LWK + PARTNERS has promoted Beth Bertiz to the position of MENA Operations Director. In addition, the firm also announced investments in Saudi talent, and has welcomed its first Saudi architect, Faris Alkhaldi.

With over 25 years of experience in the architecture and design industry, Bertiz will oversee all operations and drive the delivery of innovative and sustainable architectural solutions, serving clients in the region and ensuring service and quality in projects, the firm said in a statement.

“We are delighted to have Beth step into this pivotal role,” said Kerem Cengiz, MENA Managing Director, LWK + PARTNERS. “Her expertise and leadership skills make her the ideal candidate to lead our MENA operations from the Kingdom as we continue to expand our presence and impact in the region. We are confident that under her leadership, our studios will reach new heights.”

Alkhaldi is said to bring a fresh perspective and deep understanding of the local culture and architectural landscape, further strengthening our commitment to nurturing and developing local expertise.

“Investing in local talent is a core Dart of our strategy in Saudi Arabia. We believe in local talent, and we are committed to providing opportunities for growth and development. Faris Alkhaldi’s addition to our team marks an important milestone in our journey,” noted Ivan Fu, CEO.

The move whilst Saudi Arabia is strengthening its trade relations with China, the increased cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China is expected to bring new opportunities for growth and development in various sectors, including architecture and urban development.

LWK + PARTNERS said it is contributing to Saudi Vision 2030 by fostering local talent and delivering architectural projects. Focusing on sustainability, innovation, and cultural sensitivity ensuring to create spaces that are not only functional but also enriching and transformative, the statement noted.

The post LWK+PARTNERS announces new MENA Operations Director appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Developer MERED has acquired a waterfront plot in Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi. The newly acquired plot spans 11,890sqm and is located on Al Reem Island; the island is said to have emerged as one of the top spots for premium apartments, with investor confidence soaring in H1 of 2024, according to Bayut.

The development is the first waterfront project for MERED and will offer a combination of residential and commercial spaces featuring innovative design and modern architecture that aligns with the company’s vision. The location, currently under development, will offer infrastructure, connectivity and amenities, making it a attractive investment opportunity. The project will offer 310 luxury apartments.

“Abu Dhabi’s real estate market has sustained its strong 2023 performance into 2024, with increasing confidence among local and international high-net-worth individuals and record-high foreign direct investments. With a 6% price appreciation for luxury residential apartments in the city in the first half of the year, this is the perfect time to begin the development of our exclusive project on Al Reem Island. Inspired by the success of our ICONIC Tower in Dubai, we are excited to bring the same quality, innovation, and sustainable development to Abu Dhabi. Our acquisition of this prime waterfront plot aligns with our vision to redefine real estate with timeless masterpieces that enhance cityscapes and enrich residents’ lifestyles,” said Diana Nilipovscaia, CEO at MERED.

The project’s location ensures direct access to Abu Dhabi’s key attractions and transport hubs, it is five minutes from Reem Central Park and 10 minutes from the city’s major thoroughfare Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Road. Residents are 15 minutes from the Galleria Mall and cultural landmarks like the Louvre and Saadiyat Marina and International airport is 30 minutes away, said a statement.

MERED said it has also begun with the construction of the ICONIC Tower, which is set to be the tallest in Dubai Internet City at 286.4m. Multiple partners have been brought on board to create the tower including global architectural design firm Pininfarina and Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) for interior design, among many others.

The post MERED launches real estate project in Abu Dhabi appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

JLL and Mashreq have partnered to advance the latter’s Net Zero goals for its global headquarters. The Mashreq Global Headquarters in Downtown Dubai was awarded the LEED Zero Carbon certification from the US Green Building Council for achieving Net Zero carbon emissions and prioritising energy efficiency through sustainable design and operations.

Based on its performance metrics of the past 12 months, the building’s Net Zero carbon status was realised through carbon emissions avoided or offset from the building’s annual operational energy and occupant transportation over a year, leading to a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) balance of zero for the bank’s global HQ during the assessed period.

Darren Denikiewicz, Head of Engineering & Energy, Project & Development Services UAE at JLL, said: “Having earned multiple LEED Zero certifications, Mashreq’s Global Headquarters is a model of environmental stewardship and reinforces the bank’s position as a sustainability champion in the UAE and the wider MENA region. Harnessing the potential of leading renewable energy technologies and innovations in design integration. JLL is working with Mashreq to fulfill its Net Zero goals and position it for long-term success through a compelling carbon emissions reduction strategy. As the social impact of green buildings becomes evident, we look forward to seeing more projects achieving LEED Zero certifications and making Net Zero goals a reality in the region.”

