GREEN TECH-

Solarspace plans to set up a regional HQ in the UAE: US green tech startup Solarspace has joined the UAE’s NextGen FDI programme and plans to establish an office in the UAE to expand its regional presence, Wam reported earlier this week. The UAE’s initiative was launched in 2022 by, among others, the country’s Economy Ministry, Abu Dhabi Global Markets, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park, and banking group Emirates NBD, and aims to attract tech businesses to set up shop and scale their operation within the UAE.

About Solarspace: The startup — which has raised USD 443 mn in funding to date — specializes in off-grid concentrated solar power arrays which provide 3x more renewable power compared to conventional solar panels and take up less land area. The company also offers decentralized EV charging stations and is developing a net-zero water purification and desalination system.

WASTE MANAGEMENT-

Oman Be’ah teams up with Turbah and NTZ Solutions on waste recycling: Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (Be'ah) has signed agreements with Omani waste management firms Turbah and NTZ Solutions on waste repurposing and environmental conservation, according to a statement. The agreement with Turbah aims to enhance nature preservation across the sultanate by increasing recycling shredded bio-waste materials into compost. The second agreement with NTZ Solutions aims to minimize consumption of natural resources and support establishment of the country’s first biochar production plant, Muscat Daily notes. Biochar can improve soil health, while storing carbon and pushing down carbon emissions. Be’ah has set a target to slash 80% of Oman’s waste by 2030.

GREEN HYDROGEN-

Masdar joins hydrogen business network as steering member: UAE’s renewable energy giant Masdar is joining global CEO-led private sector initiative The Hydrogen Council as steering member, according to a statement. The Council — established in 2017 at the World Economic Forum in Davos — provides guidance on how to accelerate the roll-out of low-carbon hydrogen around the world and acts as a business marketplace, bringing together a group of more than 140 companies based in 20 countries across the entire hydrogen value chain, including large multinationals, innovative SMEs, and investors. Today, the Council’s membership represents some USD 8.2 tn in market capitalization and some USD 5.2 tn in revenues.