NEWS
Marafiq awarded Energy Efficiency Excellence Award for green energy initiatives
Marafiq , an OQ company affiliated with the
Oman Investment Authority , has won the Energy Efficiency Excellence Award while its Managing Director Abdullah Al Hashimi was named Sustainability Provider of the Year at the Sustainability Innovation Awards 2024 .
The accolades underscore Marafiq ’ s leadership in environmental stewardship and its comprehensive Environmental , Social , and Governance , ESG strategy . A key component of this strategy includes pioneering green energy initiatives , such as phasing out diesel-powered plants . These efforts are aligned with Oman ’ s Net Zero 2050 goals and aim to support the country ’ s transition towards a low-carbon economy while promoting sustainable development .
Marafiq has implemented several innovative energy efficiency measures , such as utilising pressure energy exchangers , which significantly reduces power consumption and emissions us . By integrating solar panels and installing efficient equipment , the company has further enhanced its sustainable development goals .
Abdullah Al Hashimi , Managing Director at Marafiq , said , “ Sustainability is at the core of all our operations at Marafiq , extending beyond just providing best-in-class integrated utility solutions . Duqm ’ s prominence as a global industrial and logistics hub grows , we will continue to promote sustainable development in the region by implementing eco-friendly practices .”
At the Marafiq RO Plant in Duqm , the company harnesses pressure energy exchangers to reduce power consumption by nearly 58 %, significantly reducing emissions , operational costs and improving energy efficiency of the plant . This innovation lowers the specific energy required for water production from 7.1 kWh to just 3 kWh per cubic meter , resulting in substantial cost savings and reduced environmental impact .
Marafiq has strengthened its ESG framework by establishing a Sustainability and Value Creation division to raise local awareness and support community initiatives . At the DPC Plant , energy efficiency is further advanced through the adoption of efficient electrical equipment and solar panel installations . These initiatives underscore Marafiq ’ s commitment to reducing energy consumption , curbing emissions , and promoting sustainable development .
CREST launches CREST CAMP to be hosted in Oman boosting cyber security maturity
CREST , the global not-for-profit body supporting the cyber security industry , is intensifying its efforts to drive professionalisation and growth among cyber security service providers worldwide . With the launch of CREST ’ s Cyber Accelerated Maturity Programme , CREST CAMP , CREST is taking a more active role in fast-tracking the maturity and development of companies in regions that have identified the need to improve the capability of their cyber security ecosystem .
CREST CAMP embodies CREST ’ s mission to actively support companies in their journey toward professionalisation by providing targeted mentoring , training , and guidance through the stages of the CREST Accreditation Pathway towards full membership and accreditation . Through strategic partnerships , CREST is setting new standards for growth and sustainability within the cyber security
ecosystems of participating regions .
CREST CEO Nick Benson said , “ CREST member companies around the world , as mentors and examples of what good looks like , will play an important part in this crucial work . In today ’ s increasingly interconnected global market we must look beyond our own national borders to do the hard work that makes us all safer from cyber threats .”
The programme will run in Armenia , Bahrain , Georgia , Ghana , Kenya , Lithuania , Malaysia , Thailand , Oman , and Philippines from September 2024 to March 2025 , aiming to boost cyber security maturity and emphasise the private sector ’ s critical role in national security .
This initiative reflects a significant shift in development funding priorities . Traditionally , many cyber security capacity building grants have been directed toward government agencies and their staff . This is strategically key , but it does mean there is more we can
Nick Benson
do in the private sector given its critical role in the broader security landscape . CREST CAMP addresses this gap by acknowledging that the private sector is also key to safeguarding national security .
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