Tehran, Moscow Discuss Expansion of Ties in Small Modular Reactors
Iran and Russia have held talks to further boost relations on how to leverage the benefits of small modular reactors (SMRs). A delegation led by Nikolai Spassky, deputy for international affairs of the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday.
During the meeting, both sides held talks on expanding cooperation in small modular reactors (SMRs) and the Iran–Hormoz nuclear power project and 1,250-megawatt units.
The discussions, held with Mohammad Eslami, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), stressed accelerating joint projects, with Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev expected to visit Iran soon to monitor progress on Bushehr’s Units 2 and 3.
Earlier in September, Eslami and Alexei Likhachev, the head of Rosatom, discussed prospects and agendas for cooperation in the field of peaceful nuclear energy. - IRNA
12/10/2025
US Pressured Turkey to Cut Energy Ties with Russia, Iran
Washington has publicly pressured allies, including NATO member Turkey, to cut energy ties with Moscow and Tehran ( Gas Exports to Turkey ), a British source revealed.
Turkey could meet more than half of its gas needs by the end of 2028 by ramping up production and increasing US imports, in a shift that threatens to shrink the last major European market for Russian and Iranian suppliers, Reuters claimed in a report.
Washington has publicly pressured allies, including NATO member Turkey, to cut energy ties with Moscow and Tehran. At their White House meeting on September 25, US President Donald Trump pressed Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to cut Russian energy purchases.
Diversifying supply would also strengthen Turkey's energy security and support its ambitions to become a regional gas hub. Ankara aims to re-export imported liquefied natural gas and its own gas production to Europe while burning Russian and Iranian gas domestically, analysts said.
"Turkey has been signalling that it will take advantage of the (global) LNG abundance," said Sohbet Karbuz, from the Paris-based Mediterranean Organisation for Energy and Climate.
Russia remains Turkey's largest gas supplier, but its share of the market has fallen from more than 60% two decades ago to 37% in the first half of 2025. Most European countries halted imports following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Russia's long-term pipeline contracts with Turkey to supply 22 billion cubic metres (bcm) annually via the Blue Stream and TurkStream pipelines are close to expiry. Iran's 10 bcm contract expires in the middle of next year, while Azerbaijan's contracts, totalling 9.5 bcm, run until 2030 and 2033.
While Turkey is likely to extend some of these contracts, it is likely to seek more flexible terms and smaller volumes to increase the diversity of its supply, Karbuz said.
At the same time, Turkey is rapidly expanding alternative sources. State-owned TPAO is boosting output from local gas fields, while state and private companies have expanded LNG import terminals to bring gas in from the US and Algeria.
Domestic production and contracted LNG imports are set to exceed 26 bcm annually from 2028 from 15 bcm this year, according to Reuters calculations.
US LNG IMPORTS SET TO DOUBLE
That would cover more than half of Turkey's gas demand of around 53 bcm, reducing the gap for pipeline imports to around 26 bcm - well below the 41 bcm of current contracted supplies from Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan combined.
To support this shift, Turkey has signed a series of LNG deals with US suppliers worth US$43 billion, including a 20-year agreement with Mercuria in September.
The country has built 58 bcm annual LNG import capacity, enough to cover its entire demand, according to Turkey's energy exchange.
Despite this, Russian gas continues to flow at full capacity, and the Kremlin has said cooperation with Ankara remains strong.
Since Turkey needs less Russian gas, BOTAS could, in theory, stop imports from Moscow in two to three years, said Alexey Belogoryev of the Moscow-based Institute for Energy and Finance.
"However, it won't do so, because Russian gas is price-competitive and creates a surplus that BOTAS can use to pressure other suppliers," Belogoryev said.
Turkey's energy minister Alparslan Bayraktar said in a TV interview in October that Turkey must source gas from all available suppliers, including Russia, Iran and Azerbaijan, but noted that US LNG offers cheaper alternatives.
The energy ministry declined to comment on future supply deals and pricing. Russian gas pipeline export monopoly Gazprom did not reply to a request for comment.
