Lulu completes first solar project in Saudi Arabia, powers sustainability with Kanoo-CleanMax Partnership

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This landmark initiative marks a significant milestone in the group’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.
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Updated 02 March 2025
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Lulu completes first solar project in Saudi Arabia, powers sustainability with Kanoo-CleanMax Partnership

Lulu Retail, the leading retail giant, is proud to announce the successful completion of its first solar project in Saudi Arabia at its Riyadh Central Warehouse. This landmark initiative marks a significant milestone in the group’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, contributing to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals and advancing the clean energy movement in the region.

The 502.7 kWp rooftop solar plant, developed in collaboration with the Kanoo-CleanMax joint venture, is set to generate 846 MWh of clean energy annually, significantly reducing Lulu Group’s carbon footprint by approximately 382 metric tons per year—equivalent to planting nearly 9,000 trees over the next decade. This project will serve as a model for sustainability in the hypermarket sector, demonstrating Lulu's commitment to environmental stewardship and renewable energy solutions.

“We are incredibly proud to have completed this important solar project in Riyadh, a first for us in Saudi Arabia,” said Shehim Mohammed, director of Lulu Hypermarkets, Saudi Arabia. “At Lulu, sustainability is a core value, and we are delighted to take this step toward reducing our reliance on non-renewable energy. This solar installation not only supports Saudi Arabia’s clean energy transition but also plays a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions, aligning perfectly with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives. It’s a powerful reminder of the impact businesses can have on creating a greener and more sustainable future,” he added.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Faisal Khalid Kanoo, director of Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Holding, added: “We are delighted to collaborate with Lulu, a brand that has consistently set benchmarks in the Middle East. Lulu’s commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with our vision at Kanoo-CleanMax. This initiative is not only about environmental impact but also about delivering long-term value and efficiency for businesses."

Pioneering step toward clean energy in Saudi Arabia

Lulu’s solar plant, one of the first to be interconnected to the Saudi Electricity Company's grid, reflects the growing importance of sustainability within global supply chains and the role of corporate leadership in advancing the green energy agenda.

“Through our long-term partnership with Kanoo-CleanMax, we are thrilled to contribute to the Kingdom’s future energy vision while reducing our operational costs. This initiative is a major step for us, but it’s also just the beginning. We’re committed to integrating renewable energy solutions across our operations and continuing to lead by example,” Mohammed added.

Manoj Tripathy, CEO of Kanoo Industrial & Energy emphasized the significance of this achievement: "We are proud to celebrate this milestone with Lulu Group on the successful completion of their first solar facility in Saudi Arabia. This achievement marks the beginning of a greener future, and we take immense pride in being a part of Lulu’s journey towards sustainability and energy efficiency.”

Strategic partnership with Kanoo-CleanMax JV

Lulu Group International partnered with the Kanoo-CleanMax joint venture, a leading renewable energy consortium, to bring this ambitious project to life. The joint venture brings together the technical expertise of the Yousef Bin Ahmed Kanoo Group, a 130-year-old regional conglomerate, and CleanMax Enviro Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd., one of Asia’s foremost clean energy companies with over 2.1 GW of operational solar PV capacity.

The partnership reflects Lulu's forward-thinking approach to sustainability, leveraging Kanoo-CleanMax’s industry-leading experience in providing clean energy solutions tailored to businesses in the commercial and industrial sectors.

A bright future for clean energy in the region

Commenting on the partnership, Kuldeep Jain, managing director of CleanMax, said: “Corporates like Lulu significantly contribute to the region’s vision and growth and we are proud to support them in achieving their sustainability objectives. This project is a pioneering initiative in Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy landscape and underscores our commitment to advancing clean energy solutions in the Middle East. We are excited about the future opportunities to bring more such innovative solutions to businesses in the region.”

Supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030

Saudi Arabia is striving to generate 50 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2030, with a target of 130 GW of renewable energy capacity. Lulu’s solar project is a significant contribution to this mission and underscores the group's leadership role in driving sustainability efforts in the retail sector. By reducing its environmental footprint and embracing renewable energy, Lulu Group is not only aligning with Vision 2030 but also fostering long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Lulu Group’s sustainability commitment

As one of the largest retailers in the Gulf Cooperation Council, Lulu Group is committed to embedding sustainability into its strategy and operations. The group has been a leader in the region’s sustainability efforts, promoting circular economy initiatives and investing in renewable energy projects across Bahrain and the UK. In 2023, Lulu collected 4.9 million plastic bottles and aluminium cans for recycling and repurposed food waste for biofuel and animal feed.

Lulu also prioritizes sourcing organic products, local sourcing, and biodegradable packaging to minimize environmental impact. A dedicated Sustainability Department, which reports directly to the board, ensures the group’s sustainability efforts align with its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policy.

As a trusted brand across 26 countries, Lulu continues to be a pioneer in driving sustainable business practices and creating a positive impact on society and the environment.


