2:10 pm - September 1, 2026Hub71’s renewed Initiate programme draws over 5,500 applications, highlighting growing demand for structured early-stage startup support in Abu Dhabi, with new ventures like Prism56 exemplifying regional innovation and AI adoption. Hub71 is expanding its Initiate programme after attracting over 5,500 applications from founders in the very early stages of building…
Researchers at United Arab Emirates University have created a sustainable catalyst using desert sand, biochar from date pits, and nickel, offering a local solution for clean-energy technologies and resource efficiency. Researchers over at United Arab Emirates University have come up with a pretty interesting green catalyst. It’s made from desert…
Abu Dhabi’s Masdar has renewed a five-year $300m revolving credit facility with a syndicate of 25 international banks, reinforcing liquidity as it pushes towards 100GW of renewable capacity by 2030. Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has renewed its five-year $300m revolving credit facility with a syndicate of 25 international…
Abu Dhabi’s TAQA has raised $750 million through a five-year blue bond to fund sustainable water and wastewater projects, the largest such issuance by an integrated power and water utility. Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) issued a $750 million blue bond on 30 July to finance sustainable water and…
Startups in Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 ecosystem have raised more than $2.7bn since 2019, with its ClimateTech vertical part of a specialist strategy as the emirate works to diversify its economy. Startups based at Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s government-backed technology ecosystem, have raised more than $2.7bn (AED 9.9bn) since the platform opened…
Marafiq is set to build a new industrial desalination plant in Duqm, underscoring the growing importance of integrated water services for Oman’s emerging low-carbon heavy industry sector and supporting Meranti Green Steel’s ambitious project aiming for mid-2029 completion. Marafiq is gearing up to build a new industrial desalination plant in…
Expo City Dubai has begun issuing the UAE’s inaugural Green Licences, setting a new standard for sustainability-driven businesses within the country’s Green Innovation District, and signalling a strategic shift towards green economic growth. Expo City Dubai has started issuing the UAE’s very first Green Licences, marking a notable milestone. Six…
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Abu Dhabi is launching a pioneering initiative to scatter 10 million native seeds across its arid landscapes, aiming to combat land degradation, boost biodiversity, and demonstrate regional leadership in ecological rehabilitation amidst climate challenges. Abu Dhabi is gearing up for what’s arguably one of the most ambitious desert restoration projects in the region. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has announced plans to scatter around 10 million native seeds across the arid landscapes, mainly by air. According to reports from The National, Arabian Business, and Khaleej Times, this campaign aims to tackle land degradation, boost biodiversity, and strengthen the broader…
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority is expanding the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park beyond 8,000 MW and adding storage and hydropower, pushing clean energy towards 36% of the emirate’s mix by 2030. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) expects the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to exceed 8,000 megawatts (MW) of capacity by 2030, up from an earlier target of 5,000 MW. The solar park is the world’s largest single-site solar plant built under the independent power producer (IPP) model. It has reached 3,860 MW of installed capacity and keeps growing. DEWA uses the IPP model…
Abu Dhabi’s Masdar has closed a $5.1bn debt package for a $6.1bn solar-and-storage plant with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company, setting a financing benchmark for uninterrupted clean power. Masdar has reached financial close on its $6.1bn round-the-clock clean energy project in Abu Dhabi, raising $5.1bn in debt from a consortium of international and local banks. The company confirmed the milestone in a statement on 13 July, as reported by The National. Masdar is funding $1bn of equity, with the remaining $5.1bn provided by 13 international and local banks. It is developing the plant with the Emirates Water and Electricity…
Tadweer Group aims to revolutionise Abu Dhabi’s waste system with a comprehensive plan including waste-to-energy, material recovery, digital tracking, and community involvement, targeting an 80% diversion rate from landfills by 2031. Tadweer Group is really making moves to implement a far more ambitious waste management system in Abu Dhabi. They’ve announced an aim to divert a massive 80% of waste away from landfills by 2031, as part of a broader push towards creating a circular economy. Quite an impressive goal, don’t you think? The target, as explained by Ahmed Al Kayyoomi, who’s Tadweer’s executive director of strategy and business performance,…
