Acwa Power has signed an agreement with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for the establishment of a new clean energy and water desalination development centre, located in the KACST campus.

The project aims to conduct studies and scientific research in vital areas linked to the clean energy and water sector, and key topics of focus include development of solar energy technologies, devices for photovoltaic power plants for extreme climatic conditions, as well as energy storage technologies to support future energy networks.

The focus areas are mainly aimed at cutting costs and the emissions connected with desalination processes, as the centre will employ artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies to empower new styles of data analysis and open up fresh areas of research.

The new facility aims to boost the presence of Acwa Power within the complex of national laboratories and innovation ‘oases’ to contribute to spreading the culture of co-operation and innovation between the academic community and the business sector.

After signing the deal with Thomas Altmann, the Executive Vice President of Innovation and New Technology Sector at Acwa Power, Dr Saeed Al-Shehri, the Vice President for the Energy and Industry Sector of KACST, said that the partnership with Acwa Power comes as part of KACST’s efforts to link technical products to the needs of both public and private sectors entities.

On the collaboration, Altmann said, “We are thrilled to embark on an exciting journey with an esteemed organisation such as KACST, as collaboration is key to our approach to research and development. The partnership aims to develop practical, market-ready solutions to address commercial needs with agility and innovation.”

“It also seeks to contribute to the local research and innovation ecosystem, in line with the objectives of Vision 2030. Utilising the collective expertise and resources of both organisations, the collaboration will focus on optimising joint programmes through the development of services, pilot plants, laboratories, and cutting-edge simulation and monitoring tools,” he concluded.

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Meta has awarded a US $800mn contract to contractor Turner for the construction of a 6,500sqm campus in Jeffersonville, Indiana in the United States. The campus includes several data centre buildings and Turner will use prefabricated modular assembly to build them.

According to a statement, Meta will make investments in new renewable energy projects, allowing it to make the claim that the data centre will be fully powered by renewable energy once operational. The campus will be LEED Gold certified by the US Green Building Council, with construction starting this month.

“We are excited to engage the community and begin work on another data centre project for Meta,” said Dan Harmon, Vice President and General Manager, Turner Construction Company.

He added, “At the peak of construction, we will welcome more than 1,250 construction workers a day on to this site. Working with members of the community and great local and regional trade partners, we will build this sustainable data centre that will connect people to others and to resources and information around the globe. Companies interested in working on the project are invited to visit our Subcontractor Prequalification page on our website.”

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Facilities management (FM) firm Amantra FM has acquired specialist fire-fighting and safety solution provider, AL MANQAB Technical Services.

The acquisition is said to mark Amantra’s foray into the construction industry, where the integration of firestop solutions in design stages helps significantly avert fire hazards in the future. The solutions, coupled with installation from trained technicians, constitute AL MANQAB’s and Amantra’s competitive edge in construction.

Founded in 2018, AL MANQAB has built a strong portfolio of firestop solutions and ancillary offerings such as safety programs, fire safety audits, hazard identification, and risk assessment. The firm’s expertise encompasses MEP penetrations, electrical risers, shaft openings, floor/wall openings and joints, where sophisticated firestop solutions can play an integral role in averting and mitigating fire-related incidents in the future.

“AL MANQAB’s tested-and-proven competencies in firestop solutions will synergise perfectly with Amantra’s existing MEP capabilities to offer enhanced value to our customers. The construction industry can be the custodian of fire safety in future buildings by incorporating sophisticated solutions in the design stages. The resulting preventive rather than reactive approach to fire safety has profound implications for liveability in the urban context. Amantra FM is proud to champion this righteous cause in GCC,” stated Sangeetha B, CEO of Amantra FM.

ABM (Al Basti and Muktha), ASGC, and Innovo are among the leading clients who will benefit immensely from that synergy following the acquisition. AL MANQAB is said to have a great track record of improving fire safety and awareness in organisations through employee engagement programs. Such programs touch upon accountability measures and administrative controls to minimise exposure, while underscoring the need to comply with global fire safety standards and protocols.

