Highness. This project is a key element of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and is an important part of the city’s

challenges towards becoming one of the top 100 cities in the world and eventually achieving the highest ranking possible. The Green Riyadh Project includes

Issue 19 | December 2019

To secure the required irrigation water for this project, new irrigation networks will be established to use recycled water, which is usually being wasted in the valleys. Selected species of trees will be used to make wide shade cover. Those species will survive in Riyadh’s desert environment and will not require large amounts of water. Additionally, required supportive elements will be made available for this project such as: a network of nurseries to feed the project with seedlings, legislation and urban

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The Green Riyadh Project includes planting 7.5 million trees across the capital.

Vision The Green Riyadh project will contribute in increasing the per capita share of green space, and raise total green spaces through planting trees around all city features and facilities as well as in all its provinces. All of the greening will be watered by recycled water from an irrigation network. The greening initiative will lead to improved air quality and reduced temperatures in the city. As a consequences, this project will encourage Riyadh citizens to follow a healthy lifestyle which is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

standards will be developed to encourage tree planting on public and private projects, and all local community groups will be encouraged to participate in volunteering initiatives within the Green Riyadh Project.

Afforestation projects 6,000 schools, 2,000 car parking sites, 1670 government facilities, 390 healthcare facilities, 64 universities, 16,400 km street and roads, 1,100 km green belts along utilities lines (electricity towers, and petrol pipelines), 272 km valleys, 175,000 square km of empty land, 3,330 neighborhood gardens, 43 parks and 9,000 mosques.

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planting 7.5 million trees across the capital in gardens and parks, mosques, schools, academic, healthcare and public facilities in addition to King Khaled International Airport and most roads, streets, car parking spaces, and valleys.

Afforestation: 1,100 km green tree species using 72 local tree species, which are able to survive in the Riyadh environment. This will help increase the city’s green cover from 1.5 per cent of the total area to 9.1 per cent, or approximately 541sq km, by 2030. Processed Water: Maximise use of recycled water in irrigation works by increasing its usage from 90,000 cubic meter per day now to more than 1 million cubic meter per day in the future, by establishing a new recycled water network, for the sustainability of water resources in the city.

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

FEATURE

Enabling the Energy Transition ACWA Power’s contribution to the renewable energy landscape has been gradually but evidently escalating on a global scale.

CWA Power is a developer, investor and operator of a portfolio of power generation and desalinated water plants with 57 assets currently in operation, construction or advance development across 12 countries, including in the Middle East and North Africa, Southern Africa and South East Asia regions. With decades of expertise in the field, ACWA Power has emerged as a key total solution provider for the power and water sectors worldwide. Following an energy agnostic approach, ACWA Power is committed to using 34

now comprises 24% of ACWA Power’s portfolio.

and deploying the most advanced technologies and innovative solutions in all its operations, practices and projects. Hence, as the company expands its international outreach, it is able to energise and empower communities across the globe, and deliver an equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future for all.

Dubai is leading the regional energy transition and is committed to utilising its capital and infrastructural resources to ensure that 75% of the emirate’s demands are catered through renewable sources by 2050. ACWA Power’s most prominent Dubai-based project is Noor Energy 1 – the fourth phase of Mohammad Bin Rashid Solar Park and the largest singlesite concentrated solar power plant in the world.

Nevertheless, the energy sector is in the midst of a transition which is resulting in the fastest uptake of clean energy in history. ACWA Power’s contribution to the renewable energy landscape has been gradually but evidently escalating on a global scale; renewable energy

Noor Energy 1 emerged as a product of ACWA Power and DEWA’s collaboration to support Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and increase the share of clean energy in Dubai to 25% by 2030. With a hybrid model of both concentrated solar power (CSP) and photovoltaic solar

Issue 19 | December 2019

The fourth phase accumulated investments up to AED15.78 billion in cooperation with Chinese investors, and will generate a total of 950 MW - 700MW of CSP; 600MW from a parabolic basin complex and 100MW from a solar tower; and 250MW from photovoltaic solar panels. ACWA Power’s cost leadership strategy qualified the company to be chosen as the partner of choice - the reduced costs of the implemented technologies in Noor Energy 1 are able to deliver the world’s lowest CSP Levelised Cost of Electricity of USD7.3 cents per kilowatt-hour and the lowest Levelised Cost of Electricity for PV of USD2.4 cents per kilowatthour; a cost level that competes with fossil fuel generated electricity without subsidy. Noor Energy 1 will feature the tallest solar tower in the world at 260 meters and the largest thermal storage capacity of 15 hours; a great feat for renewables that will allow reliable and dispatchable solar energy through day and night. ACWA Power is also running the 2 phase of the Mohamed Bin Rashid Solar Park – Shuaa Energy 1 IPP which generates 200 MW and offsets 214,000 CO2 emissions annually.

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ACWA Power’s mission goes beyond reaching business objectives; it also heavily focuses on ensuring socioeconomic benefits are being delivered with the construction of every project.

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technologies based on an Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, the project is set to provide clean energy for 320,000 residences and reduce 1.6 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

USD 58 million to cover an area of 60 ha. The plant will generate a capacity of 50MWp to provide 83 million KWh/year to the national grid.

In Southeast Asia, ACWA Power recently announced the commercial operation date of Vinh Hao 6 PV IPP in the Vietnamese province Binh Thuan. A joint investment between ACWA Power and FELCON, Vinh Hao 6 accumulated investments of

Vinh Hao is ACWA Power’s first renewable energy project in Vietnam. In aim of continuing its renewables trail, ACWA Power is finalising the commencement of Nam Dinh 1 BOT project later this year which will represent the company’s next step in partnering with the people and the government of Vietnam to address the power shortage currently faced and achieve the country’s development goals.

