Latest news with #ADFD
Mid East Info
7 hours ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
ADFD and Kenya: Strategic Partnership that Supports Sustainable Development
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates –July 2025: Aligned with its support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) continues to support projects that enhance infrastructure, strengthen vital services, and improve quality of life for communities in partner countries. Reflecting this strategic focus, the Fund has cultivated a strong and impactful partnership with Kenya, which stands as ADFD's strategic partner in advancing sustainable development across the African continent. ADFD's strategic collaboration with Kenya underscores its commitment to enable rural development through financing impactful transport and energy projects. These investments reflect the UAE's role as an international partner in supporting the economic progress and social development of other nations. Throughout the partnership, ADFD has financed a portfolio of development projects in infrastructure, energy, water, health, and education, with a total value of approximately AED 620 million, contributing significantly to Kenya's Vision 2030. Among the Fund's most transformative contributions is the 136-kilometer Nuno–Modogashe Road Rehabilitation Project which was upgraded from an unpaved track to a fully developed roadway, linking Garissa County to surrounding areas. With a loan of AED 36.7 million, the project resulted in safer and more efficient transportation, bolstered regional commerce, and strengthened social cohesion between rural communities, improving the lives of approximately 200,000 locals in rural communities. The road also provided the opportunity for children -particularly girls – to have safe and easy access to schools and education services, as well as improved access to goods and services for families and small business owners. Additionally, ADFD's funding of the Kenya Rural Electrification Project, with a loan of AED 36.7 million, further highlights its role in advancing inclusive development. By expanding the national grid to reach thousands of homes and public facilities in remote regions, the project has enhanced living conditions, increased economic opportunities, and created a conducive environment for small businesses and agricultural enterprises. The development of power distribution stations and new transmission lines has also ensured reliable access to electricity for schools, clinics, and farms, benefiting over 20,000 people. These efforts are aligned with Kenya Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which supports the development of pillars including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and inclusive economic growth. ADFD remains committed to investing in impactful development projects across Africa and other emerging regions, with the aim of enhancing quality of life and empowering communities to build a more resilient and prosperous future.
Al Etihad
7 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
ADFD, Kenya strategic partnership supports sustainable development
2 July 2025 19:44 ABU DHABI (WAM) Aligned with its support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) continues to support projects that enhance infrastructure, strengthen vital services, and improve the quality of life for communities in partner this strategic focus, the Fund has cultivated a strong and impactful partnership with Kenya, which stands as ADFD's strategic partner in advancing sustainable development across the African strategic collaboration with Kenya underscores its commitment to enabling rural development through financing impactful transport and energy projects. These investments reflect the UAE's role as an international partner in supporting the economic progress and social development of other the partnership, ADFD has financed a portfolio of development projects in infrastructure, energy, water, health, and education, with a total value of approximately Dh620 million, contributing significantly to Kenya's Vision the Fund's most transformative contributions is the 136-kilometer Nuno–Modogashe Road Rehabilitation Project, which was upgraded from an unpaved track to a fully developed roadway, linking Garissa County to surrounding areas. With a loan of Dh36.7 million, the project resulted in safer and more efficient transportation, bolstered regional commerce, and strengthened social cohesion between rural communities, improving the lives of approximately 200,000 locals in rural road also provided the opportunity for children, particularly girls, to have safe and easy access to schools and education services, as well as improved access to goods and services for families and small business ADFD's funding of the Kenya Rural Electrification Project, with a loan of Dh36.7 million, further highlights its role in advancing inclusive development. By expanding the national grid to reach thousands of homes and public facilities in remote regions, the project has enhanced living conditions, increased economic opportunities, and created a conducive environment for small businesses and agricultural development of power distribution stations and new transmission lines has also ensured reliable access to electricity for schools, clinics, and farms, benefiting over 20,000 efforts are aligned with Kenya Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which support the development of pillars including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and inclusive economic growth. ADFD remains committed to investing in impactful development projects across Africa and other emerging regions, with the aim of enhancing the quality of life and empowering communities to build a more resilient and prosperous future.
