meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Rolls-Royce charts net-zero path

26 October 2023

UK-headquartered Rolls-Royce aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions from its operations and facilities, excluding product testing and development, by 2030.

This entails building energy-efficient facilities and a significant reduction in energy consumption and waste sent to landfills.

Meeting its long-term sustainable target will inevitably require facilitating its customers – which range from aircraft and transport operators to utilities – meet theirs.

“We have a long history of bringing to market ever more efficient technologies in aviation, transport and mobility and nuclear power generation,” says John Kelly, Rolls-Royce’s president for the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (Meta) region. “These sectors being hard-to-abate or decarbonise does not stop us [from pursuing energy efficient solutions].”

Sustainable jet fuel

The company recognises that the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (saf) and other synthetic fuels produced in a non-carbon-generative process, among other technologies, will play a key role in decarbonising the aviation sector.

Kelly says Rolls-Royce continues to work on and invest in more efficient gas turbine jet engines, such as the UltraFan, a demonstrator aero engine that is designed to burn 25 per cent less fuel compared to the first generation of its Trent jet engine.

UltraFan can be used for narrowbody and widebody aircraft that may be developed from the 2030s. It will also be ready to run on saf from day one of service.

“Regulations and enabling factors are key to reducing the carbon footprint of jet engines,” says Kelly.

Related read: Emirates and Shell Aviation sign sustainable fuel deal

It is understood that Rolls-Royce's ongoing research and tests drawn from initiatives such as its UltraFan programme will also contribute towards improving the efficiency of aircraft fleets and operators.

“We do not produce saf, but we work with partners and regulators and fuel offtakers to look for ways to improve its commercial viability.

“We have tested commercial and business aircraft limit of 50 per cent saf, and established that we can operate a flight safely using 50 per cent saf.  We are also pushing to get to 100 per cent, which should lead to increased offtake of saf in future,” says Kelly.

The key issues today for saf, as well as other synthetic fuels, include price point, availability and competitiveness compared to conventional jet fuel.

“The key is to scale up not just saf but other synthetic fuels from manufactured chemicals, or fuels that are produced in a non-carbon-generative way," the executive explains. "This requires regulations and government incentives in line with net-zero targets. It also requires ongoing dialogues, as this obviously has a political angle."

Kelly says events like the upcoming Cop28 climate summit and the airshow in Dubai can foster an environment that allows these dialogues and conversations to advance.

Hydrogen fuel

Beyond retrofits and the development of energy-efficient jet engines, Rolls-Royce is also looking at other alternative technologies, such as hydrogen both as a direct fuel source for aircraft as well as for the electrification of transport.

“We have conducted ground tests on engines using hydrogen as a direct fuel source with excellent results. Electrification in airport shuttles and mobility also offers opportunities, leading to shorter commute time or minimising traffic and reducing or eliminating fossil fuel requirement,” explains Kelly.

Air taxis are another area of opportunity, with air taxi engines being tested today.

Kelly reiterates the need for ongoing dialogues with the region’s sovereign wealth funds and regulators, among others, about how existing products across its business can be improved.

“Technology is a route to decarbonise. We have a range of solutions that will be available at different times as we get to net-zero… these solutions offer potential incremental benefits to users and customers.”

New nuclear

Small modular reactors (SMR), or the so-called 'new nuclear', is another non-carbon power resource that Rolls-Royce has up its sleeve.

“We have products that can produce 470MW of electricity, which is another option for a non-carbon power source,” says Kelly. 

“On one hand, we try to help enable synthetic fuels for aviation, on the other we also have SMR that helps enable synthetic fuels or enable utility companies and electricity grids to produce non-carbon power.”

While Rolls-Royce supports the development of wind and solar energy, both require tremendous amounts of cement and steel and using SMRs can help alleviate the carbon intensity of these materials and technologies.

“SMRs help scale up synthetic fuel production in a non-carbon-generative way,” says Kelly.

With at least two to three jurisdictions in the Middle East and North Africa region looking at SMRs, Kelly confirms ongoing discussions with those countries.

Related read: Small reactors top nuclear agenda

The confluence of significant growth and the drive to achieve long-term economic programmes such as Saudi Vision 2030, which in turn places a strong focus on manufacturing and development, means Rolls-Royce is on hand to explore partnerships and potential local production for relevant products or technologies.

“We are here to partner…  the Rolls-Royce vision is to enable local development and to be able to manufacture globally and foster a global supply chain,” he concludes.

