Construction works on Red Sea Global’s (RSG) Shebara Resort have reached a key milestone, with the installation of the final overwater villa, the developer has announced. The resort is expected to open in summer 2024 and is the first resort to be owned and operated by RSG at The Red Sea destination.

Located on Sheybarah Island in the Al Wajh Lagoon, the resort will be ‘home to iconic stainless steel orbs’. Shebara joins an impressive roster of internationally renowned hospitality brands operating at The Red Sea destination, including St. Regis and Ritz Carlton Reserve, as well as Six Senses, the developer added.

While the first overwater villa took nine hours to install, the developer perfected this process so that the last villa was in place in under two hours.

Shebara will feature a 30-to-40m reef drop-off close to the beach providing the ultimate spot for exploring ocean life. The resort will feature 73 keys, including overwater and beach villas and guests arrive either by a 45-minute boat ride from the mainland or 20 minutes by seaplane.

The southern approach reveals the first stainless steel villas on the horizon, representing a string of pearls, with a stunning reception building at the centre, forming the ‘pendant’. This incredible arrival point was carefully positioned within a natural break in the coral reef, providing a dramatic seascape whether arriving by sea or seaplane, while demonstrative of a broader commitment to sustainability, the statement explained.

As with the whole of The Red Sea, Shebara will be powered by sunlight, day and night with its own dedicated solar farm, which includes more than 11,000 PV panels. In total, RSG has constructed five solar farms to power the first phase of the destination, with more than 760,000 PV panels installed.

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Jacobs has been appointed to provide design services for 12 hotel brands coming up within its mega mixed-use development in Madinah city by Rua Al Madinah Holding.

The developer said that the Jacobs contract is part of US $80mn in deals it inked with several international design, engineering consultation, and supervision consultancy firms to oversee the work on hotels within the fourth and fifth Super Blocks of the Rua Al Madinah project. This is in addition to large spaces to support the establishment of restaurants and cafés managed by global operating companies.

Spanning an estimated 1.5m sqm area, the Rua Al Madinah project will boast 47,000 hospitality units that will cater to approximately 149,000 visitors by 2030. This is said to align with the goals of the Hajj and Umrah sector, and with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enable hosting 30m visitors.

“With over 8,000 rooms, this is expected to be one of the most attractive and largest blocks within the Rua Al Madinah project,” said CEO Engineer Ahmed W. Al Juhani after signing the deals at the PIF Private Sector Forum in Riyadh.

Another key contract was signed with KEO International Consultants for overseeing the implementation of the fifth Super Block, and its delivery in accordance with the highest international standards and specifications, as targeted by the project.

Al Juhani pointed out that 25% of the infrastructure works for the Rua Al Madinah project have already been completed.

“We are committed to establishing a comprehensive urban and developmental system for the Rua Al Madinah project,” he concluded.

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Renewable energy developer The Blue Circle has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cambodia-based Royal Group. The deal will see the two firms work to develop a 100MW wind project in the eastern province of Mondulkiri, about 280km from Phnom Penh.

Through this new partnership, The Blue Circle and Royal Group aim to contribute to Cambodia’s 2050 carbon neutrality target, as outlined by the Ministry of Environment in 2022.

According to a report, the project will involve the development, financing, building, owning and operating of the wind farm.

Based on the average wind speed recorded, the project’s site is considered “one of the top wind sites in Cambodia and in all of Southeast Asia,” said The Blue Circle.

“The particular wind pattern in this part of the lower Mekong region would drive potential power production mainly during the dry season, from November to April. This seasonal monsoon particularity would ideally supplement hydro power production which represents more than 45% of the energy mix in Cambodia and is providing power mainly during the wet season, from May to October,” concluded The Blue Circle.

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Test-drilling has started for the Salvador-Itaparica road bridge, which is taking shape in the Bahia state of Brazil. Once complete, the structure will span 12.4km, crossing the Bay of All Saints, connecting Salvador, the capital city of Bahia State, with the island of Itaparica, which already has fixed links to the mainland on its side of the bay.

