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AtkinsRéalis, a leading global engineering and nuclear services company, in collaboration with Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals, hosted the “Powering the Future: Oman Electricity Innovation Showcase” on December 10, 2025

The event convened senior leaders from government, utilities, regulators, and the private sector to explore strategies for meeting Oman’s rapidly growing electricity demand driven by AI-enabled economic development. Discussions focused on a balanced energy mix incorporating nuclear power, renewables, AI-ready grids, and storage solutions, all aligned with the nation’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

H.E. Mohsin Hamed Saif Al Hadhrami, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, commented, “A secure and sustainable power system is central to our industrial strategy and economic ambitions, which includes recently announced initiatives like the Oman Digital Triangle, a gigawatt scale group of three AI superclusters under the National Digital Infrastructure Roadmap. This collaboration highlights technologies and delivery models that can help Oman diversify its energy mix, enhance grid resilience, and accelerate progress toward our national targets.”

The showcase featured sessions on decarbonisation pathways, grid resilience for AI-intensive economies, economic growth opportunities, and the complementary role of reliable nuclear energy alongside intermittent renewables. Lightning talks highlighted the importance of regional grid interconnections, hydrogen, financing, and policy frameworks. Participants engaged in interactive simulations to explore managing a diverse electricity supply mix and examined global case studies on nuclear project delivery and refurbishment.

Todd Smith, vice-president of marketing and business development at CANDU Energy Inc., added, “Reliable, clean, baseload power is the anchor for a modern grid, serving both people and a data-driven economy. Nuclear provides the dispatchable, low-carbon capacity that helps Oman scale renewables without sacrificing stability or affordability. The question is how to design the right mix, attract and sequence investments, drive new industry capacity and growth, and build the institutional capability to deliver at pace.”

The event was timely as Oman’s electricity demand grows at 6.1% annually, with MENA-wide consumption projected to increase by 50% by 2035. Data centre expansion, with installed capacity potentially tripling to 3.3 GW in the next five years and market growth expected to reach US$9.5bn by 2030, underscores the need for scalable, practical solutions to ensure energy security, economic competitiveness, and climate resilience.

Matthew Tribe, global market lead, buildings & places at AtkinsRéalis, said, “Our ambition with this showcase was to rise above the noise and illuminate innovative pathways grounded in evidence, strategic choices, and informed trade-offs. Today, cities, industries, and digital ecosystems converge on a singular imperative: abundant, resilient, and clean energy. In partnership with the Ministry, we have articulated a forward-looking roadmap that harmonises renewables, advanced storage, and grid-forming technologies with proven nuclear solutions, empowering Oman to accelerate near-term growth while steadfastly advancing toward a net-zero future.”

AtkinsRéalis combines extensive global nuclear and grid design expertise with a strong regional presence, drawing on decades of experience delivering CANDU reactors and managing a 7,000-person nuclear workforce. CANDU technology provides Oman and the broader region with a proven pathway to secure, low-carbon baseload power, supporting both grid stability and large-scale renewable integration. AtkinsRéalis remains committed to partnering with governments and industry stakeholders across the Middle East to identify opportunities and co-develop solutions that promote sustainable growth and deliver resilient, future-ready energy and infrastructure systems.

With more than two billion people lacking safe drinking water and demand projected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030, Saudi Arabia will host one of the world’s leading events dedicated to water innovation and sustainability.

The Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS 2025) will be held from 8-10 December 2025 at The Ritz-Carlton, Jeddah, under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and organised by the Saudi Water Authority (SWA).

The conference will bring together international leaders, policymakers, and innovators to address urgent water challenges and accelerate progress toward a secure water future.

A key feature of the event is the Global Prize for Innovation in Water (GPIW), the region’s largest water innovation award, which supports breakthrough technologies by connecting innovators with investors and enabling pilot projects in the Kingdom and globally.

IDWS 2025 will also host the second edition of Miyahthon, a hackathon aimed at young innovators and startups developing solutions across the water cycle. The programme includes mentorship, bootcamps, and pathways for incubation and commercialisation.

To strengthen sector capabilities, the Water Academy will introduce advanced professional development programmes in partnership with London Business School and international training institutions.

The conference will also feature technical workshops, peer-reviewed research presentations, and a major exhibition showcasing cutting-edge desalination, treatment, and resource management technologies from companies such as Siemens, ABB, SSEM, ACWA Power, KSB, the Local Content & Government Procurement Authority, and Toray.

IDWS 2025 will gather leading global experts, reflecting its ambition to unite decision-makers across government, finance, academia, and industry.

Mehaideb Saleh Al Mehaideb, chairman of the supervisory committee of the IDWS, said, “Through the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference, the Kingdom reaffirms its global leadership in advancing sustainable water management. IDWS embodies our shared vision to harness innovation, technology, and collaboration to ensure long term water security. By convening the world’s brightest minds and honoring breakthrough solutions through the Global Prize for Innovation in Water, we are creating a legacy of impact that extends well beyond our borders”

To encourage public engagement, the Saudi Water Authority will also launch the “Water Content Creators Award”, a national initiative designed to inspire creative Arabic-language content on water sustainability. The award includes multiple thematic tracks and is open to both individuals and organisations.

