Greetings to our members, colleagues and friends.

February has been a difficult month for us at MESIA given the loss of our colleague and friend. As a board, we pay tribute to Hadi’s contribution to solar industry in the Middle East and to his contribution to the growth of MESIA as the premier representative of this exciting industry.

We had the very successful launch of our Solar Outlook Report at the Middle East Electricity Show and congratulate the winners in the various categories. The report highlights the huge growth we expect in projects in the region over the next 4 to 5 years.

I refer you to the Insights below for your monthly roundup of the News and activities over the next few months and wish you all the best for the coming months.

Reminder: We ask all members to make sure their membership is up-to-date. As part of our Constitution we are required to remove members who are not.

Dear MESIA Members, friends and colleagues,

On behalf of the MESIA Board, it is with tremendous sadness that we advise you that Hadi, our President, colleague and friend passed away. We share with you the loss of an enthusiastic, passionate and wonderfully warm man. We will miss his presence, support, energy and drive to improve himself our industry and the people around him every day. It has been a privilege for all of us to simply know him and work alongside him. We express our sincere condolences and best wishes to his family, his wife, his daughter, his son and all his friends and colleagues.

Hadi has been a wonderful ambassador for the Solar Industry: Clockwise: With Ban Ki Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 2007 to December 2016, with H.E. Ibrahim Saif, Jordanian Minister of Energy & Mineral Resources, with H.E. Dr. Omar Kittaneh, Minister of the Palestinian Energy Authority, with Colonel Adel Abdel Alrazzaq Abu Hajer, from the Royal Department for Environmental Protection (Jordan), with His Excellency Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates, Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Dr Mohammed Shaker El-Markabi and Dr. Mohamed El Sobky, Executive Chairman NREA (Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy – Egypt)

Official Launch of the “MESIA Solar Outlook Report 2017”

In 2016, MESIA witnessed the following solar drivers and trends in the MENA region (PV, CSP, and ISCC): 885MWac in operation, 3,610 under execution and 1,300 under tender. In 2017, above 4,050 MWac are in the pipe for the PV sector and 1,310 MW for the CSP sector including some hybrid plant PV and CSP. MESIA is perceiving a rapid adoption of large-scale solar in the Middle East. Read the report. Read the report

Wim Alen, Secretary General of MESIA gave an overview of the recent MESIA report. What we have seen in 2016 and what can be expected in 2017. Listen to the interview

Mena commitment to develop renewables improves economic outlook

25 February
The Middle East Solar Industry Association (Mesia) says that the Middle East North Africa region had nearly 700 megawatts of solar energy in operation by the end of 2015, according to a report released this month. Last year, about 200MW were added and another 200MW will be online by April. "We see a pipeline of more than 5,700MW of upcoming projects throughout the Mena region," said Wim Alen, Mesia’s secretary general. Read more

UAE warms up to solar power

17 February
According to Mesia's 2017 Solar Outlook Report, at the end of 2015, 693MW of solar capacity was operational in the Mena region. One year later, about 200MW was added to the installed base, and by April 1 this year an additional 200MW will come online. After the award of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's (Dewa) 800MW Phase III project, and the bid for the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority's (Adwea) Sweihan project, 2017 will be characterised by the start of the implementation of these two landmark projects in the Middle East. Read more

Rooftop solar boom seen in MENA as new regulations, lower costs spur roll-out

16 February
Rooftop solar photovoltaic systems could comprise half the total solar installations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) by 2020, the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA) predicts. “Both on-grid and off-grid [rooftop solar] applications are seen to grow substantially in the region, constituting near-equal shares of the installed solar base by 2020,” MESIA’s general secretary Wim Alen told Zawya Projects. Read more

MENA’s 2017 solar PV pipeline grows to 4 GW, says MESIA

17 February
MESIA’s analysis sees a total solar PV project pipeline in the MENA region of 4,050 MWac in 2017, while the entire solar power pipelines (taking into account concentrated solar power, or CSP) stands at more than 5.7 GW, the report says.Building on the momentum gained in 2016 will be imperative, says MESIA. Last year, MENA posted the world’s lowest solar price at below 2.45 US cents/kWh, and a number of large-scale PV projects were announced in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and the UAE.Looking back at 2016, MESIA’s report finds that the MENA region has 885 MW of solar power capacity in operation, 3,610 MW under execution and 1,300 MW under tender. . Read more