Turkey could burn Russian and Iranian gas at home, export its own production and re-export imported LNG after Europe bans Russian energy imports by 2028, said Karbuz.
Turkey's BOTAS has already signed deals to supply Hungary and Romania with small volumes of gas in its bid to become a regional gas trading hub.
Beyond gas, Ankara has deep ties with Moscow. Russia's Rosatom is building Turkey's first nuclear plant and Moscow is also the country's top crude and diesel supplier. - Mehr
12/10/2025
Chairman Reviews Bahraini Bapco Energies’ Progress
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of Bapco Energies, chaired the company’s third Board of Directors meeting for 2025.
The meeting reviewed strategic progress, assessed group-wide initiatives, and received updates on the Bapco Modernisation Project (BMP). The Board discussed developments across key initiatives and noted third-quarter milestones, emphasising integrated value delivery across subsidiaries and alignment with long-term strategic goals.
Updates on the Bapco Modernisation Project highlighted continued progress according to plan, emphasising its role as a cornerstone in advancing the Kingdom of Bahrain’s energy sector.
The Board also reviewed final governance documents establishing BxT Trading, a joint venture between Bapco Energies and TotalEnergies, and examined progress on the 3D seismic survey, long-reach drilling in the Khaleej Al Bahrain field, and the onshore deep gas exploration programme with EOG.
Mark Thomas, Bapco Energies Group Chief Executive Officer, said the third-quarter progress reflects the Group’s commitment to executing its strategy, achieving tangible results, enhancing competitiveness, and strengthening Bahrain’s energy infrastructure.
12/10/2025
Abu Dhabi-Based Mubadala Energy Reports Cut in Scope 1, 2 GHG Emissions in 2024
Mubadala Energy, the Abu Dhabi headquartered international energy company, has announced tangible progress across key Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) drivers, including a 36.5 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Publishing the findings of its 2024 Sustainability Report, the company also noted progress across social factors such as health and safety and community investment, while upholding its world class track record on governance.
In addition to the reduction in overall GHG emissions, Mubadala Energy also recorded a notable decrease in emissions intensity, dropping from 15.57 to 6.95 tonnes CO₂e per kboe - a 55 per cent fall year-on-year.
This improvement was a result of decarbonisation initiatives and improved production efficiency. The company also reported a 12.8 per cent decrease in flared gas across the portfolio.
Mansoor Al Hamed, Managing Director and CEO, Mubadala Energy, said: “In a dynamic global energy environment, the role of reliable and responsible energy partners has never been more important for all stakeholders. We have continued to place sustainability and ESG at the heart of how we operate, and I am proud of the trust and collaboration our partners have shown us as a result.
He added” “This year's theme, ‘People, Energy, Impact’, underscores our commitment to produce reliable, lower carbon energy to address energy security priorities and support the energy transition. It also highlights that we continue to put people and social impact at the heart of how we do business. We’ve maintained our top-quartile HSSE record and continue to invest in employees’ wellbeing. And with over 1 million individuals benefiting from our community investment projects to date, our focus on people extends to the communities we operate in. As we embark on a new chapter of growth at Mubadala Energy, prioritising these ESG factors will be critical to our success.”
As well as strong momentum on emissions reduction and intensity, on Environmental factors, Mubadala Energy recycled 56 per cent of total waste, underpinned by enhanced waste management practices. The company also developed and launched its first carbon pricing policy to support its decarbonisation strategy and decision-making frameworks.
On the Social pillar, further highlights from the 2024 report included zero fatalities since the company’s inception, reflecting a diligent and proactive HSSE culture, as well as a continued investment in people development with an average of 64 hours training per employee.
Diversity continued to be an important factor for the company with 32 nationalities represented and above industry average female representation in the workforce.
Across Governance, Mubadala Energy continued to uphold an impressive track record with no data breaches for the sixth consecutive year, and important developments such as the establishment of a dedicated ESG Committee, designed to set clear KPIs for decarbonisation and emissions while bringing together all aspects of sustainability through senior leadership.
