MENA Clean Energy in Review - February 2015 
CEBC News

Monthly roundup from our CEO
Dear Members,

I hope you all had a busy and productive January. At CEBC, WFES kept us busy and we were glad to see many of you at our four very successful events in WFES. Going forward, we have a number of new events - the first will cover energy storage which is a new topic for us. To get you ready for the discussion, we have included some articles in this months news letter. We will also be looking more broadly at energy efficiency in the region and hosting a breakfast briefing on Egypt to keep you updated in the coming months.

Lower oil prices have put pressure on renewable growth in the last few months, but our article on Bloomberg below shows how this hasn't impacted the growth of solar especially in the region. Off-grid investment and distributed energy have already taken off in the rest of the world and it will be interesting to watch solar rooftop programs develop in the region in the coming months. 

Finally, check out our new section on jobs below and let us know if you want to add any posts you have available in the coming months.

Looking forward to seeing you at an event soon.

Chief Executive Officer
Clean Energy Business Council



Dubai One TV Business News Special Feature | UAE Takes the Lead in Renewables
CEBC's CEO Alice Cowman talks to Dubai One's Business News about the future of Renewable Energy in the UAE.  Also includes a special feature on clean energy in the Middle East and North African region, with commentary from CEBC members. 


Solar Power Rental Concept | Interview with PV Insider
Dubai-based  Enerwhere installed the world's largest solar power rental facility in Abu Dhabi. Daniel Zywietz,  CEO of  Enerwhere and  Deputy Chair of the  Clean Energy Business Council chats with PV Insider about the rental concept and how it has proven ideal for remote construction sites across the UAE. 

MENA Cleantech Survey Report
CEBC in partnership with EY launched the MENA Cleantech Survey Report 2014 during WFES. EY's Cleantech Leader, Nimer Abu Ali presented the key findings from this fourth Middle East and North Africa Cleantech Survey in collaboration with CEBC. The survey gauges the sentiment of C-suite industry experts, identifies the key market drivers and provides a valuable assessment of the Cleantech market in the MENA region. The report includes insights on the views of Cleantech stakeholders across MENA and the opportunities and challenges for clean energy development.  [Download Report]


UAE: The Future of Smarter Energy
In partnership with Schneider Electric, CEBC hosted a high level thought leadership roundtable discussion during WFES on the UAE: The Future of Smarter Energy. From this collaborative effort we are developing a white paper on what a wholistic smart energy pilot project might look like for the UAE, and we look forward to sharing this with you shortly.




New CEBC Members
  

  
CEBC Launches Women in Clean Energy (WICE) Program

CEBC has set up the Women in Clean Energy (WICE) initiative to encourage more women into jobs in the renewable energy sector in MENA. The program includes events, networking opportunities and the launch of a mentoring program. To share your views and connect with other professional women working in the clean energy sector please join our  WICE Linkedin Group.

 

Applications are now open for Mentors to support the WICE program.  If you are interested in supporting the development and growth of professionals and mid-level managers,  please contact Sarah De Clercq our Programs Manager declercq@cleanenergybusinesscouncil.com. 



CEBC Events

Energy Storage: The Future of Renewables and the Enabler of Smart Grids
Breakfast Seminar
Date:
Time:
Venue:
Cost:
9 March 2015
8:30am - 11:30am
JW Marriott Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay, Dubai
CEBC Members Free | Non Members   AED250

Lack of dispatch ability is generally considered as the major drawback of renewable energy such as PV Solar and Wind. The highly intermittent energy generated by PV Solar and Wind power plants is already posing a major challenge for grid operators for example in California and Germany, while the share of renewables in the energy mix continues to rise. The Industry is now increasingly looking towards energy storage often in combination with Smart Grid solutions to be able to manage this challenge efficiently. This event is dedicated to the latest developments in Power, Energy Storage and Smart Grid Solutions and you will hear from leading global industry experts that might provide the answer to the challenge posed by renewables.

To register please follow the link below.  If you are interested in participating or sponsoring this event please contact sarah@cleanenergybusinesscouncil.com.

