Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has awarded an Dhs216m contract for a major project aimed at strengthening the efficiency and reliability of Dubai’s water transmission network.

The contract covers the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) pipelines of various diameters, along with associated works across multiple locations in the emirate.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said the project aligns with the authority’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and reinforcing the resilience of Dubai’s water infrastructure, in line with the emirate’s long-term sustainability and development objectives.

Read: DEWA begins trial operations at Dhs1.42bn Hatta hydroelectric power plant

The scope of work includes the installation, testing and commissioning of a 7.1km main water transmission pipeline, as well as 20 interconnections linking transmission and distribution networks. These upgrades are designed to increase water flow and pressure across several areas of Dubai, strengthening system readiness and supporting rising demand.

Scheduled for completion within 24 months, the project will help ensure adequate water supply for current and future requirements, while supporting Dubai’s expanding infrastructure and multi-sector development agenda.

Joby Aviation has announced plans to double its manufacturing capacity in the United States as it prepares to scale production of its electric air taxis, targeting an output of four aircraft per month by 2027.

The expansion comes amid growing momentum for advanced air mobility, supported by strong commercial interest and increasing regulatory backing. Joby has recently disclosed more than $1bn in potential aircraft and service sales, while the US government’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program is accelerating efforts to enable electric air taxi operations in select markets as early as next year, ahead of full FAA certification.

“We are entering the next golden age of aviation,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation. “From factories in California and Ohio, we plan to redefine how people travel across the world, as Joby becomes one of a small number of companies in the world with the industrial capability to build aircraft at this pace and quality.”

Bevirt added: “Given the maturity of our air taxi program and the significant demand we’re seeing for our aircraft, we’re confident now is the right time to invest in the equipment, facilities and people required to accelerate production, and we look forward to doing so with Toyota, the world’s largest auto manufacturer, at our side.”

To support the expansion, Joby has begun procuring capital equipment to increase output from two to four aircraft per month and is hiring to enable round-the-clock manufacturing operations at its California facility. The company recently completed an expanded manufacturing site in Marina, California, and has also started propeller blade production in Ohio, ahead of further manufacturing growth in the state.

Read: Joby Aviation completes first piloted eVTOL flight, eyes Dubai launch

The announcement follows a key regulatory milestone, with Joby commencing power-on testing of the first FAA-conforming aircraft built for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA), the final phase of the FAA’s type certification process. All remaining FAA-conforming aircraft required for TIA testing are now in production.

In May 2025, Joby closed the first $250m tranche of a strategic investment from Toyota Motor Corporation, reinforcing the long-term collaboration between the two companies. Joby and Toyota are now working toward finalising a strategic manufacturing alliance to support the planned production ramp-up.

“Our partnership with Toyota has been central to our ability to scale manufacturing,” Bevirt said. “Their knowledge, experience and expertise has been invaluable as we enter this next stage of growth.”

Chalhoub Group, the Middle East’s leading luxury retail group, has signed a solar lease agreement with Yellow Door Energy to power its fulfilment hub in Riyadh with clean, renewable energy, marking another step in the group’s sustainability journey in Saudi Arabia.

The 848 kilowatt-peak (kWp) project will see a fully off-grid rooftop solar power plant installed at the facility, eliminating reliance on the local electricity network. The system will comprise more than 1,380 solar panels and is expected to generate around 1.2 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity in its first year of operation, reducing carbon emissions by an estimated 460 metric tons.

Construction of the solar plant is already underway, with completion targeted for early 2026. Under the terms of the solar lease, Yellow Door Energy will finance, design, build, commission, operate, and maintain the installation, enabling Chalhoub Group to access renewable energy without assuming operational or technical risk while remaining focused on its core business.

Read: Yellow Door Energy marks 10 years with 1 billion kWh of clean energy generated

Mohammed Aldabbagh, KSA managing director at Chalhoub Group, commented: “At Chalhoub Group, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do: it is embedded in our purpose and business model, not an add-on. Our solar lease with Yellow Door Energy is a tangible step in bringing our ESG commitments to life, reflecting our dedication to the planet, our people, and our partners. Through initiatives like this, we aim to reduce our environmental footprint, foster inclusive and empowering workplaces, and work collaboratively with our partners to drive meaningful change. Projects such as this allow us to contribute positively to Saudi Arabia’s sustainability ambitions while continuing to inspire and delight our customers.”

Khaled Chebaro, country director KSA at Yellow Door Energy, said: “We are honored to partner with Chalhoub Group, an iconic luxury retailer that has been adorning the Middle East since 1955. Through the solar lease, significant cost savings and carbon emissions reductions will be achieved, demonstrating that what is good for the planet is also good for business. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to lead the region in its sustainability stewardship. This solar lease reinforces that leadership and supports the Kingdom’s Net Zero by 2060 target.”

Qatar is banking on its abundant, low-cost energy to make up for lost time in the Gulf’s artificial intelligence race, hoping that cheap power and deep pockets will help it catch up with regional rivals that have already secured a head start.

The launch of Qai, backed by the country’s $526bn sovereign wealth fund and a $20bn joint venture with Brookfield BN.N, marks Qatar’s most ambitious move yet into a sector that is reshaping global technology and economics.