Abu Dhabi’s Estidama initiative integrates environmental standards with cultural and regional considerations, leveraging digital tools to promote resilient, sustainable urban growth in the face of climate challenges. Estidama, the Arabic word meaning sustainability, has really become one of Abu Dhabi’s most distinctive ideas in urban planning. It was created as part of the emirate’s long-term growth strategy, with a straightforward yet ambitious goal: to support development that enhances quality of life without sacrificing its environmental or cultural identity. The initiative was introduced by Abu Dhabi’s urban planning authorities in order to align growth with the broader economic vision for 2030.…
As AI workloads intensify in the Middle East and South Asia, data centre operators are adopting innovative cooling methods, including liquid and hybrid systems, tailored to harsh climates and high-density demands, transforming regional infrastructure strategies. Across the Middle East, South Asia, and parts of South-east Asia, data centre operators are…
Dubai is exploring the potential to convert local organic waste streams into sustainable aviation fuel, aiming to align waste management and aviation decarbonisation efforts amid broader green energy ambitions. Dubai is currently exploring whether its organic waste streams might be turned into a source for sustainable aviation fuel, in a…
The UAE is increasingly integrating science and innovation into its long-term development strategy, with major investments in space exploration, AI infrastructure, and climate technology positioning it as a rising global technological power. From the moment the federation was established, the UAE has viewed science and innovation not just as side…
JA Solar has begun delivering photovoltaic modules for Masdar’s ambitious 24/7 clean energy project in Abu Dhabi, marking a significant step towards creating a reliable, continuous renewable power supply supported by massive storage and new technology integration. JA Solar has started sending photovoltaic modules to Masdar’s flagship 24/7 renewable energy…
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Dubai’s Bustanica farm exemplifies innovative, data-driven indoor agriculture, showcasing how the Gulf is rethinking food production amidst a hotter, drier future by utilising AI, hydroponics, and energy-efficient infrastructure. Dubai’s Bustanica farm has become one of the clearest examples of how the Gulf is rethinking food production for a hotter, drier future. Spanning over 330,000 square feet near Al Maktoum International Airport, this indoor facility grows leafy greens on three levels and produces more than a million kilograms a year, according to Emirates Flight Catering. The company claims that the site uses 95% less water than traditional agriculture, which really gives…
ENOC’s partnership with EVS aims to expand quick and specialised maintenance services for electric vehicles across key regions in the UAE, signalling a significant step towards integrated electric mobility support. ENOC has partnered up with EVS to expand access to quick maintenance services for electric vehicles right here in the UAE. This move really shows how the country’s charging and servicing network is feeling the heat , or, well, the pressure , to keep pace with the rapid rise in EV adoption. The plan is to offer speedy EV maintenance through AutoPro, ENOC’s established vehicle service network, at four selected…
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At Agra Middle East 2025, Greeneration unveiled its strategic growth and innovations in vertical farming, positioning it as a key solution for food resilience amid regional challenges like urban sprawl, water scarcity, and climate change. At Agra Middle East 2025, which is basically the region’s leading event for sustainable farming and agri-tech breakthroughs, Greeneration really highlighted its key role in pushing vertical farming as a vital fix for food resilience here in the Middle East. Daria Shchurik, who’s in charge of marketing and growth at Greeneration, took part in a panel called “Vertical Farming and the Rise of Layered Agriculture,”…
The UAE’s largest and most advanced gas-fired power plant in Fujairah has officially started full commercial operations, highlighting the country’s strategic move towards integrated, low-carbon energy solutions. The Fujairah F3 Independent Power Producer (IPP) project has officially kicked off its full commercial operations—an important milestone in the UAE’s push towards cleaner energy sources. Situated in the Qidfa area of Fujairah Emirate, this 2.4-gigawatt (GW) gas-fired plant is among the biggest and most advanced in the country. It can supply around 380,000 homes with electricity, providing reliable baseload power and helping to better integrate renewable sources into the national grid. This…
