NEOM has awarded a contract for the installation of public safety systems within its key development, Sindalah, to Saudi-based Nesma Infrastructure & Technology.

The contract is said to be valued at US $13.3mn and makes Nesma responsible for the design, supply, installation as well as the operation and maintenance of comprehensive security systems, including CCTV cameras and radar.

The first of NEOM’s assets to be unveiled, Sindalah will offer guests an idyllic luxury lifestyle. Home to one of the world-leading yachting ecosystems, and Sindalah marina aims to become a new hub and fixture in the global yachting calendar. The project is likely to be delivered in June, said a report.

Located off the coast of NEOM in the Kingdom’s north-west region, Sindalah is the developer’s first luxury island and yacht club destination in the Red Sea.

The post Nesma wins $13.3mn for safety systems at Sindalah appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

A US $90.39mn contract has been awarded for the improvement of the Umm Suqeim Street Project by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The Improvement of Umm Suqeim Street Project is a 4.6km-long development that extends from Al Khail Road to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road.

According to the RTA, the project includes an upgrade of the intersection with Al Barsha South Street, located near Kings School, by constructing an 800m-long tunnel with four lanes in each direction on Umm Suqeim Street. A signalised surface intersection will also be constructed as a part of the project.

The project is crucial to enhance the connectivity between east-west transverse streets and north-south vertical streets. This project complements RTA’s continuous efforts to improve the corridor, as per Mattar Al Tayer, the Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA.

Al Tayer added, “This project aims to improve the connectivity of four major traffic corridors in Dubai: Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Khail Road, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, and Emirates Road. It will enhance the capacity of the streets to accommodate up to 16,000 vehicles per hour in both directions, ensure a smoother flow of traffic, and significantly reduce the travel time between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Khail Road from 9.7 to 3.8 minutes. This project will serve various residential and developments areas, including Al Barsha South 1, 2, and 3, and Dubai Hills. These areas have an estimated population of about two million people.”

The RTA said that it completed the initial phase of the Improvement of Umm Suqeim Street Project in 2013. This phase covered the sector between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Khail Road and resulted in the construction of two three-lane bridges, two signalised intersections and three pedestrian bridges. In 2020, the RTA also opened a central 500m bridge as part of the bridges and roads leading to Dubai Hills Mall.

The post US $90mn contract awarded for improvement of Umm Suqeim Street Project appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

Global and regional construction firms have been invited to submit bids for the development of the third phase of the Al Dibdibah Power and Al Shagaya Renewable Energy solar PV project by the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP). The project is being undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Electricity & Water & Renewable Energy.

The winning developer or developer/consortium will be responsible for the financing, design, procurement, engineering, construction, testing, commissioning, operation and maintenance, as well as the transfer of the Al Dibdibah Power and Al Shagaya Renewable Energy – Phase III – Zone 1 Solar PV IPP. The deadline for submitting the bids has been set at February 22, according to the KAPP.

The Al Dibdibah Power and Al Shagaya plant is located in the administrative boundary of the Jahra Governorate in the west of Kuwait City, and is said to be approximately 100km from the capital. On completion, it will boast a net capacity of 1,100MW.

As the main body responsible for implementation of the public-private-partnership projects, KAPP aims to utilise private sector skills and expertise to maximize value for money and service quality. It is currently in the process of initiating several high-impact projects in the power, water/wastewater, education, health, transportation, communications, real estate, and solid waste management sectors, said a report.

Following the completion of the project, it will benefit from a power purchase agreement with the Ministry of Electricity & Water & Renewable Energy as the off taker for a 30-year term. It will export the output from the plant to Kuwait’s electricity grid and transmission network, the report added.

Ernst & Young supported KAPP and the Ministry of Electricity & Water & Renewable Energy as lead and financial advisor, DLA Piper as legal advisor and DNV as technical and environmental advisor.

The post KAPP calls for bids for renewable energy project appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

The Sustainable City – Yiti (TSCY) is a billion-dollar development that aims to support the goals of Oman Vision 2040, as well as the National Tourism Strategy, by creating a live-work-thrive city, that is green, energy efficient, and people-centric.

Spearheaded by Diamond Developers in partnership with Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group), the project – once complete – will consist of 300 villas, 1,225 apartments and 132 luxury serviced apartments, along with a number of community focused facilities and amenities. The project is expected to house 10,000 residents once it has been fully delivered.