All the way in Southeast Europe lies ACWA Power’s Karadzhalovo Solar PV IPP in Bulgaria. The project generates a capacity of 60MWp and is expected to produce 81,000 MWh per annum, enough to power nearly 10,000 homes. It has been operational since March 2012 and dispatches electricity to the Bulgarian power grid with an off-take arrangement for a 20-year term on a Feed in Tariff framework with the state-owned Natsionalna Elektricheska Kompania. The plant is operated and maintained by a company formed in Bulgaria by NOMAC - a subsidiary of ACWA Power - and Sun Edison. Karadzhalovo power plant is expected to offset approximately 48,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum. ACWA Power’s mission goes beyond reaching business objectives; it also heavily focuses on ensuring socioeconomic benefits are being delivered with the construction of every project. Bolstering societal conditions in the communities we operate in can range from offering access to affordable energy and elevating local employment, through to empowering women by increasing income, employability and improving education. With 17 projects currently in ACWA Power’s renewables portfolio, the company remains keen to amplify its green energy reach on a larger international scale through the deployment of sustainable models. With the expertise, monetary and human capital at hand, ACWA Power is able to cement its position as a key leader in diversifying the energy mix across multiple nations and help in energy transition to build sustainable economies centered on mixed energy resources. 35

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

Licensing ceremony for ENGIE Saudi alongside WEC 2019 in Abu Dhabi.

FEATURE

An Energy Partner inspired by the Visionary Strategies of its Clients ENGIE has been developing and implementing transformative projects that are supporting the energy transition in Saudi Arabia.

s a long-term energy partner and investor in the GCC, ENGIE has always been inspired by the bold and visionary strategies of its regional clients. Twenty years ago, we were the GCC’s pioneering private partner of its emerging 36

Independent Power & Water model. In 2006, we started our partnership with Saudi Arabia for the development of Marafiq, which – with 2,750 MW power and 800,000 m³/day water production – was the largest independent water and power project ever built worldwide. The

projects that ENGIE has developed in Saudi Arabia since then provide 10% of the Kingdom’s power supply (once Fadhili IPP will be commissioned) and 11% of its water supply. Together, they represent an investment of over 5 US$ billion in the country.

Issue 19 | December 2019

Saudi industries have started to diversify their energy procurement solutions, shifting away from high value fuels to more economic renewable and diverse solutions. Amongst them is NADEC, one of the largest agricultural and foodprocessing companies in the GCC. The food giant has a 1.4 TWh/year primary energy consumption essentially met through burning of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) in off-grid captive diesel generators that it wants to replace by solar PV, and an IPP tender was launched to the purpose. “This created an opportunity for ENGIE to put its innovative commercial, legal, financial and technical framework for addressing the renewable Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) market in the GCC to the test,” says Turki Al Shehri, ENGIE’s recently appointed CEO for Saudi Arabia. “And with success!” he adds. “With NADEC, we achieved the first utility-scale Corporate PPA project in KSA, based on a direct contractual relationship between a developer (ENGIE) and an end-customer (NADEC), both parties entering into a 25-year contract.” The solar project will also largely benefit the reduction of high-value fuel consumption: once operational, it will reduce NADEC’s fuel consumption by 124,000 barrels per year, which will further result in a decline of 53,000 tons of annual carbon emissions. “The NADEC project shows how ENGIE

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The NADEC project shows how ENGIE continues to lead the way in the energy industry through innovative solutions.

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Today, the Kingdom’s economy is breaking new frontiers. Vision 2030 is reshaping the country’s economic model and requires innovative and different approaches and methodologies at all levels of the economy, including in the energy sector.

continues to lead the way in the energy industry through innovative solutions,” Turki underlines. “We’ve pioneered the regional IWPP model and are now resolutely engaged to support our local clients in their energy transition. Next to innovative models such as NADEC’s Corporate IPP, we also offer services that help enact the Kingdom’s ambitious energy efficiency program. We’re an established ESCO in Saudi, and you can expect to see new breakthrough frameworks from ENGIE to the private sector.”

The development of Integrated Energy Solutions remains one of ENGIE’s key ambitions, as recently underlined by the Group’s Chairman Jean-Pierre Clamadieu during a visit to the region: “Globally, we have a very large position in that area, and almost €20bn of sales in businesses where we support customers, corporate and local governments with energy projects in the form of services, in some cases associated with capital expenditure in infrastructure.” “ENGIE’s worldwide service references cover energy efficiency, facility management, green mobility, smart cities, distributed energy solutions, district heating and cooling and digital solutions,” Turki adds. “We leverage the full power of these global capabilities locally for our customers.” Two years ago, ENGIE acquired a 40% share in regional District Cooling leader Tabreed, which has activities in Saudi Arabia, including the Jabal Omar Development in the Holy City of Mecca, alongside several hotels, hospitals and residential & commercial towers. District Cooling networks are the fastest and most efficient ways to cool cities, especially in our regional hot climate, where AC represents the largest single energy need in buildings. It’s a highly promising regional market in which ENGIE has taken a key position with Tabreed. “I have watched ENGIE grow across the region to become the market leader it is today. So I’m truly excited to be leading the ENGIE team in Saudi Arabia as we continue to build our portfolio in both thermal and renewable power, water and energy services, thereby generating diverse and rewarding job opportunities for Saudis” Turki concludes. 37

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

workshops that use craft to turn waste into art. The programme, which supports communities living in Al-Balad, will address the sustainable management of waste, preventing the degradation of the historic buildings, and reviving traditional crafts in old Jeddah. Two workshops – using waste paper and card to make lights in traditional geometric styles; and introducing the Islamic tradition of ceramics through claypressing – are delivered in partnership with KHAM, a makerspace in Jeddah opened by three alumni of the Jameel House one-year programme. A third workshop – using waste plastic bags and traditional Arabian embroidery to make coasters – is delivered in partnership with Kees Chic, a social enterprise established by Diana Rayyan, an alumna of the inaugural short workshop programme at the Jameel House. The workshops are delivered by the Art Jameel team at venues in Al-Balad including the Jameel House and Project Space Art Jameel.

YOUTH

Turning Waste to Art Art Jameel turns waste to art and inspires young people through Jeddah’s heritage.

rt Jameel, an organisation that supports heritage, education and the arts, is launching a summer programme of workshops and activities that celebrate the heritage of Jeddah’s historic district, Al-Balad. Through the programme, which opens on June 8, Art Jameel is participating in the Saudi Art Council’s inaugural 21,39 Summer Edition. Art 38

Jameel’s programme focuses on children and families, especially communities living in Al-Balad, and uses craft and the traditional arts to foster artistic engagement with the rich architectural heritage of old Jeddah, and to address challenges with waste and sustainability. For the Saudi Art Council’s first summer edition of 21,39, curated by Bricklab, Art Jameel is delivering a programme of

Art Jameel has close ties to Al-Balad. As well as the Jameel House, which opened in 2015, Art Jameel opened Project Space Art Jameel in Jeddah in April this year. The Project Space, a stone’s throw from the Jameel House in the very heart of Al-Balad, is a creative space and a venue for collaborations with contemporary and traditional artists, designers and creatives, which aims to foster closer artistic engagement with the heritage of historic Jeddah. All the Art Jameel summer workshops are open and free. More information on the programme, including timings, venues and the subject of each workshop, are available on Art Jameel’s website, artjameel.org, and social media, @art_jameel.

