Nuclear plant 84pc complete

Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) said work is progressing at a steady pace on its ambitious Barakah project in Abu Dhabi, with over 84 per cent of the construction already completed at all the four units of the plant.

Work at Unit 1 is more than 96 per cent over, while Unit 2 has witnessed over 87 per cent of the job completed, Unit 3 with more than 78 per cent, and Unit 4 now 58 per cent complete, said Enec. On completion, the plant will save 21 million tons of carbon emissions each year.

Banyan Tree residences planned

DUBAI-based boutique real estate firm Sweid & Sweid has partnered with global hospitality brand Banyan Tree to build the region’s first Banyan Tree Residences project in Dubai at an estimated cost of Dh600 million ($163 million).

Banyan Tree Residences, Hillside Dubai comprises a single 32-storey tower set within a gated community stretching over 110,000 sq ft and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2019. The residents-only clubhouse and spa includes a state-of-the-art fitness centre, an authentic Banyan Tree spa experience, saunas, a squash court, and an expansive indoor children’s play area.

Located on a large island site where DMCC, the Montgomerie Golf Course, The Emirates Golf Course and Emirates Hills intersect on Al Telal Street, the new residential tower will boast views in all directions. Banyan Tree Residences will consist of a single tower occupying 10 per cent of the total plot area, while 75 per cent of the space will be dedicated to resort-style amenities and facilities including a signature clubhouse and spa.

Manazel to deliver Al Reef 2 villas

UAE-based Manazel Real Estate said the first phase of its Al Reef 2 villas project coming up in Al Samha area of Abu Dhabi was nearing completion and the completed units were likely to be handed over by the year-end.

Al Reef 2 consists of 860 duplex villas across four residential neighbourhoods with a central hub offering community facilities such as schools that will accommodate 1,500 students, retail outlets for shopping and dining, clinics and public parks. The retail area will host around 30 shops.

Manazel’s chairman Mohamed Al Qubaisi said more than 70 per cent of the construction work had been completed on the project. Al Reef 1 now houses 17,000 residents, he added.

 Solar park partnership inked

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and Électricité de France (EDF) to promote cooperation in developing and financing of the 800-MW third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, as per the independent power producer model (IPP).

Dewa has signed another (MoU with EDF for a consultancy contract for the 250-MW pumped-storage hydroelectric power station at Hatta Dam, the first of its kind in the GCC. The consultancy contract covers design, hydro-geological, environmental, geotechnical, and deep excavation studies. It also includes consultancy on deep-water tunnel designs, the dam and hydroelectric power station, procurement tenders, supervision of construction, site installation, on-site testing and commissioning.

Target wins $259m Forte deal

Arabtec Holding, a leading contractor for social and economic infrastructure, said its wholly-owned subsidiary Target Engineering Construction Company has been awarded Phase Two of Forte, a residential development in Downtown Dubai, by Emaar for Dh950 million ($259 million).

The scope of work includes the construction of the podium and twin towers of 67 and 46 floors, which is in addition to Phase One, that was previously awarded to Target for the construction of five basements for the two residential towers. The work on both the phases will be fully completed in 40 months, said Arabtec.

UAE to get first sustainable hotel

InterContinental Hotels Group has joined hands with UAE-based Diamond Developers to break ground on the first sustainable hotel in the UAE – Hotel Indigo Dubai Sustainable City.

Located in Dubai’s first sustainable integrated development, the 143-rooms hotel will be a net zero energy building, where 100 per cent of its energy needs will be met by solar power. The architecture and interior design across the hotel will incorporate sustainability principles, said IHG.

Hotel Indigo Dubai Sustainable City will have a neighbourhood cafe and a specialty restaurant. Both the cafe and the restaurant will be supplied with fresh produce from urban farming facilities that will be merged to hotel grounds and Sustainable City biodomes.