Dearest MESIA members and our solar industry community,

Here we are, in our 7th year our successful growth in becoming the region's flagship representative association of the solar industry in the Middle East, North & Sub-Saharan Africa and now, soon to play a supportive role to the fast paced Indian solar energy markets.

Reflective of my ‘to the point mindset’, I'm not going to bore you with a long article, nor with industry figures nor data you already know, but I can share with you this; in our first board meeting as the new board of directors of MESIA, we had quite an engaging board meeting, and my amazingly dynamic Board Directors helped set the momentum for the next year. As a show of 'let's hit the ground running', we had presented and approved 3 Board Resolutions to kick-start a series of programs and events that would take the MESIA community to the next level. We are looking at organizing at least 2 regional trade missions, expanding our circle of international development partnerships, at least 4 yearly anchor publications, technical-hands on training workshops for our members, and just as important, to put in place a more solid structure for corporate governance and standard operation procedures; all part of MESIA's healthy organic growth curve. Also, our flagship awards program, the Solar Energy Awards, will now be held in conjunction with the upcoming World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, and, to coincide also with our inter-universities solar energy student competition at the upcoming Intersolar Middle East, we would also be holding the Solar Pioneers Awards.

We barely had time to reflect on our board meeting’s minutes, and here we are, announcing the partnership between MESIA and CPI publishing house to launch the region’s first ‘Solar, Water & Power Buyers' Guide’ for the Middle East markets.

I would also like to congratulate our proud MESIA members, Masdar-FRV joint venture for being awarded the highly coveted DEWA 800MW tender, I’m sure they have worked ever so diligently, along with other respectful bidders, to turn in their proposal. Also, it's a very proud fact for MESIA's board to know that the largest bidders on regional solar utility scale energy projects are anchor MESIA members.

That said, please standby for an upcoming year of industry-focused events, and let's move forward and, 'Onwards facing the Sun!’.

Best,
Hadi Tahboub

Following the renewal of MESIA’s license in February 2016, for the first time, the voting system has been totally done online by members. With the blessing of Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Midfa, and in presence of CDA representatives, the Chairman announced the results.  The newly elected board members have assumed their new roles and have expressed their commitment to drive the biggest Solar Association in the Middle East to the next level.

Meet the new Board of Directors | See the Pictures of the AGM

In partnership with Intersolar, MESIA organized its annual Iftar where members had an excellent opportunity to socialise, get together, and to also discuss what we have achieved so far and what we can do going forward for the solar industry.

Atul Dua from Unidaan won the charity Auction organized in favour of a children's association in Dubai. Thanks to his generosity, MESIA will bring more sunny days to the children’s lives. See Pictures

MESIA lead a 2 hour session during Intersolar and gave an update about the Solar Industry in the MENA region in general. A special focus was made on the UAE and Egyptian market with 2 panel discussions: "Egypt: Revenue Convertibility and Dispute Resolution" and "UAE: Setting a High Benchmark for Utility-Scale and Rooftop Solar". See Pictures

MESIA proudly signed a media partnership agreement with CPI Industry. The signature happened between CPI Managing Director and Editorial Director and MESIA President, Vice-President and Research Director. MESIA will ensure full support from a promoting and content aspect of the Solar Guide. See Pictures

27 June 2016
In the presence of HH  Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashed Al Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and Minsiter of Defense, Ruler of Dubai, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UAE Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, and Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, on the implementation of the 800-megawatt (MW) third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park was signed. Read more

13 June 2016
"Today’s announcement of the first CSP project will be followed by other major projects to diversify Dubai’s energy mix. This will contribute to achieving the vision or our wise leadship to make Dubai number one globally, and our vision to become a sustainable, innovative world-class utility," Al Tayer told those gathered at the launch.

Hadi Tahboub, vice-president — Programmes Director of Middle East Solar Industry Association, told Gulf News said the new project puts Dubai one step closer to becoming the world leader in solar power generation. Read more

22 June 2016
The price drop since DEWA II illustrates that tariff prices in Dubai are largely being driven by lower EPC and O&M contract prices rather than debt pricing, Steve Perry, head of debt origination and syndication at First Gulf Bank, a lender to the DEWA II and DEWA III projects, said. The financing cost for DEWA III was significantly higher than for DEWA II, which was "pretty much to the bone in today's market," Perry said. "It proves financing costs don't really impair the tariff that much," he said. Read more

15 June 2016
Yet CSP applications have specific obstacles to overcome compared to PV, said Hadi Tahboub, president of the Middle East Solar Industry Association. “Dubai wants to tell the world: ‘Yes, it can be done,’ and this is a good thing because it literally drives [research and development] forward, lowers costs and creates more competition. But CSP is a totally different game of parameters," he said, adding that CSP technology required more land than PV plants by a ratio of roughly 10 to 8. Read more

