With Saudi's SEC releasing the list of prequalified bidders on their two 50MW each solar PV projects, Egypt's announcement of the second phase of the FIT program, and, Jordan's Round 3 to be announced any day now, October 2016 seems to be quite a promising launch pad for post-summer 2016 cycle of solar business for the Middle East region.

Furthermore, yet again, in the land of infinite world records broken, the lowest bid anywhere in the world yet, even 16% lower than the already set bi in Chile, the 350 megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Sweihan, ADWEC (Abu Dhabi Electricity & Water Co.) published the list of prices with the lowest bid at 2.42 US cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) coming from the Marubeni-Jinko consortium, with the local Masdar-EDF coming in at second-lowest at 2.53 US cents per kWh.

Apart from regional utility scale solar PV and CSP projects, we also expect to see a major increase in distributed solar installations, with more and more roof tops in (primary in 2016-2017) transforming into sun-energy capturing platforms; warehouses and flat roofed industrial facilities in the region had been the lead real estate installing roof top solar, but the trend now has spread like mushrooms let's avoid saying 'like wild fire'!) to schools, hospitals, places of worship, and so on.

On MESIA's upcoming calendar of events, we cordially invite our members community and guests to visit our spacious stand at this week's Dubai Solar Show/WETEX event, to tap into the latest solar energy market developments, and to network with the industry's movers and shakers. I also highly advise local and international companies to join in the upcoming MESIA Trade Mission to Jordan & Palestine, set for mid-November 2016.

Wishing our readers community the sunniest business prospects.

Onwards facing the sun.

Solar Pioneers recognition ceremony

We would like to congratulate again the winners of the MESIA Solar Pioneers 2016: Tareq Khalifeh from MASE, Jeremy Crane from Yellow Door and Eric Voldner from Enviromena. We also offered a speacial honorary recognition award to Shihab Mohd. Bin Solaiman from Petroleum Institute for his work on the Solar Car.

Meet the Solar Pioneers 2016

Solarworld Cocktail Reception during Intersolar

Solarworld invited its cleint and some Founding and Partners members of MESIA to attend a cokctail reception on the side of the first Intersolar Middle East event. This has been the perfect occasion to get together after 2 days of intense conferences and exhibition. This was also an opportunity to whish Andreas Paul, Solarworld Senior Manager Sales Middle East & North Africa a happy birthday!

See Pictures

MASE Wins Gold at Intersolar Middle East 2016

20 September
Modern Arabia for Solar Energy (MASE)’s Director of Operations, Tareq Khalifeh, has won the Middle East Solar Industry Association’s (MESIA) Solar Pioneers 2016 Gold Award presented at Intersolar Middle East 2016 Global Solar Leaders’ Summit Opening Ceremony. The Solar Pioneers awards (bronze, silver and gold) are presented to three young solar leaders and innovators drawn from across the Middle East, prudently selected by a jury comprising of seasoned solar industry professionals, academics and representatives from the public sector including DEWA and the UAE Ministry of Energy.

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AUS team brings home innovation challenge Gold Award

22September
Three students from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) were declared winners of the Gold Award in the Young Leaders Innovation Challenge on Sept 19 in Dubai. The team won first place in a competitive challenge that included more than a dozen universities from the region. This year’s competition was held under the theme of “Innovation, Sustainability and Clean Technology”. Organised by Intersolar Middle East and endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Energy, the project involved choosing a government building and achieving at least 25 per cent reduction in the energy consumed by the building by retrofitting renewable components for better efficiency.  

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New solar tenders planned for Jordan

14 September
Jordan is moving ahead on its path to position itself as the regional powerhouse in renewable energy, with new plans to enhance solar and wind energy in the Kingdom. The Kingdom is preparing to launch Round 3 of its solar energy project and Round 2 of its project on wind energy, with somewhere between 400 MW and 800 MW expected to be on offer, according to the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA). These plans were revealed recently during a meeting between MESIA president, Hadi Tahboub, and Jordan’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ibrahim Seif.

