PMKConsult has acquired UK-based W. Hiles Partnership (WHP). WHP is a specialist project and commercial management consultancy and are said to have delivered 49 restaurants in the UK, France & Germany this year, with over 170 Five Guys franchise restaurants in the UK, along with several other multinational brands.

Since its inception in 1937, WHP has grown into a leader in core sectors, notably hospitality, entertainment, and commercial industries, actively championing project and commercial management. The firm’s portfolio spans diverse arenas, from cinemas, bowling centers, leisure parks, specialist restaurants, visitors centres though to culture & heritage venues, a statement from PMKConsult noted.

WHP also has experience in nurturing international brands entering the UK market, including Wendy’s, Popeyes, Sticks n’ Sushi, Five Guys, Paris Baguette and the like, which often expands across Europe as the success of the partnership flourishes, it added.

“Both Keenan [COO] and I are incredibly excited about this acquisition for various reasons. Our business has been experiencing steady growth in the UK, and given our concentrated focus on the market, it not only makes sense to establish our presence with John Vint in the lead, but also to acquire a business that holds a leading position in sectors we aim to expand into, synergising with PMKConsult’s broad sector coverage and technical specialism. Our collective client base will gain significantly from our robust presence in the Middle East, and vice versa. From a service delivery perspective, our GCC Client base can greatly benefit from the sector expertise introduced by the WHP brand,” said Kevin Woolley, CEO of PMKConsult.

WHP’s delivery footprint is said to extend to France, Germany, and Spain, and the firm is eager to continue expanding across Europe and the Middle East under PMKConsult. WHP are also key players in facilitating the increasing drive-thru demand in the UK, delivering up to fifteen projects in the last two years for well-established brands. The firm’s expertise extends throughout F&B, showcasing successful collaborations with iconic high street names. Additionally, their consultancy prowess shines through projects like the historic Phoenix Picturehouse in Oxford, and the meticulously restored cinemas in Brighton & London, the statement continued.

Commenting on the acquisition, Malcolm Hiles, Managing Director, W. Hiles Partnership remarked, “WHP is ready for its next phase of growth and now as a PMKConsult company, we will continue to offer our recognised service delivery excellence and maintain our client base with our usual professionalism. We will now be able to offer support to our existing clients that are looking to expand into other markets. With a service delivery footprint throughout Europe, and now the Middle East, we have many new avenues to grow our relationship with our client base. I am also looking forward to PMKConsult benefiting greatly from our legacy and wealth of expertise in the UK market.”

PMKConsult recently appointed John Vint as the Managing Director for the UK market. Working closely with Malcolm at WHP, his core focus will be integrating service offerings and fostering business development, the firm said.

While WHP will retain its brandmark and senior team, it will benefit from back-office support, critical mass, and access to the broader international team for project execution across the UK, mainland Europe. PMKConsult plans to involve UK team members in bids requiring specialised expertise within sectors where WHP excels, such as F&B, cultural and heritage, commercial, leisure and entertainment, leveraging local market knowledge to advance fast-track projects in the rapidly growing regional economy in the GCC region, the statement explained.

“I am honoured and thrilled to lead PMKConsult’s UK office in this significant acquisition. The strengths that W. Hiles Partnership bring will align seamlessly with our portfolio expansion and our commitment to exceptional service execution in commercial consultancy and project management services. This strategic move not only enhances our presence in the UK market but also opens up new avenues for collaboration and growth. I am excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to contributing to the continued success of our expanding brand,” concluded Vint.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

In a new white paper titled ‘The Green Revolution: A Call for Sustainability in Real Estate’, JLL says that while the UAE has been consistently launching green initiatives and projects (and setting bolder targets that are both pro-climate and pro-growth), stakeholders in the real estate industry must take decisive action to safeguard their assets and secure long-term returns.

The published analysis includes valuable insights and key takeaways exploring the critical role of the real estate industry in shaping a sustainable future, and the ramifications of inaction as opposed to proactively pursuing green strategies.

The whitepaper dives deep into the UAE’s efforts to strengthen its position as an advocate for climate action and examines recommendations for stakeholders.

The high energy consumption, carbon emissions, and resource depletion that are characteristic of the built environment, which accounts for nearly 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions and 36% of energy consumption, have made it imperative to integrate sustainability measures into real estate investment decisions to accelerate the Net Zero transition of the sector.