MENA solar power project tenders to total nearly 5.7 GW in 2017

16 February
Nearly 5.7 gigawatts (GW) of solar power projects are expected to be tendered across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in 2017, according to the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA). MESIA’s annual Middle East Solar Outlook Report predicts a pipeline of more than 4,050 megwatts (MW) – or 4.05 GW - for the solar photovoltaic (PV) segment and 1,310 MW for the concentrated solar power (CSP) segment to be tendered in 2017. One gigawatt of solar power is enough to power about 180,000 homes, according to the US energy department. Read more

MENA region forecasts over 5.7 GW of solar

16 February
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have more than 5.7 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy capacity in the pipeline, according to new report.  2016 was a record-breaking year for solar in the Middle East due to record low tariffs below $0.0245 per kilowatt hour (kWh) in September 2016. The Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA) report “Solar Outlook Report 2017” states that eight countries in the region have more than 4,050 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) power capacity under development this year, bringing the total solar power capacity in the pipeline to over 5.7 GW. Read more

Saudi Arabia renewable energy programme request for qualifications issued

20 February
Saudi Arabia is sticking to its announced timeline by issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) for the first round of the national renewable energy programme (NREP). The Renewable Energy Project Development Office, a newly created body of the kingdom’s energy ministry launched its first RFQ for companies interested in bidding for 700 megawatts of solar and wind energy projects. .

BREAKING NEWS FROM MESIA: SEC has informed all bidders that the tender / RFP process for the Rafha (20MWac) and Al-Jouf (80MWac) Solar IPP projects has been cancelled. Bidders were requested to collect their unopened bids

Read more - More Info

KSA Establishes Specialized Office to Develop Renewable Energy Projects

2 February
The ministry said that it had established a new Renewable Energy Development Office to oversee the national program, including its implementation and review of its executive plan and schedules. The office will report to the Renewable Energy Supervisory Committee, which is chaired by the Minister of Energy. It will incorporate the relevant authorities and commissions in Saudi Arabia concerned with the electricity sector, specifically research, studies and laws.

Read more

Potential monster project launched in Kuwait: Over 1GW for Dibdibah Solar project

Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), a subsidiary of state oil major Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), has invited companies to submit a letter of interest (LOI) for developing a large scale solar power plant that will generate around 2,500 GWh of electricity per year and will be located at Al Shaqaya Renewable Energy Complex which has been developed by Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). KNPC is hoping to meet the obligation to cover 15% of the electrical energy consumption of KPC and its subsidiaries from solar energy by 2030. Interested parties have submited LOIs on February 27, 2017. According to sources in Kuwait's energy sector, KNPC is hoping to begin the tendering process in July 2017.

JinkoSolar and Marubeni Corporation (both MESIA members) Enter Into Power Purchase Agreement for Sweihan Photovoltaic Independent Power Project in Abu Dhabi

1 March
Shanghai, March 1, 2017 -- JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. ("JinkoSolar" or the "Company") (NYSE:JKS), a global leader in the photovoltaic (“PV”) industry, today announced that a consortium consisting of JinkoSolar and Marubeni Corporation (“Marubeni”) have entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (“PPA”) with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Company (“ADWEC”) for the Solar PV Independent Power Project (the “Project”) located at Sweihan, Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Read more

Tunisia kicks off 1GW renewable energy programme

8 February
The government of Tunisia has put in action the first phase of its renewable energy action plan that aims to install 1GW of capacity by 2020.  At the end of last year, following a number of energy studies and due to the lack of a unified energy strategy, the country’s Ministry of Energy, Mines and Renewable Energy launched a new plan and strategy looking forward to 2030.  Under the new plans, Tunisia’s aim is to produce 30% of Tunisia’s electricity from renewable energy sources in 2030. Read more

Renewable Energy Could Enable Morocco Create Half Million Jobs

1 February
The sector of renewable energy could enable Morocco to create up to half a million jobs by 2040, according to a report issued by Mediterranean Forum of Institute of Economic Sciences. Most of these jobs are expected to be created from the Noor-Ouarzazate solar complex, which will host a number of projects based on different solar power technologies.