Arabian Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
GCC Power Grid Expansion Bolstered by Dhs752m Abu Dhabi Loan
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has advanced regional energy integration by extending AED 752 million to the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority, supporting the expansion of the UAE's national grid interconnection with the wider GCC electricity network. This strategic financing, signed at ADFD headquarters in Abu Dhabi, aims to enhance cross-border power exchange and reinforce regional energy reliability. The deal facilitates construction of a 96 km, 400 kV double-circuit overhead transmission line between the Al Silaa substation in the UAE and Salwa in Saudi Arabia. It also covers upgrades to the Gonan, Al Silaa and Salwa substations, including installation of next-generation switchgears, circuit breakers, reactors, and modern protection-control systems. These enhancements are expected to elevate transmission capacity from 2,400 MW to 3,500 MW. Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, director-general of ADFD, emphasised the fund's role in supporting high-impact infrastructure aligned with national priorities and facilitating the transition to cleaner energy. He described the initiative as a 'strategic enabler of energy security' that will boost grid efficiency, enhance emergency readiness, strengthen partnerships across the Gulf, and enable wider integration of renewables. ADVERTISEMENT GCCIA CEO Ahmed Ali Al Ebrahim hailed the agreement as the first phase of a regional programme that includes grid connections with Kuwait, Oman, and southern Iraq, with total investment expected to exceed $1 billion. He also projected that expanding transmission capacity could unlock economic opportunities valued at more than $20 billion over the next 15 years. These initiatives are central to the GCCIA's vision of forging a resilient, interconnected power system. Technical and economic feasibility studies have underpinned the project design, ensuring it meets anticipated future demand. This expanded interconnection supports the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which targets a sustainable and cost-efficient energy ecosystem, and aligns with collective GCC goals for energy security, economic integration, and emissions reduction. The upgrades are also set to enhance grid reliability and operational flexibility. The new 400 kV lines and upgraded substations, equipped with advanced protection and control technologies, will improve performance under stress and during emergencies, reinforcing stability across the network. By facilitating cross-border electricity trade, the project lays groundwork for a unified Gulf electricity market. Al Ebrahim asserted this could open up significant economic potential, projecting gains exceeding $20 billion over 15 years. The broader vision embraces enhanced integration of renewable energy, helping GCC states meet sustainability objectives. Regional interconnection enables efficient distribution of solar and wind-generated power, addressing demand variations and curbing carbon emissions in line with global climate commitments. ADFD's financing reflects its established track record in backing infrastructure and development projects through concessionary loans. Established in 1971, the fund has supported both domestic UAE goals and international aid initiatives. GCCIA, the body responsible for coordinating the Gulf's interconnection system, currently links Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE. The expanded network capacity will enhance its technical resilience and capacity to support growing electricity needs, including future peaks and evolving regional dynamics.
Gulf Business
5 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
New $205m agreement to boost UAE-GCC power grid interconnection
Image courtesy: WAM/ For illustrative purposes Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has signed a Dhs752m ($205m) financing agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) to support the expansion of the GCC power grid interconnection with the UAE's national electricity network, state news agency WAM reported. The agreement, signed at The infrastructure project forms part of broader efforts to enhance regional energy resilience and enable wider economic and developmental integration, aligning with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050. The strategy aims to create an energy system that is both sustainable and economically efficient. Initiative will increase electricity transmission capacity between UAE and GCC Designed as a strategic grid upgrade, the initiative will significantly increase electricity transmission capacity between the UAE and the GCC network. Technical and economic feasibility studies have supported its design, in line with the GCCIA's vision for a durable, regionally connected power infrastructure. The project includes the construction of a 400kV double-circuit overhead transmission line spanning 96 kilometres, connecting the Al Silaa substation in the UAE with the Salwa substation in Saudi Arabia. It also entails the expansion of three substations — Gonan, Al Silaa, and Salwa — and the installation of advanced 400kV switchgears, circuit breakers, and reactors, along with modern protection and control systems to enhance grid efficiency and reliability. 'This project reflects ADFD's commitment to financing high-impact infrastructure that supports the UAE's development priorities,' said Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, director-general of ADFD. 'Power grid interconnection is a strategic enabler of energy security and a foundation for accelerating the transition to He added that the project would 'increase the efficiency of the power grid, improve emergency preparedness, strengthen connectivity with regional partners, and promote the integration of renewable energy,' supporting the GCC's sustainability and emissions reduction goals. Engineer Ahmed Ali Al Ebrahim, CEO of the GCCIA. called the initiative the first phase of a broader collaboration with ADFD during the current grid expansion and noted parallel efforts to interconnect with Kuwait, Oman, and southern Iraq, representing a total investment exceeding $1bn. 'By leveraging increased transmission capacity, we aim to activate a unified Gulf electricity market to facilitate cross-border power trade,' Al Ebrahim said. 'This could create economic opportunities projected to exceed $20bn over the next 15 years.'