The whitepaper also outlined the importance of making financial investments in green buildings and green construction to offset reduced property values over time and minimise climate-related challenges, especially in the MENA region which is warming at twice the global average rate with temperatures projected to rise by 4°C by 2050.

James Allan, CEO, Middle East and Africa (MEA), JLL said, “The cost of inaction goes beyond accounting for profits and losses. The real estate industry’s failure to adopt and embrace sustainable practices will impact both society and the natural environment, while also deterring investors who equate climate risk with financial risk. Committing to ambitious net zero targets is critical to enhancing both efficiency and financial performance and decarbonising real estate.”

JLL research has revealed that buildings with higher levels of green certification can compete with new stock entering the market for longer periods of time.

In Dubai, such buildings command 5%-10% higher premiums as compared to green premiums of 11.6% in London, 9.9% across nine major markets in Asia, and 7.1% across eight major markets in the US and Canada.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

The Big Project Middle East (BPME) and Middle East Consultant (MEC) editorial teams have confirmed that the 2023 edition of the Construction Intel Summit KSA will feature senior speakers from 25 organisations. The keystone event is taking place at the Rosh Rayhaan by Rotana, Riyadh on 29 November, and will focus on a variety of topics pertinent to the built environment in the Kingdom, as it works to deliver on the agenda outlined by Saudi Vision 2030.

Registration is complementary but mandatory for built environment professionals across the Middle East.

Discussing the agenda, the editorial teams confirmed that several panel discussions, presentations and fireside chats have been scheduled for the day. Speakers have been confirmed from ALEC, ACCIONA Construction, AtkinsRealis, Al Masaood Bergum, Compass, Cundall, CIOB, JLL, MACE Arabia, SERCO, RICS, Trowers & Hamlins, Taylor Sterling, SHADE Corporation, Terra Nexus and others.

Speakers will discuss and debate a number of the Saudi construction market’s issues and opportunities, including: Saudisation and the transmission of knowledge within the built environment; the multi-disciplinary engineering and delivery of giga-projects; the impact of AI and other disruptive technologies on the future of the built environment, and the requirements and challenges associated with owning and operating giga-projects. Read about the full agenda by clicking here.

The 2023 Construction Intel Summit KSA is supported by:

Strategic Content Partner: ALEC Engineering & Contracting
Silver Sponsor: AECOM, AtkinsRealis, Desert Board, KEO, K Tech Consulting,
Bronze Sponsor: Thinkproject
Supporting Partners: Al Masood, Climatize, Compass Project Consulting, Cundall, JLL, Omnium, Polypipe, TBH Consultancy
Endorsed by: Chartered Institute of Building, American Concrete Institute

To learn more about the 2023 Construction Intel Summit KSA, please click here.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced that nearly 80% of the work has been completed on the Hatta Hydroelectric Plant, which was set up with an investment of US $381mn. The project is scheduled for completion by early 2025.

Once fully operational, the Hatta project will boast a capacity of 250MW and a storage capacity of 1,500MWh, along with a lifespan of 80 years.

The hydroelectric plant is a key component of DEWA’s sustainable project portfolio, incorporating cutting-edge technologies. Such initiatives are integral to the authority’s commitment to delivering world-leading services and actively seeking sustainable solutions for current and future challenges, particularly those associated with climate issues.

By embracing these advancements, Dubai aims to strengthen its position as one of the most innovative and future-ready cities globally, while significantly contributing to the realisation of Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050.

On an inspection tour of the Hatta site, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai said, “Dubai’s qualitative achievements in the clean energy sector, and its ability to transform innovative ideas into giant national projects, embody Dubai’s spirit of leadership and vision of comprehensive and sustainable development.”

He added, “This advancement is evident in the completion rates of the hydroelectric plant, which have reached approximately 80%. Slated to be operational by the beginning of 2025, the project helps realise the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Net Zero Strategy 2050, aiming for 100% of energy production capacity from clean sources by 2050. Such achievements reinforce our country’s positive role in addressing the effects of climate change and its influential global position in climate action, as exemplified by its hosting of COP28 in Expo City Dubai.”

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Digitalisation holds enormous potential to help quarries boost their competitiveness – and a tailored, partnership-led approach is key to unlocking the benefits in a practical and affordable way, says Andrey Komov, Head of Productivity for Region International at Volvo Construction Equipment.

