The contract for the expansion of The Chemours Company’s green hydrogen production facility in the Villers-Saint Paul (VSP) region of France has been awarded to AECOM. The expansion project will allow Chemours to increase capacity and advance the technology of its Nafion Ion Exchange materials platform, which is said to be a key component for electrolysers to produce green hydrogen.

According to AECOM, the project will enable Chemours to support the growing market demand for clean hydrogen generation, while supporting its broader global decarbonisation efforts.

“We’re very pleased to have been appointed to manage the delivery of the expansion of Chemours’s capacities in France. Enabling facilities to produce green hydrogen are central to decarbonisation efforts and to enabling the clean energy transition. Our track record of delivering large scale project management services internationally, as well as our extensive sector expertise, will help ensure the successful delivery of Chemours VSP,” said Colin Wood, Chief Executive of AECOM Europe and India.

AECOM notes that it has previously undertaken similar project management services for Chemours in the US, and is also engaged in supporting Chemours at the Villers-Saint-Paul site, with permitting support through AECOM’s Environment team.

The firm says it has significant experience in the development of green hydrogen – earlier this year, it announced a strategic agreement with Spanish infrastructure group URBAS to develop green hydrogen, green ammonia, and biofuels projects.

The company is also part of a framework working on ATOME Energy’s green hydrogen and ammonia facility in Villeta, Paraguay, which is being supported by Paraguay’s National Electricity Commission, the concluded.

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HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has inaugurated the 900 megawatt (MW) fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site solar park in the world – with a planned capacity of 5,000 MW by 2030.

Featuring a total investment of AED50bn ($13.6bn), based on the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, the Solar Park is expected to reduce 6.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually when fully completed.

The fifth phase will provide clean energy to around 270,000 residences in Dubai, reducing 1.18 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

The AED2bn project, implemented based on an IPP model, features a partnership between DEWA (60%) and a consortium led by Acwa Power and Gulf Investment Corporation (40%), through Shuaa Energy 3.

For the fifth phase, DEWA in fact achieved a world record by receiving the lowest bid of $1.6953 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).

The Dubai utility has implemented this phase using the latest solar photovoltaic ‘bifacial’ technologies, with Single Axis Tracking, to increase energy production and the plant’s efficiency.

Speaking at the launch, Sheikh Mohammed said: “The UAE is at the forefront of global efforts to create a more sustainable future for all of humanity by taking concrete action to transition to renewable energies and combat climate change. In 2023, the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, and the year in which we are hosting COP28, we continue to place sustainability at the heart of our development plans and make new strides in shaping a truly environmentally friendly economy. The completion of the fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park takes us another major step closer to realising our vision for an economy fully powered by clean energy.”

Sheikh Mohammed was later briefed by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, the Managing Director and CEO of Dewa, on the phases of the Solar Park and the technologies used in the project.

The total capacity of the solar energy projects commissioned at the solar park has reached 2,427MW from photovoltaic solar panels and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP).  Moreover, DEWA has increased the share of clean energy in Dubai’s energy mix to about 16.3% of its total installed capacity, which has reached 14,917 MW.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer commented that: “We have made rapid progress in achieving the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy to provide 100% of Dubai’s total power capacity from clean energy sources by 2050. To achieve these goals, we are implementing several projects at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. We promise His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to continue our development projects to achieve his ambitious vision for this national project, which adds to the UAE’s success in moving steadily towards a sustainable future for current and future generations.”

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The 2023 edition of the annual Middle East Consultant Awards (MEC Awards) will take place on 22 November at the Ritz-Carlton JBR in Dubai. The magazine’s editorial team has also revealed that the website for the awards is now live and nominations are now open.

As before, the awards categories have been segmented into three categories: Company; Project and People. Several new categories have been added for the 2023 edition such as: Metaverse Architect of the Year; AI-led Design Champion of the Year and HR + Wellness Champion of the Year. To read about the full list of categories, click here.

