Latest news with #MikePhillips
Powys County Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Powys company launches one of UK's highest solar sites
A renewable energy company in Machynlleth has launched a project believed to be the highest elevated solar panel array in the UK. Bro Dyfi Community Renewables (BDCR), a community-owned energy cooperative from Machynlleth, has officially launched its solar photovoltaic (PV) array, located on Mynydd Glandulas. The ground mounted solar panels are believed to be the highest-elevation ground-mounted solar installation currently operational in the UK. The initial 55kWp of energy generated by the solar array is being routed to the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), while the remaining 250kWp will be exported to the grid. Mike Phillips, Chair of BDCR's Board, said: 'This solar array is more than just panels and power—it's a symbol of what communities can achieve when they take climate action into their own hands. 'We're proud to be pushing the boundaries of what's possible for community energy in the UK.' Man arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after Newtown fire Council reveals where in Powys 20mph zones are likely to be scrapped Powys man to be sentenced after admitting supplying cocaine The array's elevated location is designed to maximize solar exposure for the panels, meaning they will get the largest possible amount of sunlight, but also sets what BDCR call 'a new benchmark' for community-owned high-altitude solar generation in the country. The site is located alongside an existing Nordtank wind turbine by BDCR, with the array of solar panels marking a major milestone in the cooperative's mission to generate clean, locally owned energy. The company says the project will boost BDCR's total installed capacity to approximately 875kWp, significantly increasing its contribution to carbon reduction in the Dyfi Valley and beyond. The project was made possible through support from the Welsh Government's Local Energy Grant and Preparatory Grant schemes, which was put together with the Development Bank of Wales, funding from the Mid Wales Community Energy Trust, to support the work of BDCR's volunteer-led team.
Zawya
16-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
WaHa raises $8mln Series A-1 funding to boost growth in Mideast
UAE - Water Harvesting (WaHa) announced the closing of an $8 million Series A-1 financing and corporate reorganisation. This financing eliminates all debt, simplifies WaHa's cap table, and provides capital for the company to achieve its next commercial milestones and close its next funding round. It also supports a growing pipeline of qualified sales opportunities across the UAE and GCC, where field trials at Khalifa University have proven its ability to harvest pure water reliably in the UAE's harsh desert environment of extreme heat, low moisture, and frequent sandstorms. The round was led by Chairman Mike Phillips and Board member Christian Thirion, with participation from WaHa's largest noteholders and investors including Berkeley Catalyst Fund, Anthropocene Institute, Vestafund, and Mitsui Mining & Smelting. Since 2023, WaHa's atmospheric water generation (AWG) systems have been deployed in challenging environments including West Texas, Abu Dhabi, a remote UAE desert site, Riyadh, and Stockholm. These systems have achieved 99.998% mechanical reliability and produced 98.3% of target water volume—the highest sustained output in the AWG industry. The company's 14 patent families, with 18 patents granted worldwide, protect its proprietary WaHa Vaporator technology, a modular system supporting off-grid installations and integration with HVAC and agricultural systems. WaHa will unveil its first commercially available AWG unit at the WETEX 2025 exhibition in Dubai (September 30 – October 2), showcasing solutions for utilities, developers, and industrial operators seeking reliable, sustainable access to pure water. 'We've built a platform capable of transforming access to water across multiple sectors,' said Mike Phillips, Chairman, WaHa. 'This raise will enable us to establish solid traction for the WaHa Vaporator and improve water security in the UAE and broader GCC.' 'We're grateful for the support of our investors and partners,' added Frank Ramirez, CEO of WaHa. 'This is a major step toward delivering water where it's needed most—reliably, efficiently, and sustainably. We're proud of what our team has achieved and energised for what's ahead.' Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Guardian
