Latest news with #MohammedIrfan
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Alfanar aims to set up 3-GW renewable energy portfolio in India by 2030; plans up to $700 mn equity investment
Mumbai: Alfanar , Saudi Arabia-based energy company , plans to set up 3 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy capacity in India by 2030, Mohammed Irfan, chief executive officer, Alfanar Global Development - India, told ETEnergyWorld . 'We aim to develop a 3 GW renewable energy portfolio in India by 2030. With an equity of $400 million to $700 million depending on the mix of solar, wind, and hybrid projects,' he said in an exclusive interaction. Irfan added that for this capacity, the firm is already in discussions with major OEMs and is trying to lock in suppliers for strengthening their development pipeline before participating in the bids. 'Our first priority is hybrid and battery storage . The second priority is standalone solar more. Since our wind portfolio already exceeds 600 MW, we aim to diversify our portfolio with solar and BESS projects,' said Irfan. Regarding partnerships in India, he said that for solar modules, the company will sign long term supply agreements with domestic manufacturers for upcoming projects. In smart meters, the company already has a strategic partner for expanding two million smart meters to up to 10 million meters in the next three to four years, added Irfan. 'We are also in talks with inverter and robotic cleaning tech OEMs. In smart metering , we have a long-term strategic partnership with a climate fund for deploying two million smart meters in Bhopal and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh,' he said. On maintaining supply chain resilience, Irfan said that the company has localised about 85 per cent of their project components in India which includes sourcing from domestic turbine OEMs such as Suzlon and Senvion , and using local module suppliers. 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, it has developed both wind and solar projects. It has a solar project in Egypt and about 600 MW of operational wind projects in India.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia's Alfanar eyes India's green hydrogen sector
Saudi Arabia-based Alfanar Group is preparing to enter India's emerging green hydrogen market once clearer policy and regulatory frameworks are established, a senior company executive said. Mohammed Irfan, Chief of Alfanar India told local financial newspaper The Economic Times, that unlike the renewable energy sector — where long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) are secured through entities like NTPC and SECI — India still lacks assured offtake agreements for green hydrogen. The parent company is currently developing a green hydrogen project in Egypt and a green ammonia project in Chile, he said. Alfanar's renewable energy portfolio stands at about 1.7 gigawatts (GW) across Spain, India, and Egypt. In India, Alfanar operates a 506.5 megawatts (MW) wind power project in Gujarat with an additional 50 MW under construction. (Writing by SA Kader; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Time of India
3 days 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.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Time of India
Three arrested for kidnapping in Lucknow, victim rescued
Lucknow: The police arrested three individuals in connection with a kidnapping case lodged in the Bakshi Ka Talab police station area. "The victim, a 35-year-old man, was rescued, and a ransom amount of Rs 2 lakh was recovered during the operation," said the police. Police said that on May 15, the complainant, Imran Khan, stated that on May 12, around 6pm, his brother Mohammed Irfan was abducted by two unidentified persons. "The accused allegedly assaulted the victim and forced him into a car, subsequently demanding a ransom of Rs 2 lakh for his release via WhatsApp and phone calls," said the police. An FIR under section 140(2) of the BNS was registered, and a special team was constituted. "Based on technical surveillance and intelligence inputs, the accused were traced near Achramau Tiraha on Kisan Path service lane. They were identified as Utkarsh Singh, 24, a lab technician; Mohd Mufeed, 26, an AC mechanic; and Ramchandra alias Abdullah, 27, a labourer. Four bundles of Rs 500 notes totalling Rs 2 lakh, along with a mobile phone used for ransom, were seized," said the police. "Preliminary investigation suggests that the motive behind the crime was financial gain. The accused are currently in police custody," said BKT SHO Sanjay Kr Singh.
Khaleej Times
05-03-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE residents break fasts at parks, share meals with strangers who feel like 'extended family'
Families sit on colorful mats and camping chairs, hands raised in prayer as they wait for the Maghrib call to signal the end of the fast. Every evening, the fragrance of home-cooked meals fill the air, with the chatter of soft conversations and children's laughter echoing. This Ramadan, visitors across parks, gardens and beaches in Dubai and Sharjah witness this delight. With the pleasant weather this month, many families are opting for outdoor picnics over indoor dining to break their fast. Bringing a wide variety of home-cooked dishes, they enjoy the fresh air and the company of loved ones. This has turned green spaces into vibrant gathering spots, shared meals, prayer, and social bonding in a relaxed and serene atmosphere. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Rise in 'iftar picnic' 'Breaking [our] fast outdoors has a different charm,' said Mohammed Irfan, a Pakistani national and a resident of Al Majaz, Sharjah. Thrice a week, his family breaks their fast with a picnic at Al Majaz Corniche. 'At home, we eat and then everyone goes about their routine. But here, we break our fast together. Our kids run around, play, and we get to enjoy nature.' 'It reminds me of how we used to have iftar back in our village in Punjab, sitting outside in the courtyard,' he added. For many, the iftar picnic is a way to strengthen community ties. 'Ramadan is about togetherness, and iftar in the park brings people closer,' said Sarah Al Alawi, a Syrian national and a mother of three, who has been coming to Buhaira Corniche for iftar with her relatives and friends. 'The cool weather makes it perfect for breaking fast outdoors. Every weekend, my siblings and I cook at home, pack our meals, and bring them to the park for iftar.' 'We make sure to cook extra food and share it with those around us. Sometimes we meet new people, and it feels like an extended family. It's something our children will remember for years,' added Al Alawi. At Al Mamzar Beach in Dubai, families spread out their mats on the soft sand, enjoying the gentle sea breeze as they prepare to break their fast. 'There's something special about breaking fast by the sea,' said Ahmed El Hamdi, an Egyptian expat who often comes with his family during Ramadan. 'The best part about the beach is that there are mosques nearby, so we can pray our Maghrib and Isha prayers and then rejoin our family and friends to continue the gathering,' said El Hamdi. Families unpack their iftar spreads, which include trays of biryani, samosas, kebabs, fruit platters, Arabic sweets, and more, carefully arranged on mats and tables. As the Adhan is called out, hands reach for dates, water, and juices before moving on to the home-cooked meals. After iftar, families lay out prayer mats and offer their Maghrib salah, either in congregation or individually. Once the prayers conclude, they return to their mats and tables to enjoy the full meal. Children play nearby, while adults engage in traditional board games or casual conversations. As the night goes on, families pack up, making sure to leave the space clean before heading to the mosque for Isha and Taraweeh prayers.