Photos: Rolls-Royce

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11241190/main4813.jpg
Jennifer Aguinaldo

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Opec+ approves fourth consecutive oil output quota hike

    8 June 2026

    The Opec+ alliance of oil producers has agreed a fourth increase in its oil output targets in as many months, even though the conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel is still preventing several members from pumping more crude.

    The war has disrupted oil flows via the Strait of Hormuz, creating a severe supply crisis. Key Opec+ members, including Saudi Arabia, have been unable to supply customers in full since the end of February. The crisis for Opec+ deepened when the UAE left Opec after almost 60 years of membership.

    Seven core members of Opec+ – which comprises Opec countries and a group of non-Opec states led by Russia – raised their output quotas from April to June by almost 600,000 barrels a day (b/d).

    In practice, however, the group’s production has fallen sharply due to export cuts by Gulf members, averaging 33.19 million b/d in April compared with 42.77 million b/d in February, according to Opec figures.

    At the latest meeting of Opec+ oil ministers on 7 June, the seven members agreed to increase targets by 188,000 b/d from July, Opec said in a statement. This matches the June hike, which was adjusted down from monthly increases of 206,000 b/d in April and May to take account of the UAE’s exit.

    Iraq’s oil output quota will rise by 26,000 b/d from July under the agreement, an oil ministry spokesperson told Iraq’s state news agency.

     

    On 5 June, oil prices fell to about $93 a barrel as traders gained confidence that renewed conflict between the US and Iran was becoming less likely. Prices were close to $72 before the war began on 28 February.

    Brent crude rose sharply at the start of this week after Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel on the night of 7 June, heightening fears that US-Iran peace talks might once again collapse. Israel has since retaliated with strikes in western and central Iran, despite calls from US President Donald Trump not to respond to the Iranian missiles.

    Brent crude jumped by around 4.5% early on 8 June and was trading at $97.52 a barrel as of 11am GST.

    The seven key Opec+ members are increasing production as part of the gradual unwinding of a 1.65 million b/d production cut agreed in 2023 by the coalition, which at the time included the UAE.

    From July, the seven have about 567,000 b/d of the original cut left to return to the market – taking into account the UAE’s exit from 1 May – according to Reuters calculations.

    That would imply the remainder of the cut will be unwound by the end of September if Opec+ maintains monthly hikes of about 188,000 b/d in August and September.

    The seven of the 21 Opec+ members who met on 7 June were Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan, Russia and Oman. In recent years, only these seven – plus the UAE when it was a member– have been involved in the group’s output-policy decisions.

    In a separate meeting on Sunday attended by all Opec+ members, ministers made no change to the group-wide output policy in place until the end of 2026, Opec+ said in another statement.

    Opec+ is also reviewing members’ oil production capacity to use as a reference for 2027 production baselines, from which quotas are set. On Sunday, the group reaffirmed the importance of completing the assessment, the statement said.

    ALSO READ: UAE to continue working with Opec, energy minister says

     

    READ THE JUNE 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    GCC looks beyond the Strait; Iraq’s reform window narrows as fiscal assumptions shatter; MEED Top 100 companies.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the June 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17143267/main.jpg
    Indrajit Sen
  • Deme wins dredging work for Tunisian ports

    8 June 2026

    The Office de la Marine Marchande et des Ports (OMMP) has awarded Belgium’s Deme a contract to carry out dredging and marine works at three ports in Tunisia.

    The project covers works at Sousse, Menzel Bourguiba/Bizerte and Rades/La Goulette. Deme will first construct containment dykes at the ports of Menzel Bourguiba and Sousse. The two ports are located more than 200 kilometres apart, which the contractor says will require careful planning, coordination and optimised logistics.

    The second phase involves extensive dredging works at all three locations, for which Deme will deploy a trailing suction hopper dredger.

    The project will use three distinct approaches to sustainably and efficiently manage dredged material, tailored to the characteristics of each location.

    In Sousse and Menzel Bourguiba, the material will be reused for land reclamation. In Bizerte, a combined approach will be adopted, with part of the material used for reclamation at Menzel Bourguiba and the remainder disposed of offshore. In Rades and La Goulette, all dredged material will be pumped ashore to a designated area.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17143268/main.jpg
    Colin Foreman
  • Egypt firm wins South Med desalination design contract

    8 June 2026

    Cairo-headquartered Engineering Experience Group (EEG) has won a design and engineering services contract for the planned South Med seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant in Al-Dabaa, Egypt.

    The South Med project will have a production capacity of 160,000 cubic metres a day.

    Located in Egypt’s Matrouh governorate on the Mediterranean coast, it is being developed for the Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces’ Water Management Department.