Sony expands LED display family with Crystal LED CAPRI

Updated 18 June 2025
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Sony expands LED display family with Crystal LED CAPRI

Sony is expanding its lineup of LED walls with the debut of Crystal LED CAPRI. The new CAPRI series achieves a maximum brightness of 1,500 cd/m2 with a 2.50 mm LED pitch size. Key features include high refresh rates and brightness, a wide color gamut, and anti-reflection. Additional benefits include installation flexibility, familiar structure, streamlined maintenance, and compatibility with Sony’s ecosystem of virtual production technologies. The new models, ZRD-VS25FB and ZRD-VS25FM, are compatible with the Brompton controller and the Megapixel controller, respectively.

The CAPRI models are targeted to a broad range of customers looking to cost-effectively support virtual production applications, including television, feature films, commercials, and broadcast, as well as for rental and staging purposes. The CAPRI series offers options that ensure the high picture quality synonymous with Sony at a more accessible price. CAPRI also complements Sony’s premium flagship Crystal LED VERONA.

The CAPRI series is expected to be available this winter. A sample of the CAPRI was on display on June 11-13 at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando in Sony’s booth.

“With the announcement of CAPRI, Sony is furthering our commitment to the creation of spatial content, such as virtual production, by giving a wider range of users opportunities for flexibly showcasing images in high fidelity,” said Rich Ventura, vice president, professional display solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “We’ve broadened our lineup to offer more cost-conscious choices, which expand the market in support of high-quality virtual production at every level and ensure the growth of Sony’s distinctive virtual production ecosystem.”

Impressive picture quality

Virtual productions rely on high quality imagery. The CAPRI series combines high refresh rates of up to 7,680 Hz to reduce scanline artifacts and ensure smooth, fluid motion. With a high brightness of 1,500 cd/m2, complemented by coverage of over 98 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut, the displays accurately reproduce lifelike images. Additionally, the new models feature anti-reflection capabilities to mitigate the impact of reflection from lighting equipment.

Fast and easy installation

The latest CAPRI series also takes advantage of recent installation advancements to ensure fast and efficient setup. Offering a 1:1 cabinet optimized for temporary installations, such as virtual production stages, the models can quickly and easily be assembled and dismantled using locating pins for easy alignment and a tool-free lever locking mechanism.

Industry standard control

Through alignment with Brompton’s Tessera SX40 and Megapixel’s HELIOS, the CAPRI models maintain control using the same familiar tools and interfaces already commonly deployed in the industry, alleviating the need for additional training and maximizing uptime.

Streamlined maintenance

To keep virtual productions focused on the creative processes, the CAPRI has thoughtful features that simplify maintenance. LED module blocks can be changed from the rear and feature status indication lights for easily identifying which blocks need service.


Abu Dhabi delegation on US visit seeks healthcare partnerships

Updated 18 June 2025
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Abu Dhabi delegation on US visit seeks healthcare partnerships

A high-level delegation led by the Department of Health — Abu Dhabi, has embarked on a strategic mission to the US from June 14 to 21. The visit reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s global leadership in healthcare innovation and reflects its broader vision for healthcare transformation — driven by innovation, investment, and a deep commitment to global collaboration.

The delegation is visiting key US cities including Boston, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, in parallel with Abu Dhabi’s participation at BIO International Convention 2025, one of the world’s foremost biotechnology events. The visit spotlights the emirate’s achievements in AI, digital health, genomics, and clinical research and showcases Abu Dhabi’s Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine Life Science Cluster, while promoting long-term strategic partnerships with government entities, research institutions, and global innovators.

Dr. Noura Khamis Al-Ghaithi, undersecretary of the Department of Health — Abu Dhabi, said: “This mission reflects our commitment to shaping the future of health through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose. Our vision is to build a health system that predicts, prevents, acts to restore, and acts to cure, therefore ensuring better outcomes for our communities and beyond. This can only be achieved through meaningful partnerships and a shared ambition to improve lives. We are proud to join our partners in the US to explore new opportunities that advance healthcare, both in the UAE and globally.”

The delegation will conduct over 20 strategic meetings and visits with public and private sector leaders across the US, aimed at knowledge exchange, investment opportunities, and the signing of new agreements that accelerate the adoption of advanced health solutions.

Representing Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem, the delegation includes key stakeholders such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Mubadala BIO, M42, Masdar City, KEZAD, PureHealth, and Etihad Cargo.


Deloitte Middle East advances AI integration with launch of Global Agentic Network

Updated 18 June 2025
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Deloitte Middle East advances AI integration with launch of Global Agentic Network

Deloitte has launched its Global Agentic Network, a strategic initiative designed to scale AI-driven digital workforce solutions for organizations around the world, with significant potential to transform business operations across the Middle East.

