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.”. ¡
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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.” ¡
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