11:47 pm - May 18, 2026The ongoing Middle East conflict is causing short-term delays and rising costs in renewable energy projects across the region, but is also prompting a strategic move towards local manufacturing to enhance energy resilience. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is already having a noticeable impact on the deployment of…
DHL Express partners with SAF One to secure 25,000 tonnes of unblended SAF annually from Bahrain’s first dedicated production site, marking a significant step towards regional decarbonisation and industrialising sustainable aviation fuel in the Gulf. DHL Express has stepped up its efforts to promote cleaner aviation fuels with a new…
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is ramping up its seawater reverse osmosis capacity to 120 million imperial gallons per day in 2026, marking a strategic move away from thermal desalination towards more energy-efficient, lower-emission methods. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is planning to add another 120 million imperial…
As the Middle East considers expanding its nuclear capacity to meet surging demand and climate goals, it grapples with security, climate risks, and regional stability, highlighting a complex debate over the future of low-carbon energy in a volatile region. Nuclear power is once again grabbing the spotlight across the Middle…
NanoCarbonX’s deal with Graphene Star to establish a localised graphene manufacturing plant in Abu Dhabi could transform the UAE into a key supplier of the high-demand material, bolstering industrial self-sufficiency and sustainability. NanoCarbonX has recently entered into a manufacturing agreement with Graphene Star that could potentially position the UAE as…
The emirate launches a major AED55 billion programme of new projects spanning transport, infrastructure and social services, aiming to boost private-sector involvement and enhance resilience amid rapid growth. Abu Dhabi has kicked off a fresh wave of public-private partnership (PPP) opportunities, unveiling 24 new projects valued at AED55 billion across…
Sony Middle East and Africa has activated a 391.2 kWp rooftop solar system at its Dubai headquarters, exemplifying the increasing adoption of distributed clean energy solutions across the UAE’s industrial zones amidst regional progress in solar deployment. Sony Middle East and Africa recently brought a 391.2 kWp solar power system…
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The Higher Colleges of Technology has launched a significant solar project across six campuses, aligning with the UAE’s national net zero ambitions and advancing campus-based renewable energy initiatives. The Higher Colleges of Technology has started ramping up its on-site solar generation efforts across its campuses after signing a deal with Three Eight Six, an independent power producer. This move aligns with the UAE’s broader push toward decarbonising its electricity grid and boosting overall energy efficiency, which is pretty interesting, right? According to the announcement, the project will cover six campuses spread across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain, where approximately…
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority unveils a pioneering AI-enabled bus station at Mall of the Emirates, integrating digital services, passenger tracking, and sustainability to transform urban transit. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has unveiled what it claims is the world’s first AI-powered smart bus station, a hub where digital services, passenger tracking, and sustainability features come together in a regular transit setting. The new station, located at Mall of the Emirates, is part of Dubai’s larger goal to develop a more unified public transportation system. As per a statement from the Dubai Media Office, the idea is to make traveling…
Dubai Municipality has completed the Middle East’s first mobile mapping survey of waterways, signalling a shift towards more advanced digital infrastructure and smarter urban management, with future plans to replicate the approach across all emirate waterways. Dubai Municipality has wrapped up what they’re calling the Middle East’s first-ever pilot survey of waterways using mobile mapping tech, and this really signals a bigger shift in how the emirate plans to handle its digital infrastructure, manage assets, and spruce up urban planning. The project involved a Leica TRK system mounted on a specially fitted vessel, which was used to collect data along…
The Zayed Sustainability Prize opens entries for 2027, offering a total of $7.2 million to support scalable solutions across health, food, energy, water, and climate action, aiming to showcase impactful innovations from around the world and in the UAE. The Zayed Sustainability Prize has just opened up entries for its 2027 round, shining a brighter light on innovations and community projects that could help address some serious environmental and social issues. Backed by the UAE, this award invites small and medium-sized businesses, nonprofit groups, and even high schools to compete across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and…