Abu Dhabi is launching an industrial-scale precision fermentation facility to produce animal-free proteins, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable food technology and opening new markets across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Abu Dhabi is making a bold and decisive move toward transforming its food industry — and honestly, it’s pretty exciting. The city is setting up an industrial-scale precision fermentation facility that will focus on producing animal-free proteins. This is a real milestone in the region’s food innovation scene. The project is a collaboration involving the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Dutch firm Vivici, which specializes in fermentation tech, and…
Under new management, Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility is driving forward the UAE’s Vision 2030 with strategic partnerships, innovative technology, and an expanding charging infrastructure, positioning itself at the forefront of regional EV adoption. As the UAE ramps up its push toward sustainability under Vision 2030, Al-Futtaim Electric Mobility is emerging as a key player in the region’s shift to electric vehicles (EVs). Lucas Bellieud, who was appointed as managing director in August, brings more than 25 years of international automotive experience, with the goal of steering the company’s ambitious growth plans and forging strong strategic partnerships within the quickly developing electric…
Masdar begins construction on a groundbreaking 5.2GW solar and 19GWh battery project, aiming to deliver continuous renewable energy by 2027 and position Abu Dhabi as a global leader in clean tech innovations. Masdar has kicked off construction on what it claims to be the world’s biggest solar-plus-storage project, situated in Abu Dhabi. Developed in partnership with the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), the huge initiative combines 5.2GW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity with a 19GWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The goal is to provide up to 1GW of continuous baseload renewable energy—meaning, pretty much round-the-clock power. This is…
ABB launches the HyQ PCI880, a modular, high-efficiency power converter poised to transform large-scale hydrogen electrolysis by boosting efficiency, scalability, and grid compatibility, supporting the global shift toward decarbonisation. ABB has announced the launch of the HyQ PCI880, which is a pretty high-tech, modular power converter. It’s designed to give a significant boost to the efficiency and scalability of large-scale green hydrogen electrolysis systems. This new product was rolled out on October 8, 2025, and it aims to fix a pretty critical bottleneck in hydrogen production: the process of converting grid-fed AC to a steady, reliable DC current—something electrolyzers really…
Dubai’s Museum of the Future is spearheading ‘Urban Future Week’ in November 2025, bringing together global experts to rethink city designs amid technological, climate, and social challenges—highlighting Dubai’s ambition to lead future urban innovation. The Museum of the Future, working hand-in-hand with Dubai Municipality, is gearing up to host ‘Urban Future Week’ on November 10th and 11th, 2025. It’s set to bring together a global gathering of top thinkers, urban planners, policymakers, and innovators who will be looking at the future of cities, especially during an era marked by rapid technological advances, climate challenges, and social shifts. This event—high-profile for…
Advancements in single-axis tracker technology are driving down the levelized cost of solar electricity across the Middle East and Africa, with Saudi Arabia setting a global record for affordability, signalling a major shift towards renewable energy dominance in the region. The levelized cost of electricity, or LCOE, for solar photovoltaic energy in the Middle East and Africa is projected to dip to a regional low of about $37 per megawatt-hour (MWh) in 2025. This is largely thanks to advancements in single-axis tracker tech, which are making a real impact. It’s a pretty big milestone and signals that solar energy is…
Emirates Steel Arkan (EMSTEEL), based in Abu Dhabi, is pioneering innovative sustainable practices in the steel sector, including pioneering carbon capture and green hydrogen projects, positioning the UAE as a global leader in industrial decarbonisation. In the race to curb global carbon emissions, Emirates Steel Arkan (EMSTEEL), based out of Abu Dhabi, stands out as a shining example of innovation and environmental responsibility. As one of the biggest steel and building material makers in the region, EMSTEEL supplies top-quality products to more than 70 countries across the world, highlighting just how advanced the UAE’s manufacturing sector has become. Now, EMSTEEL’s…
Masdar plans to deploy an additional $20 billion to rapidly expand its renewable energy portfolio worldwide, building on previous investments and strategic alliances, and aiming for 100 gigawatts capacity by 2030. The United Arab Emirates’ leading renewable energy company, Masdar, has recently announced a bold new plan. They aim to deploy around $20 billion in fresh capital and other resources, building on an impressive $30 billion already invested over the last couple of years, according to CEO Mohamed Al Ramahi. Speaking at the Reuters NEXT Gulf summit held in Abu Dhabi, Al Ramahi stressed Masdar’s strong desire to speed up…
