Related Articles

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  L&T announces UAE grid substation award

  14 October 2025

  Indian industrial contracting conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has announced several new grid infrastructure orders, including the engineering, procurement and construction of a 400kV substation in the UAE.

  The facility, awarded to L&T's Power Transmission & Distribution business, forms part of the planned 400kV interconnection between Oman and the GCC grid.

  The interconnection will enable a direct 400kV link between Ibri in Oman and Al-Sila in the UAE. It involves around 528 kilometres of overhead transmission lines, expansion of the existing Al-Sila substation and the development of two new 400kV substations, one in each country.

  MEED understands the substation to be built by L&T is a planned 400kV intermediate substation near Madinat Zayed in the UAE.

  L&T also said it has secured an order for the construction of a series of 132kV substations in the Middle East to cater to rising power demand. No other details were given and it is unclear where these substations will be located.

  In Saudi Arabia, the company has received a contract for the construction of 380kV overhead transmission lines associated with the integration of renewable energy power plants.

  It is understood that these contracts are for Saudi Electricity Company's Al-Khurma 1 and Al-Khurma 2 projects in Mecca, for which L&T submitted the lowest bids earlier this year.

  ALSO READ: L&T announces QatarEnergy NGL train project award

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  Mark Dowdall
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  Abu Dhabi takes the lead in green steel transition

  14 October 2025

  

   

  Abu Dhabi’s latest move to position itself at the forefront of the global transition to low-carbon heavy industry is the launch of TrueGreen, a new sustainability identity by Emsteel Group that unifies the company’s decarbonisation efforts.

  The initiative reflects more than a decade of investment in green technologies, partnerships and innovation designed to transform one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries into a cornerstone of the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 agenda.

  It also highlights Abu Dhabi’s growing status as a hub for sustainable steelmaking and hydrogen-enabled manufacturing – sectors that will play a defining role in the energy transition.

  At the launch event in late September, Emsteel Group CEO Saeed Ghumran Al-Remeithi described TrueGreen as the result of years of prudent decision-making. “From day one, we chose the right technology – electric arc furnaces – setting a cleaner foundation for our industry,” he said.

  “We became the first steel company in the world to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and today our production process has 45% lower carbon intensity than the global average. TrueGreen is a declaration of our unwavering commitment to sustainable steel, built on decades of innovation and delivered as a transparent, verifiable advantage for our customers.”

  Industrial plans

  What began as Emirates Steel, a key pillar of Abu Dhabi’s industrial diversification strategy, has evolved into Emsteel Group, the region’s largest publicly listed steel and building materials company, following its merger with Arkan Building Materials in 2021. Over that time, the company has taken key steps to align with Abu Dhabi’s broader vision of an industrial base that is globally competitive, digitally advanced and environmentally responsible.

  Al-Remeithi noted that sustainability has always been part of the company’s DNA. “This is not new for us,” he said. “Sustainability has been in our DNA from the beginning. Since 2019, we have reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 23%. By 2030, we aim for a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in steel production and 30% in cement, and by 2050 our goal is net zero across the group.”

  Those efforts have already delivered tangible results. Emsteel’s low-carbon rebar has been used by Aldar in constructing Abu Dhabi’s first net-zero-carbon mosque on Yas Island. The project demonstrates that there is a practical application for green materials in the emirate’s built environment and sets a precedent for the UAE’s wider decarbonisation targets that call for a 79% reduction in built-environment emissions by 2035.

  Another important part of Abu Dhabi’s green steel ambitions came a year earlier, when Emsteel announced a green-hydrogen pilot project with UAE-based Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and private equity company Mubadala – the first of its kind in the Middle East. The partnership, which began production in late 2024, uses renewable hydrogen to extract iron from ore, replacing fossil fuels in one of the most energy-intensive steps of the steelmaking process.

  The hydrogen used in the project is certified under the ISO 19870 standard and verified by Bureau Veritas, ensuring the integrity of its green credentials. “Our partnership with [Abu Dhabi National Oil Company] Adnoc, Mubadala and Masdar is advancing carbon capture and green-hydrogen steelmaking, turning ambition into operational reality,” Al-Remeithi said. “This is how we move from vision to measurable impact.”

