Latest news with #jobcreation
Zawya
4 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt: SCZone lays foundation stone of $200mln solar energy complex in Ain Sokhna
Arab Finance: The General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) announced the laying of the foundation stone for a $200 million integrated industrial complex for the production of solar energy components in the Ain Sokhna industrial zone, as per a statement. The project is being developed by Chinese firm Sunrev Solar in cooperation with TEDA Egypt, the industrial developer of the zone. Spanning 200,000 square meters, the project will be implemented in two phases. The first phase, valued at $90 million, includes the construction of two factories for producing solar cells and solar modules, each with a capacity of 2 gigawatts. The second phase will add $110 million in investments and focus on localizing the production of essential raw materials, including silicon ingots and wafers, in addition to modules and cells, creating an integrated value chain within Egypt's solar energy sector. The complex is scheduled to begin operations in the first half (H1) of 2026. According to SCZONE, the project is expected to generate over 1,800 direct jobs across both phases, along with thousands of indirect employment opportunities. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Solar Powers a Sustainable Energy Future on Rayonier Land
Originally published on The world's appetite for energy is growing exponentially, with each year's new electricity demands exceeding Japan's entire annual electricity consumption. In the United States alone, electricity demand is projected to rise by as much as 50 percent by the year 2040 due to growth in manufacturing, data centers and mass electrification. Amidst this surge, the need for affordable, clean energy has never been more critical. Solar energy is playing a growing role in shaping conversations about the future of sustainable energy. Why Solar is a Strategic Fit for Rayonier's Land-Based Solutions Approach With more than 2 million acres of sustainably managed U.S. forests and nearly 100 years of land stewardship, Rayonier is uniquely positioned to strengthen the U.S. energy grid through strategic solar development. Driven by our commitment to land-based solutions, we lease high-potential properties for solar energy development and storage. Our expert team collaborates closely with solar developers to optimize these projects, delivering clean energy and strengthening surrounding communities through the creation of local jobs, increased tax revenue and significant economic investment. 'Renewable energy is a good fit for Rayonier,' says Rayonier Vice President of Energy Resources Rob Fancher. 'Our timberlands provide a lot of environmental benefits, and renewable energy does the same thing. They're both very long-term, focused projects. They're both quiet, good neighbors.' Why Solar is Important to the Growing Demand for Renewable Energy On a macro level, solar energy enhances both the United States' energy independence and its pursuit of energy dominance. This reliable source of domestic power reduces the nation's need to depend on volatile global energy markets, bolstering its strategic position and global influence. Increasing U.S. energy independence also provides more price stability for both consumers and businesses. As companies strive to meet sustainability goals and reduce operating costs, locations with robust renewable energy resources are becoming increasingly desirable for new facilities. This trend is particularly evident in the advanced technology industry, including AI. The manufacturing industry is also a key driver of this shift, drawn to renewable energy's cost-effectiveness and lower emissions. What Research Shows About the Role of Solar Countless studies point to clean, renewable energy as the key to meeting energy demand and reducing the impact of CO₂ in the United States: Solar Futures StudyBloomberg's New Energy Outlook 2024International Energy Agency's Net Zero by 2050 report Rayonier's First Solar Project The first solar project on Rayonier land became operational in 2023. Longroad Energy's 150 megawatt Umbriel solar project in Polk County, Texas, delivers enough clean energy to power roughly 30,000 homes, avoiding an estimated 250,000 metric tons of CO₂ emissions annually (the equivalent to taking 55,000 cars off the road). The project also is expected to generate about $13 million in tax revenue for the community. Project Highlights: 'Solar is the fastest-growing source of energy in the U.S.,' says Longroad Energy Vice President of Origination & Development Adam Horwitz, who led the project for Longroad. 'It's an abundant source of energy…and it's economical.' Advancements Driving Solar Forward Thanks to advances in technology in both building and generating solar power, the levelized cost of solar electricity dropped by more than 80 percent since 2008, according to this Berkeley Lab study and Lazard's 2024 Levelized Cost of Energy study. Even without national and global emissions reductions targets and federal tax incentives, market forces alone are projected to propel solar and other clean energy technologies forward. Solar is also established more quickly compared to alternatives, such as gas-powered turbines, which have a 7-8 year waiting list. How the Umbriel Project Came Together Longroad purchased about 1,900 acres of land needed for the Polk County project and leased the remaining 583 acres from Rayonier. The energy developer developed the site, found a long-term energy buyer for the solar project, secured financing, oversaw construction and brought the project into operation. Advantages of working with Rayonier on a Solar Project Working with Rayonier offers advantages to solar developers, including: Our team of experts works with the solar developer to identify ideal locations that meet their needs, buildable land at scale with access to strong power markets and transmission. The team also supports the development process by assisting with site design, layout and identification of sensitive environmental areas. Working with a single, large landowner streamlined the process for the developer, explains Longroad Landman Cody Walker: 'When you deal with multiple landowners in one area, you have different personalities, you have to manage different needs and different histories with properties to manage,' he says. 