TODAY: A big boost for Infinity Power in Senegal + More green hydrogen for Jordan
Good morning, friends. We have a compact issue for you this morning with some significant news from our friends at Infinity…
THE BIG CLIMATE STORY- Egypt-based renewable energy developer Infinity Power — a joint venture between Infinity and UAE renewables player Masdar — has signed a 20-year Capacity Change Agreement agreement with Senegalese national utility Senelec to supply 40 MW of clean energy to the country’s grid through a battery energy storage system.
^^ We have the details on this story and more in the news well, below.
THE BIG CLIMATE STORY OUTSIDE THE REGION- The US and Indonesia explore partnering on minerals: The US and Indonesia discussion over a potential minerals partnership made headlines yesterday ahead of a meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo. The talks will reportedly focus on reducing the environmental impact of nickel supply — a critical metal needed for the production of EV batteries — from Indonesia, which has one of the world's biggest nickel ore reserves. This also comes as the only nickel mine in the US is expected to close in a few years, posing a risk to EV production in the country. The US — which alongside the EU is looking to counter Chinese dominance in the mining and EV sectors — struck a similar trade agreement with Japan in March that will see minerals critical to EV battery production extracted in the East Asian country including nickel count toward the USD 7.5k EV tax credits of the Inflation Reduction Act.
The story made headlines in the international press: Reuters | New York Times | Washington Post | CNBC | AP News | Euronews
OVER IN COPLAND- 60 states are on board with the pledge to triple renewables and phase down coal by 2030, two officials familiar with the matter told Reuters in exclusive statements. While the draft pledge seen by Reuters says that unabated coal power is included in the phasedown — leaving room for increased coal production on the condition that carbon capture and storage are utilized — the proposal includes a commitment to end the financing of new coal-fired power plants. Doubling the world's annual rate of improvements in energy efficiency to 4% per year until 2030 is also a goal set out by the pledge, the newswire reports. The three countries spearheading the pledge will call for its inclusion in the final outcome of COP28’s World Climate Action Summit concluding on December 2, the officials added.
Who’s in? Some significant economies have already expressed support and said they will join the pledge, including Nigeria, South Africa, Vietnam, Australia, Japan and Canada, Peru, Chile, Zambia and Barbados, the officials told Reuters. Additionally, negotiations with China and India to sign onto the pledge are at an advanced stage but are both yet to agree, one of the officials told Reuters.
ALSO- The EU will contribute big to the loss and damage fund: The EU claims it's ready to make “substantial” contributions to the loss and damage fund scheduled to launch at COP28, according to a joint statement. Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra and the UAE's COP28 President-Designate Sultan Al Jaber highlighted the EU’s plans to put in big money in efforts to push for an “ambitious” outcome at COP28 and emphasized the importance of ensuring the loss and damage fund is operationalized. So far, no country has announced a specific financial pledge to the fund, though some have signaled their intent or interest, Reuters writes.
And there’s more EU funds on the way: The EU Commission is also planning to make financial contributions in support of the COP28 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency pledge — tripling renewables and doubling both energy efficiency and hydrogen by 2030 — and invites countries to do the same during the World Climate Action Summit at the climate summit, Hoekstra and Al Jaber said in the statement.
WATCH THIS SPACE #1- Jordan explores the feasibility of new green hydrogen projects: The Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources signed four MoUs with Jordan’s Kawar Energy, Philadelphia Solar, Amarenco, and the German renewables firm Enertrag to carry out feasibility studies for potential green hydrogen projects in the kingdom, according to a statement. The kingdom has a potential to become a significant player in the global green hydrogen market given that 27% of its energy is already sourced from renewables, Energy Minister Saleh Al-Kharabsheh said in the statement.
The details: Under the agreements, Jordan aims to generate 100k tons of green ammonia per year with Kawar Energy, 100k to 200k tons with Philadelphia Solar, 200k tons with Enertag, and 1 mn tons with Amarenco.
There’s more deals coming at COP: Five MoUs are scheduled for signature at the COP28 climate summit later this month, paving the way for companies to conduct one-year preliminary feasibility studies for new green hydrogen projects in the country.
The kingdom’s on a roll: Jordan’s Energy Ministry also signed an MoU with Jordan Green Ammonia last month to conduct feasibility studies on developing green hydrogen projects in the country. Kharabsheh said at the time that 12 unnamed companies have expressed interest in signing agreements with the ministry on green hydrogen, adding that it plans to release its green hydrogen strategy soon.
WATCH THIS SPACE #2- Boeing and UK’s Zero Petroleum partner up on SAFs: US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has signed an agreement with British net zero e-fuels producer Zero Petroleum that will see both parties partner on research and development to accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), according to Time Aerospace. The partnership also aims to expedite certification of Zero Petroleum’s SAF blends.
Both sides have big plans: Earlier this year, Boeing said it plans to double its SAF purchases in 2023 and signed an agreement with the UAE’s Masdar last month to advance and support the development and adoption of SAF projects in the Emirates and globally. Last month, Zero Petroleum signed an agreement with Adnoc to establish a synthetic fuels production plant in the UAE.
IN OTHER AVIATION NEWS- The Emirates National Oil Company plans to supply SAF to Dubai Airports starting 2024 and is currently exploring SAF production both domestically and abroad, according to a statement.
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CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-
The UAE will host the MENA Solar Conference from Wednesday, 15 November to Saturday, 18 November in Dubai. The event will focus on all things photovoltaic, with a full programme on PV materials and devices, future technologies, PV reliability, and forecasting for performance assessment. The conference will also touch on how developments in system operations, concentrated solar power, and grid integration are necessary for the green transition. This will be the first scientific and technical conference specializing in solar energy systems in the region.
The UAE will host the Aviation and Alternative Fuels conference from Monday, 20 November to Friday, 24 November in Dubai. The event will bring together senior government officials and international organizations to assess progress in the development and deployment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and lower-carbon aviation fuel (LCAF) measured according to the targets outlined in the 2050 Vision for SAF, agreed upon at the last Aviation and Alternative Fuels conference in 2017.
The UAE will host the Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) from Monday, 27 November to Thursday, 30 November in Abu Dhabi. The event will gather government officials, banks, financial institutions, and VCs to delve into today’s economic, technological, and sustainability conversations.
Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.