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

TOP 10

VISION 2030: Progress Key Initiatives National renewable energy program award

9 10

Initiatives launched to encourage tourism investment

Guarantees provided for 91 new tourism facilities with a total estimated value of SAR 142 million. 5 contracts signed to provide credit support worth SAR 64 million for new tourism investments.

Fintech saudi launched

SAMA launched Fintech Saudi, an initiative to develop the Kingdom as a hub for financial technology and contributing to the support of financial inclusion and the rise of digital transactions. SAMA has since approved its first two financial technology licenses.

The Electricity and Cogeneration Authority empowered electricity consumers to operate their own, small-scale solar power.

Raise the efficiency of small enterprises

1. Several training programs for members of incubators and business accelerators

Inscribe Al Ahsa Oasis on the Unesco world heritage list

Center for industry 4.0 Launched

Out of five planned, one center for Industry 4.0 has been already established at KACST and is currently expanding its activities and capabilities to meet the targets and objectives of Industry 4.0 strategy within NIDLP.

Database to spur renewable investment

A public database of more than 100 local companies operating in the renewable energy sector (wesupplyrenewables.com.sa) was established, designed to encourage private sector investment in the renewable energy sector.

2. Periodic evaluation of incubator performance levels

King salman energy park, spark

A world-class industrial park developed and operated by Saudi Aramco is targeting the localisation of the energy manufacturing and services supply chain and is expected to create by 2035 US$6bn GDP annually and 100,000 direct and indirect jobs of which a large portion for Saudis. Construction of Phase 1 infrastructure has already started with a target completion 2021.

Empowering consumers on solar power

The National Renewable Energy Program was named Best Public Procurement Project at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply awards in June 2018.

REHABILITATION OF AGRICULTURAL TERRACES

Rehabilitation of more than 1600 hectares in the south of the Kingdom, which contributed to: •

Rationalising water use

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Raising the efficiency of the use of renewable water resources

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Cultivating crops that are financially profitable for farmers

Issue 19 | December 2019

FEATURE

Renewable Energy Leadership Rising energy demand and a commitment to divert hydrocarbons to processing and export has incentivised a shift toward renewables in Saudi Arabia, with the Kingdom set to become the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest market for wind energy components and services.

audi Arabia is on track to add 6.2 GW of installed wind energy capacity over the next 10 years, according to a report issued in April by research and financial consultancy Wood Mackenzie. As part of the rollout, which would account for 46% of all wind projects in the Middle East through to 2028, the report said it expects the Renewable Energy Project Development Office (REPDO) to tender 850 MW of wind energy projects 41

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

this year, with the facilities scheduled to come on-line by 2022. It is also expected that the authorities will increase local content requirements in the tender process, which could present investment and growth opportunities to domestic equipment and service providers. Much of the capital for future wind energy projects is tipped to come from the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, though the report noted that to date the agency has little expertise in renewable energy development. Solar energy expanding In addition to bolstering wind energy, the government is investing in solar to broaden its generation base, and aims to have 58.7 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, 40 GW of which will be in solar. In January REPDO announced it would issue tenders for 11 projects with a combined solar capacity of 2.2 GW this year, including a 600 MW solar park in the province of Makkah. The park will form part of a larger 2.6 GW solar complex and will be tendered via REPDO. The remaining 2 GW produced in the complex will be developed directly by the PIF and its partners. The announcement comes after ground broke on the 300 MW Sakaka power station in November last year, the first solar project under the King Salman Renewable Energy Initiative, launched in 2016. Domestic company ACWA Power is overseeing construction of the SR1.2bn (US$320m) independent power producer, 42

which is expected to power 45,000 homes in Al Jouf when it comes online later this year. Renewables part of wider economic development vision The accelerated drive into renewable energy is part of the government’s broader plan to boost the economy by freeing up more hydrocarbons for export. At present, Saudi Arabia relies largely on hydrocarbons to fuel power generation, burning up to 680,000 barrels of oil per day, which prevents the resources from being used for export or downstream processing. To address this issue, one of the objectives set out in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 – the Kingdom’s blueprint for social and economic development – is to maximise value captured from the energy sector by increasing the contribution of renewable energy to the national electricity mix. This in turn would decrease domestic consumption of hydrocarbons, freeing up more for export. Investments in renewable energy generating capacity are therefore key to this process, particularly given the Kingdom’s rising energy demand; in 2017 energy consumption stood at 298,000 GWh, according to the General Authority for Statistics, with the government expecting this figure to treble by 2030. This is also being supported by a 2018 government decision to raise prices of petrol and electricity, a measure that lowered petrol consumption by 8% last year compared to 2017. Khalid Al Falih, the Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, says these price

reforms, combined with the inclusion of more renewables, should see domestic hydrocarbons energy consumption fall by 1.5-2 million barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2030. Building the value chain While looking to reduce the power sector’s reliance on fossil fuels, Vision 2030 also sees the move into renewable energy as a driving force for developing domestic industrial capacity. The plan has identified growth opportunities in the localisation of the renewable energy value chain, particularly in the research, development and manufacturing segments of the sector. Supporting efforts to expand components production is the ready availability of raw and semi-processed materials such as silica and petrochemicals that can be used in the manufacture of solar cells and polymers for wind turbine components. The strategy also flagged a greater role for the private sector in the power industry, proposing public-private partnerships in renewables and measures to improve competitiveness for service providers through the liberalisation of the fuel market. Plans to foster renewable capacity and strengthen the value-added chain in the energy sector will not only reduce hydrocarbons consumption and enhance manufacturing capabilities, but also develop local knowledge and the skills base in the technology-reliant industry. Such a development would build a stronger and more specialised workforce, which would in turn attract more investment and growth opportunities.

