UAE Announces Four New Renewable Energy Projects in the Pacific under $50m Fund

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) today signed partnership agreements with four new Pacific island countries to deploy renewable energy projects under the US$50 million UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund. Grant funding is provided by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs managing the initiative and Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, leading implementation. The solar-powered projects – in the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, and the Solomon Islands – are expected to be completed in 2016. The announcement brings the total number of projects under the fund to date to 10.

Mohammad bin Rashed, Mohammad bin Zayed and Egypt’s President Sisi Award ZFEP 2015 Winners

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashed al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, His Excellency Abdulfattah El Sisi, President of the Republic of Egypt and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Awarded the 7th Zayed Future Energy Prize winners at an awards ceremony today during the opening of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

Women in Sustainability Unite at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Masdar Launches Second Edition of International Blogging Contest

Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s Renewable Energy Company, has launched the second edition of its international Engage Blogging Contest ahead of January’s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2014 – the region’s largest gathering on sustainability. Under the theme “Cities and Sustainable Development,” the competition asks contributors to discuss their views of the critical role our cities play in driving sustainability.

‘Blue Economy Summit’ Highlights Importance of Marine Ecosystems in Achieving Global Sustainability

The ‘Blue Economy Summit’ was held today in Abu Dhabi to address the unique climate and sustainably challenges facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and marine ecosystems. With over 70 percent of the world’s surface covered by oceans, protecting the health of marine environments is fundamental to protecting the world’s interconnected economies and long-term sustainability.

Bid success for Noor Midelt Phase 1 hybrid solar power plant in Morocco

The Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) has announced that the consortium of EDF Renewables, Masdar, and Green of Africa has been awarded the tender for the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the Noor Midelt Phase 1 multi-technologies solar power plant.

Overcoming the Barriers to Sustainable Building Design

Today, it is rare to meet a person or organisation that does not accept sustainable design as the way forward for building design. All facets of the construction industry support sustainable design and initially all new building projects embrace sustainability as one of their key attributes. Yet more often than not, the finished project has compromised sustainability. In many cases, the sustainability considerations have been discarded outright. Why is this the case?

Masdar Announces Winner of Second International Blogging Contest

Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, today announced the winner of its annual Engage Blogging Contest. Masdar initiated the competition to drive international discussion about the role cities can have on sustainable development across the world. The contest received 117 entries from six continents and motivated thousands of readers to share their ideas about sustainability across Masdar’s web site, blogs and social media platforms in advance of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), the largest gathering on sustainability in the Middle East.

Second Edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Kicks Off

The second edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) gets underway today, welcoming global leaders to the UAE capital for a week of high-level dialogue to address the interconnected challenges affecting renewable energy, water scarcity and sustainable development. Taking place January 18-25, ADSW is the Middle East’s largest gathering on sustainability.

UAE and Denmark Cooperate to Advance Renewable Energy and Sustainability Globally

The United Arab Emirates and the Government of Denmark today signed a strategic framework agreement outlining nine areas of collaboration focused on advancing renewable energy and sustainability globally. The agreement was signed by H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE minister of state and CEO of Masdar, and Rasmus Helveg Petersen, Danish minister of development cooperation. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark.

HRH Crown Prince of Denmark Visits Masdar Projects during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

HRH Crown Prince of Denmark today visited two of Masdar’s flagship projects including Masdar City, the low-carbon urban development, and Shams 1, the 100-megawatt concentrated solar power plant in Abu Dhabi. The Crown Prince was in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) where Denmark yesterday signed a framework agreement with the UAE to explore and co-develop renewable energy projects.

Masdar Achieves Financial Close of London Array Project

Masdar Energy UK, a wholly owned subsidiary of Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, today announced the completion of a 12 year limited-recourse project financing of up to £266 million for its stake in phase one of London Array. The landmark financing is the first time that a limited-recourse structure has been completed for an unincorporated joint venture within the renewable energy industry.

Sustainability Festival Attracts Thousands to Masdar City

The Festival at Masdar City – a two-day celebration of sustainability for the whole family, attracted thousands of UAE residents to Abu Dhabi’s low-carbon urban development today. The event, which ends tomorrow, forms part of this year’s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week – a week-long series of events and conferences dedicated to advancing sustainability.

Masdar Launches Renewable Energy Desalination Program

Masdar today launched a pilot program to test and develop advanced energy-efficient seawater desalination technologies suitable to be powered by renewable energy sources. The long-term goal of the program is to implement renewable energy-powered desalination plants in the United Arab Emirates and to have a facility at commercial scale by 2020.

5,000 Students Attend WFES and International Water Summit in Abu Dhabi

More than 5,000 school and university students from across the UAE experienced how world leaders are addressing the challenges of energy, climate change, sustainable development and water conservation during this year’s World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and International Water Summit (IWS) in Abu Dhabi. The students, representing more than 800 schools and universities from all seven emirates, were hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company.

Masdar to Develop 15MW Solar Plant in Mauritania

“Mauritania has some of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world, making it an ideal place for solar power installations,” said Mauritania’s Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines H.E. Taleb Ould Abdivall. “We are pleased to be working with such esteemed partners on this important project and remain committed to harnessing our abundant renewable energy resources. Masdar has gained tremendous experience in the renewable energy sector through its projects worldwide and we look forward to future opportunities for cooperation,” H.E. Abdivall added.

Construction Begins on Masdar and International Renewable Energy Agency Headquarters Complex

Masdar today announced the awarding of the design and construction contract for its new headquarters complex, which will also house the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The headquarters will be one of the most advanced, sustainable multi-use complexes in the United Arab Emirates. It will be the cornerstone of Masdar City – the special economic zone, clean-technology cluster and low-carbon city in Abu Dhabi. Completion is set for summer of 2014.

Investments in Clean Energy Can Play Critical Role in Driving Economic Growth in Western Region

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 18 May, 2014: Investments in clean energy can play a critical role in driving economic growth in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region, home to Masdar’sShams 1 concentrated solar plant, according to Yousif Al Ali, General Managerof the Shams Power Company.

Middle East’s First Commercial-Scale Carbon Capture Company Unveiled at ADIPEC

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Masdar today unveiled “Al Reyadah” –the Middle East’s first specialized company focused on exploring and developing commercial-scale projects for carbon capture, usage and sequestration (CCUS).

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2015 Kicks Off UAE’s ‘Year of Innovation’

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is the first major event of 2015 reinforcing the UAE’s ‘Year of Innovation’ – a federal initiative promoting innovation as a strategic pathway to strengthen the country’s economy and global competitiveness. The yearly platform, January 17-24, directly supports the federal innovation strategy by promoting technology and attracting investment in priority sectors, including renewable energy, transportation, water and education.