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Dubai residents not investing in solar power

20 September
Dubai energy chiefs are struggling to convince residents to opt for solar panels to supply power to their homes. That’s despite a huge drop in the price of the renewable energy source in recent years – solar now averages $1 per watt compared with $7 per watt in 2011. “We are pushing residents to take up solar energy,” said Hassan Chymaysse, Dubai Municipality Senior Green Building Engineer, who was speaking to 7DAYS on the sidelines of the Inter Solar Middle East conference at Dubai World Trade Centre.

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Is the new record-low price for PV reported this week in Abu Dhabi a killer-watt for solar?

23 September
According to various online sources, the phrase "cheap as chips" comes from a time when wood chips were an inexpensive commodity. The burning of wood chips as a biofuel has long been common practice in heavy industry, but they’ve never been fully embraced as a viable way to heat and power the planet. Not so solar. As PV technology continues its onward march to ubiquity, perhaps one day we’ll have to rethink our idioms to account for just how cheap solar power is becoming.

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Record low bids submitted for Abu Dhabi’s 350MW solar plant in Sweihan

19 September
Abu Dhabi could expand its Sweihan solar project to well over 1 gigawatts after record low bids were submitted on Monday. Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority’s procurement arm received six bids for the upcoming 350 megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Sweihan, with the lowest bid at 2.42 US cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) coming from an Asian consortium. A local firm bid second-lowest at 2.53 US cents per kWh.

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DEWA awards advisory contract for Dubai solar project

14 September
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has awarded a contract for independent power producer (IPP) advisory services for a solar plant in the emirate. A consortium led by KPMG Lower Gulf Limited (Financial), alongside Mott MacDonald (Technical) and Ashurt (Legal) won the advisory contract for the 200MW concentrated solar power (CSP) plant within the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

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Egypt announces second phase of feed-in tariff programme

12 September
The Minister of Electricty and Renewable Energy (MOERE) has announced that, on 28 October 2016, a second phase (Phase Two) of the feed-in tariff (FiT) programme will commence. The programme was initially established in September 2014 (Phase One) and intended to attract direct foreign investment and financing for Egyptian photovoltaic (PV) and wind projects.

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100 schools in Dubai to get solar panels

5 September
By 2020, 100 schools in Dubai could become solar schools. As a result, 200,000 families will be contributing towards the Dubai Clean Energy Plan 2050.  In September, an initiative by dubai-solar.org called 'Dubai Solar Schools' was announced. It will be rolled-out over the next three years.  The main aim of the initiative is to involve the Dubai education sector in the Dewa 'Shams Dubai' regulation - with 100 schools and universities (comprising 200,000 students) to be targeted. 

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JinkoSolar provides PV for mosques in Jordan

14 September
The modules will be installed at several unspecified mosques in Jordan’s Sweileh, Khalda, Safoot, Zarqa and Abu Alanda districts. It did not reveal how much capacity it is providing, nor did it disclose the terms of the deal.  The projects are part of an initiative under Jordan’s Ministry Of Awqaf And Islamic Affairs.

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RAI Energy International, Inc. Announces Start of Operation of Largest Solar Power Plant in Northern Jordan

7 September
RAI Energy International, Inc. ("REI"), the global energy development company, announced today that the 20-megawatt Jordan Solar One power plant has entered commercial operation. Located north ofAmman in Mafraq, Jordan, the photovoltaic project is considered the largest solar power plant in northern Jordan. REI co-developed the project through a PPA signing and retains a minority ownership interest, with Dubai-based Adenium Energy Capital and other regional investors owning the remaining interest.

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Weighing up the bankability of Iran’s renewable energy PPA

5 September
Despite the recent decrease in Iran’s Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) for renewable energy, the new payments, announced in May 2016, are still considered to be attractive. Solar power plants with a capacity between 10 MW and 30 MW, and wind farms below 50 MW will now receive EUR 0.12 per kWh.

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The GCC’s path to energy diversification

3 September
The Middle East and North Africa accounts for 7 per cent of annual CO2 emissions worldwide, according to the World Bank. But in per capita terms, the Gulf is in a different league entirely. As the organisation notes in a November report, “one Kuwaiti, Emirati or Omani emits as much as 10 Egyptians, Tunisians or Moroccans”. The contrast is particularly stark between the highest per capita consumers, Qataris, and the lowest, Djiboutians and Palestinians. One of the former produces as many emissions as 73 of the latter. And the region will suffer disproportionately should global temperatures increase.

