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Time of India
6 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Saudi energy firm Alfanar lines up India green hydrogen play, awaits clear policy signals
Mumbai: Saudi Arabia-based energy giant, Alfanar Group , is preparing to enter India's green hydrogen segment once the country's policy and regulatory framework becomes clearer, Mohammed Irfan, chief executive officer, Alfanar Global Development - India, told ETEnergyWorld . The company has an annual revenue of Rs 620 crore. At present, it has wind power capacity of 506.5 MW operational in Gujarat and while 50 MW is under construction, he said. 'Our focus is on a mix of wind and solar hybrid projects, along with energy storage… We are preparing to enter the hydrogen segment once India's policy framework becomes clearer. Leveraging our international expertise, especially from Egypt and Chile, we aim to replicate successful models in India,' he said in an exclusive interview. He, however, added that while there was growing interest, India still lacked assured green hydrogen offtake agreements. 'Once India's hydrogen market matures in terms of regulatory and policy adaptation or guaranteed offtake emerges, we will definitely be a part of it. In contrast, India's renewable sector benefits from long-term PPAs with entities like NTPC, SECI, and others,' said Irfan. Apart from this, he added that their Saudi team is also working on developing green hydrogen projects in Egypt and green ammonia in Chile. The company is actively positioning itself as a key player in the global renewable energy transition and has developed a portfolio of about 1.7 GW of renewable energy projects across Spain, India, and Egypt. 'In Spain, we operate both wind and solar projects. In Egypt, we have a solar project, and in India, we have about 600 MW of wind projects operational,' said Irfan. The company is also developing a sustainable aviation fuel project in the United Kingdom. On the challenge of grid evacuation, Irfan said that power evacuation and grid connectivity at CTU/PGCIL substations are already constrained, as multiple independent power producers and land brokers have secured access through land acquisitions and bank guarantees for substations scheduled for commissioning up to 2030. As a result, the earliest available connectivity that can currently be applied for at the CTU level is for the year 2031.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Alarming wake-up call for Malaysia in Gumi
KUALA LUMPUR: This is an alarming wake-up call for Malaysian athletics. And the national association had better buck up before it's too late, before Malaysia flop again in track and field at the December Sea Games in Thailand. Malaysia have just found out that they are far behind their Southeast Asian rivals in athletics. The national squad won only one bronze medal in the Asian Athletics Championships which ended in Gumi, South Korea on Saturday. In comparison, the Philippines won one gold and Thailand took four silvers and three bronzes. Singapore bagged two silvers and Vietnam got one silver and one bronze. This does not augur well for Malaysia in track and field at the Sea Games; the writing is on the wall in Gumi. A total of 29 Malaysian athletes (18 men and 11 women) competed in the Asian Championships. Forty-five golds were at stake, and Malaysia could only win one bronze, through Irfan Shamsuddin in men's discus with an effort of 58.82m. It was Irfan's third medal in five Asian appearances; he won silver in Bhubaneswar, 2017 and bronze in Bangkok in 2023. China topped the medals table in Gumi with 19 golds, nine silvers and four bronzes, India (8-10-6) were second and Japan (5-11-12) third. Despairingly for Malaysia, even established athletes like Shereen Samson Vallabouy, Khairul Hafiz Jantan, Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli, Russel Alexander Nasir Taib, Grace Wong and Queenie Ting flopped in Gumi. There were high expectations on the United States-based Shereen, winner of the women's 400m bronze in the 2023 Asian Games. But she clocked a poor 54.80 (way off her national record of 51.79) to finish a disappointing fifth in the heats and even failed to qualify for the semi-finals. Khairul, who won the men's 100m gold in the 2017 