ADNOC, TAQA Conclude $3.8b Deal on Clean Energy, Decarbonization

General view of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, January 3, 2019. REUTERS/ Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo/File Photo
General view of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, January 3, 2019. REUTERS/ Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo/File Photo
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ADNOC, TAQA Conclude $3.8b Deal on Clean Energy, Decarbonization

General view of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, January 3, 2019. REUTERS/ Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo/File Photo
General view of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, January 3, 2019. REUTERS/ Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo/File Photo

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) revealed concluding a $3.8 billion strategic project to power and decarbonize ADNOC's offshore production operations.

Together with a consortium comprised of Korea Electric Power (KEPCO), Kyushu Electric Power Company (Kyuden) and Électricité de France (EDF) (the Consortium), this is a first-of-its-kind high-voltage direct current (HVDC) sub-sea transmission network in the MENA region.

A consortium comprising Korea Electric Power (Kepco), Kyushu Electric Power Company (Kyuden) and Electricite de France (EDF) will build, own, operate and transfer the state-of-the-art transmission system alongside ADNOC and TAQA, with the full project returned to ADNOC after 35 years of operation.

In this regard, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said: "ADNOC has once again demonstrated its ability to successfully structure and close a bold and progressive transaction that will help secure our low-carbon future as we intensify our efforts to decarbonize our operations."

The development is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of ADNOC's offshore operations by more than 30%, replacing existing offshore gas turbine generators with more sustainable power sources available on the Abu Dhabi onshore power network, operated by TAQA's wholly owned subsidiary, Abu Dhabi Transmission and Despatch Company (TRANSCO), state news agency WAM reported.

For his part, TAQA Chairman Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi said: "TAQA is taking a progressive role in accelerating the UAE's energy transition by delivering cohesive solutions that enable cleaner sources of power to fuel economic growth."



Gold Heads for Weekly Fall as Fewer Fed Rate Cut Prospects Weigh

Jewelry is displayed at the Gold Souk market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo
Jewelry is displayed at the Gold Souk market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo
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Gold Heads for Weekly Fall as Fewer Fed Rate Cut Prospects Weigh

Jewelry is displayed at the Gold Souk market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo
Jewelry is displayed at the Gold Souk market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Amr Alfiky/File Photo

Gold prices fell on Friday and were on track for a weekly decline, as an overall stronger dollar and the prospect of fewer US interest rate cuts offset support from rising geopolitical risks in the Middle East.

Spot gold slipped 0.8% to $3,333.99 an ounce, as of 0604 GMT, and was down 2.5% for the week so far.

US gold futures shed 1.4% to $3,361.80.

Describing the situation in the Middle East as "fluid", Kelvin Wong, senior market analyst, Asia Pacific, at OANDA, said it is causing traders to avoid taking aggressive positions both on the long and the short side of the trade spectrum, reported Reuters.

US President Donald Trump will decide in the next two weeks whether the US will get involved in the Israel-Iran air war, the White House said on Thursday, raising pressure on Tehran to come to the negotiating table.

Meanwhile, Trump reiterated his calls for the US Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, saying it should be 2.5 percentage points lower.

The Fed held rates steady on Wednesday, and policymakers retained projections for two quarter-point rate cuts this year.

"Macroeconomic developments, particularly steady yields and renewed USD strength, have not supported the (gold) price," analysts at ANZ said in a note.

"Rising inflation expectations and the Fed's cautious stance have weighed on market expectations around the number of rate cuts this year."

The dollar was set to log its biggest weekly rise in over a month on Friday. A stronger greenback makes gold more expensive for other currency holders.

Elsewhere, spot silver slipped 2.1% to $35.61 per ounce, while palladium fell 0.8% to $1,042.04. Platinum fell 1.9% to $1,282.72, but was heading for its third straight weekly rise.