Tenders have been announced by Rail Baltica for the construction of 53km of high-speed rail in Estonia. The estimated total cost of the published tenders is approximately US $437mn.

The tender, which was published late in December 2023, outlines the construction of the underlying infrastructure and intersections for 52.6km of the line. It covers five mainline sections in the Harju and Rapla counties: Soodevahe – Kangru; Kangru – Saku; Saku – Harju/Rapla county border; Hagudi – Alu; Alu – Kärpla. Over 20 railway intersections have already been completed or are under construction on these sections, a report noted.

The length of the construction contract varies between 40-48 months depending on the section, and construction work for the initial sections of the Rail Baltica mainline will start in early 2024.

Rail Baltica involves integrating the Baltic states into the European rail network along an 830km line running from Helsinki in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia in the north, to Warsaw in Poland further south.

Late last year, it was revealed that a consortium of three contractors called ERB Rail – Eiffage, Budimex and Rizzani de Eccher – had won a $4bn contract for the civil engineering and track-laying works on a 230km section of the project. Construction activities are expected to take place on 74km of the Rail Baltica Estonian route within a year, constituting over a third of the entire length of the Estonian mainline.

“The construction of the Rail Baltica mainline is undoubtedly a priority for us in 2024 and the following years. One year from now, we aim to see active railway infrastructure construction on more than a third of the Estonian part of the future high-speed railway. This will allow us to stay on schedule to commence rail traffic in 2030,” said Anvar Salomets, Chief Executive Officer of Rail Baltic Estonia.

According to Salomets, the tenders for the mainline construction are likely to be the last handled as short segments.

“We are changing the tender strategy for the remaining railway infrastructure and superstructure, and currently, we are also looking for a consultant to proceed with the so-called alliance model,” concluded Salomets.

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Sharjah developer Arada has purchased a prime land plot in Zabeel 2, adjacent to Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This marks a further significant expansion for the master developer into the high-end Dubai property market.

Valued at US $163.3mn, the plot was purchased from Rital Properties, the real estate subsidiary of Emirates NBD. Positioned between DIFC and Downtown Dubai, the 138,466sqft land plot is close to both Index Tower and Central Park Towers.

Plans are in place to develop the land into a 50-floor luxury residential tower, containing 400 premium apartments, offering views of the Burj Khalifa and Dubai skyline from a central location.

The plot purchase deal was signed at a ceremony held at the Emirates NBD Headquarters in Dubai, in the presence of Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Vice Chairman of Arada; Abdulla Qassem, Chairman of Rital Properties; Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada; and Ahmed Al Sheryani, CEO of Rital Properties.

Prince Khaled said, “This acquisition marks a significant step in strengthening our standing as one of the UAE’s most prominent master developers. The site is our third prime location in Dubai and underscores our commitment to deliver exceptional projects and to contribute to the powerful and dynamic real estate market of this thriving city.”

Abdulla Qassem added, “We are passionate about fuelling Dubai’s economic engine, and supporting innovative projects that solidify its position as a global hub for luxury living. We look forward to working with Arada and look forward to the successful delivery of this landmark project in the near future.”

Meanwhile, design work on this high-end residential project next to DIFC has already begun.

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Alstom has signed a major contract with The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) to build what’s billed as the world’s longest battery-operated tramway, running 22.4km, in the ancient city of AlUla.

Featuring 17 strategically located stations, the fully integrated turnkey tramway system will be fitted with 20 advanced Citadis trams. These will be equipped with the Mitrac B battery solution, and also feature innovative, fast, and invisible SRS ground-based static charging systems, said a statement.

The tram system is designed to complement the region’s rich heritage, while reducing carbon emissions, offering a unique transportation option that blends historical routes with innovative, climate-adapted carriages, it added.

As the world’s longest battery-powered, catenary-free tramway line, the AlUla project will offer unmatched access to the region’s five core historical districts, including Unesco World Heritage sites such as AlUla Old Town (District 1); Dadan (District 2); Jabal Ikmah (District 3); Nabataean Horizon (District 4); and Hegra Historical City (District 5).

