It's been quite a busy month at MESIA. Our Trade mission to Jordan, catering to both the Jordanian and Palestinian solar energy markets were a spectacular success. We were honored that the Secretary General of the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR)has exclusively announced the Round 3 Solar PV IPP project (200MW in four 50MW packages). Also, following a pleasant 2 days of industry networking, we saw at least 100MW of other solar projects (under the wheeling program and roof top requirements) being requested by local Jordanian facility owners), much to the delight of our visiting trade mission delegates.

On market trends, we're witnessing a momentum in smart grid and smart metering developments in the MENA region, to help accommodate solar energy projects expansions. Unlike the relatively modern power grids of Gulf emirates like Abu Dhab and Dubai, Jordan and specifically Egypt are drawing up plans to develop their nation-wide power grids which were established in a pre-micro processor era.

Kudos to Abu Dhabi and in particular the Regulation and Supervision Bureau of Abu Dhabi for kick starting the initial process of building up public dialoge on the prospect of roof top solar net metering for the emirate.

Moving northwards, the kind chairman of SEWA (Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority), Dr. Rashid Alleem shared his thoughts with MESIA about SEWA's tangible plans to explore the solar energy on a regulated level.

MESIA is partnering with Reed Exhibitions on developing the conference agenda as well as the MESIA Pavilion at the 2017 World Future Energy Summit (WFES) & exhibition. We have a sizable circle of MESIA members supporting both aspects of the event (conference + exhibition), availing themselves to lucrative members privileges as discounted exhibiting rates. Also, I highly recommend everyone in the solar industry to apply for the MESIA Solar Awards held during the WFES event. There will be 10 categories to apply to, and the selection would be from a circle of solar power industry elite who's who. Please follow the link below in this newsletter for more details and to apply.

On November 14-15, MESIA conducted its 3rd successful trade Mission to Jordan & Palestine. 170 delegates got to know about Jordan's agenda of solar energy projects such as the upcoming mega-sized Round 3 of solar/wind projects. During this landmark event, the government announced its intention to develop 300MW of Renewable energy.

See Pictures | Presentations

"We were proud to support MESIA Solar Trade Mission. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet the solar actors and move toward the next step in Jordan which is very important for the future of energy in jordan. The conference was important support for our department and add anew vision to our work"

MEMR (Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources - Jordan)

"It was great to attend The Solar Energy Trade held in the Intercontinental Amman, a very well organized event with a lot of interesting participants. The event also included the launching of an anticipated project, 200 MW for Round III of PV projects by MEMR. This is a huge opportunity for the renewable energy sector and solar companies in Jordan. The Q&A session with the major electricity stakeholders was very fruitful, we got to meet and exchange useful information that will definitely help us in the future’’.

Omar Suheimat
Business Development Manager, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures

"I found the MESIA conference in Amman a must-attend event for organizations keen to engage in the Jordanian growing reneable energy scene. Speakers, presentations and panels discussions were very professional and thouroughly informative. It was useful to meet in person and interact with the main industry players, from government representatives to local and international players, as well as financial institutions."

Massimiliano Vernaleone
Head of International Business Development, Solar Capital

"The Trade Mission to Jordan & Palestine was an excellent opportunity to understand the excellent progress Jordan has achieved in Renewable Energy Encouraging Legislations which is a very important asset for developers. It also presented a very good opportunity to understand the Renewable Energy opportunities in Palestine & to meet the concerned professionals from inside Palestine. It was a very successful Mission."

Dr. Jamal A. Chaaraoui
Managing Partner, Quality Light & Heavy Equipment Co. , Kuweit

"The Trade Mission was very interesting and also successful, I brought with me many interesting contacts. Thank you for the good organization of the event".