KL Sea Games, has a personal best (PB) of 10.18, but clocked 10.71 to finish sixth in the heats. Zaidatul, who holds the national women's 100m record of 11.49, ran a season best of 11.65 in the heats, but in the final, clocked 12.01 to finish eighth and last. Russel, who has a 200m PB of 20.71, failed to qualify for the semi-finals. He clocked 21.71 to finish fifth in the heats. Hammer thrower Grace recorded 59.15m to finish 10th among 12 athletes, and her effort was three metres short of her 62.48m national record. Queenie recorded 47.96m — more than four metres short of her national 52.77m record — in the women's discus to finish eighth among 10 athletes. The men's 4x100m quartet were disqualified after a botched final baton exchange. They really need to improve on this for the Sea Games. The few commendable performances came from Sea Games bronze medallist Wan Fazri Wan Zahari, who did a PB of 1:47.64 in the men's 800m heats to finish fourth. It was a whisker away from the national record of 1:47.37 set by B. Rajkumar in 1985. Wan Fazri's time was better than the Sea Games record of 1:48.29 set by Malaysia's Samson Vallabouy in 1989. Newcomer Armin Zahryl Abdul Latif clocked a PB of 13.85 in the men's 110m hurdles to finish third in his heats. It's better than the bronze medal time of 13.86 clocked by Filipino John Cabang in the 2023 Sea Games. Sea Games champion Umar Osman ran a season best of 46.25 in the men's 400m final to finish eighth. Jonah Chang also did a season best of 18.05m in men's shot putt to finish 10th among 15 athletes. Team manager Datuk R. Annamalai said that some athletes could not perform to their best due to lack of competitions. "The only competition the national athletes had this year was the Cahya Mata Super Series at Merdeka Stadium last month, but some of the field athletes did not get a chance because there were no throwing events. "Our athletes need exposure and we will be sending them for more competitions like the Thailand Open this month." Malaysia Athletics (MA), which will be having elections on June 15 to elect office bearers, needs a president who is able to raise the standards of the nation's athletes. At the 2023 Sea Games, a total of 48 golds were offered in track and field, but Malaysian athletes won only five golds, three silvers and 11 bronzes, which was rather disappointing. MA has only six months to get its athletes in shape for the Sea Games or else Malaysian athletes can expect to be also-rans in the biennial regional showcase.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Irfan grabs bronze, Fazri records Malaysia's fastest 800m in 40 years
KUALA LUMPUR: Irfan Shamsuddin gave Malaysia something to cheer about by clinching a bronze medal in the men's discus — the country's first medal — at the Asian Championships in Gumi, South Korea, on Friday. The 29-year-old threw 58.82m to finish behind gold medallist Abuduaini Tuergong of China (63.47) and silver medallist Masateru Yugami of Japan (60.38). It was Irfan's third medal in five Asian Championship appearances. Meanwhile, Wan Fazri Wan Zahari clocked a personal best of 1:47.64s to finish fourth in the 800m heats, narrowly missing out on a place in the final. His effort was just shy of the national record of 1:47.37 set by B. Rajkumar at the 1985 Asian Championships in Jakarta. However, Wan Fazri's time was faster than the Ssea Games record of 1:48.29 set by Samson Vallabouy in Kuala Lumpur in 1989. Russel Alexander Nasir Taib, who holds the national 200m record (20.77), managed only 21.71 to finish fifth in his heat and failed to reach the semi-finals. Compatriot Sayyid Amin Roslan also bowed out after placing fifth with a time of 21.83 in his heat. In the men's 4x100m relay, the quartet of Russel, Jonathan Nyepa, Pengiran Aidil Auf Hajam and Danish Iftikhar Roslee were disqualified after a botched final baton exchange. Team manager Datuk R. Annamalai said they were proud of Irfan's achievement. "Irfan did well to deliver his third Asian medal. We've already hit our medal target," said Annamalai. "We're also pleased with Wan Fazri's 800m performance — it's the fastest time by a Malaysian in 40 years. "The 4x100m team was disqualified as the final baton exchange between Pengiran Aidil and Danish took place outside the changeover zone."
