3:26 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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The UAE’s proactive diplomacy, innovative projects, and strategic partnerships at G20 and COP28 demonstrate its commitment to leading the global shift towards clean, sustainable energy and bridging climate finance gaps. Sharif Al Olama, who serves as the Undersecretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, took the lead in a series of top-level bilateral meetings during the G20 Energy Meetings held in South Africa. It really signals how proactive the UAE is when it comes to promoting international cooperation on the global energy transition. These talks included big G20 players like Singapore, Ireland, Germany,…
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and Space42 have announced a strategic partnership to enhance resource management through advanced satellite imagery, AI, and IoT, supporting the UAE’s broader sustainability goals amid innovative space initiatives. The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) and Space42, a UAE-based company specializing in AI and space tech, have officially formed a strategic partnership aimed at pushing forward geospatial and AI-driven solutions to help manage energy and water resources in Abu Dhabi sustainably. This was unveiled during the Gitex Global 2025 event, where both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), intending to boost the resilience…
Dubai’s DPA unveils Port Eye, an advanced AI-driven drone surveillance system that reduces inspection times, enhances safety, and supports the UAE’s green goals with real-time environmental monitoring. The Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), which operates under the larger umbrella of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), has recently launched Port Eye—an advanced aerial monitoring system that makes use of autonomous drones combined with artificial intelligence (AI). Honestly, this development is pretty significant because it signals a big step forward in creating smarter, safer, and more sustainable port environments within Dubai’s vast maritime zones. Port Eye is, in many ways,…
Dubai showcases a series of technological breakthroughs at GITEX Global 2025, reinforcing its position as a leader in smart city innovation through AI, IoT, and sustainable solutions aimed at enhancing urban life and government services. Dubai is firmly reinforcing its standing as a global pioneer in smart city innovation, showcasing an impressive lineup of technological breakthroughs at GITEX Global 2025. The event, held at Dubai World Trade Centre, is considered the largest and most influential tech and AI expo in the Middle East, drawing over 6,800 companies and around 2,000 startups from 180 countries. It’s become a key platform that…
Aqaar, the property arm of Ajman Properties Corporation, has signed an MoU with Charge&Go to develop a comprehensive EV charging network across its projects, marking a significant step towards sustainable urban living in Ajman and aligning with the emirate’s ambitious Vision 2030. Aqaar, the property arm of Ajman Properties Corporation, has taken a notable step toward promoting sustainable urban living by signing an MoU with Charge&Go from e&. This was announced at GITEX Global 2025, and the partnership aims to create a wide-reaching electric vehicle (EV) charging network across Aqaar’s main residential and commercial projects in Ajman. According to the…
InfraX, the digital arm of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, announces major MoUs with global and local partners at GITEX 2025, signalling a significant push towards smart infrastructure, IoT innovation, and sustainable urban development in the UAE. InfraX, the digital arm of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), is busy forging a string of strategic partnerships aimed at pushing the UAE’s vision for a smart and sustainable future. At GITEX Global 2025, InfraX announced a pretty significant Memorandum of Understanding—sort of a formal agreement—with Itron, which is a global leader in grid edge intelligence. The goal here is to speed…
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy has unveiled the AI-enabled AD.WE platform at GITEX 2025, promising significant water and energy savings while advancing the emirate’s sustainability and digital transformation goals. The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE), working alongside its tech partner Presight, recently revealed its new brand identity along with a phased plan for developing its innovative artificial intelligence platform, AD.WE, at GITEX Global 2025. This AI-enabled digital platform is set to transform how energy and water resources are managed across Abu Dhabi, representing a major step forward in integrating AI into utilities. AD.WE is a trailblazing platform driven…
Ericsson and UAE telecom operator du partner to introduce Ericsson Connected Recycling, a pioneering platform aimed at transforming waste flows into valuable resources and supporting the UAE’s sustainability goals through digitalisation. Ericsson and UAE telecom operator du have teamed up in a commercial reseller deal aimed at pushing forward the circular waste economy in the region through digital innovation. Essentially, their collaboration focuses on the launch of Ericsson Connected Recycling (ECR), which is a pioneering platform designed to digitalise and connect the reverse supply chain. This platform really seeks to transform the traditional waste flows—usually headed straight to landfills—into circular…
The first Evolve Future Mobility Show at Expo Centre Sharjah showcased the UAE’s bold vision for EV growth, innovation in air mobility, and a shift towards a circular economy within the industry, positioning the region as a leader in clean transport solutions. The first-ever Evolve Future Mobility Show (EFMS 2025), which took place from October 15 to 18 at Expo Centre Sharjah, really reinforced the UAE’s bold ambitions regarding sustainable mobility and electric vehicles (EVs). Organized by Expo Centre Sharjah—yeah, in partnership with MIE Events—and supported by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), the event pulled together more…
The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy has signed a groundbreaking MoU with Google Cloud, signalling a major step towards leveraging AI, machine learning, and cloud technology to revolutionise energy infrastructure and sustainability efforts in the emirate. The Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE) has taken a significant leap forward in its digital journey by partnering up with Google Cloud. They recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which marks an important step towards boosting digital transformation and innovation within the emirate’s energy sector. The event took place during GITEX Global Week 2025 and was attended by H.E. Dr. Abdulla Humaid…
