Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 19 | Page 64

INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology for the development of specifications, tests and standards for photovoltaic equipment. “Solar PV technologies face specific but common localised issues in the GCC region,” said Dr. Mustapha Taoumi, Energy Technology Expert at the EU GCC Clean Energy Technology Network. “The customised testing of the PV panels in such harsh extremities of weather will contribute to reducing the uncertainty in electricity generation leading to increased predictability and viability of solar PV projects. “Establishing a mechanism in the region for co-operation between the PV testing centres and for targeted partnerships with well-established centres in the EU and elsewhere will help the region develop the needed skills and capacity to support the development of the solar market in the region. “The EU GCC Clean Energy Technology Network, funded by the European Union, can be a valuable partner in this process to facilitate know-how transfer and capacity building.” Francisco Boshell, analyst at IRENA, said: “The GCC is decisively acting to harness its great resource potential for PV generation. We are observing record prices below 30 USD/MWh from PV auctions in the region. “The next stage for a successful implementation is to ensure that these projects will deliver, in performance and durability, as expected. For that, having sound quality assurance mechanisms in place is indispensable. “This event focuses on establishing a co-operation network for PV testing labs in the region as a valuable step forward to achieve the region’s ambitious plans for PV deployment.”. ¡ INTELLIGENTCIO 64 64 INTELLIGENTCIO Bee’ah and Masdar launch joint venture to develop the first waste-to-energy plant in the Middle East Bee’ah, a leading environmental management company, and Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, have formally established the joint venture Emirates Waste to Energy Company (EWEC) to develop waste-to-energy plants across the Middle East region. In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, around environmental challenges and ways of maintaining a pollution free environment, the first project will be the Sharjah Multi-Fuel Waste-to- Energy Facility. The plant will be the first in the region and will treat, within its first phase, more than 300,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) each year and have a power capacity of around 30 megawatts (MW). Bee’ah set the ambitious target for Sharjah to achieve zero waste when the company was created back in 2007. At present, the emirate diverts 70 per cent of its waste away from landfill. With the completion of this new facility, Sharjah will soon become the first city in the Middle East to achieve the target of 100 per cent diversion of waste from landfill. Bee’ah and Masdar said EWEC’s first project would leverage the strengths of both companies to pave the way for further waste-to- energy facilities in the UAE and the region, delivering commercial solutions to meet the challenge of solid waste disposal and the ever- growing demand for clean energy. Salim Al Owais, Chairman of Bee’ah, said: “As we announce this state-of- the-art facility, it is no exaggeration to say that this is a historic day, not only for Bee’ah and Masdar, but for the whole of the UAE. Together with our strategic partner Masdar, we have set the ambitious goal of making the UAE a beacon for best environmental practices in the Middle East. “We also intend to set an example to the world for how a country that has traditionally been heavily reliant on fossil fuels can embrace change and become a leader in green technology, through vision, determination and hard work.” Al Owais’s comments were echoed by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar. He said: “Masdar firmly believes in industry collaboration as the most effective way of advancing the deployment of commercially viable technologies, while supporting the UAE’s goals for sustainable economic development. Our partnership with Bee’ah was first announced during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2016, and it gives me great pleasure today to see that bold statement of intent being translated into the formal launch of our joint venture Emirates Waste to Energy Company.” ¡ www.intelligentcio.com