07 June 2016
After first pushing backs its renewable goals, Saudi Arabia looks to have vastly reduced plans for PV and CSP deployment. Reports coming out of the country today say that the Energy Minister has announced a reduction of its 2040 renewable goals from 50% to 10% of the country's electricity supply. Read more

17 June 2016
The Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA) has released a statement saying it is anticipating the deadline for the submission of proposals to build, own and operate (the so-called ‘BOO’ agreement) a 200 MW solar PV farm in Egypt to be postponed for six months from 21st June to 21st December.  The news is in relation to the West of Nile PV project, located in the West Nile district of the country. Egypt’s Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) and the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) had announced the project’s tender in August last year. Read more

04 June 2016
Dubai is setting out to achieve another solar pricing record at Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Saeed Al Tayer, the managing director and chief executive of Dubai Electricity and Water Auth­ority (Dewa), said that the utility would build the largest concentrated solar ­power (CSP) plant in the world. The utility has released a tender for international CSP advisory companies for the first 200 megawatt phase out of a total 1 gigawatt. Read more

10 June 2016
Saudi Electricity Company (“SEC”) is pleased to invite expressions of interest (“EoI”) in respect of the potential development of two solar photovoltaic (“PV”) Independent Power Plants (“IPPs”), to be located in Al-Jouf and Rafha, north of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. SEC will conduct a competitive process to select a developer(s) or developer consortium(s) for development and operations of solar (PV) IPPs at Al-Jouf and Rafha. Each site will involve the development of up to 50MW of PV capacity. The IPPs will support already existing conventional plants in their respective locations. Read more

15 June 2016
KARACHI: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has decided to initiate suo moto proceedings to determine a new tariff for generation of electricity from solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects and generation of electricity from wind power projects. In this regard, the authority has notified holding of suo moto proceedings publicly for development of new tariff for solar PV power projects and wind power projects. Read more

1 June 2016
Sustainable City, Dubai’s first residential solar project, is now online and producing green energy for more than 500 villas. City Solar, one of the contractors involved in Sustainable City, said it had installed about 5,000 solar panels throughout the complex. “Energy production will reach 1.2 megawatts, with the surplus energy stores in the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s grid to be later drawn upon to operate more than 200 villas with clean, renewable energy," said Anwa Zebn, the chief executive of City Solar. Once complete, the company expects 40,000 panels to decorate rooftops throughout the complex and produce up to 10MW of power at maximum capacity. Read more

06 June 2016
Jordan’s need to reduce dependence on oil and gas imports drove the government to draft the 2007 National Energy Strategy (NES), which presents a road map for energy development through to 2020. It seeks to boost reliance on domestic sources from 4 to 40 per cent by then. In short, it recommended the development of domestic shale, renewable energy and nuclear power. The targets are ambitious and it remains to be seen how much Jordan can achieve. In electricity generation, the NES stipulated 7 per cent for renewable energy by 2015 and rising to 10 per cent by 2020. Later, nuclear energy would add its contribution too. Read more

12 June 2016
The Ministry of Electricity decided to delay the payment due date of the third instalment of the cost-sharing agreement for solar energy projects in Banban, Aswan to next month. A source at the ministry said investors were due to pay the third instalment of the cost-sharing agreement, worth EGP 9m, this month. However, it was delayed for 30 days after investors asked for an extension to pay the remaining value on the agreement. Read more

12 June 2016
Masdar Institute researchers are developing a new technique to make solar absorbers more efficient at generating electricity. Their collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) aims to produce a solar absorber that uses tiny holes to absorb about 90 per cent of the Sun’s rays. The holes are 200 times smaller than the width of a human hair. If successful, the technique could significantly reduce the cost of using solar power, according to the researchers. Read more

The IRENA Global Atlas for Renewable Energy is an initiative aimed at facilitating access to data, analysis, and tools for assessing renewable energy resource potentials. Since its inception, the Global Atlas has substantially contributed to increasing global awareness of renewable energy potential and opportunities.  The initiative offers a complete suite of services to support renewable resource mapping and assessment, including an online GIS interface, datasets for five renewable energy technologies that cover every country in the world, online analysis tools, and the ability to export data and maps in several different formats.

