Iran is looking to ramp up solar capacity: Iran said it will buy 1.5 GW of solar power from 10 domestic suppliers in what it described as the largest agreement of its kind in the country, Press TV reported on Tuesday, citing Iran's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA). SATBA’s head Mahmoud Kamani revealed that an oil refinery in Isfahan is the largest supplier of solar power under the contract, with the refinery expected to set up three PV solar plants with a total capacity of 1 GW. Nine other unnamed companies will supply the remaining 0.5 GW to the national grid, he added. He described the contract as a milestone in the country’s efforts to raise dependency on renewables in a bid to help the power grid remain efficient during peak demand days.

Big renewables targets: Iran’s renewables sector — which has a minimal share of the country’s total energy generation — relies mostly on solar, hydroelectric, and wind power plants to generate energy. Last year, Iran said it plans to add 10 GW of renewable capacity by August 2025. It also signed MoUs with the private sector last year to set up new renewable power plants across the country.

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A fresh data analytics push for climate applications: Dubai-based AzurX and Bahrain’s National Space Science Agency (NSSA) are working with Scotland-based AstroAgency to facilitate partnerships in Earth observation and data analytics projects between the countries, the National reports. The potential partnerships could bring high-resolution carbon mapping sensors to the Gulf to monitor greenhouse gas emission management programs. It could also offer collaboration in water resource management, urbanization and infrastructure planning, monitoring carbon credit allocation, oil and gas leak detection, and natural disaster monitoring, the news outlet explains. Last month, both the UAE and Bahrain were awarded GBP 75k each under the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund which holds GBP 20 mn worth of investments.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

• KSA and India partner up for renewables + desalination projects: Saudi Arabia’s Saline Water Conversion Corporation has signed an MoU with the Indian National Institute of Ocean Technology to explore joint investments in renewable energy and water desalination. (SPA)
• Dewa's new hydroelectric power plant is 74% complete: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa)’s 250 MW hydroelectric power plant in Hatta is 74% complete. The AED 1.4 bn plant — the first station of its kind in the GCC region — is expected to be complete in 1Q 2025 with a storage capacity of 1.5 GWh and a lifespan of up to 80 years. (DFM)