Masdar and Elite Agro have launched the Middle East and North Africa’s first agricultural photovoltaic pilot at Al Foah Farm, combining solar power with greenhouse farming to improve land use, water efficiency, and climate resilience in arid environments. Masdar and Elite Agro Holding have recently introduced what they describe as the Middle East and North Africa’s very first agricultural photovoltaic (AgriPV) pilot project. The idea behind this initiative is pretty innovative, demonstrating how solar power and intensive greenhouse farming can, believe it or not, share the same land in really dry climates. The setup was unveiled at Elite Agro’s Al…

Planno, a UAE-based software firm, launches a subscription-based platform that combines satellite imagery and AI to streamline rooftop solar prospecting for commercial and industrial developers, with growing international adoption and strategic partnerships. Planno, a software company based in the United Arab Emirates, has recently introduced a new subscription-based prospecting tool designed specifically for commercial and industrial (C&I) solar developers and planners. As reported by pv magazine, this platform automates several steps in the prospecting process , making it easier for developers to find and qualify promising rooftops across an ever-growing list of countries. The company claims the product leverages geospatial…

The United Arab Emirates is rapidly expanding its renewable energy capacity and developing its hydrogen sector, aiming to become a regional leader in clean energy by 2031 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 amid substantial investments and strategic reforms. The United Arab Emirates is really pushing forward on its transition away from fossil fuels, aiming to position itself as a regional leader in the shift towards cleaner energy. They’re doing this through rapid deployment of renewables, hefty investments, and a clear push into low-carbon hydrogen initiatives. According to statements by Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, who’s the Minister of Energy…

Masdar and Engie have secured funding from seven banks to build the Al Khazna photovoltaic solar plant, set to be one of the largest of its kind in the Gulf, boosting Abu Dhabi’s clean energy ambitions and regional green investment trends. Masdar and Engie have wrapped up the financial close for the Al Khazna photovoltaic solar power project, paving the way for construction , which, according to organizers, is going to be one of the biggest utility-scale solar plants in the region. As reported by Sky News Arabia, seven banks, both regional and international, came together to support the financing,…

Kerry has signed a long-term lease to establish a Regional Customer Co-Creation Centre in Dubai’s Green Innovation District, aiming to speed up the development of sustainable, region-specific food and taste solutions amid a competitive Gulf region market. Dubai, UAE , Kerry, a well-known global supplier of taste and nutrition solutions, has recently signed a long-term lease with Expo City Dubai to set up a Regional Customer Co-Creation Centre in the UAE’s Green Innovation District. The company states that this new facility will serve as a regional hub for research, development, and applications, with the goal of speeding up product development…

Silal’s collaboration with Square Roots aims to accelerate the development of controlled-environment, AI-driven farming solutions tailored for the UAE’s harsh desert conditions, enhancing food security and resource efficiency. Silal’s Innovation Oasis has recently signed a collaboration agreement with Square Roots, an agritech company. The goal? To speed up the development of climate-smart agriculture specifically suited to the tough desert conditions of the UAE. This partnership, announced by Silal and covered by HortiDaily, sees Square Roots bringing in its expertise in controlled‑climate farming, indoor crop science, and the use of AI applications to a national testbed located in Al Ain. Silal…

Dubai has inaugurated its first dedicated hub for fully driverless taxi services, signalling a significant step in its plan to become a global leader in autonomous mobility with plans to operate a fleet of 1,000 vehicles by 2026. Dubai has recently opened the Baidu Apollo Go Autonomous Vehicles Operations and Control Centre at Dubai Science Park. This facility, spanning 2,000 square meters, is described by the company as its first outside China and marks the emirate’s very first dedicated hub for fully driverless taxi services. As reported by The Filipino Times, the inauguration took place last Thursday and was attended…

Abu Dhabi’s Dhafrah PV2 Energy has issued a USD 870.75 million green bond, attracting strong international investor interest to finance one of the world’s largest solar projects, marking a significant milestone in Gulf’s sustainable energy funding. Abu Dhabi’s Dhafrah PV2 Energy Company has successfully issued a green bond worth approximately USD 870.75 million, attracting quite strong investor interest for one of the region’s biggest project financings in the clean energy space. The long-term, amortising Regulation S Eurobond has a legal maturity of 27.5 years, with an average weighted life of about 17 years. It was priced very tightly at just…

As regulatory pressures tighten and consumer preferences evolve, companies across Dubai and the Emirates are now integrating sustainability into core business strategies, viewing green initiatives as vital for competitiveness and cost savings rather than mere image enhancement. Sustainability in the UAE has shifted quite a bit, it’s no longer just about corporate image. What used to be mainly about managing reputation has now become a serious concern at the executive level. Companies in Dubai and across the Emirates are starting to see green initiatives as practical tools for cutting costs, managing risks, and staying competitive. Honestly, this change makes sense.…

The UAE’s LED lighting industry is transforming from cost-effective retrofits to a key component of the country’s sustainable urban development, driven by government initiatives, declining costs, and AI-enabled smart systems, with market value expected to more than double by 2033. The UAE’s LED lighting market is shifting from being mostly a cost-saving retrofit option to becoming a vital part of the country’s low-carbon urban transformation. According to IMARC Group, the market hit AED 4,548 million in 2024 and is expected to expand to AED 11,401 million by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of about 10.8% from 2025 through…