The cable-stayed bridge will be accompanied by approximately 34km of highways, two tunnels, and viaducts. Together, they will provide ‘a new vector of income distribution’ and could benefit 10m Bahians in 250 municipalities. The scheme will also boost tourism by reducing journey times to popular destinations.

According to a report, the bridge was agreed as a public-private partnership deal five years ago, and is set to become Latin America’s second-longest. Its total construction cost is estimated to be US $1.8bn.

A consortium consisting of China Communications Construction Company and China Railway 20 Bureau Group has been selected to build, operate, and maintain the bridge for 35 years. The consortium was the only bidder for the project, and the final contract was signed in November 2020, after the pandemic delayed the start of construction and caused an increase in cost by around $500mn.

According to a report from the Bahia State government, drilling on land will be completed by the end of February, followed by surveying in the bay. This will involve drilling from ships to collect seabed samples and will take the rest of the year. Work on the bridge itself will commence in early 2025.

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Qatar is soon expected to begin construction work on the new Lusail Museum, which is located on the Al Maha Island in Lusail just north of Doha. It has been designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning Swiss architectural firm, Herzog & de Meuron. The museum is expected to be completed in 2029.

Lusail was the home of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani, the Founder of Qatar, and his story will be a key theme throughout the design of the museum, the statement explained.

The museum will be 30m tall, spread over five levels. The structure will have a footprint of 11,000sqm on a site in excess of 100,000sqm, and will include areas for art exhibitions and a “think tank” space for discussions on global issues.

Much of the museum’s design is inspired by Muslim architecture and culture, as well as the surrounding environment, says architect Jacques Herzog. He explains that the crescent shape, found throughout Islamic culture, was a key factor when designing the building. Inside, a crescent-shaped ‘boulevard’ will guide visitors through the museum.

He explained, “Of course, it’s a piece of identity for some Muslim dynasties, but also in a more pragmatic way, it’s a boulevard curve where you don’t see exactly where it ends. That’s a detail which is important for us. Where you start and where you end is not really predetermined and it leaves room for imagination.”

Last December, the location for the museum was marked with a ground-breaking ceremony. New renderings of the building have also been recently released.

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Developer MAG has awarded a US $762mn contract to Cecep Techand Middle East for the construction of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside, a major district in the Keturah Resort. Completion is slated for Q4 2027.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Dubai, Creekside comprises 249 residences across seven buildings and 12 mansions, each featuring exclusive yacht mooring for residents.

Keturah Resort offers homeowners a range of world-class facilities, including a seven-star wellness centre, a five-star hotel, a private members-only club, a women’s club, a kids club, a holistically immersive wellness centre and Michelin-star restaurants – as well as a 550m promenade and sustainable and organic-focused retail spaces.

It will also boast 24/7 private parking with valet, and a gated community with views of the wildlife sanctuary, Burj Khalifa, Dubai Creek Harbor and Meydan.

Commenting on this new contract, CEO Talal Moafaq Al Gaddah said: “We are pleased with the signing of the LoI for the main construction works for Keturah Resort, a project that embodies the highest standards of ultra-luxury experiences coupled with regional-first unique wellness features. This project promises to redefine the real estate sector, and we have already witnessed great sales from buyers seeking living environments that enhance health and well-being with the best luxury amenities.”

Keturah Resort by MAG will be the first resort in the region to pursue the WELL Health-Safety certification for its buildings.

The project is located on Dubai Creek, facing Dubai’s wildlife sanctuary in Ras Al Khor, providing convenient access to Dubai Downtown, Dubai International Financial Centre, and Dubai International Airport.

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Over US $3.2bn in contracts have been awarded by the Jeddah Central Development Company (JCDC) for the construction of three major architectural landmarks (a stadium, an opera house and oceanarium). The contracts also support the development of infrastructure and utilities, as part of Phase One of the JCDC’s Jeddah Central project.

The JCDC said two of the contracts were snapped up by Modern Building Leaders Company for the construction of the Jeddah Central Destination Oceanarium and the Opera House. The oceanarium is billed as a window to the wonders of the Red Sea, and aims to provide an unparalleled experience to visitors, while advocating for marine biodiversity protection.

