The first Tesla Superchargers in Qatar became fully operational last month, features fast charging technology that can deliver up to 250kW of power, providing up to 200 miles of range from a 15-minute charge. With the addition of Qatar, Tesla now has Supercharger stations in four countries in the Middle East.

Tracey Hunte, Qatar Country Director at Mace said: “At Mace we have an enduring commitment to pursuing a more sustainable world and this project with Doha Festival City to deliver the first Tesla Superchargers in Qatar is a perfect example of this. As a carbon neutral business since 2021, we are well positioned to advise and support our clients in Qatar, the Middle East and around the world to help reduce their environmental impact.”

Doha Festival City now features a total of 46 EV charging stations for public use – the most at a single location in Qatar – installed in partnership with Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) as part of its National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed). Kahramaa’s Tarsheed initiative promotes the development of sustainable transport in Qatar and aims to install up to 1,000 fast charging stations across the country by 2025.

Hazim Murad, Assistant General Manager for Doha Festival City Mall Management added, “It has been a great team effort by all stakeholders led by Mace to complete this project on time, including the management of the power survey, building permits and the physical construction of the charging stations. Hosting the first Tesla Supercharger stations in Qatar is a strategic milestone for Doha Festival City that enables the successful launch of the country’s first Tesla showroom.”

Jihad Zarkout, Owner Representative and Assistant General Manager at Bawabat Al-Shamal Real Estate Company (BASREC), which owns Doha Festival City remarked, “The Mace team displayed exceptional professionalism, effective coordination, and a strong commitment to quality. Their strategic planning and problem-solving skills were key to the project’s success. We are highly satisfied with their performance and would gladly recommend Mace for future projects.”

Doha Festival City is said to be the largest entertainment, dining, and fashion mall in Qatar, and features more than 550 stores. In addition to its work with Mace on EV charging stations, the venue has introduced other sustainable initiatives including irrigation systems that use a timer to control water consumption, smart electric systems, and solar technology.

Mace led the project management and installation of the 12 Tesla Superchargers, having previously overseen the completion of 23 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at Doha Festival City two years ago in preparation for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, as stated in the statement.

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Source: ME Construction News

An RFP for an independent greenfield 400MW battery energy storage system (BESS) power project in Abu Dhabi has been issued by Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC). Once operational, it aims to provide up to 800MW-hours of storage capacity, EWEC said in a statement.

The RFP is being issued to bidders who passed the qualification process following the Expression of Interest (EOI) stage that took place in April. A total of 93 companies and consortiums are said to have submitted bids, while 27 companies and consortiums qualified for the RFP stage after submitting statements of qualification. The deadline for sending the bids has been set for Q4 2024.

EWEC said that it is deploying BESS to enhance the flexibility and stability of Abu Dhabi’s energy network, allowing for the effective management of peak demand and integration of increasing amounts of renewable energy.

“As we commission the development of the UAE’s next-generation energy infrastructure, the 400MW BESS project marks a key milestone in our strategic efforts to enhance the resilience and efficiency of the power network. Utility-scale BESS technology will facilitate our rapid integration of increased amounts of renewable energy from solar PV to the system and enable us to operate and manage peak demand more efficiently,” said CEO Othman Al Ali.

BESS technology will provide crucial ancillary services such as frequency response and voltage regulation, further reinforcing the security of supply and supporting the utility company to increase its solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity to 7.5GW by 2030, the statement added.

The accelerated growth in renewables will significantly reduce the carbon dioxide intensity of EWEC’s power supply, from 330kg/MWh in 2019 to an estimated 190kg/MWh by 2030.

“Through this strategic project, we are strengthening Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s position as leaders of the global energy transition and accelerating the nation’s Net Zero goals. We look forward to working with best-in-class partners to bring this vision to fruition, further advancing the energy sector into a more sustainable future,” he concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News

Saudi-based Ladun Investment Company has announced that one of its key subsidiaries, Built Industrial Company, has been awarded a US $167.3mn contract by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. The project involves the expansion of the ministry’s own headquarters in Riyadh.

The contracted scope of work includes building eight new concrete floors and two underground parking zones, connected to the existing building by a pedestrian bridge at third-floor level.