Issue 19 | December 2019

FEATURE

TAQADAM Over SAR 2 million granted to startups at finals of KAUST and SABB’s accelerator program.

n September 26, 2019, 28 startups pitched their ideas to a panel of judges and investors to compete for over SAR 2 million in prize money at the finals of the TAQADAM Startup Accelerator Program. The program, now in its third year, was developed in partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and Saudi British Bank (SABB), to equip new entrepreneurs with the skills and know-how to launch a

technology startup. In line with Saudi Arabia’s objectives of supporting new ventures, the TAQADAM Accelerator Program focuses on preparing new entrepreneurs for the challenges ahead, offering over six months of business training and mentorship in various industries, including e-commerce, healthcare, and technology in addition to FinTech, gaming, engineering and science.

Over 1,100 participants, investors, and mentors gathered on the KAUST campus to watch the winners be announced at this third annual showcase, one of KAUST’s flagship entrepreneurship events. The theme of this year’s event was ‘The Future Reimagined.’ This encouraged the program’s entrepreneurs to create technologies of the future that would benefit Saudi Arabia. Working with mentors from the Entrepreneurship Center at KAUST, they were able to design, develop and take their startup ideas to market. Kevin Cullen, Vice President of Innovation and Economic Development at KAUST stated: “At KAUST we are proud to support entrepreneurs and offer them the best environment and 43

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

tools to create innovations that can change the world. Today we have watched some incredible ideas and technologies that are solving issues across different industries in healthcare, agriculture, water, food, gaming, education and more. Congratulations winners, well done.” Among the competing startups were one hundred founders from thirteen Saudi universities, representing a wide range of industries. During the event, each startup was given three minutes to pitch their ideas, followed with three minutes of Q&A, and another three minutes of feedback from the judges. Launched in 2016 in partnership with SABB, the TAQADAM Accelerator has successfully graduated 78 startups and awarded over SAR 9 million in funding. Soren Nikolajsen, Deputy Managing Director, Transformation at SABB: “We’re witnessing huge transformation in the Kingdom, so it’s vital the next generation of businesses are helped to seize these opportunities. We’re determined to play our part in building a more diverse and sustainable economy, and one of the best ways we can do that is supporting the grassroots of the business 44

ecosystem – young entrepreneurs. Today’s winners show just what a great job Taqadam has done developing new entrepreneurial talent.” Hattan Ahmed, Head of the Entrepreneurship Center at KAUST, added, “KAUST Entrepreneurship Center’s main goal is to create high quality, high impact new ventures from across Saudi Arabia by providing the professional training and mentorship needed to help take their ideas to the market. We are so proud of the startups graduating from our accelerator program and we look forward to supporting more startups in the future.” The following 2019 TAQADAM accelerator program winners each received SAR 375,000 (US$100,000): Firnas Aero: Drones-as-a-service for airport infrastructure inspection. Faseeh: Learning app to teach Arabic language skills to help raise Qiyas scores. Genos Tech: Turning microalgae into high-value products such as Vitamin A and dietary supplements.

Peregrine Genomics: Providing accurate premarital genetic diagnoses in half the time and cost. Gluco Jet: Non-invasive and pain free glucose testing for diabetes patients. Talon Dust Control: Low-cost, liquid spray on solution for environmental dust control. Carbon CPU was the People’s Choice Winner, receiving SAR187,500 from a live vote from the audience. In regards to his win, Abdulelah Saleh, GloucoJet Co-Founder stated, “Walking away with a US$100,000 cheque by the end of the pitch day is what we have worked on from the beginning of TAQADAM Accelerator. This marks the beginning of our journey and we hope to achieve more in the future.” “It was an unbelievable moment and an overwhelming feeling,” said Yara Aldrees, Carbon CPU Co-Founder. “Winning the people’s choice award has really encouraged us. Carbon CPU will thrive and we will continue doing more of what we do.”

Issue 19 | December 2019

FEATURE

The MEDAD Cycle KAUST researchers have developed a process that combines adsorption desalination (AD) and multi-effect distillation (MED) to boost thermodynamic synergy between the two cycles.

s Saudi Arabia moves towards reliance on sustainable sources of energy, KAUST is developing and commercialising new cycles for seawater desalination using solar energy. KAUST researchers have developed a process that combines adsorption desalination (AD) and multieffect distillation (MED) to boost thermodynamic synergy between the two cycles. The combined cycle, known as

the MEDAD cycle, yields significantly higher water production performance when compared to conventional MED desalination cycles.

gel, after supplying regenerated heat from solar, is than condensed in the seawatercooled condenser. Once the vapor is condensed, it becomes pure water.

The innovative AD cycle desalinates seawater using solar energy that is utilised to regenerate silica gel adsorbent. Solar energy at a temperature of 60 to 80 degrees Celsius is sufficient for regeneration, and the renewable solar energy is available in abundance in Saudi Arabia. The desorbed vapor from silica

The hybridisation of AD with MED boosts water production almost twofold at the same temperature. Doubling the water production at the same heat input temperature reduces the water production cost. MEDAD cycle water production cost is the lowest at US$0.48/m3 compared to multi-stage flash distillation, which costs US$1.201/m3.

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MEDAD cycle water production cost is the lowest at US$0.48/ m3 compared to multistage flash distillation, which costs US$1.201/m3.

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the lowest cost per cubic meter of water production. The pioneering KAUST technology went on to win a National Energy Globe Award for Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

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KAUST spin-out company MEDAD collaborated with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in its desalination projects. The first 100 m3/day commercial scale project was commissioned in February 2017 at Solar Village, KACST, Riyadh, and it is working successfully with solar and an auxiliary boiler. KAUST and KACST went on to collaborate on a second multi-billion commercial scale project generating 2,000 m3/day installed at Yanbu at the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) site. MEDAD’s desalination technology won the Aramco-GE Global Innovation Challenge award for seawater desalination in 2015. The award went to

With more than 187 participating countries and over 2,000 project submissions annually the Energy Globe Award is today’s most prestigious environmental prize worldwide. It distinguishes projects regionally, nationally and globally that conserve resources such as energy or utilise renewable or emission-free sources. “Low energy desalination is in line with Saudi Vision 2030,” said Kim Choon Ng, professor of environmental science and engineering at the KAUST Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC). “Our research in the lab translates to industry. It is not only innovative, but it is also low in energy consumption and maintenance costs,” he added.