Jenan Real Estate Company has announced the full acquisition of the Dana Bay project, signalling a major milestone in its expansion strategy and marking the beginning of an ambitious new development phase under its sole ownership.

The move reinforces Jenan Real Estate’s growing presence in Saudi Arabia’s tourism and real estate sectors, aligning closely with the Kingdom’s long-term economic diversification goals.

The acquisition represents a strategic turning point for Dana Bay, one of the largest privately owned mixed-use waterfront tourism developments in the Kingdom. Located along a prime coastal stretch, the project spans more than 2.8 million square metres and is positioned to become a landmark destination on Saudi Arabia’s eastern seaboard. Once completed, the development is expected to reach a projected value of between SAR 6 billion and SAR 8 billion, underlining its scale and economic significance.

Jenan Real Estate continues to strengthen its role in shaping coastal tourism destinations by delivering fully integrated, high-quality developments that combine striking sea views with premium lifestyle amenities. These initiatives contribute to enhancing quality of life, attracting domestic and international investment, and generating both direct and indirect employment opportunities. The Dana Bay acquisition also supports Saudi Vision 2030 objectives by boosting domestic tourism and establishing leisure and hospitality as key drivers of sustainable national growth.

Through the comprehensive redevelopment of Dana Bay, Jenan Real Estate aims to stimulate domestic tourism by offering a destination tailored to families and visitors seeking a distinctive waterfront experience. The project boasts one of the longest private beaches in the Kingdom and will feature a diverse mix of residential, leisure and hospitality components. These include luxury beachfront villas with uninterrupted sea views, family-friendly chalets located close to the shore, and a wide range of supporting service facilities.

A standout feature of the development is “Loopagoon,” a women-only water park – the first of its kind in the Eastern Province – alongside a dedicated women’s spa and private beach, providing privacy-focused, high-end hospitality experiences. Dana Bay will also host world-class hotels and resorts catering to both local and international guests, as well as a fully serviced marina designed to attract yacht owners, sailing enthusiasts and luxury travellers.

Dana Walk will serve as a vibrant commercial and entertainment hub, offering restaurants, cafés, retail outlets and event venues with panoramic sea views. Premium catering services for events, celebrations and corporate gatherings will further enhance the destination’s appeal.

With plans to unveil a detailed development roadmap featuring major upgrades and new facilities, Jenan Real Estate aims to position Dana Bay as one of Saudi Arabia’s premier waterfront destinations and a key contributor to domestic tourism growth.

Ivanhoe Mines has formalised a new partnership framework with Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) following the sovereign fund’s recent US$500mn strategic investment in the company.

The MoU was concluded during the visit of His Highness The Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). During his trip, the Amir held discussions with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi on strengthening ties between the two nations, creating the backdrop for the Ivanhoe–QIA agreement.

Under the terms of the MoU, Ivanhoe Mines and QIA have established a broad framework intended to support the discovery, responsible development and long-term supply of critical minerals required for global decarbonisation and next-generation technologies.

Commenting on the agreement, Robert Friedland said, “The signing of the MoU, together with the strategic investment by the Qatar Investment Authority, is a strong vote of confidence in Ivanhoe Mines and our mission to supply the strategic metals that power global electrification and the rise of AI and large-scale datacentres. We are excited to build this long-term, world-class alliance as we unlock new frontiers in our hunt for the next generation of great discoveries, which we will sustainably mine together.”

QIA CEO Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi added, “This MoU is a testament of QIA’s commitment to building strategic partnerships with leading suppliers of critical minerals, supporting global efforts to develop new energy infrastructure and power advanced technologies. We are delighted to be working with Ivanhoe Mines and look forward to further growing our partnership, aimed at generating long-term, sustainable prosperity.”

The cooperation framework specifically recognises QIA’s support for Ivanhoe’s ongoing exploration and development pipeline, including the company’s substantial activities at the Western Forelands project in the DRC, where work continues to advance the Makoko District and other promising targets.

Both parties also intend to explore additional joint opportunities across regions of shared interest, covering mining ventures at various stages of development. Potential areas of collaboration include investment or financing agreements, access to QIA’s network of financial institutions for favourable funding of critical minerals projects, and joint consideration of future strategic mergers and acquisitions.

The MoU further sets out avenues for cooperation on enabling infrastructure—such as logistics, energy and water systems—as well as possible downstream initiatives, including smelting and refining capacity for critical minerals in Africa and other global jurisdictions.

SMS group has successfully completed a major modernisation project at Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill B.S.C. (GARMCO), a leading aluminum producer based in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, upgrading the motors and drives in the one-stand reversing hot rolling mill

Originally built by a third-party supplier, the mill has now been restored to full operational capacity and equipped to meet future demands in aluminum processing.

