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The State Parliamentary Council of Communities of Roots and Foreign Cultures (CONSECRE) announced last week that a Palestinian Brazilian citizen has been given a prerstigious award “Honouring Community Personalities” in the State of Sao Paulo, which is home to thousands of Palestinians in exile.
Dr Jamal Suleiman was given the award at an official ceremony in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Sao Paulo, for his work in preserving the memory and cultural identity of the Palestinian people and their original country.
Palestinian Brazilians are respected for their contributions to the socioeconomic development of Sao Paulo and Brazil. Suleiman is the second member of the Palestinian community honoured in this way since the CONSECRE was created in 2001.
“This award is a great honour! I received the news with great joy and pride as a Palestinian,” Dr Jamal told me. “I understand how important this award is for our Palestinian community who started to come to Brazil at least 130 years ago. Now we all experience the pain of exile and have done ever since the 1948 Nakba.”
He pointed out that one of the most prominent characteristics of the Palestinian community in Brazil is the ability to integrate into society and accept others without forgetting their origin, heritage, culture and motherland.
Jamal Suleiman is a well-known Palestinian Brazilian specialist in infectious diseases. He is from a Palestinian family from Silwad, a town to the north-east of Ramallah. His father was living in Haifa when he was expelled during the 1948 ethnic cleansing by Zionist terror gangs. He ended up in Brazil, where his son Jamal was born in 1959 in the State of Sao Paulo. The doctor graduated from the faculty of medicine in 1983.
Suleiman´s story is similar to that of millions of Palestinians living in exile from the land that their families had farmed for generations. It illustrates the fact that Palestinian refugees are living examples of patience and, in many cases, success in the diaspora. Neither the trauma of exile nor the pain of their loss has broken their spirit. On the contrary, their collective experiences have made them stronger.
Dr Suleiman has had an outstanding medical career since the 1980s. He works as a doctor and researcher at the Emilio Ribas Institute, one of the oldest and most important health institutions in Brazil. He rose to prominence within the wider Brazilian community during the Covid-19 pandemic as one of the most sought-after experts due to his direct work in the fight against the disease. He is currently active in training undergraduate medical students.
“I work in Emilio Ribas Hospital that is considered as a reference point for infectious diseases by the World Health Organisation. In addition, I am a focus for Arab patients in the hospital because I speak Arabic. I know the issues related to our Palestinian culture and how we should reveal it in the wider Brazilian community,” he explained.
As an active member of the Palestinian community in Brazil, Suleiman has worked for years to raise awareness about the situation in Palestine. “I know what it means to be a refugee from 1948; I know the pain and suffering of the people who were torn from their roots by force. Unfortunately, this bad situation continues to this day through the continuous violations of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.”
In addition to his work in public health sector, Dr Suleiman has followed his passion to make food products from peppers. “Pimento do Jamal” is now a gourmet brand in Brazil. It has been active since 2010 with dozens of products, ranging from pepper jellies and sauces to peppers with an original Palestinian taste.
He now dedicates some of his time to make the brand represent Palestinian culture and identity. He believes that food can spread knowledge and preserve this valuable asset, while making guests talk about typical Palestinian food. Suleiman has appeared on popular TV programmes to promote Palestinian dishes, including the well-known Makluba.
“One of my hobbies is cooking and making Palestinian traditional dishes, which I think is very important because I can present Palestinian culture through serving food. I find that there is great interaction by the wider Brazilian society towards our culture; they taste our food and they want to know more about us.”
He sees this as both a humanitarian mission and a national duty. “I have Palestinian families living here and there in Palestine. We will never give up. We are all together and we will not leave anything behind. My heart and mind are with the Palestinians in that part of the world.”
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI presides at the Royal Palace in Rabat the presentation ceremony of the model of the first Moroccan car manufacturer “Neo Motors” and the prototype of a hydrogen vehicle “NamX” developed by a Moroccan.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI presided, on Monday at the Royal Palace in Rabat the presentation ceremony of the model of the first Moroccan car manufacturer and the prototype of a hydrogen vehicle developed by a Moroccan, two innovative projects that will strengthen the promotion of the “Made In Morocco” label and consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a competitive automotive production platform.