Mubadala Energy’s 2024 Sustainability Report was prepared in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and is partially aligned with the IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures standard, as the company works towards strengthening its reporting in line with emerging global standards.
12/10/2025
Cleveland Abu Dhabi Plans Vertiport in Tie-Up with Archer Aviation
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, in partnership with Archer Aviation, has announced plans to establish the first hospital-based vertiport in the United Arab Emirates, providing direct eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft access to one of the region’s most prominent hospital facilities.
The goal is to enable passengers to travel from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to nearby locations in just minutes, dramatically reducing travel times compared to traditional ground transportation. The two companies are exploring both non-emergency passenger use cases and time-critical organ transport. These operations would utilise Midnight, Archer’s electric aircraft designed to carry up to four passengers while producing less noise and emissions than a traditional helicopter and would use the planned passenger carrying cabin configuration for both purposes.
This partnership is another step forward in Archer’s planned launch of its commercial operations in Abu Dhabi. Archer plans to support Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in upgrading its existing helipad to enable both traditional helicopter and eVTOL aircraft operations.
“This partnership showcases the breadth of Archer’s network vision - connecting not just places, but pillars of life in Abu Dhabi,” said Bryan Bernhard, Chief Growth & Infrastructure Officer at Archer. “Following our first hybrid vertiport approval at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal earlier this year, this next location demonstrates how Archer and the GCAA are working together to unlock a city-wide ecosystem for advanced air mobility.”
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is internationally recognised for its world-class care and is a key regional destination for medical tourism. With this new vertiport, patients and visitors are expected to have enhanced access to the hospital.
“We are excited about the partnership with Archer to advance access to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s patient-centered care,” said Dr. Georges-Pascal Haber, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. “This new mode of emission-free transport aligns with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainability, gives additional options to many patients travelling to our hospital for care, and provides our thriving organ transplant program with fast logistics.”
Archer’s launch network in the UAE continues to leverage the GCAA’s regulatory framework for hybrid vertiports, which enables the simultaneous operation of conventional helicopters and eVTOL aircraft on the same infrastructure. Archer plans to continue to partner with leading institutions across the capital to convert existing helipads into certified vertiports in alignment with Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision for advanced air mobility.
12/10/2025
Gitex Global Brings together Top AI, Tech Firms in Dubai
Gitex Global 2025, set to convene in October in Dubai, will highlight significant developments in biotech, physical AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and data centres.
The world’s largest tech and AI event, from October 13-17 at Dubai World Trade Centre, unites over 6,800 tech enterprises and 2,000 startups, with participation from 180 countries, bringing together the companies leading the world’s most ambitious AI infrastructure expansion.
Global tech enterprises including Alibaba Cloud, AMD, AWS, Dell, e&, G42, Google, HPE, Huawei, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce, Siemens, and Snowflake anchor the showcase, with new incoming innovations from Cerebras, Datadog, Mitsubishi, Qualcomm, Rital, ServiceNow, Tata Electronics, Telecom Italia, and Tenstorrent.
Running in parallel is Gitex’s startup showcase, Expand North Star, from October 12-15 at Dubai Harbour, hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. Celebrating its 10th edition, the show connects 2,000 of the world’s most promising startups, with the highest percentage of growth & late-stage startups anywhere, with over 1,200 investors managing US$1.1 trillion assets.
Trixie LohMirmand, EVP of DWTC, the organiser of Gitex globally, shared: “Future-critical sectors including data centres, biotech, quantum, and robotics are where AI ingenuity is converging with humanity’s most pressing challenges. GITEX GLOBAL 2025 gives new impetus to these transformative technologies, while continuing to being the harbinger of innovation-led progress across industries and global economies.”