Global Atlas
Vaisala map with global solar and wind datasets
Solar atlas of the Mediterranean and North Africa
Investment opportunities in the GCC (map)
Investment opportunities in the GCC (Report)

23 June 2016 With Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard (MESIA Ambassador) in the cockpit, the plane landed at the Seville Airport in Spain at 7.38am local time on Thursday (UAE time 9.38am) after three days and three night’s flight (71 hours and 8 minutes) that took off from New York early on Monday. The flight, flying at a maximum altitude of 8,534 metres (28,000 feet) and average speed of 95.10km/h (59mph), covering a distance of 6,765km, completed the first ever electric, solar and emission-free transatlantic flight while breaking several world records (pending approval from relevant authorities), according to Solar Impulse, the Swiss organisation that initiated the pioneering project. Read more

• Date: 19-21 September 2016
• Date: World Trade Center - Dubai

In 2016 Intersolar is teaming up with dmg Events to organize the key event in the Middle East taking place in Dubai dedicated to the solar industry: Intersolar Middle East. The event’s exhibition and conference both focus on the areas of photovoltaics, PV production technologies, energy storage and solar thermal technologies. Since being founded, Intersolar has become the most important industry platform for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, service providers and partners of the global solar industry.

MESIA offers its members very special discounted rate

Read more and see special package for MESIA members

• Date: End of October – Beginning of November (TBC)

In Jordan, the national renewable energy strategy, has been set and will target 1,800 MW, or 10 per cent of the country’s energy supply, to come from renewable sources by 2020. The government's plan will call for 600 MW of this new capacity to be provided by solar power. The Renewable Energy Trade Mission in Jordan organized by MESIA will present a comprehensive outlook on developments in the Jordanian solar market  and the regulatory framework for developing solar projects in the country.  Officials and very senior representatives from the government will give you an overview of the key growth sectors for solar in Jordan; Commercial roof top sector, utility scale power plants, captive power projects (hotels, large consumers), to name a few. The aim of this Trade Mission is to connect international solar companies, manufacturers and investors with local Jordanian industry leaders. The target is to facilitate partnership discussions between MESIA members and local companies interested in expanding in the renewable energy sector in Jordan.

• Date: 06-07 September 2016
• Location: Cairo, Egypt

The 2nd Annual Solar Projects Egypt will bring the value chain to discuss updates from 2015, key issues in the lead-up to the financial close for the 2.3 GW solar Fit program including permits, logistics, grid connection, water and security needs, strategies to ensure the successful delivery of the program and insights on the second round of the Solar Fit program. Read more 

• Date: 19-21 September 2016
• Location: World Trade Centre - Dubai

Intersolar Middle East is part of a world series of exhibitions that has been pushing the solar industry to innovate and install a new energy infrastructure for 25 years now. Driven by a commitment to the global transition to renewable energy, the show is held across four continents and is regarded as one of the leading centres of excellence for solar globally, as well as an opportunity to explore some of the latest innovations in Photovoltaic, Electrical Energy Storage, and solar cooling solutions. Read More and register

• Date: 26-28 September 2016
• Location: Kempinski Hotel, Amman, Jordan

Our 2016 summit will bring together the many key stakeholders from the Solar Energy ecosystem, including those working on the many innovative projects in Asia, MENA, Europe and South America, to share lessons learned so far. From establishing the legal framework and securing financing to operating and maintaining profitable Solar Parks and Solar Power Projects, this event will explore the entire lifecycle from the perspective of all parties. Read more 

• Date: 05-06 October 2016
• Location: Dubai World Trade Center

The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2016 is the 3rd annual meeting of the world’s leading platform to discuss, foster, plan and implement the shift to the green economy. The event will be held on the 5th and 6th of October 2016 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, under the ‘Global Green Economy’ theme. WGES 2016 will build on the commitments of 2014 and 2015, and maintain its strong linkages to the Paris Climate Agreement and UN Agenda 2030. Read more 

• Date: 04-06 October 2016
• Location: Dubai World Trade Center

The ideal gateway of solar business is set to become the biggest solar exhibition in the region whill be launch on 4-6 October 2016 as part of WETEX Exhibition and in co-location with World Green Economy Summit at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centere, Dubai, UAE. DEWA is proud to bring you Dubai Solar Show, A dedicated platform showcasing latest solar innovations and the largest solar projects in region. Providing a unique platform in building partnerships with all government and private sectors in pursuing innovative solutions. Read more 

• Date: 13 October 2016
• Location: Grand Hyatt, Muscat, Oman

Oman Power Summit is one of the engines powering Oman’s grand 2030 vision forward is power generation in all forms, be it solar, natural gas, or renewable energy. With an increasingly demanding population and spiraling rates of power consumption, the need for sustainable and renewable sources of energy is more acute than ever before. This is compounded by the emergence of Oman as a key Gulf country in the general progress of the GCC region. However, resources must keep up with the pace of the rapidly unfolding socio-economic events in Oman. Read more | Registration Form 

Summer time is fast approaching and some of you will be actively looking for interns.  Students would also like to have professional experiences in the solar / renewable energy industry through these internships.  We would like to support this endeavour by bringing companies and potentials interns together utilising our MESIA platform. We have created a new section called "internship" on our website: http://www.mesia.com/careerseducation/internships Please send us any internship position that would  be available with a title, a small description and a contact. We will do the rest!