The presentation to the King of the car of “Neo Motors”, a company owned by Moroccan capital, and of the prototype of a hydrogen vehicle of the company NamX, named HUV (Hydrogen Utility Vehicle), underlines the Sovereign’s willingness to encourage and promote the pioneering national entrepreneurial initiatives and the creative capacities, particularly of the Moroccan youth, that these projects embody.
These two industrial initiatives are in line with the High Royal Directions aiming at directing the private sector towards productive investment, in particular in the advanced and future sectors and at stimulating the emergence of a new generation of companies in the Kingdom.
They also confirm the King’s far-sighted vision in terms of sustainable development and the promotion of renewable energies, particularly the emerging field of green hydrogen.
Neo Motors company has set up an industrial unit in Ain Aouda (Rabat-Salé-Kenitra Region), to manufacture motor vehicles for the local market and for export, with a projected annual capacity of 27,000 units and a local integration rate of 65%.
The total projected investment for this project amounts to 156 million dirhams ($15.6 million) and will eventually create 580 jobs.
The final approval of the first vehicle was issued by the National Agency for Road Safety in February 2023. The company has launched the pre-production and plans to inaugurate the industrial unit during the month of June 2023 and to launch the marketing.
This project, which gives birth to the first Moroccan consumer car brand, is carried by national skills. It relies mainly on the ecosystem of local automotive suppliers developed by the Kingdom.
As for the prototype of the hydrogen vehicle of NamX, it was designed in collaboration with the Italian design office and coachbuilder of reference Pininfarina. The interior design of the vehicle has been realized by Moroccan talents.
Indeed, the HUV model will be supplied with hydrogen by a central tank that will be completed by six removable capsules, guaranteeing a significant autonomy and facilitating the hydrogen recharge in a few minutes.
This pilot project places Morocco firmly in the ongoing worldwide momentum to develop new forms of transport that combine efficiency and respect for the environment.
The monarch awarded the Wissam Al Kafaa Al Fikria to Nassim Belkhayat, founder and CEO of Neo Motors company, and Faouzi Annajah, President and founder of NamX company.
Dr Hamada Elkady, executive director of Delta Farm, believes that the Egyptian desert has the potential to be a successful shrimp producing region.
Dr Elkady has been the executive director of Delta Farm – a tilapia and shrimp farm in Wadi El Natrun – since 2019.
Can you briefly describe your aquaculture career?
I obtained a doctorate and a master’s degree in aquaculture, but upon graduation, I worked as the production manager of the Al-Amana Feed Factory until 2013. Then I worked in tilapia farms for my family in Kafr El-Sheikh. I have been the director of Delta tilapia and shrimp farm in Wadi El Natrun since 2019.
What inspired you to become a shrimp farmer?
We were looking for an alternative to tilapia culture, and shrimp was the ideal solution. What helped us were the factors available at our Wadi El Natrun farm, such as the salinity of the water and the appropriate climate for vannamei shrimp culture.
What were the main challenges to overcome when you set the farm up?
The first aquaculture season there in 2019 was dedicated to Nile tilapia culture. We started trialling vannamei shrimp farming in 2021 in two ponds and the success of the trial was an incentive for us to convert more of the farm to shrimp production, and perhaps move purely to shrimp in the future.
A key challenge was to search for a place with a water source with a suitable salinity for aquaculture, which was also close to the markets. After that, the design of the farm itself, in order to save energy, adjust production intensity, improve feed conversion ratios and ensure the best waste disposal methods.
Can you provide as many details as possible about the scale, design and operation of the farm?
The total land area is 70 acres and includes nine 70 by 70 metre ponds lined with polyethylene, in addition to four 40 by 40 metre ponds used for rearing and nursery. The ponds are fed by groundwater from wells and we use the waste water in a hydroponic component, which produces crops that tolerate salt, such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and the Barhi date palm (Phoenix dactylifera ‘Barhi’) in the parts of the farm with no ponds.
How many tonnes does the farm currently produce per year?
Our production is mixed between tilapia and shrimp. There are three shrimp ponds with a production average of 2.6 tonnes of shrimp, with production sizes ranging from 30 to 40 shrimp per kilogram. There are also four nursery tanks each holding 100,000 shrimp larvae. The current year’s production consisted of one cycle of shrimp because we are still developing a plan to produce more than one cycle.