Project implementation is also set to include all structural and architectural works, electrical and mechanical systems for the buildings, and full co-ordination of the overall site, following the Ministry’s published specifications and schedules.

The Ministry HQ is located the intersection of King Fahd Road and King Abdullah Road, Riyadh. The work is scheduled for completion by Q4 2028.

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Dubai-based The Condor Developers has announced the launch of its fourth residential project – Condor Sonate Residences – in Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT). The new development is part of a portfolio expansion strategy aimed at boosting the group’s realty investment value to over US $680mn by 2027.

Spread over 396,764sqft, Condor Sonate Residences will comprise 48 studios with an average area of 480sqft, 134 one-beds with an average area of 866sqft, 28 two-beds with an average area of 1,333sqft, and three-beds with an average area of 2,040sqft.

A homegrown luxury real estate brand, The Condor Developers said following this launch, it is now gearing up for three more projects which will be unveiled by the year-end. These projects will come up in prime residential districts, including Dubai Island, Al Majan and Dubai Sports City.

Speaking at the launch, Chairman and CEO Vidhyadharan Sivaprasad said, “Condor Sonate Residences comes with first-of its-kind wellness amenities and is created as a development where luxury meets serenity in the much sought-after JVT community. Investing in JVT offers a guaranteed higher RoI, with home values projected to rise on the back of an influx of overseas investors and major developments in the pipeline, including the upcoming metro station by 2030.”

Condor Sonate Residences will have 31 floors, excluding its five main podiums. There will also be more than 3,220sqft of retail area, as well as a leisure and recreation area featuring open cabanas, sun loungers and ‘green’ jogging pathways.

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Source: ME Construction News

China Three Gorges Renewables Group has announced plans for the ‘world’s largest solar farm’ in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China.

The 8GW facility is expected to be developed at a cost of just under US $11bn and is expected to span 200,000 acres, which will make the facility almost 100km2 larger than the island of Singapore, and about 30km2 larger than New York City. Three Gorges is said to have a 56% stake in the project, with Mongolia Energy Group holding the remainder.

Expected to open in 2027, the farm will be capable of powering approximately six million homes. It will produce more than half of the entire solar capacity of the United Kingdom (which is said to be near 15 GW).

China is home to the world’s largest solar facility, as of June 2024, the Xinjiang solar farm, which has an installed capacity of 3.5GW. Plans are also underway to expand the facility’s power production capacity with wind power, solar thermal power and coal-fire power.

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Source: ME Construction News

Dar Al-Handasah Consultants (Shair and Partners) will provide consultancy services, including engineering, design, project management, for both existing and new infrastructure projects led by Aramco.

This award extends a previous GESi framework agreement that Dar signed with Aramco in 2019 and builds on a historical relationship that dates to 1957, and that has been characterised by the delivery of projects across various sectors.

Commenting on the new framework agreement, Dar and Sidara’s Chairman and CEO Talal Shair said, “We are privileged to continue supporting Aramco in achieving its strategic objectives. We believe the new agreement validates and spotlights our contributions and provides us with an opportunity to continue to bring exceptional value to Aramco, leveraging the best of our expertise and capabilities, and that of all Sidara Companies.”

Dar has been in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since 1957, delivering projects for clients, with seven offices across major cities in the Kingdom. The amendment, awarded in December 2023, provides for additional five years of general engineering and project management services – infrastructure (GESi) and can also be extended up to three additional years, as per the statement.

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Source: ME Construction News

Equinox Hotels has entered into an agreement with NEOM for the opening of Equinox Resort Treyam, one of twelve destinations in the giga-project’s Magna quarter, located on the Gulf of Aqaba. Nestled next to the Gulf’s crystal-clear waters, the resort features a 450-m-long bridge-like structure, floating 40m above a serene lagoon.

Promising an innovative hospitality experience in one of Saudi Arabia’s most unexplored regions, Equinox Resort Treyam brings a high-performance lifestyle to an unspoiled location between the mountains and the sea, said a statement.

Equinox Hotels CEO Christopher Norton said: “As a region, NEOM embodies the future of luxury hospitality, and Equinox Hotels is thrilled to create an unparalleled resort experience within this visionary destination. Our partnership with NEOM highlights a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and redefining the boundaries of hospitality.”

