3:24 am - February 16, 2026
**Middle East and North Africa:** Leading energy firms including TotalEnergies and Nippon Energy have launched major solar projects and manufacturing facilities, boosting solar capacity by gigawatts in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco, UAE, and Dubai, with substantial investments in solar panels, modules, and glass production.
TotalEnergies and Zahid Group have announced a significant step in solar energy development in Saudi Arabia through their joint venture, Safeer. They have formalised a power purchase agreement with Golden Chicken to design and implement a solar power project with an operational capacity of 5.18 megawatts (MW). This initiative will feature the installation of 8,160 solar modules, combined with inverters to optimise energy conversion. Additionally, the project aims to enhance efficiency through the application of a solar tracking system, enabling the solar panels to adjust their position to follow the sun’s trajectory throughout the day.
In a related development within the solar sector, Japanese company Nippon Energy has revealed its intent to establish a solar module manufacturing facility in Dubai. This state-of-the-art facility is projected to produce 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar modules annually, focusing on the manufacturing of heterojunction solar panels. Furthermore, Nippon Energy has acquired a solar panel manufacturing unit in Dubai, initially set up in 2016, further solidifying its presence in the region.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani recently inaugurated the Ras Laffan and Mesaieed solar projects located within the Ras Laffan Industrial City. With a combined capacity of 875 MW, these projects will elevate Qatar’s total solar energy production to 1.675 GW. This development aligns with QatarEnergy’s Sustainability Strategy, aimed at generating over 4,000 MW of renewable energy by the year 2030.
In Morocco, independent renewable energy firm Qair has made strides in securing essential approvals for its Tetouan wind and Tiznit solar projects. Collectively, these projects are expected to deliver an output of 505 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually, powering various Moroccan industries with clean energy. The Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development in Morocco has granted the necessary approvals for these initiatives.
Additionally, Changzhou Almaden, a manufacturer of anti-reflective solar glass based in China, has announced its plans to construct a substantial solar glass manufacturing facility in the United Arab Emirates. The investment for this project is estimated at $240.23 million, with the facility to be located at the Khalifa Industrial Zone in Abu Dhabi. The proposed factory aims for a daily melting capacity of 1,600 tons, utilising advanced deep-processing production lines. Almaden has affirmed that this project will be executed through its wholly owned subsidiary, Almaden Glass Industries, further expanding its footprint in the solar energy sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://safeer-solar.com/a-new-joint-venture-for-renewable-energy/ – This source details the establishment of SAFEER, a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Zahid Group, focusing on solar energy development in Saudi Arabia.
- https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/saudi-arabia-signs-solar-deals-with-frances-totalenergies-2024-12-03/ – This article discusses TotalEnergies’ involvement in significant solar projects in Saudi Arabia, including a 0.3 GW solar park in Rabigh Industrial City, highlighting the company’s commitment to renewable energy in the region.
- https://www.zahid.com/total-and-zahid-group-join-forces-to-develop-solar-energy-in-saudi-arabia/ – This announcement from Zahid Group and Total outlines their joint venture, SAFEER, aimed at providing solar energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers in Saudi Arabia.
- https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/saudi-arabia-signs-solar-deals-with-frances-totalenergies-2024-12-03/ – This article provides information on TotalEnergies’ solar projects in Saudi Arabia, including the Rabigh 2 solar power project, which aligns with the company’s renewable energy initiatives in the region.
- https://safeer-solar.com/zahid-group-accentuates-renewables-commitment-integrating-sustainable-solar-solution-into-new-busin/ – This source describes Zahid Group’s integration of a 1.5 MWp solar rooftop and carport hybrid system into their new headquarters, demonstrating their commitment to renewable energy solutions.
- https://safeer-solar.com/kaec-is-going-green-with-safeer/ – This article details the partnership between King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) and SAFEER to develop a 12.5 MWp hybrid solar power farm, showcasing the expansion of solar energy projects in Saudi Arabia.
- https://www.mercomindia.com/mena-weekly-roundup-nippon-to-manufacture-1-gw-of-solar-modules-in-dubai – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
No signs of outdated information; the narrative mentions recent developments and future plans, indicating it is current.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes were found in the narrative.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Mercom India, which is a known publication in the energy sector. However, its reputation may vary depending on the audience’s familiarity with the site.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about solar projects and manufacturing initiatives in the MENA region seem plausible given the context of regional renewable energy goals and investments.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
This narrative appears to be current with plausible claims, no direct quotes, and originates from a relatively reliable source, thus passing with high confidence.