Discussing his ambitions for the 2023 MEC Awards, Paul Godfrey, Head of Content at Middle East Consultant says, “I’m aiming to achieve the highest overall standard of entries of any edition of the awards to date. The judges’ feeling last year was that the company and product categories were somewhat under-served, whereas the people categories received a very high standard of entries. This year, I’d like to see very high quality entries across the board, with some really exciting projects taking centre-stage.”

Nominations for the 2023 MEC Awards will close on Friday 27 October 2023. Pressed for his advice on what firms can do to submit strong nominations, Godfrey reveals, “The best advice I can give is to ensure that you enclose not less than three client testimonials (signed and stamped) and really spend time thinking about why your nomination is the worthy winner. What truly makes it special and have you fully communicated this? Have you attached images that do it justice and have you told us anything of special interest that will stay in the Judges’ minds?”

As before, all of the nominations submitted for the 2023 MEC Awards will go through a multi-step judging process which includes several rounds of elimination. Apart from the magazine’s editorial team, an independent panel of judges will also preside on the nominations; both groups will work together to produce a shortlist and decide upon winners. Read about the nomination guidelines here and to nominate, click here.

Godfrey also points out that, this year, he’s calling for the industry at large to focus on video entries. He notes, “This year, we are allowing entrants to submit video entries for the first time (the details of the kind of format that companies can use are listed on the website). I promised this when I was on-stage at the awards gala last year, and now it’s actually happening. I expect to see this dramatically increase the number of entries to the awards and also change the style of entry, too. Of course, you can still apply the traditional way, using the nomination form, if you want to.”

Asked for his thoughts on what companies can do to ensure their nominations aren’t eliminated by the panel of judges, Godfrey explains, “Firstly, please, please, only enter projects that fall within the stipulated timeframe – if they don’t, they won’t be considered. The second biggest turn-off for the judges is seeing an entry that’s only one page long and has clearly been submitted as an after-thought. This simply won’t get the job done. We take these awards very seriously and of course, we honour the companies that take them seriously, too.”

Read more about the 2023 Middle East Consultant Awards by clicking here.

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Infrastructure specialist Infracorp has announced the launch of Marina Bay – a luxurious residential development situated on Reef Island, along the northern coast of Manama.

With a $200m investment, the high-end project coincides with Infracorp’s vision to create sustainable communities across the countries it operates in, delivering developments that combine lifestyle amenities with eco-friendly materials and construction techniques.

To master-plan the development, Infracorp has signed up leading design consultants AAP Design Construction, a full-service design and construction firm that specialises in streamlined design and build projects.

Marina Bay’s launch comes shortly after the company’s successful completion and delivery of phase one of the California Village residences in Dubai, the launch of phase two, and the completion of the first phase of the Marina intitiative in the Bahrain Harbour.

Unveiling the project at a ceremony held in the National Theatre of Bahrain, Infracorp officials said Marina Bay embodies Infracorp’s commitment to elevating the luxury living experience in the kingdom through developing sustainable and modern residential communities.

The event was attended by Chairman Hisham Alrayes, CEO Majed Al Khan, and other senior officials.

“We take pride,” said Majed Al Khan, “in our consistency in delivering impactful real estate projects that have significantly boosted the real estate and urban development in Bahrain. Our efforts align with the government’s Economic Vision for 2030 and its tourism strategy. Our success is driven by the unique investment and regulatory landscape of the Kingdom, which continues to shape the tourism and real estate sectors and contributes to the economic growth. The Marina Bay project is part of Infracorp’s expansion plans in the real estate portfolio, in creating sustainable infrastructure developments across the region.”

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A 3.4km road tunnel under the Karnaphuli river in the port city of Chittagong in Bangladesh is nearing completion, following four years of construction works. The project was officially launched by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October 2016, with work on the tunnel beginning in March 2019.

According to a report by the Dhaka Tribune, the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, the first of its kind in South Asia, is being built by China Communications. Its US $930mn cost is being financed by a concessional $540mn loan from the Export–Import Bank of China.