  For Abu Dhabi, green hydrogen is a natural extension of its role as a global energy producer transitioning towards cleaner fuels. Through initiatives led by Masdar, Taqa, Adnoc and Emsteel, the emirate is laying the foundations for an industrial ecosystem where green molecules – hydrogen, ammonia and e-fuels – become the feedstock for low-carbon manufacturing.

  The launch of TrueGreen brings these achievements together under a coherent brand and data-driven certification framework. All TrueGreen steel products come with independently verified Environmental Product Declarations and digital traceability systems that provide batch-specific carbon data, allowing contractors, developers and financiers to track emissions with unprecedented precision.

  “Developers face stricter regulations and investor pressure,” Al-Remeithi said. “Sustainability is no longer optional – it is a must for growth. Emsteel is your partner to thrive in this new reality, offering years of investment and innovation in a framework that transforms environmental leadership into direct value for our customers.”

  Industrial strategy

  The emirate’s leadership in green steel is part of a broader industrial strategy anchored in Operation 300bn and implemented by the Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology (MOIAT). The strategy seeks to strengthen national manufacturing while ensuring that growth is consistent with the UAE’s net-zero trajectory.

  Emsteel’s progress illustrates how this dual mandate can work in practice. Through its partnerships with Adnoc on carbon capture, Masdar on hydrogen and MOIAT on green certification, the company is helping shape the policy and technology frameworks that will define the region’s next industrial phase.

  The importance of Abu Dhabi’s leadership extends beyond national borders. According to UK analytics firm GlobalData, the steel industry is responsible for up to 8% of global carbon emissions, making it one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise.

  By investing early in clean technologies and aligning with global frameworks, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself to supply the next generation of low-carbon materials demanded by global developers and infrastructure financiers.

  “Our focus is clear,” Al-Remeithi said in closing. “To deliver high-quality products and sustainable solutions that meet the needs of today and tomorrow. In this journey, your trust and partnership remain essential.”

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  Colin Foreman
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  Oman seeks consultants for Muscat project marine works

  14 October 2025

  

   

  Oman’s Ministry of Housing & Urban Planning (MHUP) has issued a tender inviting firms to bid for consultancy services for marine infrastructure development at the Al‑Khuwair Downtown project in Muscat.

  The tender was issued on 19 September, with a bid submission deadline of 22 October.

  According to an official notice on the Oman Tender Board, the scope of work covers design review and construction supervision of marine works, coastal protection, land reclamation, canals and locks, and beach protection.

  The firms that have purchased the tender documents include:

  • Ibn Bahla Engineering Consultants (local)
  • F&M Middle East (local)
  • Modon Engineering Consultancy (local)
  • Muscat Engineering Consulting (local)
  • Triad Oman Consultants (local)
  • WSP International (Canada)
  • Espace Engineering Consultants (local)
  • Parsons Corporation (USA)
  • Panorama Engineering Consultancy (local)
  • Almanarah Engineering Consultancy (local)
  • Design Group Engineering Consultants (local)
  • Renardet SA & Partners (Switzerland)
  • Techno Consult International (local)
  • CID Gulf (local)
  • Atlas International Engineering Consultants (local)
  • Haskoning International (Netherlands)
  • Maha Consulting Engineering (local)
  • Vertex Engineering Consultancy (local)
  • Al-Hatmy Engineering Consultancy (local)
  • Meridian Engineering Consultancy (local)
  • Al-Abraj Consulting Engineers & Architects (local)
  • National Engineering Offices (Pakistan)
  • Binaa Consultancy (local)
  • AZD Engineering Consultancy (local)
  • Isag Consulting Engineers (local)
  • Nicholson Jones Partnership (UK)
  • Sering International (Italy)
  • STI Engineering (Italy)
  • Mazoon Engineering Consultancy (local)

  Tendering activity is already under way for two marine infrastructure contracts at the Al‑Khuwair Downtown project.

  The first tender covers marine infrastructure works (excluding breakwater), including peninsula reclamation, reclamation-edge treatment, dredging, canal construction, island beach development and a terminal groyne.

