AESG has appointed Brent Ridgard to lead its Environmental Division in the Middle East. In his role Ridgard will lead the regional delivery of services that include environmental and social impact assessment, strategic environmental assessment, environmental management, environmental site supervision and compliance, environmental monitoring, environmental compliance and due diligence auditing, and environmental risk assessment.

The move is said to highlight the firm’s desire to continue its role in managing the environmental, social and ecological impacts of the projected growth of key countries in the Middle East.

“The urgency of mitigating climate change and protecting the unique and precious biodiversity and natural capital of the region has never been more pronounced. The Middle East is at an inflection point and must balance ambition with environmental stewardship,” said Saeed Al Abbar, CEO at AESG.

For over 13 years, AESG’s Environment Division has helped developers to pursue their projects in harmony with nature. In addition to being NCEC (Saudi National Centre for Environmental Compliance) certified, the environmental division holds Class A status from the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and is a registered consultant with the Dubai Municipality Environmental Protection and Studies Section. In addition to this, AESG’s environmental division has worked with a number of project proponents to align with and secure funding from international lenders by facilitating compliance with International Finance Corporation (IFC) standards.

Saeed Al Abbar, CEO, AESG

The firm’s credentials have made it the partner-of-choice to the region’s most ambitious construction undertakings across a wide range of sectors including critical infrastructure, mega- and giga- projects, premier leisure and luxury travel destinations, and industrial and manufacturing facilities, the statement noted.

Al Abbar continued, “We are presently witnessing a flight of funds towards projects that demonstrably deliver on environmental sustainability commitments. The resulting surge in demand for our environmental services makes this the opportune moment to place Brent at the helm. His vision for nurturing a collaborative and innovative environment aligns perfectly with AESG’s values and goals. I’m confident in his ability to further advance the scope and quality of our sustainability and environmental portfolio, furthering our value proposition as the partner of choice for multidisciplinary integrated design engineering and design solutions that as well delivers all services relating to environmental consultancy in a pragmatic, innovative and cost-effective manner.”

Brent’s career spans over a quarter of a century, and he joins AESG from WSP where he served as the firm’s National Director of Environmental Assessment & Planning for Australia. Prior to this, he was the Middle East Director of WSP Environment and Energy, where among his many accomplishments was his contribution as the project lead in the development of Dubai’s Green Building Regulations, the statement outlined.

Ridgard concluded, “The Middle East is one of the most exciting development and construction markets, and the eyes of the world are upon it. Now is the time for the region to demonstrate its leadership and set new benchmarks for environmentally conscious development and progress. I am excited by the prospect of empowering clients to rise to the occasion. As a regionally founded firm that has successfully expanded its operations globally, AESG embodies the entrepreneurial and ambitious spirit of the Middle East and I am proud to join this celebrated team of industry pioneers.

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DMT GmbH & Co. KG, a general planner and contractor for deep geothermal energy, has been assigned by Stadtwerke Münster GmbH to explore the geothermal potential in Münster as part of its Strategy 2030. The deal is said to be a milestone that will help to promote heat transition and decarbonisation in the region.

The large-scale 3D seismic survey campaign will be completed in winter 2024/25 and will explore the geothermal potential in and around Münster, DMT said in a statement.

Dr Maik Tiedemann, Chairman of the Board of Management / CEO DMT GmbH & Co. KG and CEO of the TÜV NORD GROUP Business Unit Energy & Resources stated, “Deep geothermal energy could currently cover 25% of Germany’s heating demand in the long term, sustainably and in a CO2-neutral manner. The first steps towards accelerating the heat transition with the help of deep geothermal energy have been made. The task now is to consistently utilise and roll out instruments such as exploration loans or insurances, national and international subsidies, and accelerated approval procedures. This will enable projects like the one in Münster to soon be implemented throughout Germany.”

The upcoming seismic surveys, which DMT will be conducting on behalf of Stadtwerke Münster, will explore the deep underground between 1,400 and 7,000m and cover the entire city of Münster. Stadtwerke Münster considers deep geothermal energy to be one of the lead technologies within the scope of its Strategy 2030. As a partner in seismic exploration, DMT is supporting Stadtwerke Münster in the implementation of its Strategy 2030 and will contribute to the heating sector and the energy transition.

Thorsten Müller, Head of Business Entity Exploration Seismic at DMT remarked, “The upcoming surveys in the deep underground around Münster will provide valuable 2 / 2 information to shape the agenda on the use of deep geothermal energy in Münsterland and define a roadmap for this project. With our latest acquisition of high-quality, state-of-the-art measuring instruments, we are also well equipped for the expected increase in assignments.”

DMT said it is providing important cornerstones for the energy transition beyond the Münster region and is involved in many other geothermal energy projects that will be carried out throughout Germany in 2024, such as for Stadtwerke Parchim, IGE Fraunhofer Bochum and the Geological Survey of North Rhine Westphalia. Further projects are currently in the pipeline throughout Germany and Europe, it added.