The project comprises two tubes 10.7m wide and 4.9m high stretching 3.4km, with an approach road of 5.4km and a 740m bridge linking the main city on the west with the rapidly industrialising east, the report noted.

Once completed in September, it will connect the proposed Asian Highway, which will run along the coast of Bangladesh, with the motorway that connects Dhaka, Chittagong and the southern port of Cox’s Bazar. It will also reduce the travelling distance between Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar by 40km.

According to Project Director Harunur Rashid Chowdhury, “99.5% of the main tunnel is complete and the overall progress of the project construction work is 97.5%. Now finishing touches are under way to ensure safety and security”.

Mahbubul Alam, President of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce added that the tunnel would unlock a new epoch in the history of the communication systems in the region. He added, “Once the tunnel is opened, it will be a game changer for the southeast region of Bangladesh and will present a solution to connectivity issues to the rest of the country.”

The tunnel will also ease traffic congestion on two bridges, including Shah Amanat Bridge, over the Karnaphuli River, the report concluded.

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Japanese architectural, engineering and urban design firm Nikken Sekkei has launched a local subsidiary and new office in Dubai Design District (D3). The new D3 office will complement Nikken Sekkei’s office on Sheikh Zayed Road and support the company’s expansion, the firm stated.

The new Nikken Sekkei Dubai office is said to highlight Nikken Sekkei’s pedigree in the UAE (dating back to 1991), with the design of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry building located on the Dubai Creek.

The firm celebrated the opening with a 130-person reception at the Palace Downtown Hotel in Dubai, which included Noboru Sekiguchi, Consul-General of Japan in Dubai, Nikken Sekkei’s President and CEO, Atsushi Omatsu, members of the firm’s executive committee, as well as a host of partners, associates, and developers. The event also showcased a range of projects the Dubai office has been responsible for designing and collaborating in the region’s office, residential, and hospitality markets, during its three decades in the Middle East.

“The Middle East is a region which we greatly value for the opportunity to participate in high-quality projects. We are especially pleased with the high level of craftsmanship and beauty we have achieved with our clients and partners on recent landmark projects such as One Za’abeel. Dubai has excellent infrastructure with which to sustain our growth, and I believe the establishment of a new company in the Dubai Design District will strengthen our capability to continue contributing to the development of this region,” stated Omatsu.

Fadi Jabri, Executive Officer of Nikken Sekkei and CEO of Nikken Sekkei Dubai

The Consul-General congratulated the Nikken Sekkei team, noting the significance of the firm’s achievements in Dubai.

Fadi Jabri, Executive Officer of Nikken Sekkei and CEO of Nikken Sekkei Dubai added, “Nikken Sekkei Dubai is a cosmopolitan group of architects, designers, and experts who value the role of creative design and the capacity for architecture to generate value through aesthetically pleasing and functional environments for people. We have a young and vibrant team. Our signature designs are influenced by Japanese aesthetics, and we believe in the importance of nature and traditional values yet are creatively aware of embracing progress and technology.”

The firm’s team of architects and engineers are responsible for designing the One Za’abeel development, which has a 230m long, 23,000t skybridge called ‘The Link’, connecting the two towers 100m above ground, giving it a floating effect. The development is due to be inaugurated before the end of this year. Other key structures the firm designed include Emaar 52|42 towers, Emaar Forte, the Islamic Development Bank Headquarters in Jeddah, Tadawul Tower in Riyadh, and Cairo Opera House, the statement outlined.

Elaborating on Nikken Sekkei’s design journey in the UAE, Jabri noted, “When we started working on our first project, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it was one of the tallest buildings in Dubai. Dubai’s superior infrastructure and proximity to clients in the Middle East, India, and CIS have since supported our growth in the region. We hope to continue serving the needs of our clients and bring additional value through collaboration with the team in Japan.”

Nikken Sekkei Dubai begun operations with a staff of 25; the new subsidiary is said to be the company’s fifth globally and its first since 2019. It will continue to serve mixed-use, urban planning, hospitality, and high-end residential markets in the UAE and neighbouring countries by providing holistic and innovative designs, the statement concluded.

