An agreement has been signed which will see Emerge install a 980kWp rooftop solar plant for Dubai Maritime City. Emerge is a joint venture between Masdar and EDF Group ans notes that the plant will offset 780t of CO2 emissions a year.

According to a statement, the project is part of a wider energy transition led by DP World, the parent company of Dubai Maritime City, to facilitate the widespread adoption of renewable energy and battery energy storage systems (BESS) within DP World’s global supply chain.

“Our agreement with Dubai Maritime City to install a rooftop solar plant builds on the success we have enjoyed in developing several projects in the UAE since Emerge was formed as an energy services company offering full turnkey solutions at no upfront cost to the client. We are proud to support this project and to significantly contribute to the Dubai Maritime City’s decarbonisation goals,” said Michel Abi Saab, Emerge General Manager.

To be placed on the roof of the staff accommodation building and consisting of more than 1,700 solar modules, the plant will be delivered by Emerge as a turnkey solution, including finance, design, procurement, construction, operations, and maintenance of the solar modules for 25 years.

Ahmed Al Hammadi, Chief Operating Officer of Dubai Maritime City, DP World added, “The deployment of clean energy is a central part of our sustainability strategy to become carbon neutral by 2040 and Net Zero carbon by 2050. We are excited to partner with innovative companies like Emerge and Masdar to accelerate our transition to renewables and look forward to starting work on this solar plant at Dubai Maritime City.”

The project will contribute to the UAE Energy Strategy 2050 initiative, which aims to see renewable energy make up 44% of the country’s clean energy mix by 2050. Rooftop solar PV could provide approximately 6% of the UAE’s total power generation by 2030, according to a projection by the International Renewable Energy Agency in its REmap 2030 report on renewable energy prospects for the UAE.

As an energy services company, Emerge offers clients full turnkey solutions through solar power agreements at no up-front cost to the client, the firm noted.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Alstom has been awarded a major contract to boost the capacity of the Innovia automated people mover (APM) system at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The move is said to be a significant step in the Kingdom’s preparations to accommodate the airport’s projected passenger growth, which is expected to surpass 100m passengers by 2030.

As per the terms of the deal, Alstom will undertake the design, engineering, supply, integration, testing and commissioning of a full system upgrade of Jeddah’s International Airport Terminal 1 People Mover, including four additional Innovia APM cars, to be added into the current fleet of ten.

The firm said the project also calls for an upgrade to the signalling and communication systems, the implementation of platform screen doors, cybersecurity enhancements, and the establishment of a new Operation Control Room.

“The enhancement of the Innovia APM system is a crucial element in enriching the transit experience at King Abdulaziz International Airport, a bustling gateway influenced by the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030. This significant upgrade will be instrumental in accommodating the increased passenger volumes resulting from the nation’s active promotion of tourism and the modernisation of visa protocols,” stated Mohamed Khalil, Managing Director of Alstom in Saudi Arabia.

He continued, “Alstom’s mission to bolster the Jeddah Airport Company’s (JEDCO) operational efficiency shines through this project, reinforcing our pledge to be a resilient, long-term partner in the region’s remarkable evolution.”

According to Khalil, the project will draw on Alstom’s global in-house expertise in integrated railway systems.

The APM cars are equipped with Cityflo 650 CBTC solution, which has been designed to meet the most stringent safety, reliability, maintainability and availability requirements. The existing fleet will be retrofitted with the latest Motion Recording Video systems, he added.

In 2022, Alstom and Jeddah Airports Company (Jedco) entered into a new five-year contract for the operation and maintenance of Jeddah Airport’s APM system, the firm stated.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

The financial close of a 180 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination project in Hassyan has been announced by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Saudi-based Acwa Power.

According to a report, the project is a key component of DEWA’s strategy to enhance the emirate’s water desalination capacity. It will be the world’s largest project of its kind using RO technology under the Independent Water Producer (IWP) model, with an investment of US $920mn.

