- Nishant Dighe Chief Executive Officer of RAKPA Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, 19 April 2018:   After the recent announcement of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah appointing His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi as Chairman of Ras Al Khaimah Petroleum Authority (“RAKPA”), Nishant Dighe is appointed as Chief Executive Officer of RAKPA. Nishant Dighe, also the Chief Executive Officer of RAK Gas, is appointed to RAKPA on an interim basis until completion of the award of the petroleum rights under RAK’s 2018 petroleum licensing round (“the Licensing Round”), at which time a permanent appointment will be made.  On 2 April 2018, the Government of Ras Al Khaimah announced the official launch of the Licensing Round and the establishment of RAKPA – the new regulator ......read more

    Construction of Reactor Containment Building Dome Structure for Unit 4 successfully completed; the final unit of the Barakah Plant     Unit 4 Reactor Coolant Loop (RCL) pipe welding and setting of key equipment also completed Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 10 April 2018:  Reaching another milestone in the development of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has successfully completed the Reactor Containment Building (RCB) dome for Unit 4, the final unit of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, located in the Al Dhafrah region of Abu Dhabi. The Unit’s Reactor Coolant Loop (RCL) pipe welding, and the setting of key equipment have also been completed. The completion of Unit 4’s dome structure signifies the majority completion of the main ......read more

Abu Dhabi, 09 April, 2018:  Mubadala Petroleum announces that it has signed the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for Andaman I, as awarded by the Government of Indonesia in the 2017 Indonesian Licence Round.  Mubadala Petroleum is the operator of the Andaman I PSC and a partner in the Andaman II PSC, operated by Premier Oil, which was also signed last week. The Andaman I and II PSCs are adjacent and located in the underexplored but proven North Sumatra basin offshore Aceh, a region that Mubadala Petroleum has been involved in since 2011 through joint study agreements.  The PSCs have the potential to unlock a new material gas play for domestic consumption in North Sumatra and indeed long term export to regional markets.   The work commitment for the Andaman I exploration block is to conduct sub surface ......read more

Sector adds record 167 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity, expands 8.3% in 2017 Abu Dhabi, UAE, 07 April 2018:   By the end of 2017, global renewable generation capacity increased by 167 GW and reached 2,179 GW worldwide. This represents a yearly growth of around 8.3%, the average for seven straight years in a row, according to new data released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).  Renewable Capacity Statistics 2018 is the most comprehensive, up-to-date and accessible figures on renewable energy capacity statistics. It contains nearly 15,000 data points from more than 200 countries and territories.      “This latest data confirms that the global energy transition continues to move forward at a fast pace, thanks to rapidly falling prices, technology improvements and ......read more

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 3, 2018:  The biggest challenge for the UAE’s Minister of Energy and Industry is ensuring water security for the country’s future generations.  Speaking at the inaugural edition of the Global Leaders Forum, held in Dubai on April 3, 2018, His Excellency Suhail Al Mazrouei, the UAE’s Minister of Energy and Industry, said, “The UAE has already put in place a strategy to reduce water consumption. This is the priority for everyone to look at now for the sake of future generations.” “We need to stop taking any water from the ground water resources, especially for agricultural purposes. The current sources need to be replaced to increase the efficiency and keep it for the future generations,” he added.  The minister stressed on the ......read more

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, 2 April 2018:  The Government of Ras Al Khaimah has announced the official launch of RAK’s 2018 petroleum licensing round (the “Licensing Round”) and the establishment of the new Ras Al Khaimah Petroleum Authority – the regulator responsible for the Licensing Round tendering process and ongoing management of petroleum rights.   These actions reflect the vision of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, regarding the development of the Emirate and its natural resources. The Licensing Round is being supported by RAK’s national oil company, RAK Gas.  The Licensing Round offers seven contract areas, including four shallow water offshore blocks and three onshore blocks and covering almost the ......read more