Meanwhile, we produce around 135 tonnes of tilapia from six ponds, selling them at sizes ranging from 250 to 350 grams.
What does a typical day’s work consist of on the farm?
Most of the day is split between the disposal of organic waste from the ponds, which we do three times, and feeding, which takes place four times. We also take samples to ensure that the water conditions are good.
Dr Elkady next to one of the shrimp ponds at Delta Farm
The farm has three shrimp ponds with a production average of 2.6 tonnes of shrimp, while six additional ponds produce around 135 tonnes of tilapia
What was the project’s original goal and what has been achieved so far?
The original goal was to produce high-quality fish in an area far from all sources of pollution and with the highest production rates. Next season, we aim to produce 10 tonnes of shrimp per acre, and then ramp this up until we reach optimal global production rates.
What are the most important factors for ensuring efficient shrimp production in a desert environment?
The salinity level of the water source needs to be reasonable for shrimp culture, and the level of 20-30 ppt has the advantage of high feed conversion rates and low disease incidence.
A sandy loam soil which retains water can save the cost of lining the ponds with polyethylene
A reliable source of electricity to operate the aerators and pumps from the wells – solar energy can reduce costs.
Trained workers and experience are required because aquaculture in the desert differs greatly from other climates.
What impact has the rising costs of inputs such as feeds had on you?
The rise in feed prices represents a major challenge but the price of shrimp is still high enough to make profits. However, it is harder to make profits from tilapia.
What regions and production systems have the most scope for shrimp farming growth in the coming years?
Promising production systems depend mainly on the type of surrounding environment and the availability of water, but in desert lands, intensive and semi-intensive systems – including biofloc and recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) – are among the best options.
One of the most promising areas for aquaculture in Egypt is the Al Maghrah area in Matrouh Governorate, which is characterised by good soil, a suitable climate and a water source with suitable salinity.
How would you like your farm to develop in the coming years?
The most important part of our development plan is installing alternative energy sources, such as solar panels, and developing the nursery unit so that we can do more than one cycle of shrimp per season. We are also looking to cover the ponds with polytunnels.
The pavilion of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) TASMU (SMART Qatar) recorded the longest independent concrete structure built using 3D printing technology.
According to the Qatari News Agency (QNA), the pavilion of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) TASMU (SMART Qatar) has entered the Guinness World Records Book as the longest independent concrete structure built using 3D printing technology.
On this occasion, HE Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai stated that the Guinness World Record is not only a symbol of innovation and achievement, but also a testimony to the State of Qatar’s commitment to transcending all boundaries in the field of technology – promoting fruitful cooperation and providing innovations that improve peoples lives. The MCIT pavilion is tangible evidence of the technological progress witnessed by the State of Qatar, where traditional values are in harmony with advanced technology to meet global challenges.
The Ministry’s pavilion was built on an area of 170 square meters with a height of 12.4 meters, and was designed in the form of a tower consisting of ten levels with seven bricks in each row. It was built from 75 individually 3D printed pieces, as “an ideal example of fruitful cooperation between different talents and experiences, and a living example of transforming ambitious visions into tangible reality,” according to the QNA.
MCIT is actively contributing to Expo 2023 Doha as an event that is in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and focuses on sustainability and innovation. The Ministry’s pavilion represents its commitment to providing technology-based solutions and enhancing efforts made in support of sustainability endeavors that are in the interest of residents, citizens, companies, and visitors in the State of Qatar.
Recently, Qatari students – Mohammad Fadhel Annan and Lujain Al Mansoori – were awarded 25,000 QAR from a Qatar Development Bank (QDB) competition for their 3D printed vegetable development, in which they used a custom-made 3D printer and a combination of artificially grown vegetable cells and UV-sensitive 3D printer ink.
The Bahr El-Baqar wastewater treatment plant is a joint venture between the Arab Contractors Company and Orascom Construction.
The Bahr El Baqar wastewater treatment plant, located in the northern governorate of Port Said, was recently inaugurated by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. A joint venture between the Arab Contractors Company and Orascom Construction it is the largest of its kind worldwide with a daily production capacity of 5.6 million cubic meters.