rd | December October 20172019 Issue 01Issue | 2319

INTERVIEW

Pushing Boundaries The Sustainabilist in conversation with Dr Kevin Cullen, Vice President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology’s (KAUST) Innovation and Economic Development in Saudi Arabia.

hat is King Abdullah University of Science and Technology’s (KAUST) vision? KAUST is a world-class research institution – and we have proudly ranked first globally in citations per faculty over the last few years. The university was created to be a global beacon for scientific education and research, but this was only one part of the vision: KAUST was also designed to be a catalyst for innovation and economic development in Saudi Arabia. Now, ten years into our existence as a university, that second part of the mission is becoming fundamentally important. Over the next ten years, KAUST will make significant advances in commercialising and developing technology for Saudi Arabia and the world. At KAUST, we focus on four key areas:

Standfirst

food, water, energy and the environment. This shapes our mission and underpins what we do – from our research direction, industry partnerships, education and startup activities. At KAUST, how do you strike the right balance between change, innovation and continuity? KAUST was developed as a beacon of change and the vision, 10 years ago, was a bold one: attract the brightest minds and top researchers from around the world to locate in Saudi Arabia and solve key challenges in food, water, energy and the environment. The university itself is an innovation experiment – and different from any university that I’ve ever seen. We are a living lab, part university, community and industry hub. Our research is pushing the boundaries

of science – but a large part of this is done in partnership with industry. We have been working with partners such as Saudi Aramco and Dow for nearly 10 years to develop new technologies. Two projects with Aramco stand out: a decade long-project on future fuel technology to make the internal combustion engine more efficient and better understand fuel chemistry. And a project led by Professor Jorge Gascon of our catalysis center to transform crude oil into chemicals in a single step. Our research strikes a balance between the experimental and the applied; we celebrate advancing fundamental scientific understanding but are also keenly focused on solving real problems and challenges affecting society and industry here in Saudi Arabia and the around the world. 47

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

Can you shed some light on recent sustainability or innovation linked research, project or collaborations? KAUST scientists are leading discoveries for addressing climate change and sustainability every day here at KAUST. Professor Kim Choon Ng, a faculty member in our water research center, has invented a new hybrid process for solar-powered, seawater desalination that generates cheap, low-energy drinking water. This is particularly significant in Saudi Arabia where up to 50 per cent of drinking water is desalinated. Professor Choon spun out this technology as a startup and has partnered with the KACST and most recently, developed an industrial scale pilot in the city of Yanbu. 48

A big focus of our work sustainable energy work has been in partnership with Saudi Aramco. Together, we recognise the importance of developing cleaner fuel technologies that will address the needs of a rapidly growing global population and increased demand for transport such as passenger cars. The FuelCom project has helped to set a new course in fuel chemistry and the design of fuel products, while also reducing CO2 emissions by improving the internal combustion engine (ICE). What is KAUST offering that other universities/ institutes canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t? What are the competitive advantages for your students and graduates? KAUST is a unique ecosystem for

students interested in energy, food, water and environmental sciences. Students have access to top faculty in their field and access to state-of-the-art labs and facilities. Our Core Laboratories have some of the most in-demand equipment and specialists in the world â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so advanced, in fact, that global industry partners partner with us to access them. The university is home to over 30 companies in our Research and Technology Park and this presents a great opportunity for internships and jobs. At the Aramco R&D innovation facility on campus over 35% of their scientists are KAUST graduates. Three years ago we launched an innovation and commercialisation course and have seen it grow year-on-year.

Issue 19 | December 2019

The program takes KAUST intellectual property – the disclosed scientific inventions – and challenges students to commercialise it into a product or a startup. We are now seeing real examples of students graduating and taking these products into the market. In addition to these unique opportunities, all admitted students receive the benefits of the KAUST Fellowship that financially supports students for the duration of their studies. Has KAUST established close links with industry? What are KAUST’s strengths with regard to linking education to industry? We have a wide network of industry partnerships and companies engaged in KAUST research collaborations. There are currently 24 members in our KAUST

Industry Collaboration Program and 31 tenants located in the KAUST Research and Technology Park. The Park has shown incredible growth in the last few years. We are establishing a biohub, led by SaudiVax, to develop localised vaccines and Dow opened their first global innovation center. We are also seeing the establishment of the Park as a deep tech incubator – and it is now home to 15 startups. Some of our research strengths are in the energy sector and long-standing collaborations with SEC, General Electric and Saudi Aramco to advance fuel science. Students in these programs have the opportunity to work directly on industry funded programs alongside and complete internships with partner companies.

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What’s lined up for KAUST in the next coming months, any collaborations? The idea of broadening an innovation and entrepreneurship culture in Saudi Arabia is central to our work in the KAUST Innovation and Economic Development department. We have a number of exciting partnerships coming up, including one with Misk Foundation for the Entrepreneurship World Cup and a large-scale project with the Olayan Group. We are also expanding our accelerator program, building on 3-years of a successful partnership experience with SABB bank. We have spent a lot of the past year working on the necessary infrastructure – regulatory and financial - to help global technology startups and mediumsized companies spin-in to KAUST and establish a foothold in the Saudi market. In the next few months, we will be investing in an autonomous vehicle manufacturer and a vertical farming company. 49

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

solutions as part of our long term efforts to reduce carbon emissions and address climate concerns.” “It is well known that our world needs a sustainable system to address environmental challenges while also meeting growing energy demand. Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are well positioned to be part of the solution,” said Seifi Ghasemi, Air Products’ Chairman, President and CEO. “We are honored to collaborate with Saudi Aramco to establish and develop a sustainable, hydrocarbon-based hydrogen supply system for fuel cell vehicles in Saudi Arabia.”

INNOVATION

Setting Benchmarks

Saudi Arabia gets its first hydrogen fuelling station.

audi Aramco and Air Products on Tuesday inaugurated the first hydrogen fuelling station in Saudi Arabia at Air Products’ new Technology Center in the Dhahran Techno Valley Science Park. The pilot station will fuel an initial fleet of six Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicles with high-purity compressed hydrogen. The announcement comes amid growing international recognition of hydrogen’s benefits. A report released last week by the International Energy Agency (IEA)

concludes that hydrogen has vast potential to help the world reduce emissions while addressing its energy needs.

The new fuelling station combines Saudi Aramco’s industrial and technological experience with Air Products’ know-how and experience in the field of hydrogen fuelling. Air Products’ proprietary SmartFuel® hydrogen fuelling technology will be incorporated into the new station to supply Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Vehicles with compressed hydrogen.

