Latest news with #energyprojects
Zawya
18 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Climate risk mitigation: Why early warning systems in energy, infrastructure sectors are vital?
Among the greatest threats facing infrastructure development today is climate change. To mitigate the associated risks for all sector stakeholders, there is a pressing need to make better use of modern technologies and to establish contractual frameworks that are appropriately structured from the outset. KwaZulu-Natal's recent history is informative. Heavy rains and flooding in 2024 caused over 40 deaths and significant infrastructure damage. This followed extreme flooding in the province in 2022, which resulted in over 400 deaths in what has reportedly been described as among the worst floods ever recorded in the province's history. On both occasions, tens of thousands of people were displaced from their homes, with infrastructure damage caused by the 2022 floods alone estimated at over R15bn. As the world adjusts to climate change, two notable trends are becoming increasingly apparent in the infrastructure and energy sectors: the greater use of early warning systems and more robust contractual provisions to address extreme climate events. A contracting party has a positive duty to take steps to mitigate risks and any resulting damages. This duty is particularly important within the suite of agreements that support major infrastructure and energy projects. In this context, early warning systems, especially to address the devastating effects of climate change, such as flooding, may play a critical role. These trends are part of wider developments within the regulatory framework, with banks and insurers adjusting to changes in climate-related risks and disclosure obligations to ensure fund stability, and workplaces adapting to promote safety and sustainability. Early warning systems are a bulwark against climate change risk A case study on the impact of early warning systems can be found in Somalia. Between 2023 and 2024, the Somali government partnered with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and other stakeholders to establish a multi-hazard early warning system. In 2023, flooding in Somalia reportedly affected 2.4 million people, displaced over 1.2 million, and caused more than $193m (approximately R3.5bn) in damages. In 2024, although flooding continued, the early warning systems enabled Somalia to significantly reduce the damage and displacement experienced in the previous year. According to the UNDRR, the 2024 floods affected only 160,000 people and displaced 37,000, with financial losses also significantly curtailed. Closer to home, a study published in early 2025 focused on the Hennops River catchment area in Centurion, near Pretoria. Researchers applied flood hazard monitoring, modelling systems, machine learning, and geospatial tools to enhance climate change risk management in the area. The study found that flood frequency has increased every two years, primarily due to climate change's impact on rainfall patterns, intensity, and frequency. It concluded that areas with 'low elevations ranging from less than 1305m to 1430m in the catchment area are at a higher risk of flooding because of their proximity to the Hennops River'. Insurers may soon require institutional policyholders to implement early warning systems as a condition for coverage. This requirement is likely to extend to the broader infrastructure and energy sectors and should be considered during contract negotiations and risk assessment. Funders and investors may also mandate such systems to safeguard asset value, reduce project delays, and limit reliance on indemnity claims, which can give rise to costly and protracted litigation. Viewed through a dispute resolution lens, these developments underscore the importance of incorporating appropriate risk mitigation and monitoring obligations in infrastructure and energy project contracts. Infrastructure contracts are increasingly focused on risk mitigation As stakeholders adapt to the growing risks posed by climate change, the contracting phase has become a critical point for effective risk management. Clients are increasingly focused on two key areas: more precise allocation of liability and clearly defined conditions for triggering force majeure clauses and obligations that follow. The renewed emphasis on force majeure stems from its heightened relevance during the Covid-19 pandemic, when it was widely invoked to defer contractual performance. Given the high costs, lengthy approval processes, and extended construction periods typical of infrastructure and energy projects, these ventures are particularly vulnerable to unforeseen disruptions – even before accounting for the increasing impact of climate change. This raises key questions that parties should consider from the outset, such as: - What force majeure, indemnity, and damages provisions are appropriate? - Should environmental risks be proactively monitored using technology to mitigate potential loss of life or project damage? - If early warning systems detect a flooding risk, does a duty arise to limit ensuing damage? - What are the consequences if such technology fails? As climate risk becomes increasingly embedded in project planning, lead times may lengthen as parties devote more time to assessing both the risks of entering into a contract and the consequences of potential climate-related events. These risks are likely to become more prevalent, making their proactive consideration during the contracting process a critical priority for all stakeholders. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Carney and premiers meet to talk fast-tracking national interest projects
SASKATOON, Sask. — Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet with premiers in Saskatoon today to discuss efforts to knock down trade barriers and fast-track projects deemed as benefiting the national interest. Carney had asked the 13 provincial and territorial leaders to come up with major infrastructure and energy projects that could be fast-tracked for approvals under a new federal process. The premiers will spend part of Monday's meeting receiving an overview of the proposed process set to be introduced through legislation by the end of June. Under the proposed bill, details of which were shared for consultation with First Nations groups, including the Assembly of First Nations, the federal Liberal government would establish a major projects office through which selected proposals would flow for approvals. The proposed legislation would allow projects to be deemed as carrying national significance to be exempt from certain steps of the existing approvals process. Carney has promised to shrink the timeframe for approvals of major infrastructure and energy projects to two years, down from five. But which projects could make the list is what the premiers are looking to hear from Carney and that will be the topic of discussion when the leaders meet behind closed doors. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said an oil pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia's coast 'must be on the initial list.' Should it not be, it would not only send a bad signal to investors, but also 'send an unwelcome signal to Albertans concerned about Ottawa's commitment to national security,' she wrote in a letter to Carney on May 16, which her office released last Saturday. Separatist sentiments have been rising in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. For his part, Carney has said he wants Canada to become an 'energy superpower.' As he meets with premiers, he faces calls from the CEOs of major Canadian energy companies, as well as Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, to scrap policies critics say are hostile to pipeline development, such as the tanker ban off the coast of northern British Columbia and the Impact Assessment Act. A spokesman for Moe has confirmed that a pipeline carrying conventional energy was among the projects the premier, who is playing host to the first ministers' meeting in Saskatoon, pitched to Ottawa. A government source familiar with the matter, speaking on the condition of background, said the federal government is not offering a 'blank cheque' to premiers through the new approvals process, but that the federal government would consider providing financial support on a 'case-by-case' basis. Other proposals include Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew's push for federal support to make the Port of Churchill into a trade corridor and Ontario Premier Doug Ford's pitch to mine the Ring of Fire for critical minerals and build a tunnel under Highway 401. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston is also seeking support to grow his province's offshore wind capacity, while Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai is looking to develop an electricity grid connection with British Columbia, with both jurisdictions recently signing a memorandum of understanding. 'We're looking forward to discussing the short-list with our colleagues across the country,' wrote Laura Seeley, a spokeswoman for Pillai, in an email. B.C. Premier David Eby told National Post in a statement that the efforts of the 13 premiers to boost the country's economy and create jobs 'must be expedited in the face of a global trade war.' Carney has made growing Canada's economy through building new projects and removing trade barriers one of his top priorities as prime minister. In speaking to Carney last Friday, Eby said he told the prime minister his province has 'several projects that are shovel-ready' and that his NDP government tabled legislation aimed at removing internal trade barriers. Improving interprovincial trade is one of the key focuses of Monday's meeting between Carney and the premiers. Another topic likely to overshadow the meeting is U.S. President Donald Trump's latest threat to increase tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum to 50 per cent on June 4, up from its current 25 per cent. Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be on hand, as will Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson. Carney has promised to introduce legislation to reduce all federal trade barriers by Canada Day. Those measures are expected to be ushered in through the same bill establishing the fast-tracked approvals process. On the eve of Monday's meeting, Ford signed a memorandum of understanding with Saskatchewan, Alberta and Prince Edward Island, where provinces committed to working to increase the mobility of workers, goods and services between their jurisdictions. Monday's meeting between Carney and the premiers is the first to happen in person since the Liberals were elected to a fourth minority government on April 28. National Post staylor@ Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
National Post
2 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Carney and premiers meet to talk fast-tracking national interest projects
SASKATOON, Sask. — Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet with premiers in Saskatoon today to discuss efforts to knock down trade barriers and fast-track projects deemed as benefiting the national interest. Article content Article content Carney had asked the 13 provincial and territorial leaders to come up with major infrastructure and energy projects that could be fast-tracked for approvals under a new federal process. Article content Article content The premiers will spend part of Monday's meeting receiving an overview of the proposed process set to be introduced through legislation by the end of June. Article content Article content Under the proposed bill, details of which were shared for consultation with First Nations groups, including the Assembly of First Nations, the federal Liberal government would establish a major projects office through which selected proposals would flow for approvals. Article content The proposed legislation would allow projects to be deemed as carrying national significance to be exempt from certain steps of the existing approvals process. Carney has promised to shrink the timeframe for approvals of major infrastructure and energy projects to two years, down from five. But which projects could make the list is what the premiers are looking to hear from Carney and that will be the topic of discussion when the leaders meet behind closed doors. Article content Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said an oil pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia's coast 'must be on the initial list.' Article content Should it not be, it would not only send a bad signal to investors, but also 'send an unwelcome signal to Albertans concerned about Ottawa's commitment to national security,' she wrote in a letter to Carney on May 16, which her office released last Saturday. Article content Separatist sentiments have been rising in both Alberta and Saskatchewan. Article content For his part, Carney has said he wants Canada to become an 'energy superpower.' Article content As he meets with premiers, he faces calls from the CEOs of major Canadian energy companies, as well as Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, to scrap policies critics say are hostile to pipeline development, such as the tanker ban off the coast of northern British Columbia and the Impact Assessment Act. Article content A spokesman for Moe has confirmed that a pipeline carrying conventional energy was among the projects the premier, who is playing host to the first ministers' meeting in Saskatoon, pitched to Ottawa. Article content A government source familiar with the matter, speaking on the condition of background, said the federal government is not offering a 'blank cheque' to premiers through the new approvals process, but that the federal government would consider providing financial support on a 'case-by-case' basis.
Zawya
2 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) (
Trade Arabia
3 days ago
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Arctech to supply solar trackers for Oman green hydrogen project
Arctech, a global leader in solar tracking, racking, and BIPV solutions, said it has signed a strategic contract with India-based ACME Cleantech Solutions to supply 175 MWp of solar trackers for the 300 MTPD Green Ammonia Project in Duqm, Oman. A pure play fully integrated renewable energy company, ACME boasts a diversified portfolio across solar, wind, hybrid as well as firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE) projects. As per the deal, Arctech will deploy its signature 1P Single Axis Solar Tracking System Skyline II, engineered for harsh environments, to support the solar PV component powering one of the first large-scale green hydrogen production facilities in the Middle East region. These trackers will be delivered in phases starting from July, said Arctech in a statement. The project is located near the southeastern coast of Oman, a region characterised by coastal desert conditions including sandy soils, high wind speeds (up to 55 m/s), C5-level corrosion exposure, extreme temperatures and high levels of solar radiation, with an annual average of around 5,764 KWh/m2. The area's favourable climate, with high solar insolation, has made it a prime location for utility-scale solar projects. In recent years, Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) has introduced renewable energy initiatives such as a new Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project in Duqm. OPWP is actively working toward a diverse energy mix, aligning with the national target of sourcing 35–39% of electricity from renewables by 2040. This new partnership reinforces Oman's long-term vision and positions the Duqm region as a central hub in the global energy transition. Vipin Aggarwal, VP of Procurement in Green Hydrogen and International Business, expressed delight at partnership with Arctech for its 300 MTPD Green Hydrogen project in Oman.