As toxic smoke and fires in buildings are a multi-faceted challenge with causes such as inadequate firestop measures in design stages, the lack of awareness among occupants, and indifference towards regulations and compliance with safety standards, a comprehensive solutions suite like Al MANQAB’s is highly desirable today, the statement explained.

Commenting on the acquisition, Naveed Yakub, Area Operations Supervisor at Amantra added, “AL MANQAB’s competencies, coupled with Amantra’s growing ecosystem and an impact-driven approach to facility operations and management, will help institutionalise fire resistance in buildings across GCC. Al MANQAB adds a new dimension of MEP capability to the comprehensive suite of value-centric services we are building under the umbrella of Amantra.”

Amantra is said to have differentiated itself in the FM industry through offerings and initiatives rooted in social impact. Amantra FM recently partnered with US-headquartered AtmosAir to help facilities in the region achieve optimal indoor air quality (IAQ) and improve well-being. As part of the landmark partnership, it became an authorised distributor and promoter of AtmosAir’s bi-polar ionisation technology, which boasts a pathogen reduction rate of up to 99% in indoor environments.

“The acquisition of AL MANQAB, closely following a major partnership with AtmosAir, adds more impetus to Amantra’s aspirations of driving social, economic, and environmental sustainability in FM operations. We are building an ecosystem around customer-centricity, partnering with and acquiring companies we believe can add measurable value to life in urban facilities without compromising on the liveability of future generations,” concluded Neethu Padmanabhan, Contracts and Customer Experience at Amantra FM.

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Gammon, Balfour Beatty’s south-east Asian subsidiary, has been awarded a contract to build a residential development in Hong Kong. Contracted on behalf of Top Oasis, the contract worth US $190mn, will see the firm build a 33-storey residential tower above Hong Kong’s existing MTR metro line.

The project is already underway and is scheduled for completion in 2025 and will employ 500 people at the peak of construction, the firm explained.

According to a statement, Gammon is using the Design for Manufacture and Assembly methodology during construction, fabricating individual structural steel components offsite. It says this will help to ensure the project’s safe and efficient delivery.

“We look forward to sharing our expertise and experience to implement customer-focused solutions that will allow the works to continue to the highest standards of safety, while also bringing our modern and sustainable method of construction,” said Gammon CEO Kevin O’Brien, after the deal was stuck with Sino Land and CSI Properties consortium.

The firm said that demolition waste from the build will be recycled on-site to reduce waste, while the JV will use an electric-powered battery storage system – Enertainer – as its primary power source for construction machinery. This would reduce the need for diesel generators on site and cut carbon emissions.

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28 winners were recognised at the 14th edition of the Big Project ME Awards, with the 2023 edition hosting over 160 guests from across the GCC. The event took place at the Ritz Carlton JBR in Dubai and was attended by international and local delegates from government organisations, developers, operators, contractors and suppliers.

With over 150 submissions received when nominations closed, the editorial team and the judges had a tough job on their hands to choose winners from a bouquet of quality nominees, the Big Project ME team said.

The judging process was split in two parts – an initial process that saw the Big Project ME team vetting all the nominations to ensure that they met nomination guidelines and standards, and that they were appropriate for the focus of the awards.

The second part of the judging process took place on 5 January and involved a panel of industry experts, who deliberated over the nominations that made it through to the second round. The judges were:

• Christopher Fanin, Senior Principal, Managing Director, InSite
• Hesham Nour Eldeen, Practice Director, Structures, Civil Infrastructure, Transportation, UAE, AECOM
• Majd Fayyad, DSM Strategy & Policy Lead, Dubai Supreme Council of Energy
• Nivine Issa, Founder & Managing Director, Terra Nexus
• Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content, Big Project Middle East

The Big Project ME Awards 2023 were supported by:

