NMDC Energy continues to experience strong growth. (Image source: NMDC Energy)

NMDC Energy, a subsidiary of UAE-based NMDC Group, has reported continued strong growth in its H1 2025 results

NMDC Energy recorded a 41% year-on-year surge in revenue to AED 8.2bn and a 16% rise in net profit to AED 583mn in the first six months of 2005 as it continued its regional expansion, broadened its capabilities, and diversified its revenue streams.

With award wins in the first half of 2025 totalling AED 13.9bn, and a backlog that stood at AED 49.9bn by the end of June 2025, its pipeline of projects reached AED 66bn by the end of the second quarter.

NMDC Energy’s 400,000 sq m fabrication yard in Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia, became fully operational during the quarter, strengthening the company’s offshore EPC and modular construction capabilities across the region.

Mohamed Hamad Almehairi, chairman of NMDC Energy, said, “Our progress this quarter demonstrates NMDC Energy’s pivotal role in building regional industrial capability at pace and at scale, as we charter a strategic path that emphasises future-ready initiatives and targeted growth. These are not just partnerships – they are the building blocks for long-term value and self-sufficiency – as we invest our traditional strengths and emerging opportunities to deliver growth and operational excellence at the forefront of the evolving energy sector.”

Eng. Ahmed Salem Al Dhaheri, CEO of NMDC Energy, added, “We continue to build precision and scale into our operations. We advanced local manufacturing partnerships, expanded regional fabrication capacity, and brought one of the Gulf’s most advanced yards online. These steps position NMDC Energy to undertake more complex EPC work faster and at a greater scale. We are building the next phase of our growth with precision, ambition and impact as we shape a world where infrastructure meets excellence.”

NMDC Energy concluded a three-year extension to its Long-Term Agreement (LTA) with Saudi Aramco and an option for an additional three years,  continuing a strategic partnership focused on offshore projects in Saudi Arabia. The company was also awarded the ICV Excellence Award at MIITE in the Semi-Governmental Manufacturers category, recognising its AED 17bn reinvestment in the UAE economy through support for SMEs, local suppliers and workforce development.

The project aims to modernise the utility’s transmission network

Wipro Limited has secured a multi-year strategic contract from Saudi Electricity Company’s National Grid SA to implement a smart Meter Data Management (MDM) system.

The project aims to modernise the utility’s transmission network by enhancing data visibility, improving operational efficiency, and enabling intelligent grid planning.

Wipro will be responsible for designing, developing, and supporting the MDM system, which will provide real-time insights on power flow, voltage, and equipment performance.

The system’s smart applications will help reduce outages, optimise power dispatch, and support predictive maintenance, ultimately improving service delivery and reducing operational costs.

"We are excited to build a long-standing relationship with National Grid SA and are dedicated to assisting them in navigating the evolving energy landscape,” said Vinay Firake, CEO – Asia Pacific, India, Middle East & Africa (APMEA), Wipro Limited. “With our deep domain expertise in the energy sector, smart solutions and advanced technological capabilities, we are proud to contribute to projects that are essential to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and help the Kingdom realise its innovation and digitalisation ambitions."

Last year, the company aimed to enhance renewable energy, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with key regional energy partners, including Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company, the National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan, and Azerenerji. Signed during COP29 in Azerbaijan.

The MoU focused on assessing Green Corridor interconnection transmission projects spanning the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions. These projects aimed to improve transmission efficiency, enable renewable energy exchange, and identify joint investment opportunities in grid infrastructure. It also promoted cooperation in electricity generation and the development of green energy solutions.

All these strategic collaborations support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and its target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, positioning SEC as a regional leader in sustainable energy transformation.

The Middle East, led by Saudi Arabia, is positioning itself as a future rare earth hub

Rare earth elements will be crucial to achieving a low-carbon future. But the world is facing mounting challenges in securing a stable, sustainable supply, according to Rare Earth Minerals and Their Role in the Energy Transition, a new report by Deloitte.

Used in everything from electric vehicle (EV) motors to wind turbines and high-performance electronics, rare earths are in soaring demand.

Deloitte estimates that clean energy technologies alone could drive a 300-700% surge in demand by 2040.

Yet the report also warns of growing vulnerabilities, particularly around supply concentration: China currently processes 90% of the global rare earth supply and accounts for 60% of extraction.

This concentration raises geopolitical risks.