19-21 September
DWTC - Dubai

We are delighted to inform you about a special package Intersolar Middle East has to offer MESIA members:

• 10% discount on stand space:
• $340 per sqm Space only stand.
• $398 per sqm Shell scheme stand.
• Speaker opportunity at the conference
• First three members confirming the space receives one hour technical workshop slot at the exhibition – which will be marketed to all visitors by the event organiser.
• One delegate pass for Global Solar Leaders’ Summit.
• Newsletter to pre-registered attendees to announce your participation.
• Featuring your participation in selected press releases and social media channels. 
• One month free banner on the event website.
• Tailored marketing with over 10 free opportunities to attract even more visitors to your stand. 

If you would like to find out more how to acquire new business and maintain existing clients, simply reply 'YES' to [email protected]

We're pleased to offer all members a 25% discount on all annual subscriptions to the Egypt Energy Monitor.

The Egypt Energy Monitor provides detailed, up-to-date and original industry information on upstream and downstream oil and gas, renewables and the broader power and electricity sector. It is designed to help companies and other organisations identify business opportunities, track the progress of specific projects, find partners or suppliers, conduct market research and follow developments in the industry. Benefit from the offer

"What are you doing?"
As the head of the renewable energy department at ADC Energy Systems, we are developing solar projects not only in the MENA region but as well as in Africa, and Asia and Europe... We are on the team with the MASDAR/FRV JV for the DEWA 800MA PV solar project. ADC is part of PAL Royal Group bidding on the ADWEC 350MW Solar PV project, and developing project Ethiopia, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, Brazil, KSA, Kuwait ...

"How did you start your journey in the solar industry?"
As part of my research program, I had to develop the Embedded high resolution IfraRed high resolution spectrometer, during my PhD Physics degree in 1991, including the high precision Heliostat for aircraft and stratospheric measurements. During my postdocurate program I had to travel around the world to validate the instrument/gondola and I had to manage many international expeditions from South Pole to North Pole to run the stratospheric measurements and the ground validations for environmental satellites validation including GOMS, NPOSS, Polder, as part of the NDACC international program from 30 ground stations. Part of the validations was the absolute solar measurements and the atmospheric profiles involving the high resolution infrared spectrometry.

"What is your most memorable moment in solar?"
Many experiences still brings exiting memories, including the 25 stratospheric launches from: Texas- USA, Gap, France, McMurdo-South Pole, Svalbard--Norway- Arctic region, Leon-Spain, Kiruna-Sweeden, Observatoir De Geneve-Switzerland, the Dome-geographic South Pole, plus all the ground stations including Mona Loa Hawaii, Poker Flat- Alaska, CNES Aire-sur-ladour France, where the temperature between all those scientific sites vary between -120 to +120 degrees, but the interaction between the 19 international scientific teams kept the competition at the highest level. The fact that in 2003 I head the scientific mission to South Pole, funded by NSF where the goal was to install 3 infrared spectrometers to compare the atmospheric Data recorded 10 year prior for validation on the geostationary NEO satellites, interaction with the top 30 Scientist from the international community who were present at the USA Amundsen Scott south Pole stations, and 4 months later to head the second scientific expedition to fly 3 Stratospheric balloon and sounding rockets from the arctic in the same year, funded by DoE, was an unforgettable year in my career, and very few scientist had this experience.

Oslo, Norway, June 21, 2016: The integrated solar power producer, Scatec Solar, announced last week that their first solar plant in Jordan has reached commercial operation (COD). The 10 MW Oryx solar plant was among the first utility scale projects granted permission by the Jordanian authorities to be built under the nation's new Renewable Energy Program. The photovoltaic plant is connected to an existing sub-station controlled by the state utility, NEPCO, with whom Scatec Solar has signed a 20 year Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) for selling the solar electricity generated by the plant.

"Oryx is a symbol of Scatec Solar working together with Jordanian partners to achieve results on the ground. With the commissioning of Oryx, we expand our international footprint into the Middle East and in the coming months, we will deepen our presence in the region," says Raymond Carlsen, Scatec Solar's CEO. Oryx is the first of three solar projects totalling 43 MW that Scatec Solar is building in Jordan.

The solar plant will produce 25,000 MWh of electricity per year serving the needs of about 5,000 households. During construction, around 100 local skilled and semi-skilled workers were employed. The technology used to build and operate this power facility is state of the art, thereby empowering and equipping local workers with the necessary skills to work hereafter in other projects in the renewable energy sector. Developed by Scatec Solar, owning 90% of the plant together with its local partner Quest Energy Investments, the Oryx plant will avoid about 15,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

About Scatec Solar

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