Global energy major Royal Dutch Shell plans to add new clean energy projects in Oman and boost its renewables portfolio as the sultanate aims to generate 30 per cent of its electricity from green sources by 2030. The company launched the 25-megawatt Qabas solar plant in Sohar in January, which …
Read More »BP Swings to $3.1bn Profit in Second Quarter amid Higher Oil Prices
Oil company BP swung to profit in the second quarter amid higher oil prices and a broader recovery in the global economy this year after posting a loss in the same period a year earlier. The company earned $3.1 billion in the three months to the end of June, compared …
Read More »How Accelerating the Pivot to Solar Energy can Help Mena Countries
Between 2018 and 2020, the solar power capacity of Vietnam leapt to 16.5 gigawatts from 0.1 gigawatts. In the same period, the sunny Mena region added only 3.1 gigawatts in its entirety. The region has made some important strides in solar power but it needs to find the way to …
Read More »China’s Shale Goal to Boost Gulf
China’s ambitious goal of replicating North America’s shale revolution will change the dynamics of the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market to the benefit of gas importers in the Arabian Gulf. Last week China took a big step towards opening up its vast gas reserves with a deal struck between …
Read More »Why Oil Could Hit $100 a Barrel
Oil is expected to rise further this year amid supply constraints and higher demand as global economies continue to rebound from the coronavirus pandemic on the back of vaccination programmes and stimulus measures. And when the global economy regains its pre-pandemic momentum in a couple of years, crude could rise …
Read More »US Plans to Auction Offshore Wind Power Leases Amid Clean Energy Push
The US plans to auction eight lease areas for offshore wind power in the shallow stretch of the Atlantic between New York’s Long Island and New Jersey. The proposed sites offer the potential for as much as 7 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 2.6 million homes, the …
Read More »World Bank Upgrades MENA Growth Forecast to 2.4% in 2021
Oil-exporting countries in the region are expected to fare better this year as higher crude prices bolster their finances Cairo, Egypt. The Arab world’s third-largest economy was one of a few economies to escape a coronavirus-induced contraction in 2020 but growth is expected to soften this year. Reuters The Middle …
Read More »Irena and China to Work Together on Carbon Neutrality Roadmap
The International Renewable Energy Agency and China’s National Energy Administration signed an agreement to strengthen efforts towards reaching carbon neutrality goals in the world’s second-largest economy. Abu Dhabi-based Irena, which is headquartered in Masdar City, will prepare a comprehensive energy transition roadmap that will identify key policy actions, technology solutions, …
Read More »BP in Talks to Sell 28% Stake in UK North Sea Field
BP is in advanced talks to sell its 28 per cent interest in the Shearwater field in the UK North Sea to Tailwind Energy, an explorer backed by trading house Mercuria Energy Group, people familiar with the matter said. The companies may reach an agreement in the coming days, sources …
Read More »OPEC Expects Global Economic Growth to Sustain Oil Demand but Sees India’s Energy Needs Collapsing
OPEC left its global oil demand forecast for 2021 unchanged in its monthly outlook report, due to an economic rebound in the second half of the year but the bloc sees energy consumption in India, the world’s third-biggest consumer of oil, collapsing because of the surge in Covid-19 infections. The …
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