Project exports promotion council of india

ABB wins $30m Kurdish substation deal

22 July 2013, By Andrew Roscoe

Swiss firm will build four new transmission and distribution substations

Switzerland’s ABB has been awarded an estimated $30m contract to build four new transmission and distribution substations in the Kurdish region of Iraq.

ABB was awarded the deal by the local Zagros Energy to build the facilities, which are part of an overall programme to expand the regional power grid.

The substations will enable the transfer of an additional 600MW of power. Two of the substations will be connected with 132kV underground cables due to the lack of overhead space. The project is scheduled for completion in 2014.

Demand for power in the Kurdistan region has grown at an average rate of 15 per cent annually for the past three years and this rate of growth is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. As part of the region’s power upgradation plans, Mass Global Holdings is converting its three power plants in Kurdistan from simple-cycle to combined-cycle, which will improve efficiency and boost capacity by 1,500MW

Alfanar Construction wins Saudi power contracts

7 July 2013, 10:34 GMT | By Andrew Roscoe

Local contractor wins three deals worth $400m

The local Alfanar Construction has been awarded contracts worth SR1.5bn ($400m) for three transmission and distribution (T&D) contracts in the kingdom.

The largest contract was the SR716m T&D deal from the Saudi Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) to build three substations for the 3,100MW Yanbu 3 power plant. The substations will supply power from the plant to SWCC pumping stations.

Alfanar was also awarded two contracts from the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), worth a total of SR793m, to install 390kV underground cables in the Western province. The cables will link the Jeddah central substation and the Jeddah al-Faisaliyah substaions.

The contracts are part of the kingdom’s efforts to expand and upgrade its electricity infrastructure as it seeks to cope with its rapidly growing population and economy.

Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) recently awarded a SR264m electricity contract to the local National Contracting Company (NCC) for the installation and connection of a 380kV underground cable in the central area of the kingdom.

It is estimated that the Saudi Arabia’s peak power demand will rise from the 48,367MW in 2011 to 75,000MW by 2020. With the current installed generation capacity in the kingdom less than 60,000MW, it is vital the kingdom’s power and electricity clients are able to tender and award the planned schemes on time.

Firms invited to bid for new package on Greater Beirut water project

31 July 2013, 9:35 GMT | By Andrew Roscoe

Work will involve constructing distribution networks, pumping stations and reservoirs

The Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Establishment (BMLWE) has invited contractors to submit bids for the contract to carry out work for Zone C on the Greater Beirut Water Supply project (GBWSP).

Contractors have until 24 September to submit bids for the contract, which will involve providing and building distribution networks, pumping stations and reservoirs in Zone C of the scheme. Zone C includes the villages of Dammour, Naameh, Aaramoun, Khaldeh, Haret el Omara, Chouayfat and Kfar Shima.

The Zone C work will be financed from a loan received from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

In April, the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) invited consultants to submit bids for the construction supervision contract for the GBWSP.

The GBWSP is designed to strengthen the capacity of the BMLWE, the utility responsible for the operation and efficiency of the urban water supply in the area. The project is planned to improve water supply for more than 2 million people in southern Beirut.

Experts have warned that unless Lebanon upgrades its water network, the state could suffer from chronic shortages as soon as 2020.

Uganda Awards Another Hydro-Electric Project to Chinese Firm

By Taddeo Bwambale, 30 July 2013

The Government has cleared a Chinese firm to start construction of the 188 megawatt (MW) Isimba Hydropower dam.

China International Water & Electric Corporation (CWEC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government last week.

The energy ministry's assistant commissioner for electric power, Eng. Henry Bidasala, said the preparations for signing a contract with the firm were ongoing, adding that the process would be concluded by the end of next month.

The Chinese government will finance the project with a $570m (sh1.4trillion) loan.

Through a bilateral arrangement, the Chinese government and the EXIM Bank, will provide the funds.

"We have submitted our assessment of the land and assets in the area to the chief government valuer, after which we shall start paying the residents," Bidasala said.

The project will enable at least 350 households to access electricity. Preliminary estimates show that each affected household will receive a package of $10,000 (about sh25m). According to Bidasala-Igaga, the residents will be given a three-month period to leave the project site after receiving their packages.

Upon completion, Isimba hydropower dam will be the fourth largest hydropower project in Uganda, after the 250MW Bujagali power project that was switched on last year, the 600MW Karuma dam and the 600MW Ayago power station.

The proposed plan indicates that Isimba will be located 40km downstream from Bujagali dam.

The hydropower project also includes the construction of a 132 MKV power transmission line connecting to Bujagali.

Lin Renwei, the CWEC country representative, said the hydropower project would be produced at 68 cents per kilowatt hour, considered the lowest in East Africa.

The extension of power to more areas is expected to be boosted by smaller renewable hydropower projects that will deliver a total of 68.5 MW to the national grid.