Moroccan Scientist Rachid Yazami Calls for Development of Energy Storage

24 February
Moroccan scientist and inventor, Rachid Yazami, urged the development of Morocco’s energy storage to boost the economy at a Rotary Club dinner on Thursday in Rabat. Yazami dreams of transforming energy storage in Morocco to boost industry, economic development, and scientific research. Under Morocco’s energy plan, Morocco is expected to increase the contribution of renewable energy to electricity production to 42% by 2020. Read more

Lack of certainty holds back banks in solar project financing

19 February
Uncertainties over the creditworthiness of the solar manufacturing sector are holding back lenders from supporting investments in rooftop panel installation. Access to financing for the private sector is critical for government-led efforts in the UAE to foster the development of sources of clean energy. Dubai aims to generate 25 per cent of its electricity from clean energy sources such as solar power and has launched the Shams initiative to install solar panels on every rooftop in the emirate by 2030. Read more

Clean energy investments gain momentum in Jordan

9 February
Jordan Clean Technology Sector Report 2016, released by EDAMA Association, showed that Jordan ranks second in the region for creating a favourable environment for renewable energy and energy efficiency investments, surpassed only by a thriving Tunisia, citing findings of the 2015 Arab Future Energy Index. The report is the first of its kind to shed light on the country's clean technology sector, with information and statistics about the sector's progress and companies, according to EDAMA.

Read more

Turkish company inks energy deal with Pakistan's Punjab

8 February
Pakistan's largest province Punjab and a leading Turkish energy company on Wednesday inked an agreement for the construction of a 200-megawatt solar power plant. The deal -- the second in less than two weeks -- was signed by the Punjab government and Zorlu Enerji Holding in the provincial capital Lahore during a ceremony presided by Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a statement from the Punjab government said.

Read more

What is your «Perception of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices »?

MESIA is supporting the initiative launched by Abu Dhabi University to try to understand the : "Perception of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices". “Supply chain sustainability” is the management of environmental, social and economic impacts, and the encouragement of good governance practices, throughout the life cycles of goods and services. This survey aims to explore perception of sustainable supply chain management practices among business managers in the UAE and around the world. Your kind response will contribute to the development of policies to support higher adoption of sustainable practices in supply chain activities.

Answer the Survey

Solar Pakistan

MESIA will chair a panel focusing on sharing experience on net-metering structure and how the solar power application in Dubai has risen dramatically. The session will also involve Pakistani Utility. Solar Pakistan will be the biggest energy event in Pakistan to bring together the decision makers, stake holders and concerned authorizes on one platform where they can discuss a way forward on how to move ahead with a plan to control the ever increasing energy deficit in Pakistan.

MESIA will have a booth and you still have time to join us. We are happy to offer you 15% discount on the regular price.

The cost are as below,

• 270 USD per Sqm for shell scheme +16% GST (Price without discount)
• 250 USD per Sqm for Bare Space +16% GST (Price without discount)

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Solar Fair Pakistan 2017

• Date: 16-18 March 2017
• Location: Lahore Expo Centre

Solar Fair Pakistan 2017 is design to serve and advance the solar market by bringing together the industry leaders, manufacturers and leaders to seek new business technologies, business solutions and other market factors. The objective of Solar Fair Pakistan 2017 is to increase the share of solar power in the energy supply around the globe.

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RetrofitTech UAE Summit & Awards

• Date: 20-21 March 2017
• Location: The Meydan Hotel, Dubai
• Special price for MESIA members only: USD 250 until 8 March

This summit will provide an update on the retrofitting strategy across UAE and will highlight the latest project opportunities for retrofitting government buildings, as well as the buildings within the commercial, retail, hospitality, healthcare, education and industrial sectors.RetrofitTech UAE Summit & Awards is under the patronage of the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) and officially supported by the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy, TAQATI and Etihad ESCO. The event will include two keynote addresses delivered by: H.E. Saeed Al Tayer CEO Dubai Energy and Water Authority (DEWA) and H.E. Ahmed Buti Al Muhairbi Secretary GeneralDubai Supreme Council of Energy.

