The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) has announced the pre-qualification requirements for a public-private partnership (PPP) street-lighting project in the country’s Northern Emirates. In a statement exclusive to Middle East Construction News (MECN), the ministry said the project includes the retrofit of the Federal Street-lighting Network in the Northern Emirates.

It explained that the project covers the 850km-long federal roads network in the region and about 30,000 luminaries that will need to be retrofitted into a sustainable smart street-lighting system that is adaptive to environmental and traffic conditions.

The scope of work for the project includes financing, designing, building, operating, maintaining and the transfer of the street-lighting network, it added. The ministry said that once completed, the project will enhance the quality of the federal roads network and improve safety levels.

In October 2021, the UAE’s MOEI said over 11,000 new residential units are under construction across the country and, in November 2021, the MoEI said it was building the UAE’s first 3D printed government facility.

In addition, by converting the network’s lighting systems to a sustainable smart system, the ministry estimates that will reduce the carbon footprint of the roads network significantly.

For the pre-qualification of the project, the MoEI said that it will begin by assessing the technical expertise of the investors and participants, as well as their financial health. Amongst the things considered will be the interested company’s annual turnover, financial performance, and its previous experience in the UAE.

The streetlighting project is planned to take 18 months to complete, followed by eight and a half years of operation, for a total contract period of 10 years, the ministry told MECN.

In September 2022, Abu Dhabi DoE revealed new policies to accelerate the UAE’s move towards Net Zero.

The sustainable street-lighting project is another indication of the UAE’s move towards shifting towards green energy and sustainable solutions to combat global warming and diversified energy sources. The country aims to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050 via the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.

Earlier this month, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the MOEI and Engie Solutions to technically cooperate in generating clean energy projects on ministry assets, and to explore other energy-related CSR initiatives.

The MoU is said to be a recognition of the importance of increasing the share of renewable energy in the UAE’s energy mix, while it also aims to inspire innovation in the sector. The country began financing clean energy projects more than 15 years ago and is said to have invested over US $40bn into the sector to date. Current trends predict clean energy production capacity, including solar and nuclear, to reach 14GW by 2030, up from about 100MW in 2015 and 2.4GW in 2020.

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Source: ME Construction News

Designs for the first model neighbourhood in AlUla have been unveiled by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). The move is said to be part of the RCU’s efforts to sustainably develop AlUla County for residents.

As part of its vision, the RCU will provide over 700 units for residents to create an unrivaled destination for residents and visitors, providing a harmonious environment that connects people with nature and heritage, while supplying the vital services and facilities of daily life.

Designs for the new, integrated, model neighbourhood reflect the surrounding natural and cultural environment and creates a community lifestyle through use of available spaces between buildings, providing pedestrian paths, creating public areas, and increasing green spaces across interconnected sites, said the statement from the RCU.

In April 2021, the RCU confirmed $15bn worth of masterplan opportunities for PPPs and, in October 2021, the RCU signed masterplan partnerships with an AECOM and Egis-led consortium.

“Making AlUla a great place to live, work, and do business is at the core of our urban development plan for sustainable growth, which oversees the construction of green spaces, landscaped areas, retail zones as well as schools, medical centres and family homes that benefit the whole community. Lush green spaces and places to exercise and play are a key part of our urban development plan as we transform AlUla, enhance its livability and help to connect residents and visitors with the stunning natural surroundings,” said Moataz Kurdi, Chief of County Operations at RCU.

The commission promotes comprehensive sustainable development in a unique cultural and natural environment in the Kingdom’s north-west, transforming the region into a leading global destination as well as a great place to live and work as it continues to achieve its vision for AlUla in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, the statement said.

In recent weeks, the RCU said it received applications for building permits, as part of its ongoing sustainable urban development scheme in AlUla’s Sadr and AlUla Central. To date, the scheme is active in AlMahash and AlManshiah – key visitor hubs in AlUla.

In October 2022, AECOM opened a new office to support projects by the Royal Commission for AlUla.

The RCU said property owners who obtain building permits can access the AlUla Design Studio, which provides a range of new community services that will have a fundamental role in the urban development scheme.