With China expanding its influence over global supply chains, other regions [especially the United States, Europe, and the Middle East] are stepping up efforts to diversify sourcing, invest in recycling technologies, and explore alternative materials.

Regional focus

The Middle East, led by Saudi Arabia, is positioning itself as a future rare earth hub.

Its investments support Vision 2030’s ambition to move away from fossil fuels, but projects in desert environments will face hurdles such as high energy needs and water scarcity.

The report also highlights the environmental cost of rare earth mining and processing.

If poorly managed, these operations can cause land degradation, toxic waste, and water contamination, outcomes that clash with the very sustainability goals the energy transition seeks to achieve.

To address this, Deloitte calls on policymakers to develop robust regulatory frameworks that support responsible extraction, incentivise innovation, and build confidence across the supply chain.

At the same time, industry players are exploring ways to reduce their reliance on rare earths. Some automakers, including Tesla, are moving towards technologies like externally excited synchronous motors that avoid rare earth magnets altogether, potentially mitigating future supply risks while supporting greener manufacturing.

“Rare earth minerals are central to the energy transition but the environmental impact of extraction and processing needs to be carefully considered,” said Alexios Zachariadis, partner at Deloitte Middle East.

“The rising demand for these materials underscores the need for global collaboration to ensure reliable, sustainable supply chains. Governments and industries must move quickly to secure investment in diverse supply sources, pursue technological solutions, and uphold environmental safeguards. This is critical not just for decarbonization, but for maintaining energy security and geopolitical stability.”

“As the energy transition accelerates, the importance of rare earth sustainability will only grow,” added Zachariadis. “Stakeholders must address the dual imperatives of reducing environmental impact and securing long-term supply. Innovations in recycling, advanced extraction methods, and alternative materials will be vital in ensuring the energy transition is both equitable and environmentally sustainable.”

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This agreement represents a major step in ENEC’s long-term strategy. (Image source: ENEC)

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) has signed a new fuel supply agreement with Framatome for the provision of nuclear fuel assemblies and engineering services for the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the United Arab Emirates.

This agreement represents a major step in ENEC’s long-term strategy to diversify its nuclear fuel supply chain. It aims to reinforce the UAE’s energy security by maintaining a continuous supply of carbon-free electricity to businesses, industries, and households across the country.

Under the terms of the agreement, Framatome will provide fully fabricated nuclear fuel assemblies for the Barakah plant. With decades of expertise in nuclear fuel manufacturing, Framatome is seen as a strategic partner in supporting the resilience and flexibility of ENEC’s fuel supply operations, ensuring reliable performance and safety for the Barakah reactors.

The fuel assemblies will be manufactured at Framatome’s fabrication facility in the United States, which is licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The facility has consistently earned the highest rating from the NRC’s Licensee Performance Review (LPR) for the past 18 years. Framatome also brings over four decades of experience in producing fuel for Combustion Engineering reactor designs like those used at Barakah and has supplied more than 6,000 such assemblies.

Supporting regional growth

The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is the first multi-unit nuclear facility in the region and a global example of a successful nuclear new-build programme. Developed by ENEC, the plant consists of four APR-1400 reactors and stands as the region’s largest clean electricity source. As ENEC looks ahead, it continues to explore strategic partnerships that support the growth of the international civil nuclear sector and ensure Barakah remains central to the UAE’s clean energy ambitions.

His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, managing director and CEO of ENEC, said, “Our agreement with Framatome advances our strategy to strengthen the security and reliability of our nuclear fuel supply chain. Diversification is key to ensuring that we continue to deliver safe, clean, and reliable electricity—powering the sustainable growth of the UAE’s economy. Framatome’s expertise and commitment to international standards adds depth to our operations and reinforces Barakah as a global model for operational excellence in clean energy generation.

“We remain dedicated to advancing Barakah’s infrastructure and capabilities, continually striving for excellence in the nuclear power industry. ENEC continues to build on its existing operations through enhanced security, competitive costs, and innovative fuel solutions.”

“We are proud to provide our advanced fuel to ENEC, ensuring security of the supply and meeting the UAE’s clean energy goals,” said Grégoire Ponchon, CEO at Framatome. “The contract recognises our state-of-the-art technologies and the reliability of our workforce to provide exceptional services to our customers.”

Also read: Nuclear renaissance: UAE leads the way in clean energy transformation