The upgrade replaced outdated DC motors with three-phase AC motors and advanced drive technology, including variable frequency drive systems powered by active front ends and new transformers. The new drive system delivers 20% higher torque than the original design, significantly enhancing the mill’s aluminum processing capabilities.

“The completion of this modernisation project is a testament to our commitment to maintaining world-class operational standards. SMS group’s expertise and advanced technological solutions have provided us with greater reliability and efficiency in our hot mill operations,” said Ebrahim Khalil, executive manager Operations at GARMCO.

The project scope was comprehensive, covering plant engineering, electrics and automation, equipment procurement and manufacturing, as well as installation and commissioning supervision. At the heart of the modernisation was SMS’s innovative twin-motor drive train equipment, featuring a custom gearbox to combine two electric motors with a rated power of 2150 KWs each, paired with two SMS giant torque spindles. The design offers high power capability, reduces space requirements, lowers investment costs, and provides some operational redundancy.

Additional equipment included the X-Pact Drive low-voltage frequency converter for the entry and exit coilers, a medium-voltage converter operated in load share mode, and transformers to supply the new systems. The equipment was tailored to GARMCO’s demanding operations, which include producing aluminum coils, tread plates, slit coils, and foils for industrial applications such as packaging and heat exchange systems.

The modernisation strengthens the collaboration between GARMCO and SMS group. This is the first joint project of this scale, reflecting SMS’s reputation for high-performance, reliable solutions with optimised technical features and superior power efficiency. The new drive system provides enhanced torque across the full speed range, a critical factor for rolling operations requiring high torque at elevated speeds.

“The project highlights the strong partnership between both companies and demonstrates how innovative solutions can elevate operational efficiency,” the SMS team noted.

Having previously supported GARMCO with technical services for its scalper machine, SMS group has built a foundation of trust and collaboration. With the hot rolling mill now modernized, GARMCO is well-positioned to deliver sustained operational excellence and produce high-quality aluminum products for its global customers.

The EU’s Vision Zero initiative, aiming for zero fatalities and serious injuries on European roads by 2050, has brought road safety into sharp focus.

While infrastructure improvements and driver training remain important, the spotlight has shifted to standardising vehicle safety technology. This is the aim of the EU General Safety Regulation (GSR), a comprehensive framework mandating advanced safety features in new vehicles.

For Europe’s largest asset-based logistics company, Girteka, the results are already evident. The GSR was introduced to tackle the human error factor, which accounts for up to 90% of road accidents, and to make vehicles safer for both occupants and Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) such as pedestrians and cyclists. Its phased implementation began in July 2022 for new vehicle types with basic advanced systems, progressing to all new registrations in July 2024, requiring a full suite of eight mandatory Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on trucks and buses, including blind spot detection, advanced emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance, intelligent speed assistance, and driver fatigue monitoring.

Eurostat reports that in 2024 there were over 4 million goods vehicles registered in the EU, with vehicles over 30 tonnes completing 83.1% of total freight transport in tonne-kilometres. HGVs under two years old accounted for 20.2% of road freight, highlighting the sector’s rapid fleet renewal. Manufacturers including Volvo, Scania, Mercedes-Benz, DAF, and MAN have embraced the regulations, incorporating ADAS technologies that were previously optional.

Real-world impact

Scania noted that its trucks already had “most of the required safety assistance technology,” while DAF and Volvo confirmed compliance and projected further advancements in active safety technology. Anna Wrige Berling, Traffic and Product Safety Director at Volvo Trucks, said, “Looking further ahead, trucks will become more intelligent and more active when it comes to safety, with more features that intervene rather than just inform,” emphasising that drivers remain “the most important safety system in the truck.”

Girteka’s experience demonstrates the real-world impact of these regulations. Since July 2024, the company has added over 2,400 GSR-compliant trucks to its fleet, with plans for up to 8,000 more by 2026. Internal data shows a 10% reduction in accidents within a year, particularly in low-speed manoeuvres, small collisions, and blind spot incidents, the very scenarios the new ADAS technologies were designed to address.

Dainius Augutis, Transport Function & Support Department Manager at Girteka, said, “The EU's GSR is a powerful market signal that pushes safety technology from a premium add-on to a universal standard. The collaboration between fleet owners like Girteka, who provide the data and demand, and manufacturers, who provide the engineering, is what makes Vision Zero achievable.”

Beyond metrics, the human impact is profound. Drivers benefit from safer conditions and lower stress, communities face reduced risks, and clients experience fewer disruptions. By combining regulation, advanced technology, and comprehensive driver training, Girteka shows that safety excellence is inseparable from operational excellence. The company’s results underline that well-designed regulations and proactive fleet investment can accelerate safety innovation, offering a blueprint for the future of safer, smarter logistics across Europe.