The studio will provide models of architectural designs, enabling residents to choose the most appropriate for them as they build their properties in line with AlUla’s history, heritage, and unique aesthetics, the statement concluded.

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Aldar Properties has launched Saadiyat Lagoons, which is billed as a nature-inspired residential community surrounded by mangrove vistas overlooking the Arabian Gulf.

Unveiling the project, Aldar explained that the new development, which is located on the east side of Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, is available exclusively for UAE national buyers. The construction of Saadiyat Lagoons is due to begin in Q2 2023, with handovers expected to commence in early Q2 2026.

The first phase of the integrated development will see 207 villas released on 3 November; properties are available in four-, five- and six-bedroom layouts, offering buyers a wide choice of villa living in a unique setting, the developer noted.

In July 2022, Aldar said it would acquire four towers in a deal worth $1.7bn and, in early August 2022, CBRE advised Aldar Properties on a $221mn RAK hospitality deal.

According to Aldar, the community has been designed with a series of residential clusters in three zones; each will feature homes with distinct architectural styles catering to the tastes of the local customer base.

“Saadiyat Lagoons is located on one of the most desirable pieces of land in Abu Dhabi, which makes it an incredibly exciting proposition. Each aspect of the development has been carefully planned in response to the changing needs of our customers, including the amenities, sustainable design, and options for home customisation. Once completed, the community will boost Saadiyat Island’s position as a fully developed residential, cultural, and leisure destination and we expect to see strong demand amongst UAE nationals,” said Chief Commercial Officer Rashed Al Omaira.

The community will feature a range of amenities including an eco-corniche, amphitheatre, dry deck water play area, skate park, paddle, basketball, and volleyball courts, climbing wall, playgrounds and ample green spaces and parks, it added.

Later in August 2022, Hill International was appointed to provide PMC services for Aldar Properties’ projects in Abu Dhabi.

Within the community, residents will also have access to schools and early learning centres, retail and F&B outlets, a health clinic, petrol stations, a multi-purpose event venue, barbecue and picnic areas, and mosques.

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Masdar has announced the acquisition of UK-based battery energy storage system (BESS) developer, Arlington Energy. The move will allow Masdar to expand its presence in the UK and the European renewable energy market and support other countries’ Net Zero objectives.

Based in London, Arlington Energy is said to have a proven record in developing, building, operating, and financing flexible energy solutions, having taken over 170MW of assets through to operation in the past two years, the statement explained.

Masdar’s acquisition of Arlington Energy will enable the development, construction, operational management, and financing of BESS projects under one Masdar-Arlington platform.

In August 2022, NineDot launched a Tesla Megapack-based 12.32MWh energy storage site in New York City and, later in the month, Gujarat called for tenders for a 1,000MWh BESS project.

“Masdar and Arlington Energy share a long-standing belief that greater investment in energy storage is critical if countries are to expand their renewable energy portfolios and achieve their Net Zero ambitions. By working together, we will be able to provide a more resilient and flexible energy resource, helping to accelerate the UK and other European countries’ clean energy transitions, and supporting our efforts in expanding our offshore wind and broader renewables portfolio,” said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar.

Alongside the Arlington acquisition, Masdar intends to increase its investment in offshore wind and other renewables projects in new and existing markets, including the UK. Masdar is already a leading investor in the UK’s offshore wind sector, with stakes in London Array, one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms; the Dudgeon offshore wind farm off the coast of Norfolk; and Hywind Scotland, the world’s first commercial-scale floating wind farm.

Europe could need as much as 200GW of storage capacity by 2030, if it is to meet its renewable energy targets, according to a recent industry report. The UK alone may need as much as 50GW of storage capacity by 2050, to achieve its target of Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, according to the National Grid. BESS solutions provide flexible energy to the grid, helping to overcome renewables’ intermittency challenges, and allowing energy to be released during peak demand, helping to ensure system security while keeping consumer costs down, the firm said.

In September 2022, Masdar and RWE joined forces in the global wind-power markets.