“This pilot project represents an exciting opportunity for Saudi Aramco and Air Products to demonstrate the potential of hydrogen in the transport sector and its viability as a sustainable fuel for the future,” said Amin H. Nasser, President and Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Aramco.

The data collected during the initial phase of this project will provide valuable information for the assessment of future applications of this emerging and diverse transport technology in the local environment. It is expected that the fleet of Toyota Mirai vehicles will have a driving range of 500km with water as their only emission and the ability to be fueled in five minutes as opposed to an hour for traditional battery electric vehicles.

“Today’s milestone is an important step in making oil-to-hydrogen a reality as Saudi Aramco continues to be focused on creating breakthrough technologies and

This would demonstrate the potential of hydrogen fueled vehicles to make a significant contribution to a clean, secure, and affordable energy future.

Issue 19 | December 2019

CASE STUDY

Mitigating Climate Change with Blue Carbon Blue carbon ecosystems are being destroyed at rates of 340,000 to 980,000 hectares per year, making them some of the world’s most threatened ecosystems.

lue carbon, or the carbon sequestered and stored in coastal and marine ecosystems, including seagrasses, mangroves, salt marshes and seaweed and in the sediments below, is one of the most effective mechanisms for climate change mitigation and improving the status of coastal ecosystems. KAUST researchers have been focused on the role of these ecosystems in climate change mitigation and adaptation. Found on the shores of every continent blue carbon ecosystems cover approximately 49 million hectares of the globe’s surface (10 times more when including seaweed) and sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) at much higher rates per unit area than terrestrial forests. Their soils can sequester carbon for extremely long periods—even up to tens of millennia, as in the marine environment, they are safe from the forest fires that return carbon deposited in soils back to the atmosphere.

and aquaculture, mangrove forest exploitation and land and marine sources of pollution. Blue carbon ecosystems generate multiple benefits for climate change adaptation—they protect the shoreline from storms, floods and sea level rise; prevent shoreline erosion and can locally offset ocean acidification and deoxygenation. In addition, the conservation and restoration of these habitats provide important value-add benefits, as they regulate coastal water quality; provide habitats for fisheries and endangered marine species; and sources of food and ecotourism opportunities for coastal communities. When degraded, destroyed or converted to other land use, the ecosystems are sources of greenhouse gases, emitting their stored carbon in the form of CO2 into the oceans and the atmosphere.

Loss of these ecosystems is estimated to result in 0.15 to 1.02 billion tons of CO2 released per year, with their destruction mostly occurring due to human activities such as coastal development, agriculture

Blue carbon ecosystems are being destroyed at rates of 340,000 to 980,000 hectares per year, making them some of the world’s most threatened ecosystems. It is estimated that 67 per

cent, 35 per cent and 29 per cent of the globe’s mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrass meadows, respectively, have already been lost, with a further 30 to 40 per cent of seagrasses and tidal marshes and almost all unprotected mangroves at risk of being to lost in the next 100 years in the absence of conservation and restoration measures. “Because this is such a critical area of emerging science, we needed to identify key questions and challenges to consolidate progress in blue carbon science and inform current debate. Understanding how climate change affects carbon accumulation in mature blue carbon ecosystems and during their restoration is an urgent priority.” says Dr Carlos Duarte, Professor of Marine Science and member of KAUST’s Red Sea Research Center. “This work has informed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and is considered fundamental to mitigating the effects of global warming to protect our people and planet,” Dr Duarte said. 51

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

RESEARCH

Meeting Renewable Energy Targets

QAISUMAH RAFHA WAAD AL SHAMMAL

QURRAYAT

AL MASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;A

TABARJAL

NORTH TABUK

DHURMA

AR RASS

TABUK AL KAHAFAH

ALDHAB

MIDYAN UNAIZHA

KHUSHAYBI

SOURAH

AL GHAT

SHAQRA HENAKIYAH

AL - ULA

MADINA AL QUWAIIYAH

RABIGH

YANBU SOUTH YANBU MASTOORAH

SOUTH JEDDAH

AL LAITH AL FAISALIAH

HADEN

BISHA

Legend: SOLAR PV WIND CSP

GRADUAL deployment to mitigate technology risk

Issue 01Issue | 19 | December 2019

35+ PARKS

to be developed by

2030

SUDAIR MALHAM AL HAEER

GHILANAH

AL-KHARJ

TUWAIQ

AL QUWAIIYAH STARAH AL LAITH LAYLA SHARORAH

WADI AD DAWASIR

JAZAN

FARASAN

SPREAD ACROSS

the Kingdom to promote regional development 53

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

INTERVIEW

Implement the Circular Economy Model in the Kingdom In conversation with Jeroen Vincent, CEO of Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), a whollyowned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), on plans to build a recycling and sorting facilities in Riyadh, as part of the government’s initiative to implement a circular economy model in the Kingdom. 54

hat is the prime reason for SIRC signing the MoU with Riyadh Municipality?

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between SIRC, the National Waste Management Center and the Riyadh Municipality aims to start recycling activities in Riyadh as part of the overall waste management strategy to achieve the national recycling targets. SIRC’s role is to develop the waste management sector and, in this MOU, particular the recycling capacity in Riyadh. The prerequisite for an efficient recycling infrastructure is the existence of

source segregation. As Riyadh is the first Amanah that started the roll out of source segregation with a 2 bin door-to-door system, it was for SIRC the preferred city to start with building recycling facilities. As part of an integrated waste management system, the SIRC will build state-ofthe-art recycling facilities to recycle all types of waste in the capital. This will include recycling of municipal waste into recyclables such as fertilizer, paper, plastics, and metals. The first initiative will be the recycling of construction and demolition waste into building materials for road construction and housing projects. This will be followed by the construction of a sorting facility for solid municipal waste, which is a result of the Riyadh Municipality’s program to introduce sorting at source by supplying each household with two bins, one for food waste (organic) and one for all other types of wastes. This program, under the name “City without Containers”, is an important