“We are committed to developing an advanced and integrated energy and water infrastructure that aligns with Dubai’s progressive development and caters to the increasing demand for electricity and water services while meeting the requirements of comprehensive sustainable development plans and the Dubai Urban Plan 2040,” remarked Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the MD & CEO of DEWA.

He added, “This initiative supports Dubai’s Integrated Water Resources Management Strategy 2030, which emphasises resource optimisation and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions.”

The project is expected to play a crucial role in Dubai’s plan to produce 100% of its desalinated water by 2030 from a clean energy and waste heat mix.

Mohammad Abunayyan, Founder and Chairman of Acwa Power expressed delight at joining forces with DEWA to finalise the financing of the project. He noted, “This partnership serves as a model for fruitful projects that we operate and manage in cooperation with DEWA, as part of our commitment to contributing to Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050.”

“We have set a world record for the lowest tariff for desalinated water as well as the most energy-efficient reverse osmosis technology for the first plant in the world that is fully powered by renewable energy at the Hassyan complex in Dubai,” he concluded.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Egypt-headquartered Hassan Allam Holding’s Saudi unit has won an additional contract for the Marina Hotel in Amaala Triple Bay. The contract outlines that the firm will handle civil construction, secondary infrastructure and in-ground services work.

The project is part of the hospitality package being developed in Amaala, which include the Four Seasons Hotel, Rosewood Residence and Hotel, Six Senses Residence and Hotel as well as the medical wellness resort located at Triple Bay.

“Expanding upon our initial scope of civil construction works covering a built-up area of 61,128sqm, our additional scope encompasses all secondary infrastructure and in-ground services for the Marina Hotel,” said a company spokesman.

The contract covers roads and paving, irrigation network, electrical MV network, ELV/ICT/GSM containment works, as well as all other utilities, alongside external signage and wayfinding installations. With a dedicated focus on Saudi Arabia, Hassan Allam Holding remains committed to contributing to the nation’s future by diversifying the economy, advancing tourism, and fostering innovation, he added.

Work is said to be moving at a steady pace at the Four Seasons property being developed by Red Sea Global. Hassan Allam is building the branded residences, hotel villas, and the main Four Seasons hotel in a joint venture with Rawabi Specialized Contracting, a subsidiary of Saudi-based Rawabi Holding Group.

He continued, “Our focus on our core markets remains resolute as we continue to strengthen economic diversification, fostering tourism, and championing innovation in line with our global expansion strategy.”

Earlier in the year, Hassan Allam said its subsidiary Kortech had won a major contract for a medical wellness resort project located within Amaala Triple Bay in a joint venture with Saudi electromechanical contractor Sharqawi. The project comprises a 75-key hotel, 13 branded residences and villas with a total built-up area of 175,000sqm.

The company noted that it is already working on the Rosewood Residence and Hotel in Amaala Triple Bay in partnership with Rawabi Specialized Contracting.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Two contracts worth US $168mn have been awarded by developer Arada for the construction of all 565 homes within its premium community Azalea. The community is part of the fourth phase of the Masaar megaproject, which is taking shape in the Suyoh district of Sharjah.

Announcing the contract awards, Arada said Saleh Construction will build 324 residences, while Yanal Building Contracting Company will deliver 241 homes. Construction work will begin immediately and all homes will be completed and handed over by the end of 2025.

Contracts for the remaining two phases will be awarded in the second quarter, with the entire project scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, the developer noted.

“The feedback we have received from the first residents who have started moving into Masaar in recent months has been exceptional, underlining our commitment to setting a new standard of living for the UAE. Since we launched Masaar in 2021, it has become one of the country’s most successful offplan projects, with strong capital appreciation over the last three years creating significant additional value for our buyers,” states Arada Group CEO Ahmed Alkhoshaibi.

These new awards mean that over 1,500 homes in the second, third and fourth phases at Masaar are now under construction, following the completion of 430 homes in the first phase by the end of 2023, the developer explained.