For Salah Habib, CEO of Diamond Developers, sustainability is not simply an abstract concept or target to aspire for – it is a guiding principle that shapes every decision that the developer makes. As the CEO, Habib is steadfast in his commitment to ensuring the company fulfils its mission ‘to build and maintain sustainable, evidence-driven and intelligent cities’, all designed to contribute towards climate neutrality and circular economy, while maximising favourable economic returns on investments for their stakeholders.

The Sustainable City – Yiti is a testament to this; Habib says the project embodies their pledge to Oman’s sustainability objectives, and stands in full alignment with the country’s vision of delivering an emission-neutral city that provides a green, energy-efficient, and people-centric environment for its residents to live, work, and thrive.

“Oman’s Vision 2040 paints a clear path towards a diversified, inclusive, and sustainable national economy, with the aim to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050. With bold ambitions to become the largest operational sustainable community in the region and the first Net Zero emissions city in Oman by 2040, The Sustainable City – Yiti will extend the blueprint that we have been developing and continue to act as a living proof-of-concept of The Sustainable City brand,” says Habib.

Design for Energy Efficiency and Reduced Carbon Emissions

To achieve their overarching vision, Habib says the community aims to reduce its residents’ per capita carbon footprint by at least 75% compared to conventional living conditions in Oman, among other significant contributions. To achieve this, it is essential to prioritise energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions for which Habib notes, “the key to this contribution resides in the planning phase”.

“Each step in our design and construction processes is carefully planned to uphold our commitment to sustainability and to implement the highest standards across social, environmental and economic sustainability,” he adds.

Elaborating on how the developer approaches this, Habib explains that they optimise demand-side management by combining passive and active design across the master plan, improving energy efficiency and lowering carbon emissions.

“When it comes to product selection. We consider upstream and downstream emissions, choosing products with high lifecycles and, where possible, sourced locally, which cuts down on long-term costs. Habib points out that his firm is also committed to off-setting embodied and operational carbon emissions, which is considered at the planning stage.

“Finally, we employ recycled materials to build playgrounds, tracks, and other community facilities, as well as include precast wall panels into our construction process to reduce waste,” he states.

Renewable Energy Sources

The Sustainable City – Yiti is also bold in its mission to enable residents to achieve up to 100% energy bill savings, and introduce high-efficiency water systems that could reduce water bills by as much as 50%. Habib notes there are two ways they will harness renewable energy. The first is installing solar panels on rooftops and biogas plants that convert organic waste into energy.

“The community will be equipped with smart systems such as micro-grids to enable off-grid and positive energy capabilities, which include energy storage solutions. Smart systems also provide residents with the ability to share power,” he elaborates.

Within the project, Habib says water efficiency is at the core of its environmental strategies across The Sustainable City brand. The developer is exploring the use of water conservation systems and technologies to source potable water from alternate sources such as seawater and ambient humidity, which can be harvested and mineralised to produce safe drinking water.

“Wastewater will be recycled, and landscaping will be irrigated using treated sewage effluent,” he points out before adding that the buildings are equipped with state-of-the-art water installations and low-flow fixtures to conserve water effectively.

“We truly take pride in our 100% water recycling and reuse targets, whereby all used water in our communities is treated and repurposed for the irrigation of our green landscapes. Further enhancing our commitment to sustainability, we’ve embraced cutting-edge humidity harvesting technologies, allowing us to produce drinking water from the air around us,” he remarks.

Moreover, Habib says the innovative design of the 1,657 residential units within the project ensures that they are all equipped with energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, low-flow water fixtures, and smart home systems, resulting in significant savings in consumption and utility bills.

“These savings are largely dependent on the residents’ resource utilisation. The more environment-conscious the residents are, the more they save. As such, residents have a big role to play in optimising their savings. To help them maximise these, a lot of our efforts are focused on raising awareness and educating residents – and the larger general public – about sustainable living and sustainability best practices,” he highlights.

Habib also says homes in their cities are likely to have a higher resale value in the coming years, given the growing demand for sustainable, energy-efficient living spaces, which reduce carbon footprint and, as such, have lower operational costs. “This makes a compelling case for considering more sustainable developments when looking to invest in property and real estate,” he adds.