Mid East Info
6 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
ADFD and GCC Interconnection Authority Sign AED 752 Million Agreement to Expand GCC power Grid Connectivity With the UAE
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) has signed a financing agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) to support the expansion of the GCC power grid interconnection with the UAE's national grid. Valued at AED 752 million (USD 205 million), the agreement aims to strengthen regional energy security and catalyse power exchange between the UAE and other GCC member states. The agreement was signed at ADFD headquarters in Abu Dhabi by His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, and His Excellency Eng. Ahmed Ali Al Ebrahim, CEO of the GCCIA. The signing was also attended by H.E. Eng. Sharif Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and Board Member of the GCCIA; H.E. Dr. Saif Saeed Al Qubaisi, Acting Director General of Regulatory Affairs at Abu Dhabi Department of Energy and Board Member of GCCIA, alongside other senior officials from both parties. The project aims to strengthen the interconnectivity between the UAE and GCC power grid, enhancing regional energy resilience and enabling broader economic and developmental integration. It also aligns with the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to establish an energy system that is efficient and sustainable, contributing to long-term national economic growth. H.E. Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi reaffirmed ADFD's commitment to financing strategic infrastructure projects that align with the UAE's development goals. He highlighted the critical role of grid interconnection in building a resilient energy network and advancing regional efforts toward cleaner, more sustainable power generation. Designed as a strategic infrastructure upgrade, the project will reinforce the GCCIA grid and significantly expand electricity transmission capacity with the UAE. Based on detailed technical and economic feasibility studies, the initiative aligns with the GCCIA's forward-looking vision to deliver a reliable and durable regional power infrastructure. The project includes the construction of a 400kV double-circuit overhead transmission line extending 96 kilometres to connect the Al Silaa substation in the UAE with the Salwa substation in Saudi Arabia. It also involves the expansion of three key substations in Gonan, Al Silaa, and Salwa, and the installation of upgraded 400kV switchgears, circuit breakers and reactors. The project will also oversee the development of advanced protection and control systems, improving grid efficiency and reliability. H.E. Mohamed Al Suwaidi said: 'The project reflects ADFD's commitment to financing high-impact infrastructure that supports the UAE's development priorities. Power grid interconnection is a strategic enabler of energy security and a foundation for accelerating the transition to clean and sustainable energy sources.' He added: 'Our collaboration with the GCC Interconnection Authority is a practical example of regional energy integration. The project will increase the efficiency of the power grid, improve emergency preparedness, strengthen connectivity with regional partners, and promote the integration of renewable energy into a unified network, reinforcing the GCC's collective commitment to sustainable goals and emissions reduction targets.' Regarding the agreement H.E. Eng. Ahmed Ali Al Ebrahim, CEO of the GCCIA, said: 'This project represents the first phase of our partnership with ADFD during the current expansion of the GCC power grid. Alongside this effort, we are also advancing key interconnection initiatives with Kuwait, a direct link with Oman, and a southern Iraq grid connection. Together, these projects represent a total investment of over USD 1 billion.' He further explained: 'By leveraging increased transmission capacity, we aim to activate a unified Gulf electricity market to facilitate cross-border power trade, creating significant economic value, with projected opportunities exceeding USD 20 billion over the next 15 years.' Eng. Al-Ebrahim also praised the cooperation with ADFD, noting its important role in financing critical infrastructure that supports the GCC's sustainable development agenda. ADFD continues to play a leading role in advancing the energy sector. Over the years, the Fund has financed pioneering projects that have strengthened energy security and contributed to sustainable development, underscoring its steadfast commitment to advancing the global clean energy agenda.