Arada pointed out that the other completed elements of the woodland community include Masaar Discovery Center and a number of family attractions including a children’s adventure playground, water play area, skate park and a Zad food truck park.

Valued at $2.6bn and containing 3,000 villas and townhouses spread over six phases, Masaar is defined by a ‘green spine’ of 70,000 trees, offering a nature-inspired lifestyle to its residents.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

The Big Project Middle East (BPME) team has announced its Critical Infrastructure Summit is now scheduled to take place on 8 May at the Two Seasons Hotel in Dubai. The event was previously scheduled to take place on 17 April but was postponed due to extremely unfavourable weather conditions across the UAE.

“Following alerts from the National Centre of Meteorology on 16^th April, which noted that ‘hazardous weather events’ were expected to continue until 6pm on 17^th April, and authorities urging residents to stay at home during this period, the BPME team felt that postponing the event was the only responsible thing to do to ensure the safety of speakers and delegates,” said Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at Big Project Middle East.

Scheduled to take place on 8 May, the event will shine a light on the region’s infrastructure, including airports, seaports, road and rail transportation systems and data centres. The event will comprise a mix of panel discussions and high-level presentations.

At present, MENA regional governments are working with the private sector to either expand or develop all new infrastructure, in line with changing market appetites, new requirements, and even the threat of climate change. Data from Mordor Intelligence said that the Middle East and Africa infrastructure market is valued at US $48bn and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% between 2023 and 2028.

The 2024 Critical Infrastructure Summit is supported by:

Gold Sponsor: KEO International Consultants
Strategic Content Partner: ALEC
Silver Sponsor: AECOM
Endorsed by: The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), RICS

Read more about the Critical Infrastructure Summit by clicking here.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Abu Dhabi’s first waste-to-energy (WtE) plant will be designed and built by a joint venture comprising ALEC Engineering and Contracting (ALEC) and BUTEC.

According to a statement from ALEC, the ALEC BUTEC JV has partnered with Hitachi Zosen Innova (HZI) to collaborate on the construction of this project. HZI is said to be renowned for its expertise in waste-to-energy technology.

Sean McQue, Managing Director – Construction of ALEC commented, “We are pleased to have been selected for this crucial project, highlighting our commitment to sustainable progress within the region. This WtE facility marks a significant milestone in Abu Dhabi’s endeavors to tackle waste management issues and diminish greenhouse gas emissions. ALEC’s proficiency, combined with BUTEC’s established excellence in design-build ventures, guarantees the successful execution of this landmark initiative.”

Located near the Al-Dhafra landfill, the ultra-large waste incineration facility will process 900,000t of non-recyclable waste annually over the next 30 years. The aim of the project is to prevent the release of nearly 1.1m tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions annually. The plant will add 80MW of power generation capacity from a non-fossil fuel source, the statement noted.

The ALEC BUTEC JV will oversee the engineering, procurement, and construction of all non-process-related activities, encompassing tasks such as civil engineering, concrete and structural steel work, installation of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, as well as building services. Additionally, they will manage external works and site infrastructure development.

BUTEC’s Country General Manager Hani Houalla concluded, “BUTEC’s design-build expertise coupled with ALEC’s distinguished construction capability positions us as a strong team ready to deliver impactful infrastructure projects like Abu Dhabi’s Waste-to-Energy facility. We are proud to contribute to the UAE’s decarbonization agenda and to this significant development.”

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Source: MEConstructionNews

The UK’s second largest port operator, Peel Ports Group, has initiated a tender process where contractors can submit bids for two new frameworks for a long-term construction programme that will take place across its UK and Ireland sites.

The port operator is seeking to appoint contractors to the two frameworks for a period of up to eight years. One framework will cover general construction while the other will cover marine construction. The programme is said to be worth approximately US $947mn.