Collaborative Masdar- and SENER-backed solar company has paved the way for the development of more efficient concentrated solar power (CSP) technologies Dubai,UAE, March 29, 2018: In the ten years since it was established through a collaboration between Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, and SENER, the Spanish engineering and technology specialist, Torresol Energy has steadily pursued its mission to improve the competitiveness of large-scale concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. Since 2008, the 60/40 joint venture between SENER and Masdar has demonstrated that the technology behind its three plants in southern Spain (Gemasolar, Valle 1 and Valle 2) can deliver affordable, reliable, carbon-free energy straight to the electricity grid 24 hours a day. Gemasolar, located in Fuentes de Andalucia, is the ......read more

DUBAI – March 29, 2018:   Gulf Oil Middle East Ltd (GOMEL), a part of Hinduja Group and a wholly owned subsidiary of Gulf Oil International Ltd (GOI), announced its strategic partnership with Al Naboodah Group Enterprises (ANGE), one of the leading conglomerates in the UAE. Under the agreement, ANGE will distribute Gulf Oil’s entire range of automotive and industrial lubricants in the UAE, in both B2B and B2C market segments.    Gulf Oil is an iconic global brand with presence in more than 110 countries, producing and marketing a comprehensive range of high quality automotive and industrial lubricants, greases and specialty chemicals. ANGE is among the most well-respected family-owned companies in the UAE, employing over 16,000 people and 47 nationalities.  Mr. Satyabrata Das, Chief Executive ......read more

ENEC’s wide range of technical scholarships offer talented students the opportunity to develop nuclear-related skills and acquire hands-on experience Abu Dhabi, UAE – 27 March 2018:   The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and its operating subsidiary Nawah Energy Company (Nawah) have offered a wide range of scholarships and showcased unique career opportunities to Emiratis at the National Service Career Fair, that took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) between 25 and 27 March 2018. ENEC and Nawah presented a wide range of scholarship courses for Higher Diplomas in a variety of fields, for those who are interested in pursuing a career in nuclear energy. The UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program offers an exciting, challenging and rewarding career.  National Service graduates ......read more

  Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 27 March 2018:  Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korea Energy Agency (KEA) for renewable energy collaboration and investment between the Republic of Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Dr. Nam Hoon Kang, President and CEO of KEA, signed the MoU, which coincided with the President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in’s four-day visit to the UAE and his first to the Middle East since his election last year.  Under the terms of the agreement, Masdar and KEA aim to establish a potential strategic partnership to encourage renewable energy investment in Korea and to develop a number of renewable energy projects using ......read more

  US places $50 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese goods     Sanctions in focus on appointment of Iran hawk John Bolton     Crude oil trades higher, industrial metals retreat Dubai, UAE, March 25, 2018:   Global growth is in the crosshairs as the US and China square off in a trade war.  By Ole Hansen The geopolitical stage looks increasingly awful following President Trump's decision to slap tariffs on $50 billion of China-made goods. China immediately responded by targeting $3bn of US exports while contemplating additional retaliatory measures.  The appointments of Iran hawks to Trump's inner circle has further raised the risk of the US re-introducing sanctions against Iran no later than May 12. The two most recent appointments being Pompeo replacing ......read more

International Renewable Energy Agency to support Zhangjiakou, in Hebei Province,  become China’s first energy transition pilot city Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 24 March 2018:  The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has today signed a co-operation agreement with the People’s Government of Hebei Province, China to provide the city of Zhangjiakou with a renewable energy roadmap that will support its ambition to deliver a low-carbon Winter Olympics in 2022. The agreement will also help the city become China’s first energy transition pilot city. As co-host of the Winter Olympics with Beijing, Zhangjiakou aims to generate 50 per cent of its power from renewable sources by 2020. The agreement, signed by IRENA Director-General Adnan Z. Amin and the Governor of Hebei Province, Xu Qin, will ......read more