Under the terms of the contract, Alstom will supply power and warehouse equipment and provide full maintenance services for 10 years, using the HealthHub, a new predictive tool able to monitor the health of trains, infrastructure and signaling assets using advanced data analytics.

The service teams will use a mobile workshop for all types of support, in order to be more flexible and cut capital costs. Alstom will also provide a number of proven training programmes for the tram support staff to ensure maximum operating efficiency from Day One of the system’s launch.

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Plans to develop a 190MW solar energy farm at a cost of US $219mn in County Meath, Ireland have been announced by GP Joule’s Irish subsidiary. If permissions are secured, the Blackhall Solar farm project could become one of the country’s largest solar developments.

The proposed solar farm will harness renewable energy from a site covering 205ha and extending over three land parcels. According to the proposal, the Blackhall Solar Farm could generate enough electricity to power approximately 30,000 Irish homes, while mitigating around 80,000t of CO2 emissions annually.

GP Joule said it has submitted planning documents to Meath County Council, seeking a 10-year permission for the solar farm. In the documents, the company stressed the need for a 40-year lifespan to attract adequate funding.

The GP Joule proposal follows the 200MW Ballmacarney solar farm, which was completed in County Meath by Norway’s Statkraft in 2021. Statkraft Ireland is said to also be actively pursuing various other solar and wind farm projects in the country.

Ireland has set a target to generate 80% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. 20 solar farm projects totalling 497MW were awarded support in the recent onshore Renewables Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction, with additional RESS auctions scheduled for this year, said a report.

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Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) has announced a ground-breaking collaboration with Marriott International, signalling a pivotal move for three of Dubai’s major hotels.

This strategic alliance marks the commencement of a high-profile rebranding initiative, solidifying ADNH’s commitment to delivering leading-edge hospitality experiences in the region.

Under this enhanced partnership, effective 1^st January, 2024, ADNH will operate these properties under the banners of JW Marriott and Autograph Collection Hotels.

The hotels, including JW Marriott Hotel Marina (formerly known as The Address Dubai Marina), Hotel Boulevard, Autograph Collection (formerly known as Vida Downtown Dubai Hotel), and The Heritage Hotel, Autograph Collection (formerly known as Manzil Downtown Dubai Hotel), are set to undergo this brand transformation.

CEO Khalid Anib said: “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Marriott International through this deal, which is in line with our overall strategy and the evolving dynamics of our business model. The JW Marriott and Autograph Collection brands are exciting additions to our diverse and prestigious portfolio.

“This strategic collaboration seeks to elevate Dubai’s hospitality sector by harnessing the distinctive strengths of ADNH and Marriott International. The initiative aligns with the vision to offer guests unparalleled luxury experiences, further solidifying Dubai’s position as a global travel destination.”

Marriott International Chief Development Officer (Europe, Middle East & Africa) Jerome Briet said: “The UAE is our largest market in the Middle East and our success in this market stems from our collaborations with world-class owners and developers such as Abu Dhabi National Hotels. These deals reflect our conversion friendly strategy, and our teams are committed to efficiently transitioning the three properties. With the addition of these hotels, we are excited to further expand our footprint in Dubai where we currently have a portfolio of more than 50 properties.”

Briet pointed out that as part of the rebranding process, each property will undergo carefully planned enhancements to deliver tailored and world-class experiences.

This approach ensures that guests continue to enjoy a seamless and elevated stay while reinforcing the commitment to delivering on-brand experiences and maintaining the highest standards of luxury.

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King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) has partnered with Affordable Housing Company, a unit of Saudi developer Bin Saedan, for the launch of two key projects – one residential, one commercial – in Saudi Arabia.

Spread over a 50,000 sq. m. area, these projects are aimed at strengthening SPARK’s offering for those looking to set up their companies in the kingdom, as well as enhancing the quality of life for the client companies’ employees.