“Located between THE LINE and the southernmost point of the Gulf of Aqaba, our resort will serve as the model for transformative luxury, activating the entire destination with experiences that only Equinox Hotels can offer.”

Jeremy Lester, Magna Executive Director added, “NEOM has always been about pioneering the extraordinary, and our partnership with Equinox Hotels underscores this commitment. Equinox Resort Treyam embodies the convergence of innovation and luxury, and this partnership will redefine sustainable hospitality with a focus on truly immersive experiences and active lifestyles. I’m proud to champion this collaboration, one that will see us shape the future of luxury hospitality.”

Equinox Resort Treyam will include spacious guest rooms and suites, a 450m-pool, world-class culinary concepts, a Club House, a spa, and longevity and technology treatments, along with a signature Equinox Fitness Club, the statement concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has commissioned eight new 132kV transmission substations during the first half of 2024, with a conversion capacity of 1,200 megavolt-amperes (MVA). The total costs were said to have been US $370mn.

The new commissions also included 89km of ground cable to continue to enhance the efficiency of the 132kV transmission network in Dubai and meet the growing demand for electricity across the emirate.

The new transmission substations were commissioned in Al Thanya 3, Al Barsha South 4, Wadi Al Shabak, Nadd Hessa, International City Phase 2, Wadi Al Safa 5, and Umm Suqeim 3.

Work on the substations required more than eight million working hours, all completed with a perfect safety record, using leading-edge digital technologies, DEWA noted.

This aligns with DEWA’s efforts to promote digital transformation across all its services and operations and provide innovative quality solutions according to the highest standards of availability, reliability, efficiency, and safety.

DEWA MD & CEO, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer commented, “We continue our relentless efforts to achieve the goals of the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, and Dubai Social Agenda 33 to provide the best living experience and residential services that are suitable for all.”

“We also work to enhance the reliability and availability of the energy network in Dubai utilising the latest disruptive technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, smart technologies, and innovative practices across all our services and operations. The total number of transmission substations across Dubai reached 382 by the end of June. This includes 27 units of 400kV substations and 355 units of 132kV substations.”

As of July 2024, the total value of the diverse projects being implemented by DEWA for its electricity transmission network exceeds $1.36bn.

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Source: ME Construction News

Alandalus Property has begun work on a major commercial development in the Umm Jurfan neighbourhood in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed at a total cost of US $221.4mn.

Once complete, the project will feature 350 rental units, including major showrooms, retail outlets, a hypermarket, an entertainment zone as well as indoor and outdoor café and restaurant, said Alandalus Property in its filing to the Saudi bourse Tadawul.

Spanning a 127,434sqm area, the property will comprise two floors and multi-level parking facilities for 1,800 cars. As per the engineering design, the project will boast an estimated rental area of 50,650sqm.

The project will be financed mainly through bank loans and partly through the partners’ own resources, and is expected to be complete in Q1, 2027.

The land was purchased by Alandalus Property through Masat Property, which the company’s owns 25% of its capital, while Buroj International Company owns the rest 75% stake. The Board of Directors of Masat Property said they signed up Hamat Holding as the project developer.

According to the developer’s report, the optimal final engineering design for the project was chosen from a group of designs prepared by the most skilled engineering offices in the Kingdom.

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Source: ME Construction News

UK-based construction firm Mace has been appointed as the programme management partner (PMP) for Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation’s railway extension projects.

The MTR said that it is currently undertaking six railway projects and extensions: the Northern Link Project, Hung Shui Kiu Station, Tuen Mun South Extension, Tung Chung Line Extension, Oyster Bay Station and Airport Railway Extended Overrun Tunnel. The scope of projects is estimated to cost more than US $19bn.

Mace said it will create a project management office (PMO) to ‘enable the smooth implementation of PMO functions and digital systems to support the client’s transformational and digital project goals and vision’.

The firm said that its partnership aims to further enhance the capital works team’s PMO capability, and enable the team to establish best in class integrated project controls, digital services and NEC contracting.

Davendra Dabasia, CEO for Mace Consult, said the announcement follows preliminary consulting work done by the group. “Our work with MTR started with strategic consultancy and has grown to enable Mace to work hand-in-hand with our client,” he concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News