• Gold Sponsor: Engineering Contracting Company
• Silver Sponsor: Procore
• Supporting Partners: Compass Project Consulting, Kingspan, and RIB Software

The full list of winners and shortlisted nominees for the Big Project ME Awards 2023 are:

Big Project ME’s Young Professional of the Year

• Ahmad Sharjeel – Al Khoory Solutions
• Ahmed Abou Al Yousr – Parsons
• Ross Hopwood – ISG

Winner: Ahmad Sharjeel – Al Khoory Solutions

Big Project ME’s Mentor of the Year

• Ahmed Maged Mohamed Ali – VE Experts
• Amr Metwally – Engineering Contracting Company

Winner: Amr Metwally – Engineering Contracting Company

Big Project ME’s Woman of the Year

• Rana Nassar – Parsons
• Rexy Seema Machado – Dutco Interiors
• Sheikha Ali – ALEC Engineering & Contracting

Winner: Rana Nassar – Parsons

Big Project ME’s Team of the Year

• Connect Conference Centre Expo City Team – ISG
• Khazna Data Centre, AUH6, Masdar City, Abu Dhabi – McLaren Construction Group
• MEP BIM Team – INNOVO

Winner: MEP BIM Team – INNOVO

Big Project’s Executive of the Year

• Barry Lewis – ALEC Engineering & Contracting
• Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Properties
• Maryam Almheiri – Dubai Municipality

Winner 1: Hussain Sajwani – DAMAC Properties

Winner 2: Maryam Almheiri from Dubai Municipality

Supply Chain Sustainability Initiative of the Year

Winner: Desert Board

Sustainable Contractor of the Year

• ACCIONA
• The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)

Winner: ACCIONA

Sustainable Developer of the Year

• Abu Dhabi Ports Group
• Fakhruddin Properties

Winner: Abu Dhabi Ports Group

Sustainable Project of the Year

• Restoration of Burullus Lake – The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)
• The Red Sea Destination – Red Sea Global
• Solar PV Energy System for RTA Buildings & Facilities – Roads and Transport Authority

Winner 1: The Red Sea Destination – Red Sea Global

Winner 2: Solar PV Energy System for RTA Buildings & Facilities – Roads and Transport Authority

Skills Development Programme of the Year

Winner: Sobha Constructions

Fit-Out Contractor of the Year

• ALEC FITOUT
• Depa
• ISG

Winner: Depa

MEP Contractor of the Year

• ALEMCO
• LASCO JV SSG
• Sobha Constructions
• United Masters Electromechanical

Winner: LASCO JV SSG

Infrastructure Contractor of the Year

• China State Construction Engineering Corporation (Middle East)
• The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)

Winner: China State Construction Engineering Corporation (Middle East)

Mid-sized Contractor

Winner: McLaren Construction

Luxury Residential Development

Winner: Keturah Reserve – MAG (Editor’s Choice Award)  

Large Contractor of the Year

• ALEC Engineering & Contracting
• Sobha Constructions
• The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)

Winner: ALEC Engineering & Contracting

Project of the Year: Fit-Out

• One & Only One Za’abeel – ALEC FITOUT
• Intercontinental Residences – Depa

Winner: One & Only One Za’abeel – ALEC FITOUT

Project of the Year: Offsite Construction

• The Crest – Sobha Constructions
• The Point – DBB Contracting

Winner: The Point – DBB Contracting

MEP Project of the Year

• New Delta Wastewater Treatment Plant – The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)
• SeaWorld Abu Dhabi Animal Life & Safety Systems – ALEMCO & Miral
• Skylight – Al Wathba – LASCO JV SSG
• The Crest, Sobha Hartland – Sobha Constructions

Winner: New Delta Wastewater Treatment Plant by The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)

Project of the Year: Refurbishment & Retrofit

• AT.MOSPHERE – ALEC FITOUT
• Restoration of Amr Ibn Al-Aas Mosque – The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)
• Unified 7 UAE Customer Happiness Centres – Ministry of Health & Prevention