SPARK and Affordable House Company jointly broke ground on the residential apartment complex, which will feature 459 fully furnished apartments with a combination of one-, two- and three-bedroom layouts.

These apartments are intended for long stays and incorporate the latest smart technologies – supporting Spark’s offering to tenants and clients establishing their business in Saudi Arabia.

The total land size for the project stands at close to 30,000 sq. m. and represents an investment of $50m. The development will be constructed in phases – with the first planned for completion by Q4 2025.

This marks the third investment between SPARK and Bin Saedan Group, a leading real estate developer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with over 80 years of experience.

The Saudi energy park additionally signed a lease agreement with the Affordable House Company to develop multipurpose commercial offices which will include over 15,000 sq. m. of leasable area.

The commercial offices will feature best-in-class facilities including multifunctional offices, well-equipped receptions, gyms, and light-eating restaurants – powered partially by green energy and using the latest smart technologies.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, SPARK CEO, Engineer Saif Al Qahtani said: “We are excited to significantly expand our commercial and residential offering through our partnership with Bin Saedan Group and Affordable Housing Company. The groundbreaking and lease agreement will enable the provision of a truly world-class offering to tenants and investors in line with our commitment to develop a dynamic ecosystem seamlessly integrating industrial zones, residential, commercial and community spaces.”

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Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) is implementing projects across the sultanate worth RO183m ($474m), under its strategic scheme ‘Rabt’. These include the construction of five grid stations as well as laying a network of 400-kilovolt overhead power lines.

This comes as part of OETC’s commitment to enhancing the reliability and security of the electricity network and supply across various regions of the sultanate.

Phase One of the project includes construction of the key grid stations: Nahida grid station with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts; Suwayhat grid station with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts; Barik grid station with a voltage of 400/132 kilovolts; Duqm grid station with a voltage of 400/132/33 kilovolts; and Mahout grid station with a voltage of 400/33 kilovolts.

Additionally, these projects are connected through a matrix of 400kV overhead lines, covering a total of 670 km. Commenced in October 2023, the total cost of the first phase of this project has exceeded 183 million Omani rials.

The official inauguration of Rabt Phase One was held under the patronage of Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said at a key ceremony held in Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OETC).

OETC Chairman, Ahmed Amer Al Mahrzi lauded the significance of the project and its pivotal role in achieving progress and growth in the electricity sector specifically, and in all vital sectors in Oman as a whole. He commented: “The Rabt project is one of the national strategic projects that we rely on significantly. The project aims to enhance the efficiency, integration, and security of the national electricity transmission network, in addition to reducing harmful carbon emissions.

“It is expected that the reduction in carbon emissions will exceed 474,000 tonnes annually after closing 14 diesel-powered stations. This contributes to saving over 175 million litres of diesel annually and reducing costs by more than RO64 million.”

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UAE-based Azizi Developments has announced that Pearl, its recently launched development in Dubai’s Al Furjan, is now 80% complete and is fully scheduled for completion by the end of Q1 2024.

Giving a project update, Azizi said Pearl’s structure, blockwork, and internal plaster were now fully complete, while the MEP and tiling work stood at 75% completion.

The HVAC was moving at a steady pace and is 85% project-ready, while the façade and elevator installations fittings had reached 83% and 94%, respectively. The final finishes are now at 74%.

On the ongoing project, Azizi CEO, Farhad Azizi said: “The outstandingly swift progress we’re making at Pearl excites us all at Azizi Developments, with us being well positioned for its scheduled completion by the end of Q1 2024. Pearl’s strategic location, impeccable architectural design, flawless construction and extensive array of premium amenities within and surrounding the building, will all significantly elevate the living experiences of those who will make these stunning residences their new home.”

Strategically located, Pearl is just one minute away from Mohammed bin Zayed Road and also only one minute from Al Furjan metro station.

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