Matthew Clare, Co-founder and Director of Arlington Energy stated, “Partnering with Masdar allows us to accelerate our BESS rollout in the UK and will make us the leading platform for energy storage. With Arlington’s experience and expertise in the procurement, construction and operational management of BESS, and Masdar’s global capabilities in renewable energy, combining forces is a natural progression.”

He concluded, “This partnership creates a business with huge potential, immediately capable of delivering at scale domestically, and in other markets in the future, as more nations join the UAE and UK in setting net-zero targets.”

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Dubal Holding and Imdaad have signed a a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore and invest in projects aimed at fostering recycling and sustainability in the UAE.

The MoU will see the two entities establish a cooperative institutional framework to examine new initiatives for environmentally friendly projects in the UAE, including co-investing and development of projects that will support the Government of Dubai’s Sustainability Initiatives, a statement said, adding that the agreement was signed by Jamal Abdulla Lootah, Group CEO of Imdaad, and Ahmad Hamad Bin Fahad, CEO of Dubal Holding.

Commenting on the partnership, Lootah said, “As a facilities management industry leader setting benchmarks in service excellence, product innovation, and community development, Imdaad has a stellar track record in working toward sustainability through eco-friendly offerings and practices as well as various efforts to raise environmental awareness.”

In March 2022, Imdaad said it had secured its third major FM contract with Dubai Municipality and, in April 2022, it said it won another contract for the cleaning of several of Dubai’s industrial areas.

“We seek to further this commitment through our new partnership with Dubal Holding building on our long-standing relationship. The new wide-ranging waste treatment, recycling, and energy recovery projects planned at our FARZ facility will contribute to the UAE’s sustainability efforts and green development goals in line with the UAE Circular economy Policy, Integrated Waste Management Strategy 2021-2041, and Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.”

Dubal Holding has previously said that it is looking for investment opportunities to capitalise on innovative initiatives that encourage the transition of the UAE into a sustainable, green economy.

The company said that it has undertaken a number of sustainable projects since 2014 to encourage the development of sustainable technology, and aid in the creation of a circular economy, in accordance with the directives of the UAE’s leadership to enhance economic diversification.

In May 2022, DUBAL Holding and Nature Alu said they were collaborating to set up the UAE’s first high purity aluminium facility.

Following the signing of the MoU, Fahad added, “At Dubal Holding, we are always working to foster sustainable technologies in order to facilitate the UAE’s ambition to achieve a circular economy. This MoU is an important step that comes as part of our efforts to explore new avenues which will boost the nation’s economy and overall development in the sustainability sector.”

He concluded, “By partnering with Imdaad, we aim to assist Dubai in its objective of sending zero waste to the landfills by 2030. Furthermore, this collaboration is in line with our commitment to evaluate and fund initiatives and projects that help achieve Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 and Dubai Energy Strategy 2050, positioning the emirate as one of the leading in this emerging field, globally.”

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The handover of the first phase of Al Yasmeen at Al Zahia has begun according to Majid Al Futtaim Communities.

According to a statement, the handover follows the issuance of certification by Bureau Veritas (BV), which is said to ensure complete adherence to the high-quality standards that have become synonymous across all of Majid Al Futtaim’s communities.

Engaged as an independent third-party consultant, BV supervised the full scope of construction and quality assurance for Al Yasmeen. This included witnessing the testing and commissioning of all MEP systems, snagging and de-snagging upon completion of construction works, the verification and review of HO documents, and the production of Quality Control Certification for every home in the neighbourhood, explained Majid Al Futtaim Communities.

In March 2021, Majid Al Futtaim opened City Centre Al Zahia and, in October 2021, Majid Al Futtaim Communities commenced handovers of Al Lilac’s second phase at Al Zahia.

Al Yasmeen is said to offer a wealth of green open spaces, parks, leisure and entertainment amenities all within walking distance of its homes. Curated to deliver an elevated lifestyle experience for residents, guests, and visitors alike, the neighbourhood’s 200 three- to six-bedroom villas and townhouses benefit from having the Games Park on their doorstep, one of six themed parks across the wider community, designed to deliver an unparalleled sense of adventure with a variety of inspiring activities including a high line walk, rock climbing, and tunnel trekking, the firm pointed out.