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Future British & Irish Lions tour of France on the agenda at Melbourne summit
A British & Irish Lions tour of France could move a step closer next week when executives hold talks over 'a new business model' in Melbourne before the second Test of the series against Australia. Abdel Benazzi, the vice-president of the French federation (FFR), held informal discussions with Lions executives in Dublin before the warm-up match against Argentina, and he will travel to Australia next week to further press his nation's claims of facing the touring side again, having previously done so in 1989. France have emerged as leading contenders to face the Lions in a warm-up match before the tour of New Zealand in 2029 and, according to Benazzi, could also fulfil the same role before the inaugural women's tour in 2027, also to New Zealand. More recently, however, there has been a groundswell of support for a tour of France, with leading Top 14 sides such as Toulouse and Bordeaux offering the prospect of competitive warm-up matches before a mouthwatering series against Les Bleus in contrast to the currently one-sided tour of Australia. The former Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips last week became the most recent former Lion to throw his weight behind the prospect, suggesting a tour of France would be a 'gamechanger'. Benazzi, who is also the president of the Six Nations and narrowly lost out to Brett Robinson in last year's election to be World Rugby chair, is seeking to make France regular opponents on the Lions' fixture list. Asked about the prospect of a future tour of his country, Benazzi said: 'If you look at the legacy and the reputation of the Lions, of course they have the tradition with the south, our position as a neighbour is that we can do something together in the future. 'We had contact, not formally, just a friendly chat with the guys from the Lions and they started thinking maybe it would be a good idea. We don't have a formal decision now but maybe we will talk about having two meetings with the [women] and the Lions and the men and the Lions in the future. Maybe in 2027 and 2029. We don't think of just one shot, we think of a programme for the future. It's good for everyone because it's powerful and we want to share it with this institution. 'I want to spend a bit of time with the staff and just think about how we can build a new business model with this institution between France and the Lions. For me and for France, we want to build something interesting for both. How we can build something bigger for rugby, for everyone around the world with this meeting and secondly, how we can build some business between the two institutions, the Lions and France, and everyone will be happy with that.' It is understood the Lions are open to exploring possibilities with France, which would provide an attractive option for supporters unable to afford expensive trips to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Benazzi was eager to stress that France are not looking to replace any of the three southern hemisphere nations but the FFR's interest increases the pressure on the Wallabies to be competitive against the Lions in the coming series. An agreement for the 2029 tour with New Zealand is considered a given but the Lions are not formally committed to tour South Africa in 2033 or Australia in 2037. Benazzi also believes the French public and players would fully buy in to the concept and expressed confidence an arrangement could be reached with the Top 14 to avoid clashing with the end-of-season run-in. 'We don't want to steal something from the south,' he added. 'We just want to do something extra. It's a legacy and that's very important but we have a lot of things to share together. Being neighbours is important for supporters. I spoke with an agency that brings a lot of people to Australia this year and they said to me it would be very good business for people coming from the UK to France. Sign up to The Breakdown The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week's action reviewed after newsletter promotion 'I think we missed a lot of time since 1989, not using our relationship but now we understand each other. I don't understand why we spent 40 years waiting to start contact with this institution. We want to be part of these meetings, this bold future for everyone. The public, the players, will be excited. They need some challenges like that. Of course we have to look after the health of the players and organise when you can do it but everyone wants to be a part of this experience.'