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Who is Conference League final referee Irfan Peljto?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IRFAN Peljto is an elite football referee who was the very first Bosnian referee to officiate a UEFA game. He will be officiating at the Uefa Conference League final on May 28, 2025, despite being hit with a ban earlier in the season. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Irfan Peljto is an accomplished football referee Credit: Getty 3 The star faced a ban after making a series of mistakes during a match Credit: Reuters Breaking a record Born on July 18, 1984, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Irfan first began officiating in the Bosnian Premier League. He has been on the FIFA list since 2015 and is categorised as a UEFA elite referee. The star has broken an incredible football record too. He is the first Bosnian referee to oversee a UEFA Champions League group stage or knockout phase match - having officiated a match between Beşiktaş and Ajax in 2021. Irfan's shocking ban However, Irfan has proven to be controversial - having been banned from six games this season. His ban came after he made three major mistakes during Borac Banja's 1-1 derby draw with Zrinjski Mostar. Irfan failed to award penalties on two separate occasions during the match, which led the Bosnian FA to release a damning statement. The statement read: "In the 25th minute, the referee, although very well positioned and with a clear view of the incident, failed to recognise an obvious foul and award a penalty kick to FK Borac. "In the 26th minute, the referee, although well positioned, failed to award a direct free kick for the away team after a clear foul which led to a goal for the home team. "In the 90th+5 minute, the referee failed to award a clear penalty kick for Zrinjski too." Refereeing the UEFA Conference League final Irfan Peljto will be acting as the referee at the 2025 UEFA Conference League final. 'I can't see anything' - Chelsea fans moan as live TNT Sports coverage of Conference League clash is ruined by smoke Chelsea will be taking on the Spanish side Real Betis in Wroclaw, Poland, on 28 May 2025. Ahead of the game, Irfan said: "We are living a dream. To receive the call was very emotional. It's an honour not only for my career, but to bring the flag of my small country under the European spotlight is a very proud moment. "I hope it is also a moment for the future of referees in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that young referees have this positive perspective on refereeing, and that we have created a path for them." Chelsea have previously won two Champions League titles, two Europa Leagues and two European Cup Winners' Cups - meaning that this is the club's final European honour to win. Fans can watch the game live when it airs at 8pm on TNT Sports.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Who is Conference League final referee Irfan Peljto?
IRFAN Peljto is an elite football referee who was the very first Bosnian referee to officiate a UEFA game. He will be officiating at the Uefa Conference League final on May 28, 2025, despite 3 Irfan Peljto is an accomplished football referee Credit: Getty 3 The star faced a ban after making a series of mistakes during a match Credit: Reuters Breaking a record Born on July 18, 1984, in He has been on the FIFA list since 2015 and is categorised as a UEFA elite referee. The star has broken an incredible football record too. He is the first Bosnian referee to oversee a UEFA Champions League group stage or knockout phase match - having officiated a match between Beşiktaş and Ajax in 2021. Read More on football Irfan's shocking ban However, Irfan has proven to be controversial - having been His ban came after he made three major mistakes during Irfan failed to The statement read: "In the 25th minute, the referee, although very well positioned and with a clear view of the incident, failed to recognise an obvious foul and award a penalty kick to FK Borac. Most read in Football "In the 26th minute, the referee, although well positioned, failed to award a direct free kick for the away team after a clear foul which led to a goal for the home team. "In the 90th+5 minute, the referee failed to award a clear penalty kick for Zrinjski too." Refereeing the UEFA Conference League final Irfan Peljto will be acting as the referee at the 2025 'I can't see anything' - Chelsea fans moan as live TNT Sports coverage of Conference League clash is ruined by smoke Ahead of the game, Irfan said: "We are living a dream. To receive the call was very emotional. It's an honour not only for my career, but to bring the flag of my small country under the European spotlight is a very proud moment. "I hope it is also a moment for the future of referees in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that young referees have this positive perspective on refereeing, and that we have created a path for them." Chelsea have previously won two Champions League titles, two Europa Leagues and two European Cup Winners' Cups - meaning that this is the club's final European honour to win. Fans can watch the game live when it airs at 8pm on TNT Sports. 3 Irfan revealed that it was 'very emotional' to be selected as the UEFA Conference Final referee Credit: Getty Images