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UAE ratification of Paris climate deal wins plaudits

6 September
An environmentalist praised the UAE’s decision to ratify the Paris agreement on climate change and urged countries in the Middle East to follow suit. On Sunday the UAE became the first Arabian Gulf country to accept the agreement, which aims to combat global warming. "This is great news because the UAE has now become a positive example to others in the region and farther afield," said Tanzeed Alam, climate change and energy director at Emirates Wildlife Society – WWF.

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A short tour of one of Dubai’s most energy-efficient homes

21 September
Ivano Iannelli, the chief executive of Dubai Carbon, recently offered up his home as a testing ground for the Dubai government’s ‘Shams’ solar programme.

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MESIA at Dubai Solar Show

• Date: 4-6 October 2016
• Location: World Trade Center - Dubai

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.

MESIA offers its members very special discounted rate

Huawei and MESIA cocktail Reception

• Event Type: Invitation Only
• Date: 5 October 2016
• Location: Novotel Hotel, WTC, Dubai

MESIA members and Huawei clients will receive a personal invitation to attend a cocktail reception on the second day of Dubai Solar show / WETEX. This will be the perfect occasion to share business insights and listen to the last development in the industry. If you are MESIA member and / or Huawei client please answer to the invitation before October 3rd.

Jordan – Palestine, Solar Trade Mission

• Date: 14-15 November
• Location: Intercontinental, Amman

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.

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Dubai Solar Show

• 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 

Renewable Energy Trade Mission in Iran

• Date: 16-20 October 2016
• Location: Tehran, Iran

The MESIA European partner, SOLAR PLAZA RE Trade Mission Iran is the first dedicated international renewable energy delegation to visit Iran and explore project development and investment opportunities for large scale renewable energy projects.This event will connect international renewable energy project developers, investors, financiers, EPCs and manufacturers to local stakeholders during a 5 day trade mission (16-20 October), including private meetings with government, regulatory, utility and commercial stakeholders and a 1 day conference. Read more 

2016 Sustainable Building & InfrastructureTechnology [SuBITech] Workshop and Exhibition

• Date: 17-18 October 2016
• Location: Dubai – UAE

From the 17th to 18th of October 2016, you will have the opportunity to join major Real EstateDevelopers, Architects, Construction Contractors, Consultants and such as they tackle issuesand brainstorm new possible solutions on sustainability as the middle east continues to stepup its position globally by adopting new and improved sustainable methods in Design,Construction, Operation and Maintenance in Building and Infrastructure.To find out more, please visit the event page to request for the technical brochure. Read more 

META Project

• Date: 25-26 October 2016
• Location: Park Hyatt, Abu Dhabi, UAE

META Projects is the only event to bring together over 550 government officials, off takers, developers, financiers and investors to discuss the latest market trends and opportunities for power, renewable energy and infrastructure projects across the Middle East, Turkey & Africa. It is a unique opportunity to gain exclusive insights into projects coming to the market and the investment opportunities available to help you focus your business strategy for the short, medium and long-term. Read more 

The Desert Energy Leadership Summit 2016

• Date: 20 October 2016
• Location: Park Hyatt, Abu Dhabi, UAE

The Desert Energy Leadership Summit is an invitation only event which brings together 250 of the sector’s top minds for two days ofhigh level networking and strategic planning. The conference calendar is crowded, but it often seems no easier to connect with the leaders who are most relevant to your organization. DELS provides a chance for senior decision makers to meet in relaxed and confidential surroundings, to discuss the future of the industry. Read more 

Powering Africa: Nigeria Investment Summit

• Date: 12-14 October 2016
• Location: Hilton Transcorp - Abuja, Nigeria

Leading development finance institutions and heads of Nigeria’s most accomplished energy companies will meet with national government at Energy Net’s Powering Africa: Nigeria Investment Summit, taking place in Abuja from 12-14 October 2016. Over 50 public and private sector decision makers will address 300 power developers and investorsto discuss the driving factors behind power development in Nigeria. The investment summit will underpin Nigeria as a hub for regional gas development as well as an important market for cleanand renewable energy.

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