Sponsors
     

Egypt's Renewable Energy Program: An In-Depth Focus on Egypt's 2,300MW Solar PV Program

Breakfast Briefing

Date:
Time:
Venue:
Cost:
13 April 2015
8:30am to 12:00pm
Emirates Towers Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
CEBC Members Free | Non Members  AED250

 

The Clean Energy Business Council presents this breakfast event on Egypt's Renewable Energy Program with an in-depth focus on the Country's 2,300MW Solar PV Program.  Guest speakers include a delegation from the
Egyptian Ministryand you will hear from regional industry experts including RECREEE, First Solar, International Finance Corporation (IFC), White & Case, Latham & Watkins, Enerwhere, Phanes Group and many others.

 

 

 

 

CEBC Gala Networking Cocktail Reception

MENASOL 2015

Date:
Time:
Venue:
Cost:
13 May 2015
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dubai
CEBC Members Free

 

CEBC is delighted to host a gala networking cocktail reception in partnership with the MENASOL 2015 Conference.  This high level cocktail reception takes place on 13 May 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dubai and will be a fantastic opportunity to network with conference speakers and delegates, government representatives and senior officials.  As the largest solar conference in the UAE, you will meet over 450 guests including top level speakers from government institutions, finance bodies and leading solar developers.  CEBC is very pleased to welcome you to join us for an evening of networking, cocktails and to catch up on the latest developments in the MENA solar space.

 

For sponsorship enquiries please contact sarah@cleanenergybusinesscouncil.com

 

Event Partners

          

Reports and Publications
Battery Storage for Renewables: Market Status and Technology Outlook
For over a century, energy storage in the power sector has been dominated by one technology - pumped hydropower storage. Along with the rest of the sector, that is beginning to change. Renewable energy deployment and policies to modernise electricity production and consumption are propelling numerous advances, including increased battery storage. [Download Report]


Giant Energy Storage Project Aims at Renewable Energy's Holy Grail
Energy storgage technologies are increasinly being used to boost the amount of renewable energy that the grid can use.   Cost-effective storage for wind and solar energy  is the  industry's "Holy Grail,"  Morgan Stanley says. That's because times of high output during sunny days or windy nights don't always match up with peak demand.  [Read more]


Regional Energy Efficiency Policy Recommendations
The IEA and its member countries have identified energy efficiency as the quickest and least costly way to address energy security, environmental and economic challenges. To help countries improve energy efficiency, the IEA developed a set of 25 Energy Efficiency Policy Recommendations. These 25 recommendations have proven an effective way to increase awareness and obtain high-level political support for scaled-up energy efficiency efforts. Economies represented include: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Sudan, Tunisia [Download Report English]      [Download Report Arabic]


Renewable Energy in the Water, Energy & Food Nexus 

Renewable energy technologies can address trade-offs between water, energy and food, bringing substantial benefits in all three key sectors. This report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) looks at how adopting renewables can ease trade-offs by providing less resource-intensive energy services compared to conventional energy technologies.  [Download Report]




Advancing and Maximizing the Value of Energy Storage Technology
California is a worldwide leader in shifting to sustainable and renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and geothermal power, with the goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But by its nature, electricity must be used the instant it is generated, which makes solar and wind resources challenging to manage on the power grid. Power from these renewable generation sources is produced at different times of the day, and often does not align with the instantaneous demand for electricity. [Download Report]







Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2014

The International Energy Agency (IEA) Energy Technology Perspectives (ETP) analysis offers a comprehensive, long-term view of energy system trends and technologies essential to meet goals for affordable, secure and low-carbon energy. This long-term view is regularly challenged by developments that have lasting and transformative impacts, such as the shale gas boom in North America, cost reductions in several renewable technologies and the uncertainty in nuclear power progress. These examples clearly show that technology, market developments and external events influence the evolution of energy systems. [Download Report]



Energy Capacity Assessment Tool

First Solar has launched its free Energy Capacity Assessment Tool, which allows potential power plant developers or investors to plot out a PV power plant online to assess its feasibility. First Solar's online tool calculates the potential electricity output and revenue of a power plant, using data pertaining to local irradiation and conditions, along with the company's CdTe modules and power plant design parameters. [Access the Calculator]



