At least eight killed in monsoon landslides at Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh
Heavy monsoon rains triggered deadly landslides at Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, killing at least eight people, including children, and forcin...
Egypt’s first integrated solar and battery storage plant will deliver dispatchable clean energy, enhance grid stability and manage peak demand. The project is expected to generate approximately 3,000 GWh of clean energy and avoid up to 1.4 million metric tonnes of emissions per year.
The project aligns with Egypt’s goal of reaching 42% renewable energy by 2030 and is part of the Nexus of Water, Food and Energy (NWFE) platform.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), African Development Bank (AfDB), and British International Investment (BII) are jointly providing US$ 479.1 million to Obelisk Solar Power SAE—a Scatec ASA-owned entity—to develop a 1.1 GW solar PV plant with an integrated 200 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Egypt’s Nagaa Hammadi region.
The EBRD will contribute up to US$ 173.5 million, including a US$ 101.9 million first-loss guarantee under the EFSD+ and a US$ 6.5 million grant from its Shareholder Special Fund. The AfDB’s US$ 184.1 million package includes concessional funds from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, the Canada-AfDB Climate Fund, and CIF’s Clean Technology Fund. BII will provide a US$ 100 million concessional loan and a US$ 15 million returnable grant to support the BESS component and attract private investment.
The financing covers approximately 80% of the total project cost (US$ 590 million). Developed by Scatec, the project will be built in two phases:
Phase 1: 561 MW solar + 100 MW/200 MWh BESS, operational by mid-2026
Phase 2: 564 MW solar, operational by late 2026
Electricity will be sold under a 25-year USD-denominated power purchase agreement with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company, backed by a sovereign guarantee.
This will be Egypt’s first large-scale integrated solar and battery project, expected to generate 3,000 GWh annually and cut CO₂ emissions by up to 1.4 million tonnes per year.
Russia's Defence Ministry has said its forces are clearing the town of Lyman in Donetsk of Ukrainian forces, Moscow's state news agency Tass reported. Meanwhile, Russian attacks killed at least six people across three Ukrainian regions on Friday, regional officials said.
The death toll from Venezuela's devastating twin earthquakes has risen to 3,342, according to the country's information ministry, as rescue teams continue searching affected areas and survivors face an uncertain recovery.
Governments are tightening restrictions on teenagers’ use of social media amid growing concerns over mental health, online safety and platform design, but questions remain over enforcement and whether bans can meaningfully change behaviour.
President Donald Trump said Iran is keen to reach a deal with the United States, claiming Washington had paused engagement to allow funeral ceremonies for late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran on Sunday as Iran held funeral prayers for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four members of his family on the second day of mass processions. Three of Khamenei's sons attended the ceremony, while his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, made no public appearance.
The third stage of the Tour de France will be closed to spectators on Monday (6 July) after a fast-moving wildfire in southwestern France prompted exceptional safety measures, organisers and local authorities announced.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has raised its forecast for the rapid emergence of a strong El Niño, warning the climate pattern is likely to drive higher global temperatures and intensify extreme weather in the months ahead.
A bird’s nest woven from dry grass and fibre-optic cable near Ukraine’s front line is offering researchers an unusual glimpse into how more than four years of war are reshaping the natural environment.
Japan remained on high alert Saturday as Typhoon Mekkhala approached the eastern coast after Typhoon Higos weakened into a tropical depression. Authorities warned of continued heavy rain, flooding, and landslides, according to media reports.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
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