It is equipped with advanced operating systems for pumping raw water, flocculation, decantation, filtration and disinfection. The plant will recover the wastewater that flows along the Bahr Al-Baqar drain. The triple-treated water will be transferred to North Sinai in order to contribute to the reclamation of agricultural land within the framework of the national project for the development of Sinai and to support making the best use of the state’s water resources.
The Bahr El Baqar wastewater treatment plant holds three Guinness World Records: It’s the world’s largest water treatment facility, the largest sludge treatment plant and the largest single-operator ozone generating plant.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has announced Dr. Mohamed El-Erian, President of Queens’ College at Cambridge University, as the winner of the first Great Arab Minds (GAM) award in the economics category, in recognition of his incredible contributions to the field of economics and his perceptive analysis of changes in economic and financial systems.
Announcing this in a tweet on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Sheikh Mohammed stated that economics has always been the foundation for stability and growth and the catalyst for innovative and developmental efforts that benefit both individuals and communities.
He noted that creativity in the field of economics is a driver of intellectual progress, prosperity and international cooperation, with ambitious economic visions serving as the main pillar in driving development, building the future of nations and boosting fruitful cultural and civilisational exchange.
An economist with an undergraduate degree from Queens’ and a DPhil from Oxford, Mohamed El-Erian previously served as chief executive officer and co-chief investment officer of Pimco, Deputy Director at the International Monetary Fund, Chair of President Obama’s Global Development Council and President of Harvard Management Company.
Throughout his career, Dr. El-Erian has been involved with universities and think tanks around the world, including his roles at the University of Pennsylvania as the Rene M. Kern Professor of Practice at the Wharton School of and Senior Global Fellow at the Lauder Institute.
After years of dedicated learning and professional experience, he emerged as an outstanding consultant providing services to prestigious financial institutions such as Allianz and Gramercy Funds Management. Additionally, he has been an active contributor to several non-profit organizations, including the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Dr. Mohamed El-Erian’s impact on the field of economics extends beyond his corporate and institutional work. His written works and research have yielded a wealth of advice, insights, and economic concepts, establishing them as key references in economics, finance, and business. Among his well-known books are ‘When Markets Collide’ (2008), ‘The Only Game in Town’ (2016), and his latest collaborative work, ‘Permacrisis: A Plan to Fix a Fractured World’ co-authored with esteemed economic experts. Furthermore, Dr. Mohamed El-Erian is recognized as a prominent contributor and editor for Financial Times and Bloomberg.
Owing to his intellectual prowess, he has been named one of the ‘Top 100 Global Thinkers’ for four consecutive years by ‘Foreign Policy’ magazine.
In addition to presenting innovative theories on global economic matters, Dr. El-Erian is widely acknowledged as a leading expert in the realm of global capital markets. He is notably credited with introducing the concept of the “new normal”, a term characterising the state of the global economy post the global financial crisis.
source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)
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Mohamed A. el Erian, Managing Director, Co-Chief Information, Officer, Pacific IINvestment Management Company, USA, at the Summit on the Global Agenda, 07 November – 09 November 2008. Copyright World Economic Forum (www.weforum.org)/Photo by Norbert Schiller / wikipedia.com
The news follows a memorandum of understanding signed in July 2022 between the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the IAEA.
Morocco and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have signed an agreement for the Rabat-based Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah National Oncology Institute, which is affiliated with the Ibn Sina University Hospital, to become a collaborating center for the IAEA.
IAEA made the announcement was made on Friday. The Moroccan institution was elected as an IAEA collaborating center during the 67th regular session of the IAEA General Conference held in Vienna from September 25 to 29.
The news constitutes a recognition of Morocco’s commitment to advancing nuclear sciences in Africa, improving access to cancer treatments, and combating animal-transmitted diseases across the continent.
Khalid Ait Taleb, the Minister of Health and Social Protection, presided over the official announcement ceremony, emphasizing that the IAEA’s accreditation is an acknowledgment of the institute’s prolonged dedication to battling cancer.
He praised the institute’s exceptional staff and expertise having elevated its standards to a commendable level of quality.
Maintaining the prestigious accreditation in the upcoming years is now a primary challenge, Minister Ait Taleb stressed. He underscored the institute’s pivotal role in combating cancer and nurturing medical expertise in the field, both nationally and continentally.