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DELTA Coatings released plans for the construction of a new headquarters and manufacturing plant. The eco-friendly facility will be powered in part by renewable energy, including an extensive solar energy farm on the facility’s roof, driving the firm towards its sustainability and decarbonisation goals. The firm said it aims to move to the new facility in the first half of 2025.

“Our new global headquarters and manufacturing plant in Dubai represents a positive step forward for our company. Our new facility will enable us to demonstrate the numerous benefits of polyurea-based liquid coating, lining and membrane solutions, as well as waterproofing systems, to our customers and even more applicators. It will also provide a fitting and inspirational home for our growing team of local and international experts as part of DELTA Coating’s five-year strategic growth plans. Since its inception over 20 years ago, this development marks a significant milestone in DELTA Coatings’ history, underpinned by growing awareness and more widespread acceptance of polyurea-based protective coating products and waterproofing solutions globally. It’s an exciting time for DELTA Coatings and our entire industry,” stated DELTA Coatings’ General Manager, Belvin Marx.

According to Marx, facility highlights include a range of new features, including modern open-plan office facilities to support the firm’s growing international team of experts and partners. Visiting customers can expect the new headquarters space to be one of innovation and discovery, showcasing the power of polyurea and dynamic benefits of polyurea-based linings, membranes, and coating solutions, as well as waterproofing systems.

Located in Dubai Industrial City, the facility is located a 45-minute drive from Abu Dhabi and 20 minutes from the new Dubai World Central airport and Expo City Dubai.

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The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) awarded KUnnected Living – a multinational consortium led by Plenary Group, BESIX, and Mazrui International, a project to develop student accommodation facilities in Abu Dhabi. The project has reached commercial close and will support local suppliers and manufacturers by drawing local content and products from the national supply chain for the purposes of development and operation.

The project is the largest student accommodation project in the GCC region to be developed under a public-private partnership model, and includes a 23-year concession to design, build, finance and maintain 3,260 student rooms and communal facilities located across Khalifa University’s Main Campus and its Sas Al Nakhl (SAN) Campus.

The project is being implemented through Abu Dhabi’s Public Private Partnership Programme, which seeks to expand the role of the private sector in delivering major public sector infrastructure and services. ADIO is the central Abu Dhabi government authority responsible for the facilitation, development and procurement of all infrastructure projects delivered through this PPP framework.

Yaser Al Nuaimi, Acting Head – Infrastructure Partnerships at ADIO said, “In Abu Dhabi, we are committed to ensuring that the private sector can play a significant role in strategic infrastructure projects that will create impact and value across the emirate. The Khalifa University Accommodation project is a leading example of this; it demonstrates efficient PPP delivery through an effective commercial partnership that supports the development of premier facilities for students choosing to pursue their studies and research in our top-ranked educational facilities.”

Dr. Ebrahim Al-Hajri, President of Khalifa University added, “We are delighted to collaborate with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to award the Student Accommodation public-private partnership contract to the consortium comprising BESIX, Plenary Group, and Mazrui International. This initiative is part of our strategy to provide improved campus facilities and accommodation for an enhanced student living experience, and it seeks to enhance our reputation as one of the leading universities in the region with high quality infrastructure megaprojects in the education sector.”

David Lamming, CEO at Plenary Group noted, “The KUnnected Living consortium is honoured to be selected to deliver the largest on-campus student accommodation developments in the GCC region. We commend the Abu Dhabi Government on its impressive, continued program of infrastructure development and look forward to working in partnership with ADIO and Khalifa University of Science and Technology to deliver this world-class integrated precinct.”

The project underpins Khalifa University’s commitment to provide accommodation solutions that promote a vibrant on-campus student living experience, alongside a social environment for local and international students alike. Designed to meet practices with the new facilities will offer technology-enabled ensuite rooms for undergraduates and ensuite studios for post-graduate students, as well as expansive communal spaces that include support services, central study areas, and commercial and retail areas.

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Kuwait’s Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) has announced its award of the tender for comprehensive works on the South Sabah Al Ahmad City project. Project itineraries include construction of road works and infrastructure networks, covering a total of 6,568 housing units across four residential suburbs.

The US $294mn contract was won by China-based Avic International Holding Corporation, which submitted the lowest bid among the eight companies in the race.

The scope of work includes the implementation of infrastructure within the suburbs N1, N2, N3, N11 in the South Sabah Al Ahmad City project, as well as covering the rain, sewage, irrigation, treated water, and freshwater networks.

Announcing the tender award, Amina Abdul Karim Al Awadhi, the Deputy Director General for Control and Information Systems Affairs at PAHW, said the tender includes implementation of the first, second, and third surface asphalt layers for secondary and collector roads in residential suburbs, in addition to implementing the necessary traffic works for the project.

She explained, “The tender also contains provisions for implementing civil works for telephone networks, road lighting, electrical cable crossings, irrigation tank buildings, and electrical substations.”

The works covered in the tender are scheduled for completion by end of Q4 2026.

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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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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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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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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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