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SNEC PV POWER EXPO

• Date: 19-21 April 2017
• Location: Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai, China

SNEC2017 showcases PV manufacturing facilities, materials, PV cells and modules, PV application products, and PV project and system, covering every section of the whole PV industry chain. Various programs such as the Solar Leaders Dialogue, Scientific Conference, Global PV Financial Summit, Industry Workshop,... will cover key PV industry’s issues including government incentives, development trends, technical upgrading, conversion efficiency, PV systems, smart grid connection, financing and risk, among others.

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MENA New Energy 2017

• Date: 25-26 April 2017
• Location: Hyatt Regency Dubai

With vast stretches of desert, windy coastlines and some of the highest solar radiation levels in the world, the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) is a natural home for renewable energy. In the last decade, the MENA region has started to harness the abundant natural energy resources that it has in plentiful supply – namely, solar power – but also, more recently, it has looked to take advantage of the power of the wind. 

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MENA New Energy 2017

• Date: 02-03 May 2017
• Location: Doha, State of Qatar

In an effort to diversify its oil-dominated economy and to prepare for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar has entered a phase of massive spending on all subsectors. The country has pledged USD 140bn of investment between 2015 and 2020. Qatar is a countries where the procedures are the most streamlined and facilitated, and thus take the shortest time for prjoect formalization. Lusail and Barwa Al Khor cities are standing out with respective values of USD 45bn and USD 9.9 bn.

Read more

What are you doing?  

I am fortunate to be leading business development for the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey region as Sales Manager for Array Technologies, Inc.  Across the MENAT region utility-scale solar project owners and developers are growing more aware of the benefits of solar trackers.  Owners and developers are seeking trackers that maximize the output and reliability of their solar plants while minimizing the upfront and lifetime expense.  As the world’s leading solar tracking solutions and services provider for utility-scale projects, Array Technologies brings its unparalleled experience to the MENAT region with more than 28 years of leadership and over 12,000 miles of trackers installed in over 375 utility-scale projects. My work involves providing Array’s solutions to utility-scale solar project owners seeking the highest returns and predictable long-term asset performance.  Array delivers the best value; the lowest cost of ownership and the most reliable product on the market.

How did you start your journey in the solar industry?

I started my career working for one of the world’s largest steel companies in their solar racking division.  As I became captivated with the solar industry, I moved into a position at the world’s largest PV developer.  Prior to coming onboard at ATI, I was involved with a revolutionary power purchase agreement approach for roof top solar, which enabled consumers to buy lower cost electricity at no upfront cost.  Today at ATI, my core mission of delivering the best LCOE will be realized for present and future projects in the MENAT region.

What is your most memorable moment in solar?

The United Kingdom was my central base and I have fond memories of being part of the momentum of the PV industry in Great Britain.  I now look at the MENAT region as my new home and I am thrilled to contribute my knowledge and expertise to the emerging solar market across the region.  I believe the conditions are right to support decarbonization and lowering power costs through an effective use of the abundant renewable resources in the region, providing a long-term and stable market for solar. My most memorable moments will be built together with partners in MENAT. 

AAB (MESIA founding member) commissions substation for 200MW solar park in Dubai

Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park is planned generate 1,000MW power by 2020, and 5,000MW by 2030.After completion, it is expected to contribute to the Dubai’s effort to generate 7% of power from clean energy sources by 2020, 25% by 2030, and 75% percent by 2050.ABB Power Grids Division president Claudio Facchin said: “Our state-of-the-art GIS substation will boost transmission capacity and bring clean solar power to the people.“Integrating renewables is a key element of our Next Level strategy as a partner of choice for enabling a stronger, smarter and greener grid.”

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Dong Ah Saudi Arabia Limited is a Saudi company specialized in the field of telecommunications networks and the extension of fiber optic cables inside and outside the cities

EUROSOL, is a leading international project development, engineering and EPC company in the power generation field from renewable and alternative energy sources

Quality Power Co. for Renewable Energy  is very active in the execution of Electrical Installation projects (Turnkey Projects) in Domestic, Industrial, & Military markets and is very active in Property Operation & Maintenance projects within Kuwait, Qatar and Iraq, offering Long & Short Term Maintenance Contracts and Repair Services.

TUV Rheinland is a leading and independent provider of technical services for testing, inspection, certification, consultation and training.