Arabtec Construction awards DSI Dhs233m MEP contract for Fairmont Abu Dhabi Hotel

AME Info Monday 15th July, 2013

Drake & Scull International PJSC (DSI), a regional market leader in the integrated design, engineering and construction disciplines of General Contracting, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP), Water and Power, Rail and Oil and Gas, was awarded by Arabtec Construction LLC (Arabtec), a leading construction company in the Middle East and North Africa, a Dhs233m contract to execute the complete MEP works for the Fairmont Abu Dhabi Hotel and Serviced Apartments.

DSI will mobilize on site immediately and is scheduled to complete all MEP works on the project by June 2015.

The Fairmont Abu Dhabi Hotel and Apartments Towers are owned by the National Investment Corporation (NIC), who awarded Arabtec a contract to carry out the main construction of the project in February 2013.

This iconic development, located near Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi, occupies an overall area of 155,000 square metres. The project will have an extensive water frontage and will be an integrated development of 5-star hotels and serviced apartments.

Hasan Abdullah Ismaik, Managing Director & CEO of Arabtec Holding PJSC said, "The Fairmont Abu Dhabi Hotel project plays a strategic role in the UAE capital's plans to develop tourism as part of its Economic Vision 2030. We are pleased to award this contract to Drake & Scull International, a publicly listed company on the Dubai Financial Market and look forward to their contribution to the successful delivery of this important project, on time and in line with the highest quality standards."

Commenting on the award, Khaldoun Tabari, CEO of DSI said, "We thank Arabtec for their continued trust in DSI. We are proud to be working with them on this important project, which reflect our long-standing partnership with one of the region's construction leaders. Due to its unique waterfront location and exceptional architectural design the upcoming Fairmont Hotel and Serviced Apartments will be at the forefront of the touristic developments in the region. DSI delivered some of the major hospitality projects in the region and namely the Jumeirah Beach hotel in Dubai, the Rotana Hotel and Centro Hotel in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, in addition to The Royal Amwaj Resorts & Spa in Dubai among others."

"We are confident that our extensive expertise in this promising sector will enable us to deliver world-class engineering solutions and polished integrated systems that optimize the facility's MEP functions and complement its authentic Arabian feel."

DSI continues to enhance and strengthen its services offering with unmatched vertical integration and global footprint. The collaborative capabilities of the Engineering services (MEP and Water and Power), General Contracting, Oil and Gas, Rail and Infrastructure development continue to deliver strong performance quality work on project sites. Armed with a multicultural workforce, inherent financial strength and solid regional experience, the company's outlook remains positive in terms of realising greater profitability and improving productivity across MENA, South Asia and Europe.

7.0 WORLD DEVELOPEMNT NEWS

ASIA

China Bans New Gov't Buildings in Frugality Drive


By LOUISE WATT Associated Press
BEIJING July 23, 2013 (AP)

China's leaders have banned the construction of government buildings for five years as another step in a frugality drive that aims to address public anger at corruption.

The general offices of the Communist Party's central committee and the State Council — China's Cabinet — jointly issued the directive Tuesday, according to the official Xinhua News Agency. No directive was immediately available online.

Across China, grand government buildings with oversized offices and fancy lighting including chandeliers have mushroomed in many cities. They are often among the most impressive buildings in their own towns, drawing disapproval from the public.

President Xi Jinping has spearheaded a campaign to cut through pomp, formality and waste among senior officials that have alienated many ordinary citizens.

This year, high-end restaurants have reported a downturn in business as government departments and state-owned companies canceled banquets.

Xinhua reported that the directive orders an "across-the-board halt" to construction of official buildings, and "glitzy" structures built as training centers, hotels or government motels. Some government agencies have built such buildings in seaside resorts and other scenic spots as a perk for their officials and employees who can stay for free or at deeply discounted prices. They sometimes open to the public as profit-making ventures.

"Some office buildings use up a lot of money, there are operating costs and a lot of money is spent on people eating and drinking which all comes from government funds, so it's a kind of corruption," said Liu Shanying, a politics researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing. The five-year construction ban is a significant move to fight corruption, he said.

The directive forbids luxury interior design and the expansion of office compounds that is done under the guise of repair work, according to Xinhua. It also says that officials with more than one post should have only one office while the offices of those who have retired or taken leave should be returned in time.

Xinhua said the directive noted that some departments and localities have built government office compounds in violation of regulations, which has tainted the image of the Communist Party and the government and stirred vehement public disapproval.

It added that the directive calls on party and government bodies to be frugal and ensure that government spending goes toward developing the economy and boosting living standards.

Past restrictions on government construction have not always been implemented well at local levels, said Liu.

Even the offices of some heads of rural counties are sometimes up to 200 square meters (2,150 square feet) in size, "maybe even bigger than the U.S. president's office," said Liu.