Bassem Fekry Farid, Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate Real Estate & Administration at Mashreq added, “Achieving the prestigious LEED Zero Carbon certification for our Global Headquarters is a testament to the significant strides that Mashreq has made in meeting global sustainability standards as we move towards a low-energy, reduced carbon footprint future. The transparent tracking of energy use and reliance on renewables aligns with the UAE’s ambitious Net Zero by 2050 agenda. Through our partnership with JLL’s energy and engineering services, we remain committed to fulfilling our carbon neutrality goals and scaling our impact to assure an enhanced quality of life for our employees, tenants, and the wider community.”

Leveraging JLL’s expertise in sustainability services, Mashreq Global HQ has committed to offset its carbon emissions for three years until 2027. To realise this ambitious goal, Mashreq has purchased Renewable Energy certificates that are Green-e Energy certified and are equivalent to the electricity consumed. Mashreq has also purchased Green-e Climate certified carbon offsets, equivalent to non-electricity emissions from chilled water consumption and transportation, the statement noted.

The post JLL and Mashreq achieves LEED Zero Carbon Certificate appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Driven Properties has announced the sale of the largest plot in Business Bay, Dubai. The sale is said to mark a significant milestone for the area, paving the way for a new, sustainable office park.

The office park by Lamar Development will serve as a welcome addition to the area, addressing the critical shortage of Grade A office spaces in Business Bay and the city at large. With neighboring off-plan office developments seeing prices that exceed $1,900 per square foot, the sale solidifies Driven Properties’ position as a trusted provider, even in the face of short supply. This investment on the canal strip puts the Gross Development Value for Lamar’s existing and upcoming developments across the canal to over $3.26bn, said a statement.

The plot, sitting at the cusp of an extension of Marasi Drive, spans 333,000sqft with a gross floor area (GFA) of 1,020,000sqft, and is widely considered the most desirable location in Business Bay. Nestled within the Dubai Canal, its prime positioning and 270-degree waterfront views contribute to its exceptional appeal.

Abdullah Alajaji, Founder and CEO of Driven Properties commented, “This landmark deal in Business Bay exemplifies Driven Properties’ expertise in navigating complex, high-value transactions. We’re proud to have facilitated the sale of this plot, which will pave the way for a sustainable office park project that aligns with Dubai’s vision of a vibrant and sustainable city.”

The office park will feature a range of amenities, including a culture district, a performing arts theatre, and ultra-high-end office spaces. This project is poised to become a landmark destination in Business Bay, attracting businesses and professionals seeking a dynamic and modern work environment, the statement noted.

As the biggest plot in the area, this latest transaction adds to Driven Properties’ track record of facilitating high-value real estate deals in Dubai, particularly in the ultra-luxury sector.

The post Driven Properties sells the biggest Plot in Business Bay appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has completed the construction of 10 truck rest stops, in co-operation with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). These are part of an initiative to create a series of 16 rest stops in key strategic locations.

The rest stop facilities are spread across six key locations, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road; Emirates Road, Dubai; Hatta Road, Dubai; Al Ain Road; Lehbab Road, Dubai; and Al Awir Road, all of which attract high volumes of daily truck traffic.

The rest stops cover a total area of over 75,000sqm, with an operational capacity exceeding 5,000 trucks and heavy vehicles and 700 parking lots. Each rest area spans 5,000 to 10,000sqm, and the facilities include service amenities, prayer rooms, diesel refuelling stations, and driver rest rooms.

Mattar Al Tayer, the Director-General and Chairman of RTA Board said, “Constructing truck rest stops enhances traffic safety by reducing truck-related incidents by 50%. These facilities improve traffic flow during truck ban periods, promote traffic awareness among truck drivers, and eliminate the parking of trucks on main roads and in residential areas. The rest areas are designed to allow truck drivers to rest during traffic bans on specific highways and to accommodate the increasing need for truck parking. This need arises from the high volume of truck trips in Dubai, which exceeds 300,000 daily trips, carrying approximately 1.5m tonnes of goods daily.”

The selection of the rest stops’ locations has been carefully planned and involves adhering to international standards as well as adhering to technical research studies, in order to maximise the overall effectiveness of the facilities and support the land transport sector.

The post New truck rest stops completed by RTA appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has announced an extension of a clean energy partnership agreement with Mediclinic Middle East. Under the agreement, EWEC will provide all Mediclinic’s advanced facilities in Abu Dhabi with electricity generated using clean energy sources 24- hours a day, seven days a week.