'When it's one landowner, one use, you can easily work together to make the project work for both parties.' Taking neighbors' concerns into account Cody worked closely with neighbors to ensure their concerns and expectations were taken into account during the project, as well. Kim Mueck, whose family owns nearby property, says they were at first skeptical about the project. Kim says she expected noise and traffic, but was pleased that wasn't the case after the solar project was built. 'We got Cody's number and, any time we needed anything, the weekends, the holidays, if there was a problem, they were there,' she says. 'It turned out to be a great relationship. The road to get to our own property is way better. They did leave a tree buffer there between our property and the solar farm, so you don't really see it.' 'Once the construction's done and it's here, it's just here,' she says. 'You don't see a lot of people. It's not noisy. There's not a lot of traffic. Like I said, you pass through it to get to our property, but once you're back there, you really don't know it's there.' Optimizing Land for its Greatest Sustainable Purpose The Rayonier team is trained to look carefully at all of our properties, striving to find the best possible purpose for every acre. The majority of Rayonier's land base is best suited for forestry activities, but our business development team is trained to recognize special sites and unique characteristics that are ideal for solar, wind and other critical land-based solutions. Only Select Land is Right for Solar 'As we evaluate the properties that are best for solar, we find that to be a very small percentage of our portfolio overall,' explains Rayonier Business Development Landman Jose Villarreal. Rayonier estimates that only a low, single-digit percentage of its forest land may ultimately become active solar projects. Rayonier's properties that are especially attractive to solar companies have proximity to a population in need of the energy and convenient access to power transmission infrastructure. While the recent ramp up in solar projects across the nation may seem expansive, the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Futures Study states that the most aggressive growth in solar energy development would use, at most, 10.3 million acres of land across the entire U.S. by 2050. That equates to less than 5 percent of land in all U.S. states (except for Rhode Island, which comes in at 6.5 percent). Working with Sustainability-Centric Companies to Deliver Clean Energy Rayonier uses a careful vetting process in determining which companies to work with to deliver clean energy. We choose to work with companies that, like us, put sustainability first; go well beyond the minimum standards to protect the environment; and treat our neighbors and communities with respect. Choosing the Right Partners for the Long Term 'We want to work with solar development companies that share in our core values and our long-term commitments to environmental stewardship,' says Rayonier Energy Resources Manager Zan Frederick. He says his team was pleased with the steps Longroad Energy took to protect the environment around the project site. Designing Solar Projects with a Commitment to Environmental Stewardship While the project site encompassed about 2,500 acres, only 1,300 were developed for solar, allowing Longroad to work around sensitive features, such as streams and wetlands. 'The project from the very beginning was sited and designed to avoid and protect wetlands,' says Longroad Environmental Manager Lindsey Kester. 'We had wetland ecologists survey the project area to identify those boundaries in coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, and then our engineers sited and designed the project to avoid those boundaries. It's a thoughtful process and it doesn't just end with a plan. We have a whole team that ensures that that plan is in compliance through construction and operation through the life of the project.' Construction of the solar project included the development of reservoirs, silt fences and other modalities to prevent impacts on wetlands and the surrounding area. The Longroad team also planted seed lots designed to ensure there will be vegetation such as flowering grasses on the ground year-round, stabilizing the soil. 'That vegetation includes native pollinator plant species that help enhance that environment and provide new habitat where wildlife can thrive,' Lindsey says. You can learn more about Longroad's approach to environmental stewardship by visiting their website here. High Standards for the Life of the Project Our solar leases typically span 30 years or more. When the projects come to a close, the developer will remove all materials, enabling us to resume use of the property for whatever its next highest and best use is, such as forestry. By leasing land for solar projects on select sites, Rayonier ensures the land will be held to the same standards we hold all of our properties to: sustainable land management that will benefit our communities and planet for many years to come. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Rayonier
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Logistics sector opens new tech-driven career paths for South Africa's youth