“Al Yasmeen has been designed to the same high standards and fine attention to detail as Al Zahia’s other popular neighbourhoods, Al Jouri, Al Narjis and Al Lilac. By working with Bureau Veritas, homeowners can be assured that the high standards we insist on at Majid Al Futtaim Communities have been adhered to across every aspect,” said Hawazen Esber, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Communities.

Al Yasmeen is located in close proximity to Central Park and the Al Zahia Clubhouse’s facilities. The neighbourhood is also within easy reach of City Centre Al Zahia and the North Hub, both prime retail destinations offering a choice of Majid Al Futtaim’s signature retail and entertainment experiences, the developer explained.

In April 2022, Majid Al Futtaim Communities launched the final neighbourhood within the Al Zahia development.

Designed to provide a welcoming environment ideally suited for families, Al Zahia offers homeowners contemporary and well-designed homes, surrounded by green spaces and a range of upscale amenities. Residents and their guests can enjoy access to curated wellness, leisure, and entertainment facilities including resort-style swimming pools, a signature restaurant, a gym, and a multipurpose hall, the developer concluded.

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Developer Arada has successfully closed a US $100mn tap of its existing $350mn sukuk, which was issued in June and listed on the London Stock Exchange.

In a statement, Arada said that the tap was priced at 99 cents on the dollar, with an investor yield of 8.386%. Arada’s existing five-year fixed rate RegS debut Sukuk issuance was rated BB- by Fitch and B1 by Moody’s, it added.

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, said, “Arada continues to expand at an extremely rapid pace. To maintain that aggressive growth strategy, we took the decision to tap the markets opportunistically to secure the capital that will guarantee our plans remain on track. This exceptional response and over-subscription from the international debt capital markets is a further sign of faith in Arada’s impressive growth trajectory, fundamentals and future prospects. We’re especially pleased to have closed this issuance during an uncertain time for global markets, which is again a hugely positive endorsement of our investor proposition, good governance record and credit strength.”

In June 2022, Arada awarded a $20.4mn contract to build Sharjah’s largest and most technologically advanced fitness centre and, in October 2022, the developer launched the Masaar Discovery Centre.

He added that the tap witnessed resilient demand from the global finance markets, with a lead order of $185mn. The proceeds from the tap will be used for general corporate purposes and to support the development of Arada’s existing projects.

The Joint Lead Managers and Bookrunners for the tap were Standard Chartered Bank and Emirates NBD Capital, HSBC, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Mashreq, Sharjah Islamic Bank, Kamco Invest, and Warba Bank. In May, Moody’s and Fitch assigned Arada first-time credit ratings, of B1 and B+ respectively, both with a stable outlook.

Since its launch in 2017, Arada has launched three master-planned projects in Sharjah, with a combined sales value of $9.12bn, which are said to be setting a new standard for integrated community living in the emirate.

In October 2022, Arada awarded $124mn in contracts to Airolink for the development of Aljada homes.

In January this year, Arada announced the purchase of a plot of land on Dubai’s The Palm Jumeirah luxury megaproject, in line with the company’s stated intention to diversify into new markets.

The developer said it is on track for a year-on-year 25% increase in the value of property sold in 2022, and is also aiming to complete 4,000 homes during the course of the year. In total, Arada has sold nearly 11,000 units since inception, valued at over $2.17bn. The developer has completed 2,600 units, with another 27,500 homes in the pipeline, it concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News

Alfanar has won a contract to develop a 110MW solar photovoltaic power plant project, which will be part of a floating solar panel system. The US $320mn contract was awarded by the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC).

According to a statement, the SWCC project will also see the development of a 380kV substation, along with 172km of overhead transmission lines. The SWCC said the solar plant will play a critical role in powering the nearby Jubail desalination plant with renewable energy, thereby reducing the use of 410,000 barrels of crude oil per year.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Abdulrahman Al Fadhli, who is also the Chairman of the Board at SWCC, along with SWCC Governor Abdullah Al Abdulkarim and Alfanar’s Managing Director Sabah Al Mutlaq and Executive Vice President Amer Al Ajmi.