Schneider Electric highlights the UAE’s rapid progress in reshaping its industrial landscape through bold investments in automation, AI, and smart manufacturing, positioning the country as a global leader in industrial innovation. Schneider Electric has noted that the UAE has really taken the lead compared to most countries when it comes to reshaping its industrial landscape. They argue that in just a few years, the emirate has managed to develop a more ambitious manufacturing model than many economies achieve over several decades, pretty impressive, if you ask me. Aml Al Shazli, who’s the president of Schneider Electric for the Gulf region,…
The UAE is reshaping its industrial landscape by prioritising artificial intelligence, boosting local participation, and integrating sustainability with economic growth, signalling a major strategic shift at the Make it in the Emirates 2026 event. The UAE is gradually reshaping its industrial future, placing bigger bets on artificial intelligence, cutting-edge manufacturing,…
Dana Gas and British company Levidian are set to develop the Sharjah Graphene Park, aiming to transform lab-developed graphene into a significant industrial venture aligned with the UAE’s push for innovative, sustainable manufacturing. Dana Gas has taken steps to turn a promising lab-developed material into a full-fledged industrial venture in…
The UAE Water Aid Foundation has extended the submission deadline for its prestigious water innovation award until September 30, 2026, encouraging more international entries focused on AI and renewable energy solutions to combat water scarcity. The UAE Water Aid Foundation, commonly known as Suqia UAE, has decided to extend the…
Dubai Holding has selected 15 innovative scale-ups from a pool of over 1,400 applicants across 93 countries for its second Innovate For Tomorrow Impact Accelerator, highlighting a growing regional shift towards practical climate solutions aligned with national sustainability goals. Dubai Holding has refined its search, whittling down a pool of…
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ROX leverages the ‘Make it in the Emirates 2026’ initiative to build a connected ecosystem of advanced manufacturing, AI, and talent development, aiming for 300,000 vehicle production annually by 2030 and positioning Abu Dhabi as a key industrial hub. ROX has leveraged the “Make it in the Emirates 2026” initiative to lay out a broader industrial playbook for the UAE. This strategy aims to connect artificial intelligence, advanced materials, logistics, manufacturing, and talent development into a cohesive ecosystem, which it claims can foster both local production and boost exports. The company frames this approach as part of a “Made in…
Abu Dhabi’s leading energy players EWEC and Masdar sign a new framework to streamline large-scale renewable projects, aiming to accelerate the UAE’s ambitious aim of sourcing 60% of its energy from renewables by 2035 while enhancing grid stability and water sustainability. EWEC and Masdar have recently agreed on a new framework aimed at speeding up the next phase of the UAE’s clean energy expansion. This move signals a deeper level of collaboration between two of Abu Dhabi’s major energy players, especially at a time when the country is doubling down on decarbonisation, ensuring power stability, and boosting industrial growth. The…
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Abu Dhabi’s fleet of hydrogen and electric buses has traveled over 1.3 million kilometres, demonstrating the city’s growing commitment to low-emission public transportation and supporting the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy. Abu Dhabi’s fleet of eco-friendly buses has now traveled over 1.3 million kilometres, according to the Integrated Transport Centre, also known as Abu Dhabi Mobility. This is part of the emirate’s ongoing effort to boost lower-emission public transportation options. Their fleet, which started operating in 2024, includes both hydrogen fuel cell buses and battery-electric models. Seeing this milestone reach means the program is moving beyond just a trial phase…
UNS Vertical Farms has launched a 10,000 square metre controlled-environment tomato facility in Al Ain, utilising AI, hydroponics, and water-efficient technology to strengthen the UAE’s local food supply amid climate and geopolitical challenges. UNS Vertical Farms has recently opened a new tomato-growing facility in Al Ain, which adds another layer to the UAE’s overall efforts to develop a more resilient local food system, you know? The site spans around 10,000 square meters and aims to produce roughly 150,000 kilograms of fresh tomatoes annually. So, it’s not a giant operation, but it definitely reflects a growing trend in the Gulf region…