Comprehensive Sustainability in Amenities and Facilities

Underlining their live-work-thrive philosophy, Habib tells BPME that Diamond Developers is also committed to bringing together a vibrant community. “Everything from retail, dining, hospitality, leisure, healthcare, education, jobs and services will be available at The Sustainable City – Yiti. Minimising the need to leave the community and therefore slashing the collective emissions of the community even further,” he comments.

The Sustainable City – Yiti will be home to a sustainable school and nursery, SEE Lab and Institute, an autism centre, two hotels, a wellness centre, an equestrian club, a sports complex, a plaza, and a ‘green’ mosque, to name a few.

“The design of the community aims to enhance residents’ well-being through an expansive urban landscape and green spine that will contribute to biodiversity and improve air quality,” he says.

Shaded sikkas and porous pavements are set to reduce heat islands and create social spaces for neighbours and children to gather. Combined with the car-free spaces around the residential areas, this will enhance walkability and encourage residents to use clean mobility such as bicycles or electric buggies.”

At the end of the day, Habib says residents are at the heart of the communities. “It is invaluable for us to promote a culture of sustainability amongst them. We make sure to regularly engage with them through community events and communication portals, with the aim to maintain the highest quality of life with the lowest emissions. We also actively involve residents in urban farming programs and encourage waste separation at source, to name a few examples,” he emphasises.

A Booming Market for Sustainable Living

Habib firmly believes the project is another sterling example of how the Sustainable City brand has achieved remarkable success across different cities. He points out that the original project in Dubai has been at full occupancy for over four years, with a long waiting list of aspiring residents. Currently in its fourth phase of sales, their development in Sharjah has also achieved strong sales performances and entirely sold out the first two phases. Earlier this year, the groundbreaking of The Sustainable City – Yas Island in Abu Dhabi saw the units entirely sold out within 24 hours of the sales announcement.

Sustainable living solutions are in strong and increasing demand in the region and around the globe, says Habib. He notes, “These achievements are true testaments to the market’s trust in and recognition of SEE Holding’s expertise in delivering high-quality, eco-friendly urban developments.”

Expanding Sustainability Across the GCC Region

For Habib, the developer’s ongoing work is just the beginning of its journey. He explains, “The vision behind The Sustainable City has always been to create a blueprint for future cities. It took over four years of extensive research and in-depth studying of existing sustainable urban development models around the world to come up with an integrated model that encompasses all aspects of sustainability: a concept that is resilient, replicable, and future-proof.”

Habib adds that this is why they partner with like-minded institutions and pioneers as they aim to replicate The Sustainable City model, not only across the GCC region but across continents. He says this is why they have recently consolidated their services, expertise, and portfolio of subsidiaries into SEE Holding. Through this consolidation, Diamond Developers will design, invest in, and build sustainable cities and infrastructures worldwide to amplify their social, environmental, and economic impact.

“Our ambitions are on a global scale. We’re spearheading the way towards a Net Zero emissions future by inspiring, enabling, and empowering partners in the region and around the world to adopt sustainable solutions and embrace knowledge-sharing initiatives. Making a real impact and driving change needs global solidarity, and we can’t do it alone,” he concludes.

The post Building the Blueprint for a Sustainable Tomorrow appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

It could be said that it would be counterintuitive to start a company in the midst of a global pandemic. Yet, this is exactly what Shubam Aggarwal, Chairman and Co-Owner and Siddharta Banerji, Managing Director and Co-Owner of The Luxe Developers, did.

Impressed at how well the UAE government dealt with such a crisis and kept the economy moving, the duo, boasting a track record that includes a number of successful ventures, saw an opportunity for growth in the real estate sector.

Aggarwal says, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Arab Emirates government took the lead in economic recovery, making it easier for businesses to contribute to the country’s growth. We recognised this potential for growth, especially at a time when governments around the world were struggling to revive local economies. In contrast, the UAE government was focused on creating an open, welcoming and competitive business environment. So, we worked closely with various entities in the UAE, including Ras Al Khaimah, to make our vision for Oceano a reality.”

This work reached a new milestone in June 2023, when the UAE-headquartered real estate development firm The Luxe Developers broke ground on Oceano, an upscale twin-tower waterfront development located on Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah.

The decision to invest in Ras Al Khaimah reflects the emirate’s significant developments in recent years, says Aggarwal, pointing out that the real estate market is seeing impressive growth due to new policies and a focus on diversifying the economy. “According to the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, property transactions in the first half of 2022 exceeded US $1.09bn, with major investments from companies such as Wynn Resorts, Nobu Hotels, Aldar, Dubai Investments, and Abu Dhabi National Hotels,” adds Aggarwal.