In production applications, such as quarries, that involve repetitive jobs and moving large amounts of materials, failing to adopt a digital transformation strategy can have severe repercussions. Even small efficiency gains per tonne moved can add up to significant savings over time, improving competitiveness and the bottom line, but these opportunities can be difficult to detect with traditional methods.

Andrey Komov, Head of Productivity, Region International, Volvo Construction Equipment

And that’s not the only benefit. Real-time monitoring of machines and operator behaviour enables quarry managers to spot deviations that could lead to downtime and proactively implement safety measures to prevent accidents. Meanwhile, reduced administration and paperwork empowers workers to focus on more critical tasks, leading to increased productivity, and makes the quarry a more appealing workplace, helping to attract skilled workers in a competitive labour market.  

Digitalisation is not a cure-all solution, however, rather a tool that must be used in the right way and for the right purposes. Every customer has unique challenges and objectives, and we encourage them not to face them alone. Instead, let’s work together in partnership. 

Insight, Analyse, Improve and Sustain 

We listen to customers carefully and take them through a four-step process – Insight, Analyse, Improve and Sustain – to develop a tailored programme that will help achieve sustainable improvements to their operations. This programme will involve various services according to the specific results customers are looking for, and in cases where we do not have a ready-made solution, we see it as an opportunity to brainstorm and develop a custom approach. 

 ‘Plug and play’ with affordable subscriptions 

That does not mean it has to be expensive, however. There is a misconception that digitalisation is only affordable for those who can put a six or seven-digit budget behind it, but we are challenging and changing this paradigm. The fact that our solutions are subscription based allows customers to start with any budget without the need for huge upfront investments. Indeed, we would recommend that customers start small and make adjustments on the go, rather than trying to make the perfect plan for digitalisation and never taking action.  

To make it even easier for quarry operators, we have developed solutions that are brand agnostic. In other words, they allow customers to ‘plug and play’ with any machine, but naturally with wider functionality when integrated into a Volvo machine via our Co-Pilot platform. We are constantly learning with our customers, and our list of solutions will continue to grow over time.  

Performance Indicator visualises operations on clear dashboards to be forewarned of any production or operational issues and make timely, data-driven decisions.

Success stories with digital solutions

So far, the positive feedback has been a great source of motivation for us. One customer, who adopted our Performance Indicator and Connected Map technologies, reported saving four hours per week on reduced administration time. This translates to 208 hours per year or 26 working days of management time.

Meanwhile, several customers who have implemented our Connected Map technology have reported increased operator awareness of vehicle traffic flow. Operators can now slow down when they see a line forming to be loaded by an excavator, instead of rushing to the spot and waiting. This, combined with speed zone implementation, has led to a positive effect on fuel consumption. Obviously, the best results can be achieved by sufficient on-site connectivity.

Furthermore, by conducting site optimisation work, we can analyse cycle data from a customer’s operations and help them identify improvement potential. In one instance, we noted a long wait time for truck loading and dumping. Further investigation revealed that the wheel loader operator was not working efficiently, causing loading to take an excessive amount of time. By creating a digital twin of the site, we were able to analyse the impact of process changes and concluded that the customer could reduce cost per tonne by 18% with minor changes in their cycle time. Operator training from Volvo was recommended as one of the next steps.

Partnering for a sustainable future

Your competitors will inevitably join this transformation sooner or later, if they haven’t already. Starting early may present challenges, but being late could be devastating for your business. We are eager to assist you in this journey as it aligns with our purpose of making this world a better place to live in.

By collaborating with our customers, we can increase their efficiency and contribute to society’s sustainable development by reducing the carbon footprint and improving resource utilisation – always with people’s health, safety, and well-being at the forefront of our actions. This is why we drive innovation and work closely with our customers to create a world that is cleaner, safer, and more connected, every day.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) has announced plans to set up its fifth entertainment destination, its largest, in the Aseer region. SEVEN, a PIF subsidiary, said that the new destination will be developed at a cost of US $346mn.

SEVEN Abha will be home to eight unique attractions, which includes a family entertainment centre offering various experiences from arcade games, unique world-class rides to virtual reality areas. Located between the cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait, near Abha International Airport, the leisure hub will spread over an area of 64,000sqm and will have a built-up area of more than 79,000sqm.

Designed by Gensler, the project’s architecture has been inspired by the ancient stone buildings of the area to highlight the identity of Aseer. The design is said to align with the principles of The Urban Code of the Aseer Region, which aims to promote excellence in urban planning, design, landscape and architecture, while respecting the identity of the region.