Record Participation
The show marks a record year for international participation, with Brazil joining as Country Partner with its largest-ever tech delegation, alongside the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Tech Destination Pakistan as key partners. New pavilions debut from Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Spain, and Türkiye, in addition to expanded representation from Europe, Central Asia, LATAM, Africa, and the Levant.
Super Data Centres
With global data centre investments set to exceed US$500 billion in 2025 (BofA Research), Gitex GLOBAL welcomes one of the biggest global investors in this sector, O’Leary Ventures, building the world’s largest AI data centre industrial park in Canada.
Paul Palandjian, CEO & Co-General Partner, O’Leary Ventures, commented: “The UAE has become the crossroads and a world leader in the development of technology and AI. No other place has the leadership vision, resources and commitment to attract a world-class cohort across every industry.”
Adding a regional perspective, Hassan Alnaqbi, CEO of Khazna, MENA’s largest hyperscale data centre provider and a G42 company, leads the discussions on whether infrastructure, energy and policy can scale fast enough to keep pace with giga AI factories.
GITEX Digi Health & Biotech
Breakthroughs in gene editing, mRNA vaccines and AI-led drug discoveries are driving biotech spending towards US$1.7 trillion in 2025 – setting the backdrop for the fastest AI deployment in this sector. At Gitex Global, Trevor Martin, CEO of Mammoth Biosciences, presents how CRISPR, their Nobel winning gene-editing technology, is using AI to potentially cure genetic diseases.
Matt Angle, CEO of Paradromics, the company behind the world’s first successful computer-brain implant, dives into decoding thought with AI and neurotech. Adding to this momentum, South Korean startup HurayPositive unveils AI-powered SaaS to deliver precision medicine for one million patients with chronic conditions.
Physical AI in Motion
At Gitex Global, Tensor unveils the world’s first personal robocar – globally applauded as “agentic AI on wheels”. Whilst K2 introduces new humanoids and a concept vehicle designed to extend robotics into industrial environments. With the robotics AI market projected to quadruple to US$94 billion by 2031, these innovations illustrate how Physical AI is becoming an essential pillar of industry productivity and business edge.
Gitex Quantum Expo (GQX)
On the show floor, IBM unveils Quantum System Two, a major step towards large-scale fault-tolerant systems capable of solving computing scale challenges. Shukri Eid, VP and General Manager of IBM Gulf, Levant, and Pakistan, shared: “Gitex Global is a global stage, but more importantly, it is a platform for action. It brings together the ecosystems that matter: policymakers, business leaders, and innovators driving AI forward.”
Prof Mark Thompson, Co-Founder of PsiQuantum, a US$6 billion unicorn, outlines the path towards quantum sovereignty. Among the headline exhibitors is also IONQ, the world’s first public pure-play quantum computing company trading at the New York Stock Exchange.
Chips Behind Sovereign AI
Global leader in high-performance processors, AMD presents its Instinct GPUs and EPYC CPUs, built to handle the most demanding AI workloads and energy-efficient data centre deployments. Jim Keller, CEO of Tenstorrent, the US$2.6 billion AI chipmaker on the Forbes AI50 List, expands on this theme with his talk on “Taking Control of Your Sovereign AI Future,” as semiconductors become a geopolitical lever.
Startups, Scaleups & Unicorns Lead in AI Supercomputing
Expand North Star features more than 40 unicorns this year, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a hub for global scale-ups. Among them, Cerebras presents the world’s largest AI supercomputer (built in partnership with G42), Fluidstack unveils the world’s first 1GW decarbonised AI supercomputer, and Xpanceo introduces five prototypes of AI-powered smart contact lenses – advancing AR, healthcare, and consumer hardware simultaneously.
12/10/2025
Deal Signed to link Japan’s Medical Digital Transformation Strategy with Saudi Vision 2030
Tokyo-based Medident has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia institutions to link Japan’s medical digital transformation strategy with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan. The pact was inked at the Japan-Saudi EXPO Investment Forum, the company announced on Sept. 24.
The agreement covers areas including artificial intelligence diagnostics, surgical training, medical device development, and healthcare-education platforms.