According to a report, the frameworks will cover construction projects across the group’s entire portfolio of UK and Ireland ports, including the Port of Liverpool, Heysham Port, Manchester Ship Canal, London Medway, its Clydeport sites, Great Yarmouth, and Dublin Port. The scope of the frameworks will cover both existing infrastructure improvements and the development of new infrastructure.

Lewis McIntyre, Managing Director of Port Services at Peel Ports Group said, “Our ports form a network of busy logistics hubs servicing local, national and global supply chains, and this move represents a huge step in our efforts to futureproof that network, so we can keep responding and adapting to our port users’ needs in an agile way.”

The first framework covers general construction works, such as the construction and maintenance of roads, car parks, and warehouses, earthworks and ground remediation, paving and surfacing, rail construction, and demolition. The second focuses on specialised marine construction works, including asset renewal, refurbishment, and RoRo.

McIntyre added, “The long-term nature of these framework agreements allows us to build meaningful, commercially sustainable partnerships with our construction contractors. It further allows us to appoint a collection of regional suppliers to give us breadth and depth of scope, skill, and responsiveness; the way the frameworks are structured provides invaluable opportunities for the successful partners to design and build sustainable solutions for our various projects, in what will be a truly collaborative approach as we aim for Net Zero by 2040.”

The procurement process for these tenders is anticipated to occur in 2024, and contracts are expected to be awarded towards the end of the year.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Requests for qualification (RFQ) have been issued to developers/developer consortia for the Al Dibdibah Power and Al Shagaya Renewable Energy (Phase III) Zone 1 Solar PV Independent Power Project (IPP) by the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP). KAPP is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Electricity & Water & Renewable Energy (MEWRE) on the project.

The winning consortium will be responsible for the development, financing, design, procurement, engineering, construction, testing, commissioning, operation, maintenance as well as transfer of the key Al Dibdibah Power and Al Shagaya Renewable Energy project, says KAPP.

According to a report, the Al Dibdibah Power and Al Shagaya plant will take shape within the administrative boundary of the Jahra Governorate in the west of Kuwait City, approximately 100km from the capital. On completion, it will boast a net power capacity of 1,100MW.

KAPP said the project will export the output from the plant to Kuwait’s electricity grid and transmission network. It will benefit from power purchase agreement (PPA) with MEWRE as the off taker for a 30-year term. As the main body responsible for implementation of the public-private-partnership projects, KAPP aims to utilise private sector skills and expertise to maximize value for money and service quality, the report noted.

Both KAPP and the MEWRE were supported on the project by Ernst & Young as lead and financial advisor, DLA Piper as legal advisor and DNV as technical and environmental advisor.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

British Steel has announced that it has secured a contract to supply track for Egypt’s Green Line railway. The multi-million dollar contract will see the firm provide 9,500 tonnes of track that will be produced at its plant in Scunthorpe, UK for Egypt’s first fully electrified mainline and freight network.

The network is 660km long and will carry passenger and cargo trains up to speeds of 250km per hour. British Steel is said to be among a number of key suppliers providing rail for the project. The rail supplied is expected to be 60E1 in grade R260, each at 18m in length.

“We are delighted that British Steel has been awarded this contract and to be involved in such a transformational project for Egypt, which will bring significant improvements to the transport network. The British Steel rail business prides itself on providing value solutions to our customers, being easy to trade with whilst providing on-time deliveries with world-leading quality,” said British Steel Commercial Manager Export – Rail, Jérôme Bonef.

The railway project will stretch from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. The line promises to revolutionise Egypt’s transport system, with the construction of a high-speed network reducing primary energy usage and overall air pollution.

Bonef notes that two shipments of rail will be transported from British Steel to the north Egyptian port of Alexandria this month and in June. It will be used to extend the line from Alexandria via El Alamein to the Mediterranean coast in the north-west and eastwards to the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea, he stated.

The project is being managed by Orascom Construction and Arab Contractors Joint Venture with the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of the line handled by the National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) for Egypt.

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Source: MEConstructionNews