It joins massive investments in Saudi Arabia, and Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, as part of the region’s broader efforts to diversify away from oil revenues.

But while energy advantage is a powerful lure for hyperscalers – the cloud giants such as Google, Microsoft and Meta driving AI adoption – analysts say the Gulf’s ambitions face structural hurdles that go beyond infrastructure.

To become significant players in AI, Gulf states must navigate a thicket of challenges: replicating Western-style data governance, securing scarce advanced chips under US export controls, and attracting top-tier talent in a fiercely competitive global market.

These factors, rather than capital alone, will determine whether the region can translate its financial firepower into meaningful influence in the AI ecosystem.

“The key component there we believe would be Qatar’s ability to emulate the American policy on data privacy laws … when you look around the world at the moment, the single biggest hindrance to significant AI deployment is the regulatory piece,” said Stephen Beard, global head of data centres at Knight Frank.

Qatar has disclosed few details about Qai, but its timing reflects surging demand for AI infrastructure as companies bet on the technology to drive efficiency and cut costs.

“The compute demand is so massive that any new infrastructure buildout in an energy-abundant Qatar that fronts financing is welcomed news for American hyperscalers … In this phase of the AI buildout, there’s room for multiple players,” said Mohammed Soliman, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington.

However, analysts warn that capturing hyperscaler demand will require sustained investment and policy alignment over many years.

“We expect $800bn to be spent on the AI data centre buildout in the Middle East over the next two years,” said Dan Ives, analyst at Wedbush.

Qatar’s competitive edge lies in its low-cost electricity, which could offset the region’s high cooling costs in a desert climate. Emirates NBD notes Middle East PUE ratings – a measure of data centre energy efficiency – average 1.79 versus 1.56 globally.

Beard estimates Qatar could become a 1.5 to 2 gigawatt market by 2030 if it sustains cheap power and accelerates development. By comparison, Saudi Arabia’s Humain aims for 6 GW by 2034, while the UAE’s G42 is building the first phase of a 5-GW AI campus, set to rank among the world’s largest outside the United States.

Qatar’s progress will be notable if it reaches 500 megawatts by 2029, said Jonathan Atkin, RBC’s global head of communications infrastructure, adding that utilisation rates will matter as much as capacity.

The UAE currently hosts 35 data centres, Saudi Arabia 20, and Qatar five, according to Emirates NBD. The US is home to more than 5,000.

With its sovereign wealth, Qatar brings financial muscle but faces a steep climb against entrenched rivals.

“I think it is fair to say Qatar/Doha is the late entrant in a four-horse race,” said Counterpoint Research director Marc Einstein, referring to Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s Abu Dhabi and Dubai. “It does have some advantages… but in terms of volumes and scale, Qatar’s neighbours are in a much better position.”

Beyond infrastructure, compliance is critical. Humain and G42 must adhere to strict US rules on chip usage to secure US tech giant Nvidia’s NVDA.O most advanced Blackwell processors. Qai will need similar assurances to Washington.

“The US wants a clear line of sight into where every chip is, who is using it, and what networks it touches. That means detailed reporting, on-the-ground checks, strict rules for technicians from high-risk countries … It’s something the US will be watching closely over time,” Soliman said.

Blacklane, the global chauffeur service, has partnered with The Helicopter Company (THC), Saudi Arabia’s premier commercial helicopter operator, to offer integrated luxury air and ground mobility services in the kingdom, the companies said on Tuesday.

The collaboration will combine premium helicopter travel with chauffeur-driven ground transport, initially positioning Blacklane’s services as first- and last-mile connections for THC helicopter journeys.

The two companies are also exploring deeper technology integration across their digital platforms, including mobile applications, to expand Blacklane’s service offerings in the future.

“Our partnership with The Helicopter Company represents a bold step toward redefining luxury mobility,” said Dr Jens Wohltorf, founder and chief executive of Blacklane.

“By combining Blacklane’s world-class chauffeur services with The Helicopter Company’s expertise in the air, we are creating a prestigious experience for discerning travelers, bringing skylines and expressways together for the first time,” he added.

The Helicopter company collab will integrate premium ground and air services

Captain Arnaud Martinez, chief executive of The Helicopter Company, said the partnership supports the transformation of Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector and the kingdom’s broader transport ambitions.

“By integrating premium ground and air services, we are enhancing the traveler journey and contributing to the kingdom’s vision for a smarter, more connected transport ecosystem,” he said.

As part of the agreement, Blacklane and THC will jointly design and test the end-to-end guest journey, including trial flights and coordinated first- and last-mile trips.

The initial focus will be on high-demand routes from Riyadh and other premium travel hubs, with plans to launch the integrated service in selected markets following successful trials.

Blacklane, headquartered in Berlin, operates chauffeur services across six continents and works with tens of thousands of chauffeur partners worldwide.

The Helicopter Company was established under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund strategy to support Vision 2030 and has been operating since mid-2019 with a fleet of more than 60 aircraft serving emergency medical services, aerial work, private charters and tourism.

Read: Blacklane elevates Dubai service with Rolls-Royce Platinum Class