Dominik Kemmerer, autarsys

Round table discussion were organized at the end of the Solar Energy Trade Mission addressing different topics. Download the summary of the main take-away here:

• Does Jordan need to deregulate the energy Market? (Download)
• The role of the Renewable Energy in the wider infrastructure strategy to deal with the refugee’s crisis. (Download

15 November
During the Solar Energy Trade Mission organized by MESIA (Middle East Solar Industry Association) in Amman, the Government of Jordan made a major announcement: The private sector developers, join ventures or consortiums with in-depth experience in IPP BOO(T) schemes are invited to apply for the participation in the third round of Direct Proposal Submissions for the design, financing, construction, commissioning, ownership, operation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic (“PV”) and wind power plants in Jordan. 

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15 November
The new tender will be for the development of 200 MW of PV, believed to be spread across various projects in the Ma’an region of the country. “The tender will be for four PV projects of 50 MW each,” MESIA President Hadi Tahboub confirmed with pv magazine. “The tender will be available to enter after today, and the winning entries will be awarded after the winners of the Green Corridor Project have been decided.”

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Dubai Eye: Business Breakfast

Price to install solar system on rooftops is drastically decreasing and net-metering system implemented by DEWA is making it doable for business owners to install on warehouse and factories. Breakeven is reached quickly.

Listen to the interview

MESIA is pleased to inform you that we have linked up with the publishers of Energy Digital magazine, to produce an editorial feature on the Solar Energy industry. This is the opportunity for several MESIA members to be profiled at no cost, showcasing your business/organisation, activities, services, etc. in the form of a company report.   Once published, this special report will also be available via the MESIA website in a digital brochure format.  

This special report will be published over the next 2-3 editions of both Energy Digtial and their territory specific magazine Business Review Middle-East. To view the latest issues you can visit www.energydigital.com / www.businessreviewmiddleeast.com

If you are interested, please send an email to: [email protected]

28 November
The consortium, which includes Spanish companies Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) and Gransolar Group, bid the lowest cost of electricity at $2.99 per kilowatt-hour. The third phase of the solar park is slated to be operational by 2020, to coincide with the World Expo 2020 in Dubai, DEWA said in a statement. “This agreement demonstrates the competitiveness of solar as a commercially-viable clean energy source for electricity generation,” said UAE Minister of State and chairman of Masdar, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.

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17 November
Although no concrete resolutions were decided this year in Morocco, experts from the UAE said Cop22 had proven governments were willing to try to meet the targets set in Paris.

Leading the UAE delegation was Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, along with Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment.

"Last year was different because the world was waiting for an agreement to bring everyone on board. The agreement was holistic but at the same time general," Dr Al Zeyoudi said.

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22 November
The financing comprises an A loan of US$ 27 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and a B loan of the same amount from the Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO) to the Local Company for Water and Solar Energy Projects PSC (Project Company). The project, developed by ACWA Power, will deliver the lowest tariff (0.043 JD/kWh equal to ca. 6.13 USD cents/kWh) in the Round II of the Photovoltaic Procurement program of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

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07 November
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, received 30 Expressions of Interest, EOI, by the closing date of 27th October, 2016 for the 200 megawatt Concentrated Solar Power Plant, CSP, constituting Phase IV of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The 13MW first phase became operational in 2013. The 200MW second phase of the Solar Park will be operational by 2017.

06 November
Al Tayer expressed his happiness with the results achieved by Shams Dubai, “As of October 2016, 222 buildings were connected, this includes residential and commercial buildings in Dubai with a capacity of over 6 megawatt (MW). DEWA has enrolled 44 contracting and consultancy companies. A total of 247 engineers have been certified as enrolled electrical and solar photovoltaic consultants and contractors. 70 manufacturers of solar power equipment registered 578 products as eligible for Shams Dubai. DEWA is cooperating with 18 government organisations to install PV panels on 35 government buildings,” continued Al Tayer.

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13 November
A sustainable house that produces its energy from the Sun, water and the atmosphere has been opened by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. The house, developed by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, is the first of its kind in the UAE, and there are plans to use it as a model for new houses across the country. The house relies on technical and engineering solutions to adapt to the hot and humid climate. It uses condensed water in the cooling system and extracts humidity to produce water for domestic use.

