Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, better known as Taqa, has signed an initial agreement to explore the prospect of becoming a shareholder in a project involving a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea power cable between Greece and Cyprus.
Taqa will consider joining the Independent Power Transmission Operation of Greece (IPTO) and the Cyprus government as shareholders in the project, which is estimated at about €1.9 billion ($2.07 billion), the company said on Monday.
The project is at an advanced stage, with feasibility studies completed and contracts reserved for two major engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) components.
“Taqa is pleased to announce its involvement in another transformative project, which will increase energy security and accelerate the deployment of clean energy in the eastern Mediterranean,” said its group chief executive Jasim Thabet.
“HVDC projects are vital to connect clean energy projects to the end users, and we are ambitiously accelerating investment and growth in our infrastructure business.”
Taqa said in April that it had invested £25 million ($31.72 million) in British start-up Xlinks, which plans to build the world's longest high-voltage direct current subsea power cable between Morocco and the UK.
Last month, Taqa revised its growth targets to boost the size of its assets base, as it committed Dh75 billion ($20.4 billion) in infrastructure investments amid healthy earnings growth.
The company is aiming for 150 gigawatts of gross power generation by 2030 and plans to have a larger share of renewables within its portfolio by 2030.
The latest project is expected to increase energy security in the eastern Mediterranean and encourage the development and export of clean energy to Cyprus, Greece and the rest of the EU.
“Cyprus and Greece have some of the highest potential for renewable energy in Europe for both solar and onshore and offshore wind power generation, making the two countries ideal locations for a project of this kind,” Taqa said.
Among all EU member states, Cyprus was the only one that did not achieve the target of having at least 10 per cent electricity interconnection by 2020.
The island state has remained completely isolated from all energy networks within the bloc, leading to energy poverty and a steady rise in electricity tariffs.
“The project is also key to reaching Cyprus’ wider energy strategy goals of fortifying its energy security, reducing the cost of electricity for the benefit of our economy’s competitiveness, as well as expediting our green transition,” said George Papanastasiou, Cyprus' Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry.
By 2030, Greece plans to have 2 gigawatts of offshore wind power, which is equivalent to 10 per cent of its current electricity capacity.
The country has managed to lower its share of fossil fuels in its energy supply to 82 per cent in 2021, from 91 per cent in 2011, according to the International Energy Agency.
However, renewable energy projects in Greece have faced delays due to a lack of grid capacity.
“We are very much looking forward to a close and fruitful co-operation with all stakeholders in order to expedite a project of strategic importance which enhances the energy security and the green transition in the eastern Mediterranean, bringing the region closer to the electricity system of Europe,” said Manos Manousakis, president and chief executive of IPTO.
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Release Date: April 10
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Ireland (15-1):
Ireland (15-1): Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack Conan, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony; James Ryan, Quinn Roux; Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Cian Healy
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour
Coach: Joe Schmidt (NZL)
THE%20JERSEYS
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How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
