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 Arabia
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. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
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. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
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. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Despite green energy deal blitz, Middle Eastern climate efforts fell flat in 2024 By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Israel takes down Hezbollah drones headed for Mediterranean gas rig By intercepting Iran-made UAVs sent by Hezbollah earlier this week, Israel has made it clear that it can protect its maritime assets. Israel
Lapid, Macron discuss Hezbollah, Iranian nuclear deal in Paris On his first trip abroad as prime minister, Yair Lapid met at the Elysée Palace in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss Lebanon, Hezbollah and Iran. Israel
Egyptian government pushes bike project to reduce traffic, pollution ahead of COP27 In lead-up to COP27, the Egyptian government is exploring ways to encourage citizens to ride bicycles. Egypt
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company sends ammonia to Japan The UAE is making a push to boost its green technology sector and reduce dependence on oil. Gulf
Israel to build first solar plant on Bedouin land A unique agreement with the State offers a Bedouin tribe in the south of Israel real ownership of its land, enabling it to rent out space for the construction of a giant solar plant. Israel
Egypt announces Kharga as first green city ahead of COP27 summit Egypt, which is hosting the COP27 climate summit in Sharm El-Sheikh in November, is seeking to attract more tourists by marketing eco-tourism. Egypt
Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power to develop wind project in Egypt Wind power is slowly growing in the Middle East and North Africa, including in the oil-rich Gulf. Gulf
Egypt, France boost cooperation ahead of COP27 Egypt and France are boosting their bilateral cooperation, especially with respect to temperature-tolerant and sustainable crops, in the midst of Egypt's preparations to hold the COP27 conference at the end of this year. Egypt
Sharm el-Sheikh gets $7 million to become green city for COP27 The Egyptian government, the UN Development Programme and the Global Environment Facility are aiming to transform Sharm el-Sheikh into a green city in the lead-up to the international climate conference in November. Egypt
Israeli energy minister inks deal to export gas to Europe via Egypt Energy Minister Karine Elharrar hailed the signature this morning of a trilateral memorandum of understanding between Israel, Egypt and the European Union on the export of natural gas as a historic event. Israel
European Commission head in Israel for talks on energy, natural gas Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Energy Minister Karin Elharar discussed with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen possibilities for cooperation on exporting Israeli natural gas via Egypt to Europe. Israel
Maritime dispute with Lebanon threatens Israeli natural gas drilling Israel hopes that a solution can be found to the maritime border dispute with Lebanon so Energean can start drilling in the Karish field in the third quarter of 2022. Israel