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29 October
Sharjah's first 'Solar Street Light' project, covering some 20km stretch of roads, has been successfully commissioned as part of the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority's (Sewa) green energy drive. The commissioning of the pioneering green street project, featuring 600 poles installed with 1,200 solar panels, follows the successful installation of solar panels at Sewa head office by Biz Tech International. Dr Mohammad Tariq, executive chairman of Paradigm Pioneers Group, said in comparison to electrical energy, which requires a complex infrastructure, solar panel installation involves a simple technical process for providing sustainable solutions. The entire installation work was completed in six months.

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08 November
Cesi, a global leader in technical consulting and engineering, has been appointed by the Oman Authority for Electricity Regulation as the lead consultant in the technical integration of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems across the sultanate. As per the contract, Cesi will help develop a framework for the deployment of small-scale grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems

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03 November
Solar accounts for 400 MW of the total, on top of 590 MW of wind and 145 MW of biomass capacity, reports The Nation, citing Amjad Ali Awan, chief executive officer of the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB). A significant portion of Pakistan’s PV capacity has been built at the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park in southern Punjab province, with the AEDB recently confirming that another six 100 MW arrays are still in the pipeline at the site. 

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21 November
Considering that utility-scale solar PV was almost non-existent seven years ago, the growth trajectory of large-scale solar has been nothing short of meteoric. In fact, new research suggests that there will be 182 GW of installed utility-scale PV by the end of the year, which also means that the O&M market for those systems has also shot up. Forecast: 439 GW by 2021

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• Date: 06 December
• Time: 8:00am to 11:30am
• Location: Sonesta Hotel, Tower & Casino, Heliopolis, Cairo

Building a Sustainable Future for Solar in Egypt is a unique event hosted by the the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA), Jinko Solar and DuPont that will bring together experts from up and down the value chain, including senior executives from the EETC, Infinity Solar, international and local financial institutions, Powerguard, TÜV Rheinland and Eversheds, to discuss best practices and risk mitigation strategies to ensure a successful and sustainable future for the Egyptian solar market.

Read more & Register

The Middle East Solar Awards 2017 is the industry’s premier awards ceremony. This annual event, now in its fifth edition, serves as a platform to recognize and celebrate exceptional talent and achievements in the MENA solar market. There are ten awards categories and the application process is open to everyone. To apply, please complete the online entry form. 9 judges, drawn from across the industry, will evaluated each of the applications and select the winner for each of the 10 categories. The trophies will be handed out at a Gala Ceremony which will be held during the WFES in January 2017.

Read more & Apply

• Date: 16-19 January
• Location: ADNEC Abu Dhabi

With the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region set to tender 4GW of solar projects in 2016, the industry will see continued growth as MENA looks for clean, reliable and cost-effective energy solutions. The WFES Solar Expo 2017 will deliver opportunities to build stronger networks with a high-profile audience of investors, partners, government officials and buyers. It’s the ultimate place to make connections and secure business in new markets.

Read more & Register

• Date: 14-16 February 2017
• Location: Dubai World Trade Center

MESIA has again organised a special rate for its members to exhibit at Solar Middle East 2017, within a dedicated pavilion.   Pavilion benefits include: Exclusive 10% discount on participation Local support before and during the show Marketing support and promotion by MESIA & Solar Middle East Based in Dubai and co-located with Middle East Electricity, Solar Middle East is the MEA region’s leading solar trade event, with the power to connect your company to more decision makers, government agents and regional distributors than any other.