For his part, Director-General Raouf Mohsine of the Ibn Sina University Hospital in Rabat emphasized the profound significance of this election within Morocco and across the continent.
This recognition is a source of immense pride for Morocco amid ongoing reforms in the national healthcare system, he said. The milestone follows a memorandum of understanding signed in July 2022 between the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the IAEA, through which the two institutions committed to reinforcing collaboration in the fight against cancer and zoonotic diseases.
source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (edited)
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Morocco and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
NEOM’s water and electricity subsidiary ENOWA has developed a blueprint for the world’s first renewable, high-voltage smart grid, Peter Terium, the company’s CEO, told Arab News.
In an interview on the sidelines of the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference, Terium said that the “grid of microgrids” will allow ENOWA to supply the NEOM region with sizable, 100 percent renewable electricity that simultaneously provides a 50 percent reduction of the corridor footprint.
According to the CEO, the principle of smart grids is simple, as they are traditionally used on a small scale in buildings. However, the sheer size of the development and the scope of coverage needed for the nine to 10 million individuals who will be residing in NEOM adds to the difficulty of the undertaking.
“That’s a huge achievement given it’s the size that makes it complex. You know, one windmill, a refrigerator, and a television are all 100 percent renewable. But a NEOM within the Kingdom that eventually is going to have nine to 10 million inhabitants. That’s very sizable,” Terium said.
In order to ensure minimum disturbance to the natural terrain and minimize visual disruption, the CEO noted that this would require limiting the number of corridors and implementing part of the grid to operate underground.
To achieve 100 percent renewable electricity in NEOM, Terium emphasized the crucial role of an efficient grid, highlighting that individuals often underestimate that all solar and wind farms require connectivity to “bring the electrons to the customer.”
Another key element, the CEO underscored, is storage. In order to ensure the stabilization, backup, and security of its renewable supply, the giga-project is implementing a portfolio of storage solutions.
The development is investing “billions and billions of Saudi riyals” to ensure that its first customers have access to green electricity, sustainable water, and reliable quality electricity through its grid and storage.
“One example is already for sure and we are expanding into the market with that, which is the world’s largest closed-loop pump, hydro storage, and it combines the traditional form of water-based hydro storage, so a small upper lake and a lower lake,” Terium said.
“That has two effects. First of all, it reduces the evaporation of the water. So that’s an economic effect. But the second effect is that it is a great attractor for birds. Birds and wildlife. So we have a major positive solution for storage that is pretty sizable, the largest in the world,” he added.
Considering the challenges ahead, the CEO highlighted that the development isn’t exclusively centered on creating new technologies. Instead, their key focus is to ensure that the electricity supplied to the NEOM region is renewable, dependable, and affordable.
While not entirely cheap, mature large-scale solar and wind technologies remain affordable, underscored Terium, and will thus be primarily implemented into the framework of connectivity used by the futuristic city.
“The NEOM region has a combination of very intensive solar irradiation and very abundant wind profiling — the solar during the day and the wind mainly in the evening. That makes it a perfect combination to take these two cheapest renewable technologies and get as much as possible out of them,” he outlined.
While the existing infrastructure for electricity amounted to half a gigawatt to 1 GW, the company has “ramped that up” to 3 GW with the aim of 5-6 GW in the near future.
According to Terium, the first tenders of solar and wind power plants have already been established, and the large green hydrogen plant being built will amount to 5-6 GW of installed capacity for power generation by the year 2026.
Due to the size of the NEOM development, the executive underscored that ENOWA is currently at about 5 percent completion of its infrastructure, with the goal of accelerating to 10 percent in the coming 12 to 18 months.
He said: “NEOM is going to be a large undertaking. And what we do is build the infrastructure in line with the growth of NEOM. So that’s why the percentage of 5 or 10 percent sounds low, but it is connected to the size, eventually, of NEOM. And then again, five or 10 eventually of a massive undertaking is already a huge project.”
The company is working with the Kingdom’s Ministry of Energy and collaborating with entities like the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in its energy-centric ventures. Alongside KAUST, ENOWA will be installing the first carbon capture capacity into a gas-fired plant in the Kingdom. The executive said: “That is one example, but there are many other ones and all the institutions that are there in the Kingdom we work with, but also outside of the Kingdom.”