Issue 19 | December 2019

step towards a clean and environmentallyfriendly city, but will also unlock a large volume of materials for the paper, plastic and metals industry. How is SIRC working on implementing the strategy for the waste management sector in the Kingdom? Saudi Arabia has been witnessing rapid industrialisation, high population growth rate and fast urbanisation that have resulted in increased levels of pollution and waste. Waste management is becoming a big challenge for the government and local bodies with each passing day. A sustainable economy canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t live without an efficient ecology system. Responding to this growing issue, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) established the Saudi Investment Recycling Co. (SIRC) in 2017 as part of their sector development strategy next to the sector initiatives of developing the local defense industry (SAMI) and the entertainment industry (Seven). As sector development initiative, SIRC will invest, develop, own, and operate in various activities across all waste management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including cutting-edge treatment and recycling facilities, and waste-toenergy solutions that will support the National Renewable Energy Program. As part of our business strategy, we signed the MOU with Riyadh to start executing our municipal waste strategy and with our first major investment in GEMS, we already have an excellent platform to serve the industry with recycling of complex waste streams from oil, petrochemical and mining industries. Our portfolio company GEMS is a good

example of our local capabilities. As market leader in the Middle East in the industrial waste sector, GEMS has already developed cutting edge recycling technology. This technology is developed in the Kingdom, in parallel of expanding capacity locally we will export this technology as there is a lot of interest globally in our capabilities.

regulator for the sector. This is a great step forwards as it is the acknowledgement of the existance of the sector in Saudi Arabia. Soon we will see the implementation of a new legislation and the establishment of the environmental police by the ministry of interior. All the ingredients for a sustainable waste management industry.

Additionally, SIRC will act as the national champion in the waste management sector by creating a range of opportunities for private sector participation, investing in companies and identifying opportunities to invest with the aim to accelerate the growth and the development of the sector.

Having a first-class recycling ecosystem will have environmental, social, and economic benefits for the Kingdom.

SIRC aims to contribute over SR 37 billion (US$10 billion) to the gross domestic product, attracting up to SR 6 billion in inward investments and creating around 23,000 new jobs by 2030. SIRC is the first organisation of its kind in the Kingdom and will be a key driver of the circular economy. We have already set highly ambitious targets of achieving 81 per cent overall recycling compared to the best achievers globally such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, who range between 54 and 68 per cent. To be able to reach our targets and to create the basis for private sector investments we need a proper legislation and enforcement. The main success factor for achieving the high recycling goals in the western European countries was the legislation, enforcement and awareness programs by the governments. With recent inception of the National Waste Management Center and the development of the national regulatory framework the Kingdom started to define the future goals and established a new

What new projects are you planning with the Riyadh Municipality? What is your investment outlay for these projects? SIRC will jointly work with the National Waste Management Center and the Riyadh Municipality on the execution of the overall waste management strategy to achieve a set of strategic objectives for recycling by 2035. This notably includes the recycling of 81 per cent of the 3.4 million tons of annual production volume of municipal solid waste and 47 per cent of the 8 million tons of production volume of construction and demolition waste per year. Our first project will start in Q1 2020. It will be multiple recycling sites for construction and demolition waste in Riyadh city. Instead of using crushed virgin rocks we will recycle the construction and demolition waste that is currently sitting in the city to aggregates that can be used for road back fill and concrete applications, A perfect circular economy example where we reuse our construction waste into new construction materials. This option is more economical then using virgin materials, it cleans up the city and reduces heavy traffic in the city. 55

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

In 2020 we are planning to build a high volume materials sorting facility where we automatically can sort the waste from the waste that is segregated from food waste. Followed by an investment in compost facilities where we will treat our food- and green wastes. Reports suggest that there is a lack of waste disposal facilities and waste is disposed off in landfills or dumpsites across Saudi Arabia. How are you looking to deal with this issue? Is it the biggest challenge for you right now in Riyadh? Main landfill is Sulay which has in the current operated cells proper engineering. The closed cells are now equipped with gas capturing systems. The remaining landfill capacity is limited so therefore, it is important that we start diverting our waste from it. The biggest challenge is to get the source segregation rolled out in the city. People should take their bins into their premises and only put them outside when the collection will take place. Furthermore, it is of great importance to have effective awareness campaigns that will show people how to segregate waste and the use of the 2 bins. A proper segregation is the basis for a successful recycling result. SIRC will support Amanat Alriyadh in their project â&#x20AC;&#x153;A neighborhood without containersâ&#x20AC;?, which intends to introduce the dual bin system for household waste within the jurisdiction of Riyadh Municipality. The move comes after a successful pilot in Alrawdah and Alwaha districts where households separated their organic waste (food, green clippings) in one bin, and all other kinds 56

of wastes (including recyclables) in the other bin. SIRC will also collaborate with Amanat Alriyadh to divert organic waste from landfills, which will significantly improve air quality, and convert waste into compost to be used within the city. SIRC will also be using state-of-the-art technologies to sort out recyclables from the second bin. These recyclables, which would otherwise be landfilled, will now help local businesses tap into new supplies of raw materials such as paper, plastic, and metals. Furthermore, SIRC and Amanat Alriyadh will jointly start treatment of construction and demolition waste. One of the activities among many will be to clean up the streets of such solid waste and use it as feedstock for numerous under-construction projects in Riyadh. Waste sorting and recycling are driven by an active informal sector. How do you look to resolve this issue with the Riyadh Municipality? SIRC would develop and operate projects to increase landfill diversion rates and boost recycling figures in the Kingdom. The country currently recycles around 10 per cent of the 50 million tons of recyclable waste it produces, with 90 per cent diverted to landfills, preliminary studies by the PIF have found. With the new investments in source segregation and recycling facilities we are moving away from using our cheaper option of landfill. These new investments need to be financed out of the recyclable revenues and by

government funds. Therefor the waste, including the recyclables, collected privately should end up by in the new facilities so we can create value out of it. In this new setup, it is clear that there is no room for any informal sector to collect and sell recyclables as it will create a negative impact on our economy and at the end will lead to higher cost for the government and citizens. Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi have launched waste-to-energy plants. Are you planning any such plant in Riyadh? A: The Saudi government wants to develop 3GW of waste-to-energy facilities by 2030, to manage its solid waste, contribute to its base load electricity and to diversify its energy. This development provides an excellent opportunity for the local and international companies in the cleantech and waste-management sector. Waste to energy is the solution for waste that cannot be recycled, it is the alternative for landfill with the benefit that we can generate energy from the incineration process. Incinerating waste is still a less favorable option then recycling but will be needed in the future as last resort for certain waste streams. Compared to landfill it is a very expensive option, the price for incineration in approximately SR400 per ton almost 40 times more expensive than the current landfill price. So our priority now is to divert waste from landfill and maximise recycling, landfill and incineration will only destroy are valuable materials and therefor should be minimised. To get proper funding for waste to energy we need to implement tariff schemes, we expect that we will be ready for this as of 2023.