The Opera House, through its three major halls with international specifications, will be a platform for creativity and inspiration to position Jeddah as a cultural hub. According to JCDC, the contract for the stadium was clinched by a consortium of the Saudi unit of China Railway Construction Corporation and Sama Construction for Contracting.

The stadium, which is said to be designed to unique contemporary architecture and international specs, will have a capacity to accommodate 45,000 fans. The FIFA compliant facility will be hosting major local and international games in the coming years.

JCDC also said it has signed China Harbour Engineering Arabia for the development of infrastructure and utilities works in the first phase. The move is aimed at placing the city of Jeddah on the global tourism map through reviving its heritage and celebrating its contemporary culture, it added.

Located on an area of 5.7m sqm in the centre of Jeddah, the Jeddah Central Project aims to become a world destination boasting a world-class marina and beach resorts, along with a wide range of luxurious local and international hotels, restaurants, and cafes, and diverse shopping options.

According to JCDC, its operational activities will also open the door for the local private sector to participate in developing and operating promising economic sectors, such as tourism, sports, culture, and entertainment, alongside other sectors that include building and developing modern residential areas with more than 25,000 housing units and various hotel projects providing more than 6,500 rooms.

The development comprises several key premium attractions including the Central District; Marina District; Waterfront District; Sports Park District; Cultural and creativity district; Wellness District.

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The World Bank estimates the GCC economy will grow by 3.6% in 2024, supported by non-oil sectors, sustained private consumption, strategic fixed investments, and accommodative fiscal policy. Despite the expected 3.9% contraction in the oil industry, GCC economies are primed for steady growth in the new year. The forecast has an economic diversification undercurrent that could be boosted with more sustainability considerations. While the governments will continue to play a decisive role in initiating sustainable transitions, the private sector could catalyse it through actionable solutions, utmost compliance, and more. Here are 7 trends for companies to acknowledge and embrace:

1. Increased regulatory pressure

Stringent regulations and policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability are expected globally in 2024. That may include tighter controls on waste management, energy use, and supply chain transparency, requiring companies to comply by accurately reporting on various processes and outcomes. For example, in previous years, sustainability reporting had been limited to scope-1 emissions; going forward, regulators are likely to bring scope-2 and 3 emissions into the fold, requiring companies to expand their sustainability initiatives across the value chain.

2. Greater focus on climate change mitigation

While addressing climate change will remain the central focus of various sustainability initiatives, the new year will necessitate more targeted actions. Corporate efforts toward mitigation — actions to reduce or remove GHG — along with adaptation — adapting to life in a changing climate — are expected to increase in response to the need for a targeted, more refined approach to tackling climate change. The incorporation of circular economy models could accelerate as businesses seek to reduce waste, reuse resources, and create sustainable products. In the GCC, where several locations are on the frontlines of a changing climate, such targeted actions are understandably the way forward.

3. Enhanced ESG reporting standards

Standardisation and clarity in ESG reporting are likely to improve in 2024. There will be a push towards more uniform reporting standards to make it easier to benchmark and compare ESG performance across companies and industries. Technology will be a catalyst to this development, ensuring the reporting process is data-driven, streamlined, transparent, and simplified. The reports will gain more prominence in the decision-making process of venture capitalists, issuing banks, and regulators. That paradigm shift in reporting is also owed to the growing consumer awareness of sustainable products. Transparent reporting is companies’ best bet to align with consumer values and maintain market relevance.

4. Technology-driven sustainability solutions

The role of technology in sustainable transitions will increase significantly in 2024, with more ClimateTech startups entering the fray. Technological innovations, particularly in renewable energy, energy storage, and carbon capture, will continue to drive sustainability efforts. In 2024, solutions that harness Big Data and AI will gain more traction due to their expanding applications in monitoring and managing ESG initiatives throughout their life cycle. Such solutions will have a profound impact on sustainability outcomes in traditionally conservative sectors like agriculture.