Winner: Unified 7 UAE Customer Happiness Centres – Ministry of Health & Prevention

Project of the Year: Energy

Winner: Khalifa Port Admin Building – Abu Dhabi Ports Group

Project of the Year: Water

• New Delta Wastewater Treatment Plant – Arab Contractors-Metito-Orascom-Hassan Allam JV
• Shuqaiq 3 RO Desalination Plant – ACCIONA

Winner: New Delta Wastewater Treatment Plant by Arab Contractors, Metito, Orascom and Hassan Allam

Project of the Year: Infrastructure & Transport

• Greater Cairo Metro Line 3 – Phase 3A – The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)
• LRT – The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)
• UAE National Railway – Etihad Railway

Winner: UAE National Railway – Etihad Rail

Project of the Year: Leisure, Retail and Hospitality

• SeaWorld Abu Dhabi – ALEC Engineering & Contracting
• The Islamic Cultural Centre in the New Administrative Capital – The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)

Winner: SeaWorld Abu Dhabi – ALEC Engineering & Contracting

Project of the Year: Residential

• Intercontinental Residences – DEPA
• Seef Lusail Residential Development – Parsons

Winner: Seef Lusail Residential Development – Parsons

Efficiency in Construction

• Winner: Waves Grande by Sobha Constructions

To learn more about the Big Project Middle East Awards, click here.

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Al Shirawi Machinery, a leading provider of construction equipment in the UAE, and HD Hyundai Construction Equipment, a global construction equipment manufacturer, have announced a landmark partnership in the UAE. 

At an official signing held this week in Dubai, both companies told an audience of contractors and local construction players that the alliance had been five years in the making and is set to revolutionise the construction industry in the UAE with cutting-edge technology and a shared commitment to innovation and customer support.

The partnership signing ceremony was a significant event, attended by prominent figures from both organizations and the diplomatic community. We were honored by the presence of: Mr. Thani Al Shirawi, CEO of Al Shirawi Machinery, Vice Chairman and Group Deputy Managing Director at Oasis Investment Company & Al Shirawi Group; His Excellency Jehseung Yoo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE; Mr. Eli Park, Managing Director, Middle East & Africa, HD Hyundai Construction Equipment; Mr. Mohamed Abdulla Mohamed Al Shirawi, Chairman of Oasis Investment Company; Mr. Jason Byun, Senior Vice President & Head of Overseas Sales at Hyundai Construction Equipment.

CEO Thani Al Shirawi said the collaboration with Hyundai Construction Equipment would be “a revolutionary partnership in a new transformative era for construction in the UAE market.”

Hyundai CE is one of the world’s leading names in equipment. Now backed by Al Shirawi’s aftersales and support in the UAE, it is determined to see its performance match its reputation. Jason Byun SVP Head of Overseas Sales Hyundai Construction Equipment added that: “Hyundai is making remarkable return to the UAE. We will work closely to revive bonds with our customers.

Also speaking was H.E. Jehseung Yoo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE who highlighted South Korea’s contribution to the construction industry in the UAE, including the Burj Khalifa, described attending the signing ceremony as a great honour: “I congratulate them on embarking on their ambitious journey – where both groups make a commitment for a sustainable partnership,” he added.

“We are truly honored to have His Excellency Jehseung Yoo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE, Deputy Consul General Mr. Young-Joon CHOI, and distinguished guests from HD Hyundai with us today. Their presence underscores the enduring and strong relationship between our two nations, both leaders in innovation and operational excellence,” added a spokesperson from Al Shirawi Machinery.

Al Shirawi Machinery is a distinguished dealer equipment in the UAE, specialising in a wide range of  construction equipment. From versatile mini excavators to robust heavy machinery, Al Shirawi Machinery provides access to the finest construction machines and comprehensive after-sales support. Committed to customer satisfaction, Al Shirawi Machinery is the preferred choice for construction equipment in the UAE.

