Dubai plans battery energy storage
29 February 2024
State utility Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) has started planning for the next phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid (MBR) Solar Park project in Dubai.
According to industry sources, the state utility is reviewing plans and considering a battery energy storage system as part of the solar park complex's seventh phase.
Dewa and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) recently reached financial close for the 1,800MW sixth phase of the MBR solar park.
The independent power producer (IPP) project is expected to cost up to AED5.51bn ($1.5bn).
According to Masdar, the lending group to the project includes:
- Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (local)
- Commercial Bank of Dubai (local)
- First Abu Dhabi Bank (local)
- HSBC (UK)
- Standard Chartered Bank (UK)
- Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (local)
- Warba Bank (local)
Once completed in 2026, the 1,800MW sixth phase of the solar park will increase its total production capacity to 4,660MW.
The MBR Solar Park project’s phases and construction statuses are as follows:
- 13MW solar PV phase one: Completed in 2013
- 200MW solar PV phase two: Commissioned in 2017
- 800MW solar PV phase three: Commissioned in 2020
- 950MW hybrid CSP/solar PV phase four: Inaugurated in 2023
- 900MW solar PV phase five: Commissioned in 2023
- 1,800MW solar PV phase six: Under construction
The state utility aims to have around 27% of the generation mix sourced from clean energy sources by 2030.
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Siemens Energy wins $1.6bn Saudi deal
13 March 2025
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Chinese engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor Harbin Electric International has awarded Germany’s Siemens Energy a contract to supply combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) units for the Rumah 2 and Nairiyah 2 independent power projects (IPPs) in Saudi Arabia.
The Rumah 2 and Nairiyah 2 CCGT plants will each have a capacity of roughly 1,800MW, requiring an estimated investment of $2bn each.
The value of the contract Siemens Energy won is $1.6bn.
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It added: “Core components for the power plants will be manufactured at the Siemens Energy Dammam Hub, which is currently expanding to increase local production capacity and support Saudi Arabia’s energy sector.”
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Photo credit: Siemens Energy
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Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the March 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA 1: Chinese firms dominate region’s projects market> AGENDA 2: China construction at pivotal juncture> UPSTREAM 1: Offshore oil and gas sees steady capex> UPSTREAM 2: Saudi Arabia to retain upstream dominance> DIRIYAH: Diriyah CEO sets the record straight> SAUDI POWER: Saudi power projects hit record high> AUTOMOTIVE: Saudi Arabia gears up to lead Gulf’s automotive sector> EGYPT: Egypt battles structural issues> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf hits six-month growth streak> CONTRACT AWARDS: High-value deals signed in power and industrial sectors> ECONOMIC DATA: Data drives regional projectsTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13483115/main.jpg -
Chinese builders go global
13 March 2025
Commentary
Colin Foreman
EditorRead the March MEED Business Review
It is difficult to fathom the scale of growth experienced by China’s construction sector over the past 20 years. Since 2004, it has grown by over 800%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11% to reach an estimated value of $4.5tn.
That success has created contractors that are now the largest construction companies on the planet. According to GlobalData, seven Chinese companies are among the top 10 largest construction companies in the world, with China State Construction Engineering Corporation topping the list with revenues of $320bn.
In the Middle East and North Africa, Chinese contractors dominated in 2024 by securing $90bn of the $347bn of contracts awarded, according to data from MEED Projects.
The region’s active projects market has created unprecedented demand for contractors. Most notably, project clients in Saudi Arabia have been actively courting international construction companies to come and work in the kingdom.
Many international contractors exited the region over the past decade, which has meant Chinese contractors have had little competition as they stepped in to fill the void and deliver crucial projects.
On top of exploiting the shifting competitive landscape, Chinese successes have been able to meet the budgetary requirements of many projects, offering cost-effective solutions and even providing financing.
At the same time, the maturing Chinese economy has driven contractors to seek opportunities abroad. With a slowing domestic real estate market, they are turning to international markets for growth. The Middle East presents an attractive option due to its wide range of projects, backed by financially secure clients and governments.
The scale of the contractors and the large number of players yet to meaningfully venture overseas means they possess the ability to grow even further in the Middle East and North Africa as the region continues to press ahead with large-scale projects that require vast resources.
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READ THE MARCH MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – clck here to view PDFChinese contractors win record market share; Cairo grapples with political and fiscal challenges; Stronger upstream project spending beckons in 2025
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