ABU DHABI // The UAE has helped double Mauritania’s clean energy capacity by delivering and installing eight new rural solar energy plants.
The plants, sponsored by Masdar, will supply an additional 16.6 megawatts of electricity, which will power about 39,000 homes and save 27,850 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, president of Mauritania, inaugurated the projects in the city of Atar, one of the sites of the eight photovoltaic power plants, at an event coinciding with Mauritania’s National Day on November 28 and UAE National Day on December 2. Also present was Essa Abdulla Massoud Al Kalbani, the UAE ambassador to the country, and representatives from Masdar.
“The eight projects bring economic and social benefits to Mauritania, providing opportunities for training and knowledge-exchange and creating the foundations for long-term growth and development to the local community,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of Masdar.
“These projects contribute to the government’s energy and economic diversification strategy. Our drive to implement a series of ambitious wind, hydroelectric and solar power projects will contribute significantly to growing the share of renewables in Mauritania’s future energy mix,” said Dr Mohamed Abdul Fattah, Minister of Petroleum, Energy and Mines of Mauritania.
Masdar was selected as the preferred partner of Société Mauritanienne d’Electricité, Mauritania’s national energy provider, following the successful delivery of the 15MW Sheikh Zayed Solar Power Plant in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott in 2013.
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RESULT
Uruguay 3 Russia 0
Uruguay: Suárez (10'), Cheryshev (23' og), Cavani (90')
Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36')
Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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What is safeguarding?
“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.
