Opec+ supply boost has consequences for Baghdad and Astana, more so for Houston
Robin M. Mills is chief executive of Qamar Energy, and author of The Myth of the Oil Crisis
May 12, 2025
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The National
4 hours ago
- The National
Dubai Metro Blue Line: Sheikh Mohammed hails 'architectural icon' station as work begins
Work is under way on Dubai Metro's Blue Line project, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced on Monday. He wrote on X that the foundation stone for the line's first station has been laid, adding that it represents an 'architectural icon'. Located in the Dubai Creek Harbour area, it will be called the Emaar Properties station and will be the highest metro station in the world at 74 metres. 'During the laying of the foundation stone for the first station on the Dubai Metro's Blue Line, which has a total benefit valued at Dh56 billion, the station represents an architectural icon that will be added to Dubai's cultural icons,' he said. 'It will be the first station on the Blue Line, which will extend 30km, bringing the total length of Dubai's railways to 131km and 78 stations.' He added that the Dubai Metro has transported more than 2.5 billion people since its launch, at an average of 900,000 per day, and that the new route will be a 'major addition' to the emirate's transport infrastructure. 'We continue to develop the city … we continue to build the best city to live in the world,' he concluded. What do we know about the Blue Line? The Blue Line is set to transform the north-east of the city, easing traffic congestion and establishing a direct link with Dubai International Airport. The Dh18 billion project will include 14 new stations and add 30km to the Metro network, with 15.5km underground. The expansion is part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which has easier commuting among its top priorities, to cater for a fast-growing population. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority said the Blue Line would connect five principal urban regions of Dubai – Bur Dubai/Deira, Downtown/Business Bay, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai Marina/JBR and Expo City Dubai. When completed, the Metro network will be 131km long and encompass 78 stations served by 168 trains. The number of Dubai Metro passengers is expected to exceed 300 million in 2026 and reach 320 million by 2031, Dubai Media Office reports. Where will it go? The new line will comprise two main routes that start with connections from the Red and Green Lines. The first route is to begin in Al Jaddaf at the Creek Interchange Station on the Green Line and will cross Dubai Creek on a 1.3km bridge. The route will pass through new stations at Dubai Festival City, Dubai Creek Harbour and Ras Al Khor, before reaching Dubai International City 1, which is an interchange station. The line continues towards Dubai International City 2 and 3 and on to Dubai Silicon Oasis, with the route ending at Academic City. This part of the line section is to span 21km and include 10 stations. The second route connects with the Red Line in Al Rashidiya at the Centrepoint interchange station. It will connect with new stations at Mirdif and Al Warqaa, before connecting with the interchange station at Dubai International City 1. The new line on this section is to be 9km and will include four stations. The travel time between these destinations is expected to be from 10 to 25 minutes. The project also includes the construction of a metro depot at Al Ruwayyah 3, beyond Academic City. The project is scheduled to be finished in 2029, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Dubai Metro. Dubai Metro Blue Line ceremony – in pictures
Gulf Business
6 hours ago
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5G-Advanced: e& UAE sets new world record for connectivity
Image credit: WAM/Website e& UAE, the flagship telecom arm of e&, has set a new world record for connectivity by achieving an uplink (UL) speed of 600Mbps on a live 5G network—a major milestone in the evolution of 5G-Advanced. Read- This achievement was enabled by aggregating FR1 bands at 2100MHz and C-band, paired with uplink 3Tx (three transmit antennas) on commercial Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) at a live 5G site. The deployment is fully compliant with 3GPP Release 17 standards, This record-breaking uplink speed represents a cornerstone of 5G-Advanced, empowering uplink-heavy applications with unmatched performance. By leveraging FR1 band aggregation and cutting-edge uplink technology, e& UAE has established a new global benchmark for 5G excellence. Abdulrahman Al Humaidan, Vice President of Fixed Access Network at e& UAE, stated: 'e& UAE's world-record 600Mbps uplink speed is a strategic step forward, catalysing a new era of hyper-fast, uplink-driven digital innovation. This is not just a technological milestone—it's a launchpad for reshaping the digital world and solidifying the UAE's role as a global tech leader.' A new era for enterprise and smart infrastructure The 600Mbps uplink enables a new wave of connectivity, enhancing uplink-intensive applications across both business and consumer landscapes. Enterprises can now enable real-time sensor data uploads in smart factories and logistics hubs, advancing AI-driven automation and predictive analytics. Cloud-hosted collaboration will also benefit, supporting instant uploads for 3D modelling, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) workflows, driving the next wave of digital creativity. Uplink-focused solutions like live video analytics, smart city monitoring, and drone surveillance will thrive, thanks to instant data uploads for mission-critical decisions. Empowering everyday users in the 5G-advanced world For consumers, this leap forward will transform digital lifestyles—allowing content creators to upload 8K videos and stream immersive content to platforms like YouTube and TikTok in seconds. Gamers will enjoy lag-free cloud gaming, while smart homes will instantly upload high-definition footage and IoT data, boosting efficiency and responsiveness. Applications such as virtual event hosting and user-generated AR content will flourish, offering faster, richer, and more immersive digital experiences. Based on 3GPP Release 17, this deployment takes advantage of enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), laying the groundwork for scalable, energy-efficient 5G networks. With this successful deployment on a commercial CPE and a live 5G site, e& UAE has demonstrated its ability to turn vision into reality. By optimizing FR1 2100MHz and C-band with Uplink 3Tx, the company is paving the way toward a hyper-connected future. Once such CPEs become widely available, e& will be well-positioned to empower both consumers and enterprises with next-generation connectivity.