“Given the high level of investment and positive outlook for the real estate market, we wanted to ensure that The Luxe Developers brand name was included in the mix, and that we capitalised on the demand for luxury properties in Ras Al Khaimah, particularly on Al Marjan Island, from investors in the UAE, the wider Middle East region, and beyond.”

The Vision for Oceano

The project, valued at over $408mn, will be located on a unique corner plot on Al Marjan Island and spread across a built-up area (BUA) of 79,000sqm and will consist of 206 units. Stretching over 18 storeys, the development will include one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments, six penthouses, and two exclusive sky villas, with access to private pools, as well as indoor and outdoor entertaining areas with unobstructed views across the Arabian Gulf.

Banerji remarks, “As a company, our ethos has always been to deliver an impeccable experience, elevated from anything on the market. We have always looked to break barriers and deliver beyond expectations in everything we’ve done. Oceano optimises this mindset by delivering a project unlike anything seen before, tapping into our vision for the future of luxury residential living.”

To achieve this, Banerji says they worked with best-in-class architects and designers, who will be involved in this project until the last keys are handed over, to ensure Oceano stands out as the premier residential development in Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE. “We fully expect the impeccable design and world-class amenities to attract regional and international investors, and have already seen high levels of interest from buyers eager to secure their property,” notes Banerji.

Seeking to Redefine Luxury

In terms of what the development has to offer, Banerji says residents will enjoy access to a host of amenities, including an exclusive residents-only luxury spa, a cigar lounge, a library, an infinity pool connecting the two towers, a state-of-the-art gym, a yoga room, a children’s play area. At the same time, they will also be able to take advantage of a chauffeur’s lounge.

“The entrance to the development alone underscores our commitment to luxury with a 14,000sqft lobby with its own indoor lobby garden. We have also included a floor dedicated to F&B, retail and leisure, where residents can access exclusive dining options, high-end boutiques and other leisure pursuits,” he continues.

Banerji adds that residents will have access to lush, green gardens, a resort-style swimming pool, a dedicated children’s pool, and a private beach, all of which add to the serenity and luxury of the living experience they aim to provide. “Residents can also access a private jetty to moor their yachts, a concierge and 24-hour security,” remarks Banerji.

From a design and engineering perspective, Banerji says they are working with Dewan Architects + Engineers. “Together, we have been responsible for developing Oceano’s unique design, incorporating free-flowing glass facades and minimalist frames, and with each floor rotated on different planes, every resident has a unique and uninterrupted panoramic view of the Arabian Gulf,” Banerji states.

In addition to the vast array of amenities, Aggarwal notes Oceano’s exclusive location offers residents privacy and seclusion, which is a prerequisite of their buyer’s needs. So far, Banerji says they have been impressed by the interest in Oceano, and since launching in June, they have already sold over 50% of the property, including many of the marquee units.

“Rather than wait to be asked by investors, Oceano has been created to address all possible needs and wants from potential investors. From the vast array of world-class amenities and luxury fittings to the unique views from every apartment and the utmost in privacy. All of these have been considered to ensure we are not only meeting the needs of potential buyers but exceeding them,” says Banerji.

Aligning with the growth of Ras Al Khaimah

Aggarwal is optimistic about the growth trajectory of Ras Al Khaimah, pointing out that a number of factors are contributing to the surge in property demand, all predominantly focused on the emirate’s tourism and infrastructure development. “Many new properties have come online in recent years, with many more planned,” states Aggarwal.

The push towards cultivating tourism within the emirate is not only palpable but also unprecedented, and Wynn Resorts has been an example of this following their confirmation of having the first casino resort in the UAE coming to Ras Al Khaimah, to be called Wynn Al Marjan Island. Aggarwal says this has undoubtedly contributed to the tremendous demand for real estate within Ras Al Khaimah.

“Tourism, more generally, is having a positive impact as well. RAKTDA has recently announced a record number of visitors in the first half of the year. All of these visitors have the opportunity to see Ras Al Khaimah first-hand, with many, in turn, looking to invest. A fantastic lifestyle, excellent value, and positive potential returns are luring them,” Aggarwal continues.