Read more & Register

• Date: 12-14 February 2017
• Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The Official Meeting of KSA’s Government, Water & Environment Industries & International Investors Officially endorsed by the Ministry of Environment, Water & Agriculture, SWEF 2017 is THE meeting place for the KSA’s water and environment industries. International investors will have the opportunity to meet senior officials from the Ministry of Environment Water & Agriculture (MEWA), the National Water Company (NWC),Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), Electricity Co-generation Regulatory Authority (ECRA), and the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME). Read more 

• Date: 14-16 February 2017
• Location: Dubai World Trade Center

Solar Middle East is the most comprehensive gathering of solar technology suppliers in the region and provides you with an unrivalled opportunity to see the latest developments in Solar. Solar Middle East is the region’s leading solar trade event and attracts thousands of MENA’s top project decion makers, major utilities and government policy makers.

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• Date: 14-16 February 2017
• Location: Hilton Hotel, Jeddah Saudi Arabia

The main objective of organizing this conference is to bring awareness to Saudi business community and potential investors about the renewable energy technologies and future trends of this sector. This conference will provide new business opportunities in minerals, mining and manufacturing industries. Read more 

"What are you doing?"
CleanMax Solar is providing solar and sustainability solutions to corporate customers. Today, we are primarily providing solar power – either from installations on our customers’ roofs, or from our various solar farms, through the grid. We provide solar on a “build-own-operate” model, which means we make the entire investment in the solar plant, and our customers pay only per kWh of power they receive. 

Corporates tend to find this model very attractive, because it means they don’t need to deploy capex in a non-core investment, and they don’t need to take on the various performance risks of a solar plant. It tends to be much easier for large corporates to sign an “energy sale” contract than to get capex approvals.

We have since expanded internationally – primarily to the middle east, and possible in select markets elsewhere. We see conditions there which are very suitable to our build-own-operate corporate solar model, and we are looking to leverage our experience in India and our low-cost, world class team to play a leadership role in these markets as we did in India. 

"How did you start your journey in the solar industry?"
We started out in India in 2011, when the rooftop solar industry in India was still very nascent, and the build-own-operate model was non-existent.  CleanMax was the only build-own-operate rooftop solar player at the time, and the economics were challenging. While solar costs were declining, we still needed government subsidies to compete with grid power.

Customer education was also a time-consuming process, and sales cycles were extremely long. If that had continued, the small project sizes would not have justified the amount of time and high-quality resources to close the deals we did.

This changed as time went on. Solar costs steadily declined, while grid electricity tariffs marched steadily upwards. Customers gradually become more aware of the opportunities, and sales cycles reduced. Project sizes also increased as we moved into large industrial rooftops, and after we stopped relying on government subsidies

"What is your most memorable moment in solar?"
The turning point came for us when, over the course of  year or so, we could suddenly offer solar tariffs which were lower than grid tariffs in every major state in India. This happened for a combination of reasons. Module prices declined sharply. We also reduced our build costs significantly as we achieved greater scale and built greater in-house capabilities. 

Once we reached this point, the market exploded.  I remember very suddenly noticing that instead of CleanMax always introducing the concept to customers, rooftop solar was suddenly on the agenda of every major corporate in India. 

As the rollercoaster accelerated, CleanMax has managed to maintained its #1 position in the Indian market even as competition grew, in large part because of our disciplined focus on the corporate segment. As we look to the Middle East and elsewhere, we are looking to lead the same transformation there. 

In collaboration with the Chint Group, Sterling & Wilson and Shapoorji Pallonji, ACWA Power will undertake the NOOR PV I Programme, launched by Masen (Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy), under a 20-year build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) scheme. Masen has entered into a power purchase agreement (PPAs) to off-take the output generated electricity and will also act as a shareholder together with ACWA Power in addition to sole lender. Chairman of ACWA Power, Mr. Mohammad Abunayyan said: “With vigour and vision, the government of Morocco is racing toward a renewable energy target of 42%, and ACWA Power is proud to collaborate in achieving this ambitious target. It is an immense vote of reliability on ACWA Power to have been selected for yet another stretch of Morocco’s sustainable energy strategy and it was realised here at this critically important COP22 event in Marrakech ».

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