5. Social and governance factors gain ground

Though ESG has become indispensable to business strategies in recent years, it disproportionately leans on environmental risks at the expense of social and governance factors. That status quo is set to change in 2024, with social and governance considerations finding equal emphasis as the environment. Issues like diversity and inclusion, employee well-being, women’s workforce participation, and ethical governance will become critical to accurate ESG evaluations.

6. Sustainable finance and investment

Perhaps the most consequential projection for 2024 is the growth in sustainable finance and investment. Green bonds and ESG-focused investment funds have witnessed an uptrend in 2023 — which is expected to continue well into 2024, as leading players in the global financial market rally behind such asset classes. Investors are increasingly factoring in ESG risks, transparency, and proof of sustainability before deciding whether or not a capital infusion into a startup or a deal with a company is viable.

7. Collaboration for sustainability

In 2024, the GCC is likely to witness more cross-industry and public-private partnerships (PPPs). These developments will move the needle on sustainability for multiple reasons. Firstly, cross-industry cooperation and collaboration will help reduce blind spots in the value chain and mitigate collateral damages. For example, efforts aimed at increasing greenery and sequestering carbon will not aggravate existing water scarcity. Secondly, PPPs will lead to better outcomes by reducing the red tape for private-sector companies and providing easy access to innovation for governing bodies.

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An international pledge to collaborate on sustainability and the development of low-carbon cement has been signed by the China Cement Association (CCA), which represents more than 50% of the world’s cement production. The CCA has joined forces with the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) – the latter’s members account for 80% of cement production capacity outside of China.

According to a report, the pledge includes an agreement to work together on sustainability, and the low-carbon development of the cement and concrete industry. Concrete is the world’s most used material on earth after water, accounting for around 7% of global CO2 emissions.

The agreement will also see the development, and launch later this year, of a whole value chain China Cement Carbon Neutrality Roadmap which will set out a commitment and pathway to fully decarbonise the cement industry in China, the report said.

“This important agreement marks a win-win cooperation, and shows where we can collaborate effectively to bring insights, technical know-how and greater focus to our shared decarbonisation mission. I am sure this will create a mutually beneficial and long-term partnership that will be crucial in building a more sustainable world,” said Kong Xiangzhong, Executive President of CCA.

The GCCA launched a global Net Zero roadmap in 2021 and will assist with the development of the CCA’s roadmap alongside Sinoma International Engineering Co, the world’s largest cement technology and equipment company, and the European Cement Research Academy (ECRA) who will also provide technical input.

Thomas Guillot, GCCA CEO concluded, “The world needs leadership and collaboration like never before, especially on addressing the key issue of our time, climate change. This agreement between the China industry and the global industry is a signal to the world that we stand ready to deliver the essential decarbonised building materials that our planet needs. Cement and concrete enable the key infrastructure, thriving and resilient communities, clean water, safe homes and the shift to clean energy that are essential to a future sustainable world.”

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A contract for the bulk dismantling of two reactor units at the Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant in Sweden has been awarded to Vinci Construction subsidiary, Nuvia.

According to a report, Nuvia’s scope of works includes the removal, inspection and sorting of around 30,000t of radioactive and non-radioactive material that is currently inside the reactor buildings.

Works on the six-year contract are scheduled to begin in 2025, with around 400 people expected to be involved in the dismantling process.

The Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant is one of Sweden’s largest energy producing nuclear sites. It is owned by energy giant Vattenfall and is located roughly 60km south of Gothenburg on the Varo Peninsula. It was commissioned in 1975 and the facility now comprises four reactor units in total.

While Ringhals 1, which became operational in January 1976 and was shut down in 2020, is a boiling water type reactor with an output capacity of 900MW, Ringhals 2 is a pressurised water reactor that was shut down in 2019, the report noted.

This is the second contract Nuvia has secured at Ringhals. Parent company Vinci added, “Nuvia, which is active in Sweden through its subsidiary Nuvia Nordic AB, has taken part in most of the country’s nuclear dismantling projects so far. In 2022, Nuvia had already won the contract (lot 5) to dismantle the large elements of the primary circuit of one of the plant’s two units.”

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Source: MEConstructionNews