Unveiling the project, SEVEN said it is investing more than $13.3bn to build 21 entertainment destinations, which will provide unique and innovative world-class entertainment experiences and global partnerships from within the sector. Saudi-based Modern Building Leaders (MBL) has been signed up by SEVEN to carry out the construction works.

“Aseer region is witnessing an unprecedented renaissance across different sectors and verticals through the endless support from our leadership. SEVEN’s entertainment destination in Abha is one of the key projects in Aseer which will support our ambition to become a global destination all year round,” said Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Chairman of Aseer Development Authority (ASDA).

SEVEN Chairman Abdullah AlDawood added, “Abha represents another ambitious project in the framework of our efforts to support the entertainment sector across the Kingdom following the objectives and goals of Vision 2030. We are forecasting a GDP contribution of more than $1.06bn and over five million visitors by 2030. In addition to creating more than hundreds of direct and indirect jobs for the people of Aseer region.”

Modern Building Leaders CEO Olivier Crasson said, “We are honoured to be among the pioneering companies contributing to projects under Saudi Vision 2030. We are proud to partner with SEVEN in executing this distinguished project, an iconic entertainment landmark in the region. At MBL, we have dedicated our full effort and extensive expertise to accelerate the project, committing to the highest standards of execution using state-of-the-art technology and machinery in construction. We are fully committed to safety and sustainability measures, ensuring the preservation of the environment and the safety of all workers involved in the project.”

SEVEN said it has partnered with leading companies in their respective fields to design the entertainment attractions in Abha, including Cundall, Theme 3, Top Notch, Holofice, Thinkwell and Sea Quest.

“Visitors can experience a full range of live entertainment events at the multipurpose venue, indoor e-karting on multi-level tracks, a 10-lane futuristic bowling concept, a 10-screen cinema from AMC and many more fun-filled experiences all under one roof. In addition, SEVEN will bring a wide range of retail and F&B offerings with something to suit everyone,” concluded AlDawood.

The post SEVEN to develop SEVEN Abha with investment of $346mn appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews

A digital measuring system for concrete, Verifi, has been successfully trialled by Balfour Beatty Vinci across the HS2 project. The firm said the success of the trial will see the roll-out of the product across several HS2 sites, in a bid to enhance efficiency and reduce carbon output on the project.

The digital measuring system is said to enable real-time monitoring, measurement, and management of fresh concrete properties during transportation. It also optimises planning and coordination through GPS tracking of vehicles equipped with the technology. The real-time tracking capability improves the management of concrete delivery, in addition to enhancing logistical processes on-site, the firm explained.

“The initial concept of using this technology to reduce manual testing has been developed into a fully integrated digital monitoring and reporting system between producer and customer. It’s very rewarding to have finally implemented this digital solution after a process of trials, validation and approvals, made possible by great teamwork. Now that implementation is underway across our HS2 sites in the Midlands, we will start to see the significant benefits,” stated Steve Phipps, Head of Materials Engineering at Balfour Beatty Vinci.

Over the last two years, Balfour Beatty Vinci worked with supply chain partners Saint Gobain Construction Chemicals who developed Verifi, and their concrete supply partners Tarmac and Aggregate Industries to test and validate the system. The company said that the full-scale site trial involving over 20,000m3 of concrete, demonstrated “accuracy and confidence in the technology”. HS2 Ltd has now approved the roll-out across further sites.

One of the main benefits of the system is the elimination of concrete waste, which would have been produced from manual sampling and testing. It also enhances productivity and efficiency by delivering clear digital readouts, eliminating delays associated with sampling and testing processes, which allows for better scheduling and reduces potential bottlenecks in the construction timeline, the firm added.

Frederic Guimbal, EVP at Saint Gobain Construction Chemicals concluded, “We’re delighted that the adoption of VERIFI represents a significant step forward for the HS2 project, bringing tangible benefits in terms of quality control, productivity, safety, sustainability, planning, reliability, and digitisation. This innovative solution demonstrates the power of collaboration and paves the way for the integration of digital methods in future concrete standards across the construction industry.”

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Source: MEConstructionNews

The Big Project Middle East (BPME) editorial team has confirmed that the final deadline for nominations for BPME’s Excellence in Construction Awards (BPME Awards) is 8 December. Now in its 14^th year, the BPME Awards has been extensively revamped and will recognise excellence across 31 categories, split across Individual Awards; Sustainability Awards; Developer Awards; Contractor Awards, and Project Awards.