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 22, 2018:  Shams Power Company, the developer, owner and operator of the UAE’s first large-scale solar power project, Shams 1, is celebrating five years of uninterrupted electricity generation at the plant this month.  Located in Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi’s western region, the 100 megawatt-capacity (MW) Shams 1 was the largest concentrated solar power plant in the world at the time of its inauguration in 2013 and the first plant of its kind in the Middle East & North Africa. It also represented the world’s largest financing transaction for a solar energy project. Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, has an 80 per cent stake in Shams Power, while Total, the world’s fourth-ranked international oil & gas company, owns 20 per cent. Shams 1 uses ......read more

Abu Dhabi, 21 March 2018:  Mubadala Petroleum and its partners PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd (PETRONAS Carigali) and Sarawak Shell Berhad have reached the Final Investment Decision for the Pegaga gas field development in Block SK 320, offshore Malaysia. The project will now proceed to the construction and installation stage. Mubadala Petroleum is Operator of Block SK 320 with 55 percent interest, PETRONAS Carigali holds 25 percent, and Sarawak Shell Berhad 20 percent interest respectively. Mubadala Petroleum and its partners are expected to invest in excess of USD 1 billion into the development with first gas expected by third quarter of 2021. Dr Bakheet Al Katheeri, CEO of Mubadala Petroleum, commented: “The Pegaga gas project is Mubadala Petroleum’s first development in Malaysia and represents an important ......read more

Digitalization and clean energy integration transforming the energy landscape in the country Dubai, UAE, March 15, 2018:   ABB, the pioneering technology leader, has recorded steady and sustained growth in the United Arab Emirates in 2017.  “ABB is seeing profitable growth and a huge opportunity in this market as we are partners to both the energy and industrial revolution that is taking place in the country and around the world,” said Mostafa Al Guezeri, Managing Director, ABB. The company has been a stable partner to the country’s development and is continuing to push boundaries by supporting the transformation of energy landscape.  Commenting on ABB’s four-decade history in the UAE, Mostafa Al Guezeri, Managing Director, said, “A land of endless possibilities is how the UAE ......read more

 Dual projects designed to enhance Seychelles' capacity to produce renewable energy from sustainable resources  ADFD-funded energy projects electrify thousands of homes in island nation Abu Dhabi-UAE: 12 March, 2018:   Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the leading national entity for development aid, today announced an allocation of AED64.2 million for the development of two projects in the Republic of Seychelles that will enhance the country's capacity to produce renewable energy from sustainable resources. Confirming the Fund’s support, His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD signed two agreements, the first with His Excellency Didier Dogley, Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change of the Seychelles, and the second with Philip Morin, CEO of the ......read more

Mubadala Petroleum signs agreement with Italian company Eni to purchase interest in Shorouk Concession • Mubadala Petroleum acquires 10 percent interest in the Shorouk Concession in Egypt   Abu Dhabi, 12 March 2018:  Mubadala Petroleum and Italy’s Eni signed an agreement to purchase a 10 percent stake in the Egyptian Shorouk Concession. The signing ceremony was presided over by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Paolo Gentiloni, Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy. The stake in the offshore Shorouk Concession encompasses the giant Zohr gas field located in the Mediterranean Sea.   The agreement was signed by HE Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing ......read more

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 4 March 2018 –   Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, a subsidiary of the Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), today announced that it will install a 290-kilowatt (KW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system to serve the facility of Khazna Data Centres (Khazna) in Masdar City.  In the presence of Khaled Al Qubaisi, Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace, Renewables and Information Communications Technology for Mubadala, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, and Hassan Al Naqbi, Chief Executive Officer of Khazna, signed a collaboration agreement on the project, aimed at further advancing Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a hub for renewable energy and clean technology.   Under the terms of the agreement, Masdar’s Energy Services unit will install a solar PV system ......read more