HD Hyundai Construction Equipment (HCE) is a leading manufacturer specialising in construction and material handling equipment. With local subsidiaries across the globe, HCE is committed to pioneering future eco-friendly energy solutions and advancing construction equipment technology. HD Hyundai Construction Equipment promotes smart construction and continues to innovate for a better future

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Larsen & Toubro, (L&T) has announced that one of its key subsidiaries – Buildings & Factories (B&F) – has been awarded a major contract in Oman to develop a mixed-use project in the capital, Muscat.

Announcing the details, L&T said the project scope includes the construction of a three-star hotel featuring 80-key hotel rooms, 101-serviced apartments, and a 23-key residential apartment and office block with a common basement. There will also be associated service buildings, external works, services, as well as hard and soft landscaping.

The B&F unit has also just won a significant repeat order from the Indian Government Planning & Development Authority (at Maharashtra) to construct EWS Housing, 14 towers, and related infrastructure works in Navi Mumbai.

The scope of works includes design and construction of civil structures in all aspects including MEP, and related external development works. The project will be completed within the next 42 months.

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As part of the Bahrain Capital Governorate improvement projects, plans have been announced for a number of new developments in Sitra; these include a 4,238sqm Central Market, as well as two new multi-purpose parks.

The announcements followed on from visits to the project sites by Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak, Minister of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, and Ibrahim bin Hassan Al Hawaj, Minister of Works.

The ministers highlighted the importance of strengthening co-operation between the executive and legislative branches, emphasising the prominent role of the Capital Municipal Council in project planning and delivery.

Wael bin Nasser Al Mubarak affirmed the ministry is keen to implement service projects that contribute to developing infrastructure, as well as provide high-quality municipal and utility services, in a way that best meets the needs of the community. “Planning is under way to establish an 8,200sqm football stadium in Block 608 in Sitra.” He also pointed out that the Ma’ameer Park had recently been re-opened after its renovation in co-operation with Bapco.

The minister highlighted other planned projects, including the Seafront in Eker Village, and the afforestation of many areas in Sitra, as part of the National Afforestation Campaign.

Meanwhile, the Works Ministry is implementing its own differentiated strategy, including an extensive range of sanitation services. These will connect various homes and buildings to the sewage network in blocks 623, 624, 607 and 608. There are also transport initiatives, including new paving programmes on a number of roads in Ma’ameer, Eker and Sitra, with a view to improving traffic movement and further developing the rainwater drainage system.

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Transemirates has been appointed as the main contractor for Weybridge Gardens by UK-headquartered developer LEOS. The project is to be handed over in the first half of 2025, the developer said.

“We are thrilled to embark on yet another chapter in our successful collaboration with Transemirates. Our confidence in the meticulous collaboration between our teams will ensure the realisation of a project that not only meets but exceeds expectations,” said Mark Gaskin, Chief Operating Officer, LEOS Developments.

Weybridge Gardens is the developer’s second residential community in Dubai. It is designed as a mid-rise residential and lifestyle community that will be home to 187 apartments, and the developer said it aims to set a new benchmark in Dubailand for high quality design and interiors, coupled with world-class amenities.

Gaskin added, “Featuring well-appointed apartments, comprising spacious studios and one-bedroom apartments, every home at Weybridge Gardens has been meticulously crafted by experienced British architects and interior designers, ensuring a harmonious blend of form and function.”

Mohammed Al Zarooni, Group Vice Chairman of Al Zarooni Group of Companies noted, “This endeavour underscores the trust LEOS places in the capabilities of Transemirates, and we eagerly anticipate delivering a development that will set an unparalleled benchmark in Dubai’s dynamic real estate landscape.”

He concluded, “I’m delighted that LEOS Developments has once again chosen us as the main contractor of its second residential community in Dubai. We are fully prepared and committed to ensuring the highest quality of construction and timely delivery.”

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Source: MEConstructionNews