The BPME Awards recognise excellence across the built environment and welcomes nominations from government entities, developers, operators, contractors, specialists and individuals. For the 2023 edition, there is a significant emphasis on developers and contractors, with the aim of allowing firms of different sizes to enter and compete with their peers on even ground.

“Whereas we previously only had one main category for developers (Developer of the Year), we now actually have four: Small Developer of the Year; Mid-sized Developer of the Year; Large Developer of the Year, and Giga Developer of the Year. If sustainability is your focus, you may also be interested in putting a nomination through to the ‘Sustainable Developer of the Year’ category – the individual category guidelines and nominations guidelines will provide all the information you need to submit a strong nomination,” confirmed Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at Big Project Middle East.

He added, “We’ve followed a similar strategy for the contractor focused awards, with no less than seven categories: Fit-Out Contractor of the Year; MEP Contractor of the Year; Infrastructure Contractor of the Year; Small Contractor of the Year; Mid-sized Contractor of the Year; Large Contractor of the Year, and Sustainable Contractor of the Year.”

Following the close of nominations on 8 December, the BPME editorial team will go through the first round of eliminations, and will then send the remaining nominations to a panel of judges from the industry.

The shortlist for the BPME Awards will be revealed in early January, following which shortlisted companies and winners will be recognised at a gala dinner function on 18 January at the Ritz Carlton JBR in Dubai, the BPME editorial team confirmed.

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Source: MEConstructionNews

Starz Orion Capital has been launched by pan-European commercial real estate lending platform, Starz Real Estate (Starz) and Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala. The fund is said to be a ‘special situations fund’ and Starz anticipates an additional round of investment to expand the fund’s capitalisation by $327mn, which is said to reflect the firm’s confidence in the fund’s ability to maximise a range of varied new opportunities.

The fund’s strategy is said to encompass a wide range of real estate lending and investment opportunities targeted across Europe including whole, senior, mezzanine, bridge, rescue financing or preferred equity financing for refurbishment/redevelopment.

It will also support the acquisition of distressed debt and non-performing loans; and acquisition of real estate securities comprising REIT’s, CMBS, and other real estate fixed income securities, the firm added.

On the new venture, Starz Real Estate CEO David Arzi said, “We are pleased to launch Starz Orion Capital, which represents a significant milestone in our journey and our second venture with Mubadala. As market dynamics continue to evolve, the fund is well-positioned to provide flexible, tailored and timely solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of real estate investors and developers, building on our strong track record and what has been an exciting period of growth for the business.”

This is the second venture between Starz and Mubadala, with Mubadala providing the anchor investment for the Starz Zenith Capital Ltd fund in December 2021. Starz Zenith Capital Ltd originates middle market commercial loans between $16mn and $109mn, with circa $545mn already originated.

Commenting on the investment, Khadija Benzit, Head of Europe in the Real Estate platform at Mubadala added, “We are delighted to extend our partnership with Starz Real Estate, as we continue to increase our exposure to alternative investments, including in private credit, to achieve stable financial returns. With the current market environment, private credit is playing a bigger role in supporting real estate players, and we’re excited to be supporting the fund across Europe.”

The post Starz and Mubadala partner to launch new real estate fund appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews

Cities have become one of the most populated places in the world. Their growth changes every year with the increase and arrivals of new inhabitants, and it is estimated that this growth will go on increasing over the next few years. According to the latest United Nations report (UN), 68% of the population will live in cities in 2050 and the building sector has enormous potential to mitigate the impact of climate change in both developed and developing countries.

This scenario means that the main cities have the challenge of becoming ‘Smart Cities’ or intelligent cities. By making the most out of the energy resources and taking advantage of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) data, it is possible to create better infrastructure and city asset management, which promotes a more balanced urban planning.

Smart Cities create great business opportunities for both the public and the private sectors. One of them involves the optimisation of the energy resources through energy efficiency technologies. Energy efficiency is the series of actions that allows optimisation of the relationship between the quantity of energy consumed and the final products and services obtained: making more from less.

The aim is to reduce the energy consumption of a given asset, and then share the associated savings between the client and the sustainability expert company. In this way, both parties have a tangible – and quite fast – profit along with a reduction of the carbon footprint for decades to come. For some years now, there has been a growing interest in improving energy efficiency on the part of companies and public administrations.