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
Johnson Controls Arabia targets Saudi mega projects, export growth
As Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 industrial diversification goals, HVAC and Smart Buildings technology company Johnson Controls Arabia (JCA) is expanding its local manufacturing capabilities and offering decarbonisation solutions for sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, and commercial real estate. '…we go beyond simply supplying HVAC systems, we help organisations significantly reduce energy consumption and emissions through tailored energy solutions,' said JCA's CEO Dr Mohanad Alshaikh. He told Zawya Projects that the company, as one of the Kingdom's first licensed Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), contributed to over 500 million Saudi riyals ($133 million) in client savings and helped avoid more than 300,000 metric tonmes of CO2 emissions since 2020. 'These aren't just statistics. They represent tangible improvements for hospitals, data centres, commercial buildings, and government facilities across the Kingdom,' he said. 'Whether it's through national programs like Tarshid, or partnerships with key clients, our focus is on delivering measurable, lasting impact,' he added. The company is also supporting local manufacturing through high-efficiency products like the YORK YVAA Style B air-cooled chiller. 'It's produced right here in Saudi Arabia, fully aligned with the Saudi Made Programme, combining global engineering standards with local innovation,' Alshaikh noted. Scale and performance testing JCA recently manufactured the largest air-cooled chiller produced in Saudi Arabia—a 600-tonne capacity system. The achievement was enabled by collaboration with Johnson Controls' global engineering teams and the development of a dedicated production line at its YORK Manufacturing Complex in in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Johnson Control's largest facility in MENA, Europe, and Latin America. Alshaikh said the chiller is designed to meet the growing needs of mega projects in the region. 'This chiller addresses a critical market need: energy-efficient, high-capacity cooling for mission-critical sectors,' he said. 'For industries such as healthcare, infrastructure, industrial facilities, and commercial real estate, it offers a powerful solution that's not only locally manufactured but performance-tested and certified within the Kingdom.' The complex also houses the region's first AHRI-certified testing lab capable of testing air-cooled chillers up to 600 tonnes, allowing factory acceptance testing within Saudi Arabia. According to Alshaikh, AHRI certification enhances JCA's ability to secure major projects by providing third-party verification of product performance to international standards. 'Previously, chillers of this size had to be shipped to countries like China or the U.S. for testing. Now, that capability exists locally, enhancing transparency, trust, and timelines,' he noted, adding that JCA's is the first and only AHRI- certified lab in the Kingdom for testing air-cooled chillers up to 600 tonnes. The ability to demonstrate verified performance in-house builds confidence with customers and gives the company's engineering teams faster data-driven feedback loops for continuous improvement, noted Alshaikh. 'For consultants and project stakeholders, it means they can verify chiller performance under standardised, controlled conditions, eliminating costly field testing, reducing project risk, and accelerating approvals,' he said. 'For clients, it's a guarantee of performance, certified to international standards, without leaving the Kingdom.' Expansion and export plans The YORK Manufacturing Complex, which currently operates 11 production lines, manufactures over 80 percent of JCA's regional product sales. Alshaikh said JCA plans to introduce new product platforms designed and built in Saudi Arabia, with ambitions to double its export output to 60 percent by 2027. 'Our investment roadmap includes expanding testing infrastructure, deepening partnerships with academic institutions and increasing the localization of high-tech components,' he said, adding that the goal is to position the complex as a platform for Saudi-engineered innovation and global product development. The AHRI certification, Alshaikh noted, gives JCA a competitive edge, enabling the company to export to over 26 countries, including China and the United States. In 2024, JCA launched its largest export initiative with a phased delivery of 1,000 YORK scroll chillers to the U.S. 'It's proof that when you combine world-class engineering with local commitment, the result is Saudi-made products trusted around the world,' Alshaikh concluded. (Reporting by Eman Hamed; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
