This year, governments have demonstrated evident collaboration on initiatives aimed at combatting climate change.

An area of focus has been the transmission and distribution sector, where notable progress has been made on various interconnection projects that aim to connect the electricity grids of different countries.

These projects are primarily driven by the goal of improving efficiency.

For GCC nations, in particular, the ability to access affordable large-scale solar energy, coupled with significant variations in energy demands between colder and hotter months, often results in surplus capacity.

Integrating these fluctuations within a broader regional or international grid not only helps to balance supply and demand, but also reduces the need for additional power generation and subsequently decreases carbon emissions.

In the June issue of MEED Business Review, MEED's energy editor Jennifer Aguinaldo presents in-depth analysis on the vital Big Grid connections planned within the GCC states, with neighbouring countries such as Iraq and Jordan and far beyond the GCC.

She also concludes, in her analysis on the region's data centre building boom, that trends in power and data connectivity appear to intertwine.

This month's market focus covers Iraq, where the government's bumper budget and project spending promises come bundled with more onerous fiscal commitments.

MEED's latest issue also includes the MEED Top 100, our annual ranking of the largest Middle East and North Africa-listed companies. 

We hope our valued subscribers enjoy the June 2023 issue of MEED Business Review. 

Must-read sections in the June 2023 edition of MEED Business Review include:

> AGENDA: Region plans vital big grid connections

> DATA CONNECTIVITY: Soaring data demand drives boom

> DEFENCE BUDGETS: Middle East defence spending accelerates

> LIBYA: Libya's stability may be eroded by Sudan war

> MEED TOP 100 COMPANIES: 
Middle East equities hold largely steady
Leading Mena banks give little ground in 2023

> IRAQ MARKET FOCUS: Iraq’s bumper budget holds promise and risk

> MEED COMMENTS: 
Generative AI could be an ally or a foe
Adnoc revisits approach to strategic projects
Stalled mall highlights Saudi market weakness
UAE carriers reopen prospect of merger speculation

> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf projects index inches up in May

> APRIL 2023 CONTRACTS: Saudi deals dominate in April

> INTERVIEW: Aramco steps in to boost Saudi steel potential

> MEED INDEX: Riyadh maintains its economic lead

> LEADERSHIP: Towards a human-centric capitalism in cities

> MARKET TALK: CIB pursues Africa expansion goal

> SAUDI TOURISM: Saudi Arabia showcases tourism plans

> LUXURY HOTELS: UAE luxury hospitality builds momentum

> GEOTHERMAL ENERGY: The unsung hero of net zero

> MARKET SNAPSHOT: Mena renewable energy projects

> OPINION: Trump, Turkiye and the trouble ahead

> BUSINESS OUTLOOK: Finance, oil and gas, construction, power and water contracts