A new report warns that the environmental damage stemming from the US-Israeli conflict on Iran could have enduring effects on Gulf ecosystems, water supplies, and critical infrastructure, necessitating a shift towards proactive resilience measures. A recent report from the Arab Gulf States Institute issues a warning that the environmental impacts resulting from the US-Israeli conflict on Iran could last much longer than the fighting itself. The fragile ecosystems, water supplies, and energy infrastructure in the Gulf are all vulnerable to enduring harm. The study, authored by Omani researcher and policy specialist Dr. Aisha Al Sarihi along with environmental policy researcher…
Altèrra, the Abu Dhabi-based fund, is shifting its climate focus towards supporting digital and infrastructural projects that meet the rising global energy demand driven by AI, population growth, and economic expansion, indicating a broader approach to sustainable investing. ALTÉRRA is positioning itself as a climate-focused investor, but with a broader perspective in mind, one that’s tailored for a world where the demand for power is constantly rising, rather than just a niche solely dedicated to clean energy generation. During a talk at Semafor World Economy in Washington, DC, Majid Al-Suwaidi, the company’s CEO, explained that the Abu Dhabi-based fund is…
Vienna-based Speedinvest announces its first flagship fund targeting early growth-stage startups across the Middle East and Africa, backed by major regional and European investors, aiming to foster cross-border innovation and inclusion. Speedinvest has just announced the launch of its very first flagship fund aimed at early growth-stage startups in the Middle East and Africa. This marks a more formal entry into a region where, honestly, the Vienna-based venture firm has already been active for quite a while, building relationships, backing companies, and gaining familiarity. So, it’s not exactly popping up overnight, but rather a strategic step to deepen their presence.…
Dubai’s Dh150 million initiative to install EV chargers at parks, beaches, and recreational areas seeks to integrate sustainable mobility seamlessly into everyday life, accelerating electric vehicle adoption in the city. Dubai is taking a fresh approach to encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles, by bringing charging stations closer to where people already spend their time. The government recently announced a Dh150 million initiative, done in partnership with Emarat EV Charging Stations Company, or UAEV. The plan is to set up electric vehicle chargers across 600 parking spots in public parks, beaches, and recreational areas. According to The National, this isn’t…
South Korea unveils a comprehensive plan to transform its energy system by 2030, targeting a 20% renewable energy share, phased coal closures, and boosted domestic green technology manufacturing, aiming to secure energy independence and accelerate industrial decarbonisation. South Korea has laid out quite an extensive plan to overhaul its energy system by 2030. The goal is to push the share of electricity produced from renewables to at least 20%, and they aim to add around 100 gigawatts of renewable capacity overall. The government emphasizes that this shift isn’t just about cleaner energy; it’s also about reducing reliance on imported fuels,…
Dubai allocates Dh150 million to develop over 600 EV supercharging points in parks, beaches, and community areas, aiming to make electric vehicle charging more accessible and integrated into daily life, supporting the city’s sustainability goals. Dubai is actually taking steps to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging network beyond just highways and busy commercial zones. They’ve allocated about Dh150 million to develop more supercharging points at roughly 600 parking spots located in parks, beaches, and other leisure areas. This project, which was announced by Dubai Municipality in partnership with Emarat EV Charging Stations Company, also known as UAEV, aims to…
A team of engineering students at the American University of Sharjah has developed AgriDrone, an AI-powered agricultural drone designed to enhance crop monitoring, early issue detection, and resource efficiency, aligning with the UAE’s sustainability ambitions. A group of engineering students at the American University of Sharjah has come up with an innovative AI-powered agricultural drone, aimed at helping farmers keep a closer eye on their crops and catch issues early on. Their project, dubbed AgriDrone, integrates aerial imaging, 3D mapping, and machine learning techniques to spot early signs of nutrient deficiencies and pest problems across large farming terrains. The team…
Chinese autonomous vehicle firm WeRide launches full-scale driverless taxi services in Dubai and Singapore, signalling a rapid move from testing to commercialisation across key Asian cities. WeRide has shifted from limited testing to full commercial autonomous services in two Asian cities on the very same day, kind of a striking move, really, highlighting how fast this technology is moving from simple demonstrations to everyday urban transport. In Dubai, for example, the Chinese autonomous vehicle specialist, along with Uber, has begun charging fares for driverless robotaxi trips in areas like Umm Suqeim and Jumeirah. Rides are now bookable through Uber’s “Autonomous”…