This will be verified using Clean Energy Certificates (CECs), which guarantees that electricity consumed by an entity has been produced using clean energy sources. The agreement is an extension of a pre-existing partnership to drive decarbonisation in the UAE’s healthcare sector, said a statement.

EWEC has been facilitating the adoption of Clean Energy Certificates (CECs) in Abu Dhabi, with rapidly growing engagement across a range of key economic sectors. 2023 was a record year for the adoption of CECs, and the first half of 2024 has generated increased interest in the innovative CEC scheme. CECs deliver greater accountability across the value chain, enabling Abu Dhabi-based entities to track and verify their clean energy consumption, decarbonise their operations, and lower their Scope 2 emissions.

“EWEC is proud to strengthen and continue our partnership with Mediclinic Middle East, the first healthcare group to utilise clean energy in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, showcasing our mutual commitment to sustainability. Globally, the healthcare sector accounts for between five to eight per cent of electricity consumption, and this agreement underscores the importance of taking tangible steps to decarbonise this key sector. By ensuring that Mediclinic’s Abu Dhabi facilities are powered entirely by clean energy, we are jointly making significant steps towards making the healthcare sector a leader in community-focused, environmentally conscious stewardship,” noted Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC.

Hein van Eck, Chief Executive Officer of Mediclinic Middle East added, “Partnering with EWEC to power our leading Abu Dhabi medical facilities with clean energy aligns with our commitment to sustainability and environmental protection. This initiative not only enhances our operations but also contributes to our broader decarbonisation initiatives across the company to improve energy efficiency across our facilities. We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with EWEC to achieve our sector leading energy goals and becoming carbon neutral by 2030.”

Issued in one megawatt-hour units, CECs are tradable digital certificates which comply with the International Renewable Energy Certificate Standard Foundation (I-REC Standard) and prove ownership of the environmental and economic benefits derived from clean energy consumption. EWEC is the single registrant and auction operator responsible for implementing the CECs scheme issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy (DoE). The certificates are a key mechanism in the transition to a low-carbon economy, contributing to the realisation of the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative.

The post Clean energy deal inked between EWEC and Mediclinic appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

AESG has announced further international expansion with the launch of its office in Sydney that will serve as its headquarters for the Australian market. The Sydney office will work closely with AESG’s Singapore office to further strengthen the firms’ value proposition to clients throughout the Asia Pacific region.

The move marks another milestone for the company which, in just 14 years since its founding, has grown to be one of the region’s largest privately held consultancies with offices across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, and Singapore, serving the Middle East, Europe and Asia, said a statement from the firm.

“Today, we proudly extend the reach of our world-class service portfolio into Australia.  The nation’s ambitious decarbonisation strategy and emissions reduction targets for 2035 aligns perfectly with our mission as a business to drive the Net Zero and sustainability agenda in our sectors. I am excited by this unique opportunity for our team to rise to the exciting and challenging opportunities in the Australasian market, at a very exciting period in the nation’s development,” said Saeed Al Abbar, CEO at AESG.

He added, “By placing our industry experts on the ground, with their years of international experience yearned from working on some of the world’s most demanding development undertakings, we hope to infuse the market with global best practices and fresh perspectives. By the same measure, I am confident that the talented professionals we hire locally will not only provide local know how within the Australian market but also inject significant value back into our organisation, and the clients we serve across markets.”

AESG’s momentum in Australia will be spearheaded by Devan Valenti who has been brought on as Director of Sustainability for the country. He is said to have over a decade of expertise in sustainability across three continents and has been pivotal in advancing ESG practices within the property sector. Prior to joining AESG, Valenti served as Senior Manager and ESG Lead for Asia Pacific at the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), highlighting his strategic acumen and deep commitment to sustainable development.

In appointing Valenti – who was instrumental in the development of the Green Star Buildings Rating now embraced as a cornerstone by Australian property developers – as Director of Sustainability in Australia and Brent Ridgard – who previously served as National Director of Environmental Assessment & Planning at a prominent firm in Australia – to lead its Environmental Division in the Middle East, AESG has already demonstrated the value of its ability to tap into top talent from across geographies, the statement explained.

AESG will focus on developing its Environment and Sustainability and Specialist Engineering offerings in alignment with its intent to guide developers in Australia towards energy-efficient Net Zero solutions, as well as solve complex engineering challenges at the onset.

The service lines offered by these divisions include Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD), Facade Engineering, Fire and Life Safety, ESG Advisory, Carbon and Net Zero Consultancy, Green Building Certifications, Low Carbon Engineering, Ecological Surveys, and Environmental & Social Impact Assessment.