ME Construction
14-07-2025
- Business
- ME Construction
WaHa closes US $8mn Series A-1 financing to accelerate global growth
Financial WaHa closes US $8mn Series A-1 financing to accelerate global growth By The funding eliminates debt, streamlines WaHa's cap table, and provides capital for major commercial milestones and future funding and also supports a growing pipeline of qualified sales opportunities in the UAE and GCC Water Harvesting (WaHa), a climate technology company that develops innovative solutions for water scarcity, announced the completion of a US $8mn Series A-1 financing round and a corporate reorganisation. The round was lead by Chairman Mike Phillips and Board member Christian Thirion, with significant participation from the company's note holders and investors, including Berkeley Catalyst Fund, Anthropocene Institute, Vestafund, and Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co. This funding eliminates all debt, streamlines WaHa's cap table, and provides the necessary capital to achieve its next major commercial milestones and secure its next funding round. Moreover, it supports a growing pipeline of qualified sales opportunities across the UAE and the broader GCC region. Field trials conducted at Khalifa University have demonstrated WaHa's ability to reliably harvest pure water in the UAE's harsh desert environment, characterised by extreme heat, low moisture, and frequent sandstorms, said a statement. WaHa's upcoming event exhibition in Dubai will mark the unveiling of its first commercially available AWG unit. This event will provide an opportunity for utilities, developers, and industrial operators to explore WaHa's solutions and discover reliable, sustainable access to pure water. Mike Phillips, Chairman of WaHa said, 'We've built a platform capable of transforming access to water across multiple sectors. This raise will enable us to establish solid traction for the WaHa Vaporator and improve water security in the UAE and broader GCC.' Frank Ramirez, CEO of WaHa added, 'We're grateful for the support of our investors and partners, this is a major step toward delivering water where it's needed most—reliably, efficiently, and sustainably. We're proud of what our team has achieved and energised for what's ahead.' Since 2023, WaHa has deployed its atmospheric water generation (AWG) systems in diverse and challenging environments, including West Texas, Abu Dhabi, a remote UAE desert site, Riyadh, and Stockholm. These systems have consistently achieved mechanical reliability, with a 99.998% reliability rate. Furthermore, they have consistently produced 98.3% of the target water volume, setting the highest sustained output in the AWG industry. WaHa's extensive patent portfolio, comprising 14 patent families and 18 patents granted worldwide, safeguards its proprietary WaHa Vaporator technology. This modular system is designed to support off-grid installations and integrate with HVAC and agricultural systems. WaHa is negotiating commercial agreements for manufacturing, distribution, and long-term service and support, the statement concluded.
Web Release
11-07-2025
- Business
- Web Release
WaHa Secures $8 Million in Series A-1 Funding to Accelerate Global Growth
Water Harvesting Inc. (WaHa) announced the close of an $8 million Series A-1 financing and corporate reorganization. The round was led by Chairman Mike Phillips and Board member Christian Thirion, with participation from WaHa's largest noteholders and investors including Berkeley Catalyst Fund, Anthropocene Institute, Vestafund, and Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd. This financing eliminates all debt, simplifies WaHa's cap table, and provides capital for the company to achieve its next major commercial milestones and close its next funding round. It also supports a growing pipeline of qualified sales opportunities across the UAE and GCC, where field trials at Khalifa University have proven its unique ability to harvest pure water reliably in the UAE's harsh desert environment of extreme heat, low moisture, and frequent sandstorms. Since 2023, WaHa's atmospheric water generation (AWG) systems have been deployed in challenging environments including West Texas, Abu Dhabi, a remote UAE desert site, Riyadh, and Stockholm. These systems have achieved 99.998% mechanical reliability and produced 98.3% of target water volume—the highest sustained output in the AWG industry. The company's 14 patent families, with 18 patents granted worldwide, protect its proprietary WaHa Vaporator® technology, a modular system supporting off-grid installations and integration with HVAC and agricultural systems. WaHa will unveil its first commercially available AWG unit at the WETEX 2025 exhibition in Dubai (September 30 – October 2), showcasing solutions for utilities, developers, and industrial operators seeking reliable, sustainable access to pure water. 'We've built a platform capable of transforming access to water across multiple sectors,' said Mike Phillips, Chairman, WaHa. 'This raise will enable us to establish solid traction for the WaHa Vaporator® and improve water security in the UAE and broader GCC.' 'We're grateful for the support of our investors and partners,' added Frank Ramirez, CEO of WaHa. 'This is a major step toward delivering water where it's needed most—reliably, efficiently, and sustainably. We're proud of what our team has achieved and energized for what's ahead.' WaHa is negotiating commercial agreements for manufacturing, distribution, and long-term service and support.