In February 2021, Alfanar signed a MoU with Aramco to develop in-Kingdom initiatives and, in March 2022, Saudi Arabia announced over 60 water projects worth US $9.33bn.

Alfanar pointed out that it is aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative, which is a part of Vision 2030 and is investing strategically in renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind energy.

The Jubail desalination plant, which boasts a production capacity of one million cu/m per day of water, is said to be one of the largest water desalination plants in the world.

In May 2022, an Acwa Power-led consortium said it had won a major Saudi water deal.

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Source: ME Construction News

Jeddah Mayoralty has said that work is in full swing on the South Obhur Corniche waterfront project, with the expectation that work will be complete by Q2 2023.

Spread over an area of 180,000sqm, the $61mn waterfront destination features five projects aimed at boosting the quality of life for residents, and raising the per capita share of green spaces and recreational areas. The entire destination covers the extension of a 2.5km seafront.

According to the developer, the South Obhur seafront project will add tourist value to the city of Jeddah, as it will provide squares and recreational areas, sandy beaches, a bike path, a sea walkway, green spaces, and parking lots, in addition to a number of attractive investment opportunities.

In September 2022, Lifestyle Developers said it had begun construction work on the Vue in Jeddah,  and, in October 2022, Alstom announced it had signed a five-year $53mn O&M contract with Jeddah Airports Company.

In addition, the project work will include infrastructure development, in addition to a marine scaffold, service and investment buildings, marine works, and complete infrastructure facilities. This includes the development of an electricity network, as well as a sewage network for rainwater and torrential rain. The project will also have surveillance cameras covering the entire site linked to a control room, Jeddah Mayoralty added.

Obhur is known for its variety of luxury resorts and beaches, which offer a number of recreational activities and events for all age groups.

Late in October 2022, Ajdan Real Estate said it would develop its $66.5mn Bayfront project on Al-Khobar Corniche.

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Source: ME Construction News

Wolffkran has revealed a new fiber rope for tower cranes that can replace a steel rope 1:1 without any modification of the crane. The chaRope, which is being showcased on a WOLFF crane at Bauma this week, was developed in cooperation with the rope specialist Trowis GmbH, the company said.

The fibers of the rope core are made of extremely dimensionally stable material, which help preserve the rope’s round cross-section, so it can be used in the most challenging environments such as icy mountain peaks or hot desert regions, WOLFF explained.

“Thanks to the unique design, the chaRope fiber rope has the same diameter as a steel rope and is thus significantly thinner than comparable products from competitors,” says Thomas Heidrich, CTO and Member of the Group Management Board at Wolffkran GmbH.

In March 2021, Wolffkran said it had achieved climate-neutral certification in Germany.

The rope design consists of a multi-layered, twisted rope core made of high-tensile high-tech fibers and an abrasion-resistant, thin-walled fiber composite cover. As a result, the company noted it can offer 12mm and 16mm diameter crane ropes at market entry. In Wolffkran’s current portfolio, this applies to all models in the WOLFF Clear series, the new WOLFF 21 FX cranes and the WOLFF 8033.16 Cross.

Aside from its small diameter, the unique fiber composite design of the rope cover has further advantages over conventional, braided covers. It is impermeable meaning moisture can’t penetrate through to the inside of the rope, nor can lubricants or fiber abrasions leak through to the outside.

“The rope does not run dry, even after many years, and the environment is not polluted with microscopic plastic,” adds Peter Streubel, Managing Director of Trowis GmbH.

In October 2022, Tadano said it would debut a 70t crane with increased lifting capacities at Bauma 2022 while, later in the month, Raimondi Cranes unveiled its new brand and company vision.

The test phase for the chaRope fiber rope is expected to be completed in June 2023, before being made available on the market in August 2023.

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Source: ME Construction News