    Local firm Elsewedy Electric Infrastructure previously announced it was the main engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the project.

    In a company publication, Elsewedy indicated that project activities are expected to run from 2026 to 2028, suggesting commercial operations could begin around 2028.

    As MEED understands, Elsewedy has engaged EEG to provide engineering services. The scope includes detailed design, shop drawings, as-built documentation, project coordination and 3D building information modelling services.

    The company said the work will cover electrical, instrumentation and control systems, architecture, structural and steel works, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, wet and dry utilities, roads and landscaping.

    According to company data, the desalination sector accounts for about 25% of EEG’s water projects portfolio. The company said it has completed about 72 projects in the water sector to date, including wastewater treatment, industrial wastewater treatment, water treatment and desalination schemes.

    READ THE JUNE 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    GCC looks beyond the Strait; Iraq’s reform window narrows as fiscal assumptions shatter; MEED Top 100 companies.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the June 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17143025/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Israel strikes Iranian petrochemicals complex

    8 June 2026

    Israel has hit Iran’s Mahshahr petrochemicals complex in the country’s Khuzestan province, according to the Israeli military and reports in Iranian news outlets.

    The Israeli military said that it was targeting Karun Petrochemical Company.

    In a separate statement, Mahshahr Petrochemical Special Economic Zone said that workers at the site had been evacuated.

    Karun Petrochemical Company produces a range of products.

    It has the nameplate capacity to produce 40,000 tonnes a year (t/y) of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and 40,000 t/y of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI).

    It also has the capacity to produce 30,000 t/y of aniline and 92,300 t/y of nitric acid (HNO3).

    TDI and MDI are both used primarily as building blocks to create polyurethane products.

    TDI is mostly used to make flexible polyurethane foams and MDI is usually used to create rigid foams, adhesives, sealants and elastomers.

    Aniline is also used to make urethane polymers, as well as being used in the dye industry, where it is a precursor to indigo, which is used to dye jeans blue.

    Nitric acid is a highly corrosive mineral acid and its main industrial use is to produce fertilisers.

    The Mahshahr petrochemicals complex is one of the most important petrochemical complexes in Iran. It was previously hit by Israel in strikes in April, forcing evacuations.

    On 4 April, Israeli forces targeted at least eight major petrochemical complexes in the Mahshahr region, along with critical supporting infrastructure, including power plants that supply electricity to the industrial zone.

    Mahshahr accounts for approximately 28% of Iran’s petrochemicals production.

    Iran’s petrochemicals industry is the country’s second-largest source of export revenue after crude oil.

    The country has a nominal production capacity of about 95 million t/y of petrochemicals, although actual output prior to the latest conflict was significantly lower due to persistent shortages of electricity and natural gas.

    Iran has invested tens of billions of dollars in developing its petrochemicals infrastructure, and if facilities are severely damaged, rebuilding would pose a major financial and technical challenge.

    READ THE JUNE 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    GCC looks beyond the Strait; Iraq’s reform window narrows as fiscal assumptions shatter; MEED Top 100 companies.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the June 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17142886/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp
  • Ora awards Unec a $517m UAE construction deal

    8 June 2026

    Egypt’s Ora Developers has awarded local contractor United Engineering Construction (Unec) a AED1.9bn ($517m) main works contract for the first phase of the Bayn mixed-use development in Ghantoot, between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

    The 31-month construction contract covers 614 residential units, including townhouses and standalone villas, across Cluster B (Y Waterway), Cluster C (Y Lagoon) and Cluster D (Y Lagoon 2). The scope also includes associated infrastructure and landscaping works.

    In a statement, Ora said mobilisation started immediately, with construction commencing on 1 June. The programme includes interim milestones for each cluster.

    In December last year, NMDC Group won a AED142m contract to execute enabling works for the Bayn masterplan.

    UK-based firm Mace has been appointed to lead the overall project management. Canadian firm WSP will serve as the masterplan, infrastructure, landscape and water bodies design consultant.

    US-based Aecom will provide construction supervision services. Hong Kong’s 10 Design is the project’s architectural concept design consultant. Local firm Dewan Architects & Engineers is the project’s design consultant and architect of record. The UK’s Currie & Brown is the cost consultant.

    MEED reported in April that Ora Developers signed a land acquisition agreement with Abu Dhabi-based developer Modon Holding to acquire an additional 4.8 million square metres (sq m) of land in Ghantoot. The acquisition will increase the Bayn masterplan from 4.8 million sq m to 9.6 million sq m.

    Ora added that total investment in the masterplan is expected to reach AED30bn on completion.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17142916/main.jpg