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Amazon Expands Renewable Energy Footprint With Three New Projects In Greece

Amazon has announced a major investment in three new renewable energy initiatives across Greece, boosting its commitment to sustainable energy sources. These projects bring the total number of power purchase agreements (PPAs) Amazon has signed in the country to eight, aligning with the company’s broader climate goals as part of its Climate Pledge initiative. The pledge includes achieving net-zero carbon emissions across all its operations by 2040.

The latest projects, with a combined capacity of 657 MW of carbon-free energy, are expected to power around 330,000 households in Greece. Thanasis Patsakas, Country Manager for Greece at Amazon Web Services (AWS), stated, “Amazon is dedicated to driving the transition to carbon-free energy not just for our operations, but for the communities where we serve our customers. We’re proud to have secured eight wind and solar energy deals in Greece, positioning Amazon as the top corporate buyer of renewable energy in both Greece and Europe by 2024.”

Among the recent agreements are the Elzet solar farm and Menelou wind farm, both owned by Portugal’s Greenvolt. Located in Thessaly and Western Greece respectively, these projects are part of a broader strategy to bolster the region’s renewable energy capabilities. The Hellas Green solar farm, developed by Luxcara, adds to this momentum in Western Macedonia.

Minister of Environment and Energy, Theodoros Skylakakis, praised Amazon’s ongoing investments in Greece, highlighting the importance of renewable energy sources for the country’s energy transition. “Greece holds a natural advantage in renewable energy, and Amazon’s continued investment is a catalyst for achieving our national energy goals,” Skylakakis noted. “Such initiatives not only provide environmental benefits but also create new jobs and offer affordable electricity to local households.”

Looking ahead, Amazon has also committed to additional projects, including the Vermi wind farm in Macedonia and wind farms in Peloponnese’s Mesokorfi and Koukouras areas, which are expected to begin operations in 2026.

Forbes Middle East Unveils 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen Of 2025

Forbes Middle East has unveiled its much-anticipated 2025 ranking of the region’s top businesswomen, spotlighting influential leaders reshaping industries and driving meaningful transformation. The list was based on business size, individual accomplishments, leadership impact, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Top Spot For Hana Al Rostamani

For the third consecutive year, Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of First Abu Dhabi Bank (UAE’s largest bank by assets), claims the top position. In addition to retaining her position in the Forbes Middle East ranking, she was also featured on Forbes’ 2024 list of the World’s Most Powerful Women, securing the 60th position globally. Under her leadership, the bank achieved an impressive $3.5 billion in net profits and $334.8 billion in assets in the first nine months of 2024.

Rising Stars In The Top 10

Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar of NBK Group and Shaista Asif, cofounder and Group CEO of PureHealth Holding, take the second and third spots respectively, completing the top three.

The top 10 remains largely unchanged from last year, with Tayba Al Hashemi of ADNOC Offshore, Alisha Moopen of Aster DM Healthcare GCC, and Suzanne Al Anani of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) making their debut in the top 10. In total, 27 new leaders have joined the list this year.

A Diverse And Powerful Group Of Women

This year’s list features 100 women from 32 sectors and 29 nationalities, underlining the diversity of talent driving the region’s progress. The banking and financial services sector leads with 25 entries, followed by healthcare and technology with nine each, and venture capital with five. Remarkably, 40% of the top 10 women are from the banking and financial services sector. Notably, Shaista Asif (PureHealth Holding) and Alisha Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare GCC) are the only non-Arab women in the top 10.

UAE Leads With 46 Leaders

The UAE continues to dominate, with 46 of the women on the list hailing from the country, solidifying its status as a global business hub. Egypt follows with 18 influential women, and Saudi Arabia claims nine entries. Egyptians lead in representation, followed by Emiratis and Lebanese women.

Empowering Women Through Initiatives

Several of the leaders have focused on upskilling and creating opportunities for women. Susana Rodriguez Puerta launched the ‘sAIdaty’ initiative in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, aimed at providing 500 female council members in the UAE with AI skills. Similarly, Lamia Tazi of SOTHEMA collaborated with the Foundation for Research, Development, and Innovation in Science and Engineering to provide scholarships to PhD students from low-income backgrounds.

Click here for the full list.

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