UAE Live Solar | Masdar Institute
A new mobile application allowing users to access near-live satellite maps of solar and wind energy resources in the UAE (as well as elsewhere) was recently developed by the Research Center for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. The Solar Mobile App gives users the ability to access solar resource information in near real-time - through the use of newly developed "unique" satellite-based solar mapping algorithms on a GPS-enabled phone. UAE LiveSolar is now available for download on iTunes and Google Play - a Windows-phone version is in the works as well.  [Access the App]






 

Clean Energy News

Implications of record low Acwa Power tariff could influence new PV Projects | PV Insider
An ACWA Power-led consortium was awarded the largest photovoltaic IPP tender in the world at the lowest tariff ever heard of. What implications will the project have for the solar industry? [Read more]

Liebrich: 10 Predictions for Clean Energy in 2015 | Bloomberg New Energy Finance
For the last two years, I have drawn on Russian imagery to illustrate the state of the clean energy industry. In 2013, it was the battle of Borodino: the clean energy sector had suffered a bruising time, but it had survived and was poised to regain ground. In 2014, it was the River Neva in St Petersburg which provided the analogy for an energy industry frozen for aeons, but about to undergo profound and rapid phase change. 
[ Read more]


Oil Up, Solar Down | Bloomberg Business Week
Lower fossil fuel prices typically spell trouble for the renewable energy market - but the Middle East's push to harness the sun's power is looking more sustainable than ever. [Read more]

Dubai Doubling Size of Power Plant to Make Cheapest Solar Energy

(Bloomberg) -- Dubai's government-owned utility plans to double the size of a solar power project that it expects will produce some of the world's cheapest electricity. [Read more]


GE partners with Saudi Electricity Company on hybrid energy project

The landmark project, the 'Green Duba' Integrated Solar Combined Cycle Plant, will be built in the northwestern part of Saudi Arabia, along the Red Sea coast. When finished, it will have the capacity to generate the equivalent power needed to supply approximately 600,000 Saudi Arabia homes for a year. [Read more]


Top 5 Smart Grid Trends of 2014

Enabling smart meters, connecting the smart home, and making distributed solar and storage an integral part of the grid. At first glance, 2014 wasn't such a great year in the world of smart grid, with slowdowns in deployment of smart meters, distribution automation and other key new grid technologies. But these challenges also helped define the opportunities for companies, utilities and regulators working on building the next stage of smart grid -- a "smart grid 2.0," if you will. [Read more]

 

Off-Grid Solar Firms Raised $42 Million in the First Month of 2015 

Only one month into 2015, private equity firms, venture investors and development banks have poured $42 million into off-grid solar companies working in developing countries. That represents two-thirds of all off-grid investments closed in 2014. [Read more]
 

Jordan's Solar Tender Bears Fruit

Qatar's Nebras Power, alongside partners Diamond Generating Europe (a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation) and KAWAR Group, a Jordanian company, have signed a finance agreement for Jordan's 52.5 MW solar PV Shams Ma'an power plant. [Read more]
 
 

Dubai triples renewable energy target to 15% by 2030 | Gulf News
Dubai: Dubai has tripled its target to increase the share of renewables to 15 per cent in its energy mix by 2030, a senior official announced here on Wednesday. The emirate has increased its 2020 target also by seven times to 7 per cent, apparently due to falling costs of solar energy, according to Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of Dewa (Dubai Water and Electricity Authority).  [Read more]


 

Job Listings

Business Development Engineer
Company:
Location:
To be disclosed at interview (Recruiting Specialist: GreenEmirates)
Jeddah, KSA

Company will be a newly established division of an established group of companies with diversified portfolio in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and operating businesses in real estate, facilities management and investment services.  The Business Development Engineer will be responsible for developing accounts, designing technical & commercial proposals, driving business relationships and working in a fast-paced, effective sales environment to support the Company's sales objectives. The position will be part of a small team focused on selling PV products to utility scale, medium and small commercial and residential solar market segments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. [Read more]

 

BMS Specialist
Company:
Location:
Smart4Power
Dubai:

Smart4Power has an immediate opening for a qualified BMS specialist. The BMS Specialist will join our dynamic and fast-growing team to help us deliver energy efficiency solutions to the UAE building sector. Interested applicants should submit their CVs to info@smart4power.com. We will then contact qualified candidates for interviews. The position is open until filled. [Read more]


PV International Project Manager PV / Investments (Associate Level)

Company:
Location:
Phanes Group
Dubai with occasional travel

Phanes Group is an integrated solar energy developer and investment manager with offices in Switzerland and Dubai. Phanes Group has substantial experience in Capital Markets and renewable project development, project management, risk management and asset construction. Phanes target selected, attractive geographical markets and segments (e.g. rooftops) in the EMEA region, and get involved in an early project stage taking a holistic approach by covering the development, project management and Capital Market side of a solar project. [Read more]

 

Industry Events and Conferences
 
9-11 February 2015, Amman, Jordan

25-27 February, Casablanca, Morocco

2-4 March 2015, Dubai, UAE

24 -25 March 2015, Doha, Qatar

13-14 May, Dubai, UAE
 
19-21 March 2015, Muscat, Oman

25-26 March 2015, Dubai, UAE

21-23 April 2015, Dubai UAE

14-16 September 2015, Dubai, UAE
 
CEBC  members are entitled to discounts on the above events.  Please email 
sarah@cleanenergybusinesscouncil.com for the discount codes.
CEBC Membership & Special Offers

Join Clean Energy Business Council
For information on our membership packages please click here.  To see our members directory please click here or contact sarah@cleanenergybusinesscouncil.com to find out how to join. 

CEBC Members' Offers

 

Annual Renewable Energy Outlook 2014 | Frost & Sullivan
Access the executive overview for "Renewable Energy Outlook 2014"

40% discount for CEBC Members

Renewable energy installations in 2013 saw the continued, gradual shift in market power to emerging economies where economic growth and revised energy priorities will drive a sustained increase in the adoption of renewable energy. The cost of renewable energy has declined dramatically in recent years. Overall, the cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules are estimated to have dropped by 70% between 2008 and 2013, making solar more competitive with fossil-fired power and driving accelerated adoption rates. Geographical Scope: Global. 

 

This report provides an analysis of the key global trends affecting the renewable energy market for power generation during the course of the current decade and insight into growth opportunities with a full analysis of the major markets in the global energy and power sector. Please contact Abhay Bhargava, email abhayb@frost.com



CSP Today Markets Reports 2015 | CSP Today   
20% discount for CEBC Members
The CSP industry has witnessed an exhilarating series of developments over the last few years. While emerging markets like South Africa and Morocco continue to advance, others, such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are progressing at a slower-than-expected pace.  At the same time, confidence is growing in CSP technologies, as evident from the large-scale installations that recently came online in the USA - an established market that is quickly saturating. Please contact  sarah@cleanenergybusinesscouncil.com  for the  discount code[Read more]






 

Global Solar Power Market Report | Frost & Sullivan 

40% discount for CEBC Members  

Frost & Sullivan estimates that global solar market revenues will grow between 2014 and 2020 despite the economic uncertainty in the global markets. A number of government sponsored initiatives are expected to boost the proportion of energy coming from 'green sources' and political willingness will also be a key driver of this market. This study includes an in-depth analysis of the solar power market with a specific focus on regions, applications, end users, and technology. This research service provides the description and analysis of the global solar power market at the top-level, as well as the regional market level.  Study Period: 2010-2020 / 

Base Year: 2013 / Forecast Period: 2014-2020. Please contact abhayb@frost.com.








BGreen Magazine | Discounted Advertising   

50% discount for CEBC Members
BGreen is the region's leading publication entirely focused on Sustainability.  Its coverage, especially on Green Building, has led to various awards and the official endorsement of Dubai Municipality and Masdar. BGreen is delighted to offer 50% off any full page or double page advertisements for CEBC members provided 3 or more are purchased.  This means that the rate card price for a full page of $7,900 would be reduced to $3,950.  For more information please contact 





Kind regards,

Sarah Fitzgerald
Marketing & Communications Director
m:  +971 56 659 1153
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