UAE third in world CSP ranking

THE UAE has been ranked third in the world in concentrated solar power (CSP) generation.

Masdar’s Shams One CSP plant in Abu Dhabi helped the UAE achieve this distinction – behind only Spain and the US – in both 2013 CSP technology investment and total CSP capacity.

The rankings were recently unveiled in a report by REN21, an international multi-policy stakeholder network that promotes a rapid global transition to renewable energy. According to REN21, the 100-MW CSP plant in Abu Dhabi’s western region is one reason why CSP’s growth in emerging markets almost tripled during 2013.

Shams One, one of the largest CSP plants worldwide, “has been generating enough power for 20,000 homes in the UAE and displaces 175,000 tonnes of carbon annually”, said Yousif Al Ali, general manager of Shams One Power Company.

The $600-million Shams One concentrated solar plant opened in March 2013 and is a partnership between Masdar, Total and Abengoa. The 2.5-sq-km facility uses solar thermal collectors to concentrate heat from sunlight into a central tube, where a special oil is heated to 393 deg C. In turn, the heat from the oil generates steam that drives a turbine, which then powers a steam generator that produces electricity for Abu Dhabi’s grid.

Etihad marks safety milestone

ETIHAD Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE’s national railway network, has surpassed more than 10 million working man-hours, or more than 250 days, with zero lost-time injuries.

The project is managed by a joint venture between Parsons and Aecom.

Commenting on the achievement, acting chief executive officer of Etihad Rail Faris Saif Al Mazrouei said: “At Etihad Rail, we believe that all accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses are preventable, with safety being a value and mindset shared by all.”

“The Parsons-Aecom joint venture has worked very closely with Etihad Rail and implemented a very robust safety programme suitable for a project of such uniqueness and magnitude,” said Guy Mehula, Parsons Middle East and Africa (MEA) president.

Aecom opens new Abu Dhabi office

AECOM recently opened a new office in Abu Dhabi, bringing all its operations in the capital city under one roof.

The 6,000-sq-m office, occupying the third, eighth, ninth and 10th floors of International Tower, Capital Centre, can accommodate 700 employees.

Aecom said the office offers better facilities, breakout areas and sustainability and a new working culture to offer more flexibility and collaboration to the company’s operations.

LMV opens first Dubai showroom

LA MAISON Verte (LMV), a new joint venture between Rattan House Group and Kart Design, has opend its first furniture showroom in Dubai.

Located in Al Quoz, the Dh18-million ($5 million) showroom features a wide range of classical, contemporary, modern and vintage furniture. Pieces have been hand selected based on an earthy feel and colour scheme which includes white, green, blue and wood tones as well as black.

The 39,000-sq-ft showroom further boasts a wide collection of antiques and innovative gifts.

Commenting on the opening of the showroom, Ihab Al Shiekh, chief executive officer of LMV, stated: “We are very happy to be inaugurating the first-ever LMV showroom in Dubai thanks to the strategic and successful partnership we have with Kart Design. We are following a specific plan and seek to expand our business in the UAE within the next three years. We are currently negotiating the opening of new showrooms in other emirates.”

Headquartered in Dubai, Rattan House is a leading manufacturer and exporter of synthetic rattan furniture in the Middle East. Kart Group is a premium Italian furniture brands and interior design firm.

RTA launches highway parking facility

DUBAI’S Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently launched the first of the 24 trucks parking facilities planned to be constructed on highways in the emirate as part of a traffic safety initiative aimed at regulating the movement of trucks.

The project is due for completion in 2016.

The facility is situated on Emirates Road towards Sharjah about 5 km before the exit to Al Ain. The remaining parking facilities will be opened on Emirates Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road over the next two years.

Each stop, capable of accommodating 30 trucks, aims to provide safe parking space for the vehicles during the hours when truck movement is prohibited.

The RTA has also completed the design of integrated rest rooms with round-the-clock security. They include hotel rooms, petrol stations, a medical clinic and shops.

$10m Dubai beach project launched

A DH35-MILLION ($9.52 million) project to rehabilitate the Umm Suqeim Beaches in Dubai was expected to start last month for completion in March of next year.

Hussain Nasser Lootah, director general of Dubai Municipality, said the project will cover all areas of the beach at Umm Suqeim One, Two and Three, extending 3.5 km from the second fishing harbour to Burj Al Arab hotel. The scope of works involves constructing five groynes with lengths ranging between 135 m and 165 m and beach reinforcement at Umm Suqeim One and Two.