As AI adoption accelerates in the region, Deloitte’s agentic AI offering provides a future-forward solution that combines intelligent automation with human expertise. Through its global network spanning EMEA, Asia Pacific, and North America — and with a growing regional focus in the GCC — Deloitte is bringing AI-powered agents to enterprises looking to drive operational efficiency, accelerate growth, and reimagine how work gets done.

Agentic AI refers to software agents capable of autonomously executing tasks, orchestrating workflows, and adapting based on input from users or other systems. These agents, powered by large language models and machine learning, are designed to learn and evolve — making them ideal for complex, dynamic business environments.

In the Middle East, where government and private sector agendas alike are emphasizing digital transformation, the Global Agentic Network supports national strategies for AI innovation and economic diversification. Deloitte is already supporting regional clients in sectors such as energy, government, and financial services to implement agentic solutions that streamline decision-making, improve efficiency, and unlock value at scale.

“The Middle East is on a rapid trajectory toward AI-led transformation, and Agentic AI is a game-changer for how businesses operate,” said Yousef Barkawie, Deloitte Middle East Gen AI leader.

“At Deloitte, we’re helping our clients navigate the world of AI transformation by architecting and building the capabilities and trust needed for them to scale out their AI deployments and transform at the core. Our clients are finding new efficiencies in their ways of working, streamlining their operations, and reimagining their entire value chains. This is an exciting moment to help shape what the future of work looks like in our region, especially as governments and industries double down on innovation and future-readiness.”

The Global Agentic Network includes alliances with leading technology platforms and the launch of solutions like Zora AI, Deloitte’s suite of proprietary AI agents that can autonomously perform complex business functions. These tools are already being deployed within Deloitte’s own operations, as part of the firm’s broader ambition to become an AI-fueled organization by 2030.


NEOM Energy and Water Company wins global recognition

Updated 16 June 2025
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NEOM Energy and Water Company wins global recognition

Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Energy and Water Company has been named first runner-up in the Innovative Research and Development Award (International Institutions category) during the fourth cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Water Award. The company was recognized for pioneering membrane-based crystallization technology that enables high-efficiency freshwater recovery and mineral extraction from brine.

Held under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Initiatives and supervised by the UAE Water Aid Foundation, the $1-million-award supports research institutions developing scalable, sustainable solutions to address global water scarcity through renewable energy and advanced technologies.

The NEOM-developed system replaces traditional energy-intensive thermal evaporation with a membrane-based approach. Using forward-osmosis principles and specially engineered membranes, the technology enables the extraction of valuable minerals such as salt, lithium and bromine, while simultaneously recovering desalinated water from seawater or brackish brine. The system operates at just 7 kWh per cubic meter, compared to 75-80 kWh/ cubic meters in conventional thermal systems.

The process begins with standard seawater reverse osmosis, where chemically embedded membranes capture more than 99 percent of targeted minerals. The brine then passes through a two-stage brackish water reverse-osmosis system that isolates and concentrates the minerals to a purity of 99.5 percent or more.

The pilot plant, located at the Duba Desalination Plant in Saudi Arabia, operates at a capacity of 1,200 cubic meters per day and has demonstrated strong performance under real-world conditions, with a technology readiness level of six. Beyond reducing environmental impact and operating costs, the innovation has the potential to redefine the economics of desalination by enabling mineral recovery at scale.

“The global water crisis threatens health, food security and economic development. By investing in advanced water technologies and fostering collaboration among governments, the private sector and innovators, we can find effective, sustainable solutions for billions affected,” said Dr. Noura Chehab, head of the research and innovation team at the NEOM Water Innovation Center.

“Receiving this award recognizes our team’s years of work and inspires us to continue advancing technologies that enhance ocean water use and help solve critical water challenges for a more sustainable future,” said Dr. Nikolay Voutchkov, executive director of the NEOM Water Innovation Center.


Major infrastructure and transport upgrades boost Hajj experience

Updated 16 June 2025
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Major infrastructure and transport upgrades boost Hajj experience

The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites significantly enhanced the pilgrim experience during Hajj by implementing advanced infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy and transportation sectors.

In a substantial investment exceeding SR3 billion ($800 million), the commission boosted electricity capacity in the holy sites by 95 percent and distributed more than 7 million cubic meters of water, ensuring robust essential services for pilgrims.

The commission also managed an integrated transportation system involving over 23,000 buses. It launched the General Center for Transport as a unified hub to streamline movement. This center spearheaded the public transportation plan for all stages of the Hajj, in collaboration with the Public Security. Dedicated frequency lanes for buses drastically reduced travel time to just 20 minutes.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Kidana Development Company, the commission increased bed capacity in the holy sites by more than 60 percent and opened an emergency hospital. It also equipped 71 rapid intervention points for the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, shaded over 170,000 square meters of paths with rubber flooring, and planted 23,000 trees in Mina.

Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites CEO Saleh Al-Rasheed commended the tireless efforts of the wise leadership, which he said were instrumental in the success of this year’s Hajj season. He also lauded the continuous cooperation and diligent work of all participating entities.