Through collaboration, it hopes to bring some of its ideas on how to scale renewable energy to the region through its renewable energy approaches and Saudi Arabia’s green hydrogen strategy, a part of which is the NEOM green hydrogen plant.
Terium said: “The Kingdom has now embarked upon a hydrogen strategy and a renewable energy strategy, but it may take advantage of some of the lessons learned that we had in the early stage. And we can bring in some of our ideas of how you can do that bigger and at a larger scale.”
What is important, according to the CEO, is that hydrogen needs to reach its customers, and there are more cost-effective solutions than shipping it in the form of ammonia.
Thus the decision to build a pipeline corridor infrastructure to Europe is something “that only a country like Saudi Arabia can do because that’s a job and a size which is even way too big for even NEOM.”
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has inaugurated the largest concentrated solar power (CSP) project in the world, within the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai.
The 950-megawatt (MW) fourth phase is the largest investment project that uses three hybrid technologies: 600MW from a parabolic basin complex, 100MW from the CSP tower, and 250MW from photovoltaic solar panels. Built at an investment of AED15.78 billion, using the independent power producer (IPP) model, the project features the tallest solar tower in the world, at 263.126 metres, and the largest thermal energy storage capacity with a capacity of 5,907 megawatt hours (MWh), according to the Guinness World Records.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai said, “The UAE has a clear vision to transform itself into one of the world’s most sustainable nations. Our journey towards sustainability is comprehensive, encompassing advanced clean energy projects across diverse renewable sources, and innovative solutions integrated into various spheres of the economy and society. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is at the heart of Dubai and the UAE’s commitment to create a world-class infrastructure for sustainability and a robust foundation for building an environmentally friendly future. Coming at the culmination of the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, the launch of the fourth phase of the Solar Park is an important milestone in our sustainability journey. Our success in creating the world’s largest concentrated solar project underscores our determination to advance climate action and aligns with the goals of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), which the UAE is currently hosting. Driven by the objectives of the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategy, we continue to expand our sustainable energy mix and embrace renewable and alternative energies, shaping not only our nation’s future but also contributing significantly to the global effort to combat climate change. Our dedication to sustainability is a testament to our resolve to contribute to fostering a resilient and prosperous future for all of humanity.”
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy; H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Ports and Borders Security Council and a number of ministers, director generals of Dubai government departments and senior officials.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was welcomed by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was briefed about the project by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). The fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which covers an area of 44 square kilometres, uses three hybrid technologies: 600MW from a parabolic basin complex, 100MW from the CSP tower, and 250MW from photovoltaic solar panels. The project features 70,000 heliostats that track the sun’s movement. The Molten Salt Receiver (MSR) on top of the solar power tower is the core and the most important part of the CSP plant. It receives solar radiation and turns it into thermal energy. The MSR contains over 1,000 thin tubes that enable the absorption of sun rays and their transfer to the molten salt within these tubes. This project will provide approximately 320,000 residences with clean and sustainable energy. It will reduce carbon emissions by about 1.6 million tonnes annually, enhancing Dubai’s position as a leading global hub in clean, renewable energy and climate action.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said, “President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has emphasised that the UAE’s commitment to protecting the environment and supporting global action to achieve sustainability is firm, continuous, and effective for the benefit of its people and the service of humanity. Furthermore, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has constantly reiterated the UAE’s determination to be at the forefront of global efforts to create a more sustainable future for all of humanity by taking concrete action to transition to renewable energies. At the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, we follow the vision and directives of the leadership to increase the share of clean and renewable energy sources to achieve the goals of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. We have already achieved the interim goals of this strategy in record time.”
Al Tayer explained in his speech at the inauguration that the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park was based on the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to implement this project to be a global landmark that sets higher standards of excellence than similar projects worldwide. He emphasised that this project would not have been possible without His Highness’s support to implement the project according to world-leading benchmarks of efficiency and performance. The project features the tallest CSP tower and the largest single-site thermal energy storage in the world, as well as the lowest cost to produce renewable energy round the clock.