Medident also plans to speed up clinical and educational adoption of its 3D Clone Model, a training tool that combines virtual reality with tactile simulation based on various types of medical scans.
“Our initiatives are gaining recognition both academically and at the policy level,” Medident CEO Daisuke Tomita said.
“By connecting Japan’s strengths in digital healthcare with Saudi Arabia’s reform agenda, we will build new frameworks for international co-creation.”
The deal was signed on stage at the Saudi-Japan EXPO Investment Forum with Dr. Noor A. Al-Saadoon, director of health innovation at the Biotech Center at Al-Faisal University, and Dr. Mohammed Al-Hayaza, president of Al-Faisal University.
Also in attendance were Khalid A. Al-Falih, minister of investment; KOGA Yuichiro Koga, state minister of economy, trade, and Industry; and Yumiko Tomita, director of the Japan Oral Health Association.
Medident is a part of the Mirise Medical Group, which operates clinics in Tokyo’s upmarket Minami-Aoyama and Ginza districts, focusing on orthodontics, oral health, and regenerative therapies.
12/10/2025
IEA’s Outlook for MENA Electricity
The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently released its report The Future of Electricity in the Middle East and North Africa, projecting that electricity demand across the region will rise by nearly 50 per cent by 2035. For Oman, the findings present both challenges and opportunities. Rising consumption, driven by urban growth, industry and cooling needs, will require major investment in new capacity. At the same time, the Sultanate of Oman has the resources and policy frameworks to become a regional leader in renewable power.
The IEA highlights that between 2000 and 2024, electricity consumption in MENA tripled, reflecting how quickly demand is accelerating. Looking ahead, almost 40 per cent of the projected growth will come from two essential services — air conditioning and desalination. For Oman, where cooling is vital and desalination provides the bulk of potable water, this link between electricity and daily survival could define the nation’s energy future.
Today, more than 90 per cent of MENA’s electricity is generated from oil and gas. The IEA notes that oil-fired generation is set to decline, while natural gas and renewables expand. For Oman, this raises a strategic question: whether to continue burning gas for domestic power or to prioritise its use for exports and industry, meeting more of the domestic demand with solar and wind.
The report foresees solar PV capacity in MENA increasing around ten-fold by 2035 under current policies, with renewables expected to supply about a quarter of the region’s electricity generation. Oman is well positioned to capture this growth. With some of the highest solar irradiance levels in the world, it has already advanced large projects such as the Manah and Ibri solar plants. These developments show how Oman can shift from dependence on hydrocarbons to leadership in renewables and perhaps even supply power across borders in the future.
But the transition is not only about generation. The IEA warns that future grids must be more flexible and resilient, able to handle variable renewable supply and heavy summer peaks. For Oman, this means upgrading transmission networks, investing in energy storage and promoting demand-side efficiency. The Authority for Public Services Regulation’s push for rooftop solar is a step forward, but larger reforms — smart grids, regional interconnections and flexible back-up systems — will be needed to secure reliability.
Efficiency is a crucial tool. More efficient cooling systems, stricter building standards and public awareness could cut peak demand and reduce the need for costly new capacity. As the IEA emphasises, every megawatt saved through efficiency is as valuable as a megawatt generated.
Financing is another challenge. Oman’s Independent Power Producer model has already attracted international partners to solar development, but sustained investment will be required to keep pace with demand. Stable regulation and long-term policy signals will be critical for mobilising further capital.
Oman has pledged to generate 30 per cent of its electricity from renewables by 2030, on a path to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The IEA’s outlook reinforces the urgency of these goals. Rising demand is inevitable, but how that demand is met remains a choice. By scaling up renewables, modernising its grid and pursuing efficiency, Oman can turn the challenge of surging power consumption into an opportunity for economic resilience and climate leadership. These themes will also shape conversations at the upcoming IEEE PowerTalks 2025 in Muscat this October, where regional experts will debate how best to navigate the electricity transition.
12/10/2025