Issue 19 | December 2019

PERSON

Lora Shrake Director, Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC)

hat was your first job that actually involved sustainability and environmental issues? My first job was 20 years ago conducting hydrologic field research and leading outreach programs on water quality and wetland restoration for an academic research institute. Since then, my career has evolved, and I have been lucky to see myself work in academia, the corporate sector and now with a national non-profit organisation, all focusing within the parameters of advancing sustainability and addressing environmental issues. I take a lot of pride in the great work that is produced from the team at EmiratesGBC, and it is a pleasure to go to work every day and know that collectively as a team we are making a positive impact that will have a lasting imprint on sustainability in the UAE, and the region. Have you actively tried to align your career with your passion for sustainability? And does this commitment to sustainability extend to your home/personal life?

Absolutely, “Practice what you preach” as they say. For me personally, having a career that connects to personal passion is a must, and commitment to sustainability doesn’t start or end at the workplace, it is a continuation of something greater. EmiratesGBC, being a for-purpose organisation, brings a lot of ambition with it as we drive change in sustainability and contribute to local thought leadership that translates to the regional and global levels. One example of EmiratesGBC’s work that speaks to not only the green building industry, but the broader community is our Green Building Tooltips, which are available on our website and easy to

navigate. The tooltips provide useful information on green building practices to all technical capacities and breaks down how we can implement a more sustainable approach to our homes, offices, and schools in our day-to-day interactions with these built environments. There is also a section on lifestyle awareness, and I make it a point to implement these tips wherever I can in my home and daily life. Additionally, I’m active with the local Beekeepers Association and sit on their board. The Association is dedicated to supporting local beekeepers with sustainable beekeeping practices and educating on the important role honeybees and other pollinators play in our environment. 57

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

PROJECT

Think Beyond Oil

The Riyadh Metro is one of the largest urban transport projects in the world.

he US$23bn (SAR86.3bn) Riyadh Metro is undoubtedly among Saudi Arabia’s largest construction schemes at present – and its completion is now rapidly coming into view. The final set of trains have been shipped by Alstom from France for Lines 4-6 of the metro network. This landmark new metro system will help revolutionise transport in Saudi Arabia, will drive down energy requirements for the transport sector, and enable the region to meet the demands of the growing population while reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality. The design of the new metro reflects Riyadh’s modernity and architectural heritage.

News of the trainsets came after British manufacturing firm Airedale International Air Conditioning announced the award of a US$1.26m contract to supply air-conditioning systems for the 176km-long metro. Operations and maintenance contracts for the megaproject were also announced in 2018. Lines 4-6 form Phase 2 of Riyadh Metro, which is being built by a contracting consortium led by Spanish construction group FCC Spain and including C&T (South Korea), Alstom (France), Strukton (Netherlands), Freyssinet (Saudi Arabia), Atkins

(United Kingdom), Typsa (Spain), and Setec (France). Sections of Riyadh Metro are slated for soft launch this year, and tests had started on some of the rail network’s components as of June 2018. In November 2018, naming rights were handed “to a number of major economic entities” such as Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group and UAE-headquartered Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls Co to name 10 of the 85 stations that make up Riyadh Metro. According to ProTenders, Phase 2 was 86% complete as of 16 February, 2019, while Riyadh Metro’s overall completion rate was 64% at the time.

Issue 19 | December 2019

PRODUCT

Lighting Up Our Futures

Glowpath designs fail-safe, cost-effective and sustainable photo-luminescent way-finding systems to assist the evacuation of buildings.

lowpathâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s motto is to light the path towards a sustainable future, and that is literally what we do! We design fail-safe, cost-effective and sustainable photoluminescent way-finding systems, to assist the evacuation of buildings in case of emergencies. Photo-luminescent solutions reduce energy consumption wastage and achieve environmental sustainability as set forth in the Saudi 2030 National Transformation Program through its implementation. This is accomplished by being a net zero energy alternative to traditional electrical exit signs and evacuation components within buildings and their respective evacuation routes. Envision your traditional electrical exit signs, which can be found in every building within exit enclosures and general paths. Now, imagine the sheer

volume of signs that are currently operating in our cities, constantly using up electricity and causing a subsequent rise in our carbon footprint. Currently, the market consists of LED, Fluorescent and Incandescent exit signs. LED signs are considered to be an energy efficient option of these signs, but still have annual energy consumption of 44 kWh whilst emitting 72 pounds of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere. By comparison, Fluorescent and Incandescent exit signs are far more damaging to our environment and are immensely inefficient emergency lighting solutions. Fluorescent signs have an annual energy consumption of 140 kWh along with CO2 emissions of 230 pounds, whereas incandescent signs consume a whopping 350 kWh per year with annual CO2 emissions at 574 pounds. Currently, these lights are expensive to monitor and maintain, while increasing our citiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pollution rates, and are prone to failure, such as all electrical and mechanical

systems. Therefore, the fact that photoluminescent signs and markers have an annual energy use of 0 kWh without any CO2 emissions indicated its potential as a market disruptor. If we switch thousands, and soon millions of electrical signs and emergency lighting available in existing and new buildings with PL solutions, this will drastically reduce the carbon footprint. It is clear that we can all contribute to the transformation program by introducing extremely efficient and practical energy solutions such as glow technology into our buildings. Introducing photo-luminescent technology to the market will help optimise and reduce the consumption of natural resources within the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the members of the GCC nations. Following the right path, a Glowpath, will aid in making our buildings and structures net zero energy facilities. 59

The Sustainabilist | SAUDI ARABIA

INDEX

12 Pre-Developed 3.1 GW Renewable Projects will be Tendered in 2019

QURRAYAT

200

MADINAH

RAFHA

ALFAISALIA

600 RABIGH

SAAD

600

WADI ADWAWSER

YANBU

300

JEDDAH

300

MAHAD DAHAB

AL RAS

300

QURRAYAT

Total

850

2,225

Sources: Research & Index - Vision 2030 National Renewable Energy Programme 60

850

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