“The vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to enhance the share of clean and renewable energy, have contributed to making Dubai a global hub for the green economy and a global role model in the sustainable transition to clean energy. This has been achieved through pioneering strategies and projects driven by advanced research and development, Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, digital transformation, and the latest renewable and clean energy technologies. Through the IPP model, DEWA has achieved the lowest global prices, making Dubai a benchmark for solar energy project prices worldwide,” said Al Tayer.
“The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park supports the efforts of the UAE, which has one of the world’s largest investments in clean energy projects, and is currently hosting the UN Climate Change conference, COP28, in Expo City Dubai. This underlines the UAE’s firm commitment to sustainable development and protecting the environment and natural resources for us and for generations to come. The solar park whose current capacity has reached 2,627MW, is the cornerstone to achieve the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100 percent of the energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050,” added Al Tayer.
Al Tayer commended the efforts of DEWA’s partners in implementing this pioneering project according to the highest international standards and using the most advanced technologies. A consortium led by DEWA and Saudi Arabi’s ACWA Power established Noor Energy 1 as a project company to design, build, and operate the fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. DEWA holds a 51 percent stake in the company, ACWA Power holds 25 percent, and the Chinese Silk Road Fund owns 24 percent
“Guided by the leadership and vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai is paving the way for a sustainable future. It is transforming into a global centre for green economy by continuing its efforts to achieve the goals of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. Inaugurating the world’s largest single-site CSP plant during COP28 demonstrates our commitment to our strategy to increase the use of clean and renewable energy sources. The project is also a significant milestone in DEWA’s success, and we are proud to be a part of it. This is part of our long-term partnership that we began in the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, leading to the opening of the fourth phase we are witnessing today in Noor Energy 1 project,” said Mohammad Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA Power.
“We are proud of our contribution to achieving the ambitious vision of the leadership in cooperation with our partners in DEWA. Our key role, through the qualitative projects that we operate and manage in UAE, confirms the extent of the efforts, expertise and financial capabilities of our partners in DEWA and the Silk Road Fund. Together, we have been able to set new standards for CSP generation using the latest technological innovations in this project, such as the solar tower technology and parabolic panels that use CSP to produce energy 24 hours a day. Additionally, the plant’s capacity is enhanced with photovoltaic solar panels to produce 950 megawatts. This is the only single-site project in the world that includes all these technologies. It also features the largest solar energy storage capacity in the world,” added Abunayyan.
“Through collaboration and innovation, we pave the way for sustainable energy solutions that push boundaries and drive progress. As we celebrate the opening of Noor Energy 1, we affirm our commitment to a brighter and cleaner future for future generations,” said Zhu Jun, Chairwoman of Silk Road Fund.
“We are honoured to be part of this huge cooperation between DEWA and ACWA Power. Together, we are setting a new standard for innovation and sustainability. This achievement is a milestone in the development of sustainable energy in the region and confirms the commitment to promoting energy solutions. The successful completion of this project is a testament to the dedication and expertise of all partners and sets a commendable precedent for future renewable energy initiatives,” added Zhu Jun.
Three combined technologies
The fourth phase of the Solar Park uses three hybrid technologies to produce clean energy: 600MW from a parabolic basin complex (three units of 200MW each), 100MW from the world’s tallest solar power tower (based on Molten Salt technology), and 250MW from photovoltaic solar panels. The Molten Salt Receiver (MSR) on top of the solar power tower is the core and most important part of the CSP plant. It receives solar radiation and turns it into thermal energy. The MSR contains over 1,000 thin tubes that enable the absorption of sun rays and their transfer to the molten salt within these tubes.
The ship is the first of its kind to be built entirely by the Alexandria Shipyard in Egypt.
Egypt’s Alexandria shipyard made history, as it launched the fourth and final MEKO A200 frigate, named ‘Sajm Al-Jabbar’ for the Egyptian Navy. This frigate holds significant importance as it is not only the largest locally produced combat vessel but also the first of its kind to be constructed in Egypt under the Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) license.
The ship was unveiled in a ceremony held during the EDEX 2023 defense exhibition at Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi in attendance as the chief guest alongside other high-ranking officials.
Egypt had placed an order for four identical frigates, with the first three units being built in Germany, while the final ship was constructed at the Alexandria shipyard in Egypt. The construction contract was signed back in September 2018.