The post AESG inaugurates Sydney HQ appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

AMEA Power has broken ground on a 24MWp Solar Photovoltaic (PV) project in Uganda. The project is being implemented by Ituka West Nile Uganda Limited, a project company registered in Uganda and fully owned by AMEA Power.

The project is located on a 52Ha site in Ombachi village, Uleppi Subcounty, Madi Okollo District in the West Nile Sub-Region, around 450km from Kampala.

The ceremony was attended by Hon. Dr. Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda who was the Guest of Honour, Irene Bateebe, the Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, and Aqueel Bohra, Chief Investment Officer, AMEA Power.

Senior representatives from the Uleppi Subcounty, the Madi Okollo District, local Members of Parliament, the Ministry of Energy & Mineral Development, Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited, the Electricity Regulatory Authority, the Ugandan Embassy to the United Arab Emirates, and other government and private energy sector agencies were also present at the event.

The project includes a 1X24 MVA 33/132kV transformer substation/switchyard and will be evacuated through the newly constructed Lira-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua 132kV transmission line, operated by UETCL, the offtaker. Once commissioned, it will be the first and largest utility-scale grid-connected solar PV project in the West Nile Region.

The investment for the $19mn project financing was secured during COP28 from Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF). African Trade and Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI) is supporting the project via its Regional Liquidity Support Facility (RLSF).

Hussain Al Nowais, Chairman of AMEA Power said, “We are excited to begin construction on this landmark solar project in Uganda, marking a significant step forward in our commitment to expanding our footprint across East Africa. This project aligns perfectly with Uganda’s vision for a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, and we are confident that it will deliver substantial economic and environmental benefits for the country.”

The commissioning of the solar PV power plant is expected in Q3 2025. It will be AMEA Power’s first operational asset in the country. It will generate approximately 53,940MWh of clean energy per year, power more than 192,640 households and will offset 26,600 tons of carbon emission annually.

The Power Purchase Agreement with the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company, and the implementation agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, signed in September 2023. AMEA Power will work closely with the local communities as part of its commitment to economic development and will undertake key social initiatives under its ‘Community Investment and Development Programs’, aimed to focus on gender equality, education and training programs.

The post AMEA Power’s first solar PV power plant in Uganda appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Work is currently underway on the ‘initial design’ of the railway project linking Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, aimed at providing a direct link for transporting passengers and commercial goods.

The move comes following the go-ahead from The Project Management Committee of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, based on the outcomes of their financial, economic, technical, and social feasibility studies.

International companies will shortly be invited to submit competitive tenders, pending the release of the project RFPs. The actual implementation of the project is expected to begin in 2026.

Once operational, the railway is expected to carry 3,300 passengers daily with six round trips; the line will start from the Shaddadiyah area in Kuwait and extend to Riyadh.

The project is expected to be completed within four years, aligning with a series of Kuwaiti-Saudi projects aimed at economic integration and strengthening historical relations between the two countries.

The post Design phase commences on Kuwait-KSA railway appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has issued a total of 52,571 no-objection certificates (NOCs) for infrastructure works and projects in the first half of 2024, achieving a growth of 13.4% when compared to the same period last year.

This statistic highlights the efficiency and flexibility of service delivery through the Electronic NOC System – an integrated platform that includes 11 different service entities under one umbrella, in order to issue unified NOCs for a wide spectrum of infrastructure works. Meanwhile, the processing time for each application ranges from three to seven days, depending on the nature and scale of the work, the firm noted.

Bassel Ibrahim Saad, Director of Right-of-Way, Traffic and Roads Agency, RTA said: “The first half of 2024 saw a remarkable increase in applications for NOCs for infrastructure projects in Dubai. NOCs for road and construction works accounted for the largest share at 45.4% of the total issued certificates, which reflects the high demand and thriving activities in the construction, engineering consultancy, and real estate development sectors. The remaining portion was distributed among design works, exploratory drilling, information services, and completion certificates.”

“The RTA is committed to strengthening cooperation with relevant service entities to ensure the sustainability of infrastructure projects and works in Dubai. The Electronic NOC system encompasses several RTA departments as well as government service providers, such as Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), Etisalat (e&), Du, Etihad Rail, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), Dubai Supply Authority, Ministry of Defence, Dubai Airports, and Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects.”

The RTA is continuously seeking to further upgrade the Electronic NOC system, enhancing service quality and delivery times, thereby helping to ensure optimum, flexible business operations for companies and real estate developers, the statement noted.

The post RTA issues record number of NOCs in H1 appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News