Oceano was created with all this mind, says Aggarwal, with the aim to facilitate the demand for the highest levels of luxury within the real estate market in Ras Al Khaimah. “We are building a unique development, unlike anything the emirate has seen before from a residential perspective. Something that complements the increasing number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals looking to invest in Ras Al Khaimah and those looking to make a home there,” he points out, adding that Oceano’s proximity to the forthcoming multi-billion-dollar integrated Wynn Resort also makes it stand out among other Ras Al Khaimah and UAE real estate developments, underscored by the popularity and interest already shown in the development.

Aggarwal says that the diversification of the economy has also seen an influx of potential new homeowners to facilitate new jobs in sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, technology, and logistics. “These, plus government initiatives and incentives, are all positively impacting demand for real estate in the emirate,” Aggarwal comments.

Headwinds in the constructions sector

As with any endeavour, Banerji remains pragmatic at potential challenges in the development of Oceano. “The construction industry is undoubtedly facing headwinds in several areas, including rising interest rates and supply chain challenges concerning construction materials. We are, of course, not immune to either of these. However, we have carefully selected our suppliers to ensure they can deliver the highest quality materials and ensure they are with us at precisely the time we need them,” he says.

Banerji adds that many of their investors are “cash rich” so interest rates have a negligible impact on their purchases. “Keeping pace with demand will be one of our biggest challenges, but so far, we are facilitating this well.”

Weighing in, Aggarwal points out that the Ras Al Khaimah government’s efforts in diversifying the economy and investing in tourism and hospitality are reaping massive benefits for the emirate.

“This has led to many companies making multi-billion-dirham investments that are positioning Ras Al Khaimah on a global stage, subsequently causing interest and demand in the real estate market to reach unprecedented levels,” he explains.

Sustainability and looking to the future

Although this is Luxe Developers’ first project, Banerji says that sustainability and encouraging sustainable living is a key component of our development, especially as this will be the first of many.

“We decided to work with Dewan Architects + Engineers due to their reputation as one of the top architects worldwide and their dedication to creating sustainable architecture with innovative and distinctive design. Our focus will be on sustainability, and we will highlight and demonstrate this as we reach each development milestone,” Banerji says.

As they are in the early stages of reinforcing their name within the UAE’s dynamic construction sector, Aggarwal says they are already evaluating new opportunities and hope to make another announcement later this year.

“The level of demand we’ve witnessed has made it an easy decision to continue to develop in the UAE. However, we are very aware of the real estate developments that are taking place around the GCC, such as Saudi Arabia, so we will continue to assess every opportunity that presents itself,” concludes Aggarwal.

The post Building Impeccable Experiences in Ras Al Khaimah appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah kicked off Sharjah International Airport’s terminal expansion project by laying the foundation stone on 3 January. The ceremony was also attended by HH Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.

The ceremony was also attended by Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Sea Ports and Customs; Sheikh Faisal bin Saud Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah International Airport Authority; Sheikh Sultan bin Abdullah Al Thani, Director of Department of Civil Aviation; and several government officials.

According to a report, the 190,000sqm terminal project is the largest phase of a series of expansion projects with a total cost of US $653.45mn, and is expected to be completed in 2027.

The new terminal will itself cost $336.26mn and will raise the airport’s capacity to 20m passengers annually. The expansion will separate the arrivals from the departures and offer new systems and facilities.

Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed was briefed on the project’s features such as the self-check-in machines, electronic boarding gates, waiting lounges, food courts, and a hotel for transit passengers. He also received detailed information on the communications technology systems to be used, which are set to improve operational efficiency.

The dignitaries also witnessed Sharjah Airport Authority’s signing ceremony of the main contractor for the terminal project. Parsons International won the $14mn contract to serve as the project manager for the expansion project in May 2017.

Sharjah Airport is said to have witnessed an impressive surge in passenger traffic last year, with over seven million passengers passing through its terminals during the first half of 2023,  24.4% more compared to the corresponding period in 2022; and more than four million in the third quarter of 2023, a rise of over 12% compared to the same period in 2022. The airport also achieved substantial growth in cargo operations too, the report concluded.

The post US $336mn expansion of Sharjah International Airport gets underway appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

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.

The post Tender for development of 53km of high-speed rail in Estonia launched appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

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.

The post Arada acquires premium Dubai plot for new residential project appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

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.

The post Alstom to build world’s longest battery-operated tramway in AlUla appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News

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.

The post Plans unveiled for 190MW solar energy farm in Ireland appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: ME Construction News