Sustainability performance improved once more  More than 50,000 employees serving as sustainability ambassadors Partnership launched to stop ocean plastic  Leading positions in international indices and ratings  Dubai, UAE, March 03, 2018:   “In 2017, we made clear progress in implementing our sustainability strategy and reaching our sustainability targets. We are proud of the fact that many international rating agencies have recognized our achievements with excellent ratings and have acknowledged Henkel as one of the world’s leading companies in the area of sustainability,” said Kathrin Menges, Executive Vice President Human Resources and Chair of Henkel’s Sustainability Council.    Creating sustainable value   Henkel aims to create sustainable ......read more

Discover French innovations from March 6 to 8 at the French Pavilion, Dubai World Trade Centre Dubai, UAE, March 01, 2018:  Business France is once again presenting the world-class, innovative and dynamic French electricity sector via the French Pavilion at the Middle East Electricity Exhibition from the 6th to the 8th of March. As a key platform for the introduction of new products and services in the world of electricity, this flagship exhibition continues to be a springboard for French businesses looking to expand in the region. The exhibitors at the French Pavilion are geared to welcome the thousands of participants expected and to showcase their latest novelties.  France, one of the global leaders in the electricity industry (leading exporter in Europe), will showcase a diverse offering across the sector with ......read more

Mr. Dietrich brings more than 27 years of international nuclear industry experience Abu Dhabi, UAE – 28 February 2018:  The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has appointed Peter Dietrich as the Corporation’s Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO). Mr. Dietrich brings substantial international industry expertise from his 27-year career in the nuclear sector.  The position of ENEC CNO serves a strategic function to the organization in supporting the successful development of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program, including assessing the program plan for the delivery of Units 1 to 4 in adherence to the highest standards of nuclear safety and quality. Eng. Mohamed Al Hammadi ENEC CEO, said: “I welcome Peter to the executive team that is leading the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program and I look forward to ......read more

Opportunity to help local truck drivers drive more safely  DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – 22nd February 2018 –   Puma Energy, the global integrated midstream and downstream energy company, hosted its first Be Road Safe event specifically created for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dubai on Thursday, February 22nd. The event aims to promote the importance of road safety and highlight existing risks across the region. 48 countries have taken part in the initiative to date through the Road Safety Relay.  The UAE Be Road Safe event, sponsored by Puma Energy and Impala Terminals, took place at Puma Energy’s Gulf Refining Company building in the port of Jebel Ali, Dubai. Event supporters included DP World, Trakhees, Department of Planning and Development and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), ......read more

Al Zeyoudi: The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant will contribute to meeting the UAE Energy Strategy and the realization of the UAE’s voluntary commitments to the Paris Agreement The project will improve air quality by cutting down up to 21 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year Abu Dhabi-UAE – 21 February 2018 -   His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Cabinet Member and UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, visited the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant today, where he witnessed the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation ‘s (ENEC) commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. His Excellency Dr Al Zeyoudi also observed the significant progress being made across all four nuclear energy units being built at the plant in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi.   His ......read more

Dubai, UAE, February 20, 2018:  For more than two decades, the European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of global renewable energy deployment. The adoption of long-term targets and supporting policy measures has resulted in strong growth in renewable energy deployment across the region, from a 9% share in gross final energy consumption in 2005 to 16.7% in 2015. The REmap study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), prepared in co-operation with the European Commission,  identifies cost-effective renewable energy options for all EU Member States, spanning a wide range of sectors and technologies. Key findings:  The EU could double the renewable share in its energy mix, cost effectively, from 17% in 2015 to 34% in 2030. All EU countries have cost-effective potential to use more ......read more

Discover French innovations from March 6 to 8 at the French Pavilion, Dubai World Trade Centre Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 15 February 2018 –   Business France is once again presenting the world-class, innovative and dynamic French electricity sector via the French Pavilion at the Middle East Electricity Exhibition from the 6th to the 8th of March. As a key platform for the introduction of new products and services in the world of electricity, this flagship exhibition continues to be a springboard for French businesses looking to expand in the region. The exhibitors at the French Pavilion are geared to welcome the thousands of participants expected and to showcase their latest novelties.  France, one of the global leaders in the electricity industry (leading exporter in Europe), will showcase a diverse ......read more