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A US $6.7bn deal to build the world’s largest green hydrogen plant in Duqm, Oman has been awarded to a consortium led by South Korean steelmaker Posco Group.

The consortium partners on the project include Samsung Engineering, a construction unit of Samsung Group, and two other Korean state-run power companies, as well as French energy major Engie and Thai national petroleum company PTTEP.

According to a report published by The Korea Economic Daily, Omani authorities will be signing the deal on 21 June with the Posco consortium, in the presence of its energy and minerals minister.

As per the terms of the deal, Posco Holdings will be leading the project and managing the plant-building processes in Oman, while Samsung Engineering will handle the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) work of the facilities, stated the report.

The other firms in the consortium will either produce or sell the green hydrogen generated by the factory, the report concluded.

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Source: ME Construction News

The Global Cement & Concrete Association (GCCA) has announced that the United Nations (UN) has backed its plan to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. UN Secretary General António Guterres addressed around 200 industry leaders in Zurich via video call, and said he wanted to see “concrete pledges from the concrete industry”.

Guterres’ comments followed a rallying call from GCCA Chief Executive Thomas Guillot for the industry to redouble its efforts and work in partnership with governments to achieve Net Zero.

The world’s leading manufacturers – all members of the GCCA – have pledged to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050, in line with GCCA’s Roadmap for Net Zero Concrete. The cement and concrete industry claims to be the first heavy industry to set out such a detailed plan.

“We applaud all the action our members are taking to implement carbon-cutting measures and the latest data shows emissions are coming down. But many challenges remain which we must overcome if we are to achieve Net Zero including enabling policies and regulations from governments across the world, which often don’t yet exist,” said Guillot in his address.

He continued, “So today, I urge every manufacturer across the world, who has not yet done so, to join our pledge to eliminate emissions by 2050. But I also implore all governments to work with our essential industry to deliver the policy framework that can create the favourable conditions to unlock the transition.”

Guillot said that concrete is, “fundamental to building a better world – and we have no time to lose if we are to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5-degrees Celsius. Science tells us that requires cutting global greenhouse emissions by almost half by 2030. That means taking a quantum leap in climate action and slashing global emissions, starting now.”

In his video address, Guterres also outlined three ambitions for the industry: to end the use of coal-fired power in cement production; work more closely with governments, especially G20 countries, to speed up decarbonisation; and set ambitious emission targets and transition plans in line with UN guidelines.

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Sobha Realty, the UAE-based premium real estate developer, has launched its new flagship mixed-use community – Sobha Hartland II – aimed at “redefining luxury waterfront living”.

Spread over 8 million sq. ft., the project is located next to Sobha Hartland and consists of five- and six-bedroom villas as well as one- to four-bedroom apartments, with more than 30% of the plot given over to open and green spaces.

Unveiling the project, the Dubai developer said each residential unit is designed to offer comfort, style, and functionality, thus showcasing Sobha Realty’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality.

Sustainability and environmental stewardship have also been key pillars of the community, it stated.

Along with a waterfront promenade, the community will also be home to vast green spaces and spacious parks that will provide residents with a serene experience and promote their overall wellbeing.

In addition, due to the community’s prime location in the centre of Dubai, residents will have an easy access to key business districts, shopping malls, leading educational institutions, and healthcare facilities.

Ravi Menon, Co-Chairman of Sobha Realty, said: “Dubai’s real estate market is constantly evolving, and the recent surge in sale of luxury properties in the emirate indicates the rise of new residential micro-markets. At Sobha Realty, we work hard to surpass our customers’ expectations by setting new benchmarks in design, craftsmanship, and amenities, which is also in line with Sobha group’s brand ethos – ‘The Art of Detail’. Sobha Hartland II exemplifies luxury waterfront living at its finest, and we are delighted to introduce this exceptional community that combines timeless elegance with modern comfort.”

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Source: ME Construction News