  The other tender covers breakwater works, comprising the following scope:

  • Design and build of main breakwaters of about 1,500 metres
  • Design and build of low-crested breakwater one, measuring 500 metres
  • Design and build of low-crested breakwater two, measuring 290 metres 
  • Protection of the four pipes coming from the Ghubrah desalination plant

  Zaha Hadid Architects is progressing with the urban-planning design works, while local firm F&M Middle East is the executive urban planner.

  The masterplan consists of five components:

  • Marina serving residents, visitors and tourists
  • Recreational waterfront with beaches and sports facilities
  • Canal walkway for leisure and pedestrian access
  • Dedicated cultural quarter
  • Revamped ministry campus integrating existing buildings

  The project will be developed over an area of 3.6 million square metres (sq m) around Muscat International airport.

  UK-based firm Buro Happold is the engineering consultant. US-based engineering firm Hill International is the project management consultant.

  The real estate services and investment firm CBRE is providing financial feasibility and governance services.

  In February last year, the ministry also signed an agreement with the local Tawoos Group to build the first mixed-use towers at the development.

  The project site will cover a 12,000 sq m area and will comprise a gross floor area of 60,000 sq m, including offices, residential and retail facilities.

  The first phase is set for completion by 2030.

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  Yasir Iqbal
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  Kuwait makes major offshore gas discovery

  14 October 2025

  State-owned upstream operator Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has made a “landmark” gas discovery in the Jazah offshore area, according to its parent company Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC).

  KPC said the discovery has produced the highest vertical well flow in Kuwait’s history from the Maqwa formation.

  The well has produced more than 29 million cubic feet a day of gas and more than 5,000 barrels a day of condensates.

  In a statement, KPC said: “This milestone reflects the success of KOC’s offshore exploration strategy and supports the KPC 2040 vision to enhance energy security and drive sustainable growth.”

  In a separate statement, KOC said the newly discovered reserve contains an estimated 1 trillion cubic feet of gas.

  KOC also estimated that the field covers an area of about 40 square kilometres.

  The majority of Kuwait’s existing oil and gas discoveries are onshore.

  This is only the third discovery that has been made in Kuwaiti waters and differs from the previous two, which were primarily oil.

  Its first offshore find in 2024, the Noukhadha field, contains about 3.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent. 

  In January, KOC announced its second offshore discovery at the Julaiah field, holding 800 million barrels of crude and 600 billion cubic feet of associated gas.

  Kuwait began offshore exploration as part of its investment strategy to meet future oil demand and received its first offshore drilling rig in mid-2022.

  

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  Wil Crisp
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  BP awards Egypt well drilling contract

  14 October 2025

  BP has awarded a contract to Valaris, a US offshore drilling contractor, to drill five new offshore gas wells in Egyptian waters.

  According to a statement from Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, the wells will be drilled in BP’s Mediterranean concession areas at water depths of 300-1,500 metres using the Valaris DS-12 deepwater drilling rig.

  The drilling contract follows a preliminary memorandum of understanding that BP signed in September with Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company.

  Karim Badawi, Egypt’s minister of petroleum and mineral resources, said that BP’s gas projects in the Mediterranean are key to boosting domestic gas production and securing new resources to meet demand during peak summer consumption.

  He added that the Egyptian government’s support would accelerate BP’s projects, aiming to increase local gas production over the next year while discovering new reservoirs to enhance Egypt’s production capacity and reduce import needs. 

  BP is expected to start operations for its new upstream campaign in 2026, according to Egypt’s oil ministry.

  The programme’s scope will include improving the efficiency of offshore and onshore infrastructure in the West Nile Delta area.

  Wael Shahin, BP’s Egypt country manager, said that the DS-12 rig will enable BP to build on the success of its recent exploration campaign and accelerate production from new discoveries.

  BP has been active in Egypt’s oil and gas sector for 60 years.

  The new drilling campaign follows BP’s exploration activities in the first half of 2025, which led to two new gas discoveries in the West Nile Delta basin.

  These discoveries are known as Fayoum-5 and King-2.

  

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  Wil Crisp