South Africa's youth unemployment rate remains a critical challenge at 62.4%, but the logistics industry is emerging as a key driver of job creation. Fueled by the growth of e-commerce, digital transformation, and expanding global trade links, logistics is evolving into a dynamic sector that offers diverse opportunities beyond traditional roles, particularly in tech and compliance. Source: DC Studio via Freepik Digital growth drives youth jobs in logistics "From supply chain analytics and IT systems integration to customer experience and compliance, logistics is evolving into a dynamic, tech-enabled industry that offers diverse professional avenues for South Africa's youth," says Gregory Saffy, managing director for sub-Saharan African operations at FedEx. While roles such as drivers, packers and sorters remain essential, new technology-driven processes are reshaping the industry and opening doors to careers in data analytics, systems thinking and automation. "Logistics isn't what it used to be,' Saffy explains. "The real competitive advantage now lies in digital capability, especially in areas like data analytics and systems thinking. We're seeing more engineers and analysts in the business than ever before, guiding operations and enabling automation at scale." Compliance and customs drive growth Compliance and customs clearance are also becoming major areas of employment growth. Saffy highlighted the progress towards formalising customs qualifications as a critical industry milestone. "We're seeing progress in the creation of a national customs clearance certification that will give individuals a recognised qualification, including those with practical experience but no matric pass," he says. "This will create a clear career path and raise the overall standard of compliance across the industry." Additionally, FedEx has begun enrolling customs clerks into courses covering freight forwarding and customs compliance. These programmes not only build technical knowledge but also focus on skills for the future such as digital literacy, data analysis and critical thinking. Learnerships bridge skills gap For youth without formal education, FedEx offers the Yes Learnerships, a 12-month programme combining training, mentoring and hands-on work experience. "Since 2019, we've onboarded more than 150 unemployed youth through YES, with more than 60 going on to become permanent employees," says Saffy. "It's a powerful model for bridging the gap between education and employment." The company also offers a learnership for youth with disabilities, awarding an NQF Level 4 certificate in Business Administration. This includes blended learning, coaching and real-world operational exposure, supporting inclusivity and building work-ready skills. Private sector backing youth jobs FedEx's initiatives, for example, underscore the vital role of private sector skills development in unlocking opportunities for South Africa's youth. 'Logistics is a gateway to global trade,' Saffy says. 'It's no longer just about moving parcels; it's about managing complexity in a fast-paced, tech-driven environment. With the right support and training, South Africa's youth can thrive in this space." All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Major expansion proposed for Mahon Point in Cork to create 1,900 jobs
A major expansion proposed for Mahon Point in Co Cork would create 1,900 jobs. The proposal was announced on Thursday with the imminent submission of a planning application for a mixed-use, demand-led development at Mahon Point Shopping Centre. Advertisement The project, named Mahon Point 2.0, will bring 251 new homes, enhanced civic amenities and social spaces, integrated transport infrastructure, and new retail and office offerings to the area, on what was a brownfield site. The project will be delivered on a phased basis and is expected to create 1,560 new permanent jobs (including 581 by office occupier), alongside 365 jobs during construction. At the heart of Mahon Point 2.0 is a vision shaped by the 15-minute city model - enabling residents to live, work, shop, and socialise within walking or cycling distance. The development includes: 251 apartments, thoughtfully designed for a range of household sizes, with access to open space, play areas, and recreational amenities; A purpose-built crèche supporting 64 child spaces; A new market square and civic plaza to host the Mahon Point Farmers Market, public events and community activities; 13,000 sqm new demand-led retail space; A new office block offering over 70,000 sq ft of workspace; Multi-storey car park with 704 spaces. Centre director at Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Justin Young, said, 'For the last 20 years, Mahon Point Shopping Centre has been the heart and meeting place for Mahon's community and the wider region. Advertisement "We are excited to present Mahon Point 2.0, a demand-led expansion that enhances Mahon for everyone and looks forward to the next 20 years. 'By placing homes, sustainable transport, and civic amenities at the core of this vision, we hope to create a new chapter in Cork's growth that reflects community values as much as economic ambition.' Director at Savills Ireland, Peter O'Meara, said: 'Cork is emerging as an international centre of scale, with a projected population growth of 50-60 per cent by 2040. "With strong demand across residential and retail sectors, this development answers the call for high-quality, integrated spaces that serve both current and future generations.'
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Retired Coal Mines Can Give a Boost to Solar Energy, Report Says
Coal mines abandoned this decade could be used to house about 288 gigawatts of solar panels, more than all the power plants in Germany, from otherwise deserted land, according to a new report by Global Energy Monitor. Dozens of such projects have already been built in China, the world's biggest coal miner and solar developer, while there are also massive opportunities in Australia, Indonesia and the US, the report's authors found. The developments would also create jobs in former mining areas and provide incentives to clean up land scarred by heavy industrial activity.
