Clean energy

Saudi Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser speaks during the CERAWeek oil summit in Houston, Texas, on March 18, 2024.

Saudi Aramco CEO warns of 'painful awakening' as energy costs rise

Amin Nasser said that green energy would not replace oil as demand for crude continues to grow, especially from the Global South.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan attends a session on the closing day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on Jan. 19, 2024.

Exclusive

Saudi finance minister hints kingdom could meet 2030 renewables target early

On Monday, the kingdom commissioned its largest battery energy storage system to its grid, with a capacity of 500 megawatts and the ability to store 2,000 megawatt hours of electricity.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive

Global renewables surge forward despite Trump’s climate reversals, says IRENA chief

Although Gulf countries are still heavily reliant on oil and gas, they are quickly moving toward a greener system, International Renewable Energy Agency head Francesco La Camera told Al-Monitor.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Traders sit below the stock market screens at the Dubai Financial Market, United Arab Emirates, Sept. 16, 2019.

Gulf wealth funds propel Middle East deals in 2024

The Gulf region continued its trajectory toward becoming a global investment powerhouse as sovereign wealth funds fed capital into AI, clean energy, entertainment, sports, start-ups and tourism.

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Analysis

Despite green energy deal blitz, Middle Eastern climate efforts fell flat in 2024

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

UAE's AMEA Power commissions Egypt's largest solar plant

Fujairah solar plant

UAE to host world's largest production plant for certain bioplastics

UAE free trade zone

United Arab Emirates

Five global firms shortlisted in Morocco's controversial Western Sahara energy plans

An aerial view of the solar mirrors at the Noor 1 Concentrated Solar Power plant, some 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) outside the town of Ouarzazate, central Morocco, Feb. 4, 2016.

A picture taken on July 14, 2022, ahead of a visit by the United States president to Saudi Arabia, shows hostesses in a car manufactured by US electric vehicle maker Lucid Group.

Analysis

Will Saudis’ $1.5B cash infusion help Lucid compete with Tesla?

The Saudi-backed electric vehicle maker Lucid has never been profitable, but the kingdom remains strategically committed to it amid the growing EV market in the Gulf.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente , Jack Dutton

Employees install new solar panels at the Kalyon Energy's Karapinar Solar Power Plant, Karapinar, Turkey, December 2, 2021.

UK, Poland guarantee $272M loan for Turkey's second-largest solar project

The seven solar power plants will have an aggregate power-generating capacity of 390 Megawatt peak and service Bor-Nigde, Gaziantep and Sanliurfa-Viransehir provinces.

Men wearing thawbs walk past a billboard promoting the transition to renewable energies at the UNFCCC COP28 Climate Conference the day before its official opening on November 29, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The COP28 is bringing together stakeholders, including international heads of state and other leaders, scientists, environmentalists, indigenous peoples representatives, activists and others to discuss and agree on the implementation of global measures towards mitigating the effects of climate c

GCC’s renewable energy push pays off with Qatar, UAE taking lead

Several Gulf states rank relatively high on the World Economic Forum (WEF) Energy Transition Index, reflecting their efforts to transition toward renewable energy and reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

ACWA Power and China Southern Power Grid representatives.

Saudi-China energy cooperation strengthened by Uzbek wind project sale

Both Saudi Arabia and China are seeking to tap into Uzbekistan's and Central Asia’s energy potential.

Omani energy minister

Interview

Oman to phase out polluting industries 'too difficult to decarbonize'

Omani Minister of Energy and Minerals Salim Al Aufi told Al-Monitor that if his government finds an industry too difficult or costly to decarbonize, there will be discussions taking place about phasing the sector out all together.

Salim Al Aufi

Salim Al Aufi

Oman Minister of Energy and Minerals

Saudi Mining and Industry Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef addresses the Future Mineral Forum in Riyadh on Jan. 10, 2024.

Saudi Arabia offers $182M package, other incentives for mining investors

The kingdom is prioritizing the lucrative sector as part of its ambitious Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from a reliance on oil.

Attendees look around the at NIO EP9 during the 2022 Central China International Auto Show on July 14, 2022, in Wuhan, Hubei province, China.

How UAE fits into China’s electric vehicle push

The United Arab Emirates’ electric vehicle ambitions and restrictions from the United States make the Gulf state an attractive partner for Chinese firms, but Abu Dhabi has a way to go before it meets its electric vehicle ownership targets.

FABIAN BIMMER/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Germany to import Algerian gas, eyes long-term renewables partnership

Berlin needs to convince Algiers that green hydrogen production for export is technically feasible and economically viable.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Newly elected President of the Sixth UN Environment Assembly (UNEA 6), Morocco's Minister for Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali (L) adresses delegates at the 50th anniversary of the UN Environment Program (UNEP) in Nairobi on March 3, 2022 - The world has a "historic" opportunity to address plastic pollution by starting discussions in early March on a treaty to regulate this phenomenon that chokes biodiversity, according to the Executive Director of the UNEP, Inger Andersen (Photo

Davos 2024: Green ammonia expansion integral to Morocco’s new hydrogen economy, minister says

Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali told Al-Monitor in an interview that the COP28 declaration marked the first time an emergence of more inclusive messaging has been seen in official climate text.

mbz baku

UAE President MBZ in Azerbaijan eyeing energy, investment cooperation

Emirati entities have inked several energy deals with Azerbaijan in the past year.

Israel Katz

Israel Katz set to become new Israeli foreign minister in cabinet rotation

As part of a coalition government agreement negotiated in 2022, Israel’s government approved the rotation of Israel Katz as the new foreign minister while former foreign minister Eli Cohen will become the new energy minister.

Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power signs $4B green hydrogen deal in Egypt

The second phase of the project could produce 2 million metric tons per year, the statement said, without providing details on the timeline.