The opportunity to make use of these technologies in the Middle East are significant since buildings in this region require heavy cooling systems to cope with the extreme seasonal heat and other energy-hungry equipment. The implementation of energy efficiency procedures in those buildings along with the commitment to renewable energies are paving the way to drastically decrease the impact to the environment.

It is important to create awareness on energy efficiency practices and to initiate more retrofitting of existing – inefficient – buildings and projects to reduce the overall energy consumption.

The residential sector is responsible for the consumption of almost 47% of the GCC’s total energy, against a global average of 25%. Considering that there are 25,000+ ongoing construction projects in the GCC right now, it is extremely important to join forces, address current challenges and harness the immense opportunities that lie ahead. Systems, hardware and equipment must be updated and appropriately maintained to reach a balance between energy and water savings. Should we not take corrective measures to improve energy efficiency in the building sector, energy demand is expected to rise every year.

One of the key drivers to attain more intelligent buildings and system integration is through the energy savings that can be achieved. Evaluation of occupancy patterns, application of daylight, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting sensors in appropriate locations are only a few examples.

A report published in October 2016 by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) noted that cities account for 65% of global energy used and 70% of manmade carbon emissions. This makes optimising energy consumption a fundamental objective of a smart city.

Therefore, efficiency is one of the principles that should govern the work undertaken by all public authorities. Achieving the desired effect by using the least possible resources is an obligation that applies to every area of our public administrations. In recent years, this approach has become increasingly relevant to the way they use energy resources.

Environmental awareness and the growing public concern about the effects of climate change mean that energy efficiency has become not merely our responsibility but also an opportunity, a way to encourage a greater commitment to sustainability throughout society. By consuming energy sensibly and efficiently, public authorities are taking on an educational role and leading by example.

The most modern technologies for analysing millions of readings

The essential first steps towards saving energy involve understanding how that energy is used, how much energy is consumed, and when it is used and to do what. For this reason, it is essential to do an energy audit to understand the current energy consumption patterns and identify areas for improvement. We need to benchmark the building’s energy usage against industry standards or similar buildings to set realistic efficiency goals.

Our technical team design and implement the energy monitoring facilities, which enables the registration of consumption at all manner of facilities and systems (lighting, heating, air conditioning and thermal insulation, etc.), integrating different control solutions. Then we perform a remote real-time follow up of consumption at the facilities and of the operating processes of its customers. This enables a correct analysis of the variations detected with respect to the reference indicators, generating alarms and examining measures and alternatives in transmission and operation, thereby enabling energy consumption and economic expenses to be reduced. The information obtained on the status and energy performance of the facilities enables the technical team to design savings measures and solutions based on customer needs, offering permanent advisory services adjusted to variability in the operation or in the use of energy consumers.

For example, some practices that aim at reducing energy usage and optimise the building’s performance are:

1. Upgrade Building Envelope: Insulating walls, roofs, and floors to prevent heat loss or gain. Seal any gaps or cracks in the building envelope to minimise air leakage
2. Energy-Efficient Lighting: Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting. Install occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, and timers to control lighting usage
3. HVAC System Optimisation: Regularly maintenance and service heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to ensure they operate efficiently. Consider implementing programmable thermostats and zone control to better manage temperature settings
4. Energy Monitoring and Reporting: Implement real-time energy monitoring systems to track energy consumption and identify anomalies. Generate regular reports to assess progress and identify areas for improvement

By applying these analysis techniques examples, all sorts of specific savings and efficiency measures will be implemented, such as changes to how installations are used, the replacement of obsolete or inefficient equipment, and the use of control and automation devices. This will allow a response to isolated alerts raised by unusual consumption and provide information that should lead to operational improvements, the identification of inefficient consumption patterns, etc.

It is imperative to cut down fossil fuel power generation plants in favor of renewable plants and alternative power plants such as waste-to-energy facilities. Newest residential/commercial buildings must meet more stringent energy efficiency targets to accomplish a 30% reduction in energy consumption by 2030. Not being able to do so will leave our future generations struggling with all the negative consequences that climate change will bring.

Improving the energy performance of buildings is a key element in the fight against climate change. With the government sector leading the adoption of retrofit projects across the GCC, we are optimistic that the above goals will be accomplished.

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Source: MEConstructionNews