Monthly briefing: 14 key developments in the region

21 November 2022

By MEED staff


Lukewarm Cop27 ends

UAE and US sign $100bn energy programme

BlackRock looks to invest in projects with PIF

Riyadh signs construction deals during Seoul visit

Middle East outpaces global economic growth

Riyadh Grade A office occupancy hits 98 per cent

Dubai developer plans world's tallest residential building

Saudi Arabia launches national automaker

Alba reaches Block 4 financial close

Partners award contracts for $8.5bn US chemicals project

Investors launch Sohar industrial projects

Aramco and IBM plan Riyadh innovation hub


COP27

Egypt climate conference ends with agreement on payout

Negotiators from nearly 200 countries at the 2022 UN climate summit Cop27, which took place in Egypt on 6-18 November, have agreed to set up a loss and damage fund aimed at helping vulnerable countries to cope with climate disasters. They also agreed that global greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut nearly in half by 2030. 

The agreement also reaffirmed the goal of keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. However, a deal to phase out the use of fossil fuels, and not just coal, could not be agreed upon after a number of nations, including China and Saudi Arabia, blocked the proposal. Read more




The Middle East was thrust firmly onto the global stage on 20 November when football’s 2022 World Cup kicked off in Qatar  

Region pitches to be global sporting hub


OIL

Opec and non-Opec partners cut 2 million b/d of production

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude oil exporter, has started to cut its exports as Opec+ begins to reduce its overall target production by 2 million barrels a day (b/d).  

Saudi Arabia had cut its crude oil exports by more than 400,000 b/d by the third week of November, while exports from Opec could be on course to drop by 1 million b/d.  

In October, Opec+ announced it would slash its collective target by 2 million b/d from November. Although the actual reduction is expected to be about 1.1 million b/d, it is still the biggest cut since the record reduction announced in April 2020, when oil demand plunged at the start of the pandemic. 


UAE-US DEAL

UAE and US sign $100bn clean energy partnership

The UAE and the US have signed a partnership that aims to catalyse $100bn in financing and other support, in addition to deploying 100GW of clean energy in the US, UAE and emerging economies around the world by 2035. They also reaffirmed their commitment to climate action, in line with their 2050 net-zero goals. 

The two countries plan to stimulate private and public sector support in four areas: clean energy innovation, financing, deployment and supply chains; carbon and methane management; advanced reactors; and industrial and transport decarbonisation. Read more


PIF-BLACKROCK PARTNERSHIP

PIF and BlackRock agree to explore infrastructure projects 

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with US asset manager BlackRock to jointly explore infrastructure projects in the Middle East, with a majority of the investment activity focused on Saudi Arabia.

The target projects are in several sectors, including energy, power, utilities, water, environment, transportation, telecommunications and social infrastructure. 

BlackRock will look to build a dedicated infrastructure investment team in Riyadh to cover the Middle East region.

In a statement, the PIF said that the aim is to leverage positive Saudi and regional market dynamics to deliver sustainable long-term returns.

The sovereign wealth fund added that the two entities plan to work together to attract regional and international investors to participate in investment projects, and boost foreign direct investment into Saudi Arabia. 

This will add value to the Saudi economy and the wider market while facilitating knowledge and skills transfer. Read more

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

IMF predicts economic growth for the Middle East in 2022

The real GDP of oil exporting countries in the Middle East is projected to grow at 5.2 per cent in 2022, up from 4.5 per cent in 2021, according to the Washington-based IMF. 

Growth is projected to slow to 3.5 per cent in 2023 as Opec+ production wanes, oil prices ease and global demand slows. 

Crude producers are projected to accrue a cumulative oil windfall of about $1tn in 2022−26, which the IMF said oil-exporting countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE could use to continue to invest in projects that support future economic growth. Read more


SAUDI-KOREA PROJECTS

Deals worth $30bn signed during royal visit to Seoul

Agreements totalling an estimated $30bn were signed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud’s visit to Seoul, South Korea on 17 November. 

The biggest deal was a commitment from Saudi Aramco to invest $7bn in building an integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex in South Korea through its local affiliate S-Oil.

The new plant will have capacity to produce 3.2 million tonnes a year of petrochemicals.

Five South Korean companies – Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco), Korea Southern Power Company, Korea National Oil Corporation, Posco Holdings and Samsung C&T Corporation – have also signed agreements with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to build and operate a green hydrogen and green ammonia production facility in Saudi Arabia. Read more


RIYADH REAL ESTATE

Riyadh Grade A office occupancy hits 98 per cent

Occupancy levels for prime office space in Riyadh have risen by four percentage points to 98 per cent according to a report by property consultancy Knight Frank. 

Average lease rates for prime office space have increased by 18 per cent over the past 12 months to about SR1,775 ($473) a square foot. The company said there is unprecedented demand for Grade A office space. 

“As the kingdom’s economic transformation plan unfolds, business activity is rising at an extraordinary pace. Seventy firms have now committed to relocating their regional headquarters to Riyadh, including Aldeham Education Group and French rolling stock manufacturer Alstom,” Knight Frank said. Read more

UAE

Dubai developer plans world’s tallest residential building

Local real estate developer Binghatti and jewellery brand Jacob & Co have announced plans to build the world’s tallest residential structure in Dubai’s Business Bay district.

Known as Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co Residences, the tower will comprise more than 100 storeys and will offer two- and three-bedroom apartments. Amenities in the building will include an infinity pool, a spa and a gymnasium.

Companies recently moved onsite in Business Bay to work on a 116-storey tower for Binghatti. The contractor is Granada Europe Construction. The consultant is Silver Stone Engineering Consultants. Read more


ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Saudi Arabia launches electric vehicle manufacturer

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman al-Saud has announced the launch of Ceer, the first Saudi electric vehicle brand. Ceer is the first Saudi automotive brand to produce electric vehicles in Saudi Arabia.

The company is a joint venture of Saudi sovereign wealth entity the Public Investment Fund and Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision Industry Company, which trades as Foxconn internationally.

Foxconn will license component technology from BMW for use in the vehicle development process, with the first vehicles – sedans and sports utility vehicles – expected to be available in 2025.

Foxconn will develop the electrical architecture of the vehicles, which will feature infotainment, connectivity and autonomous driving technologies.

Ceer is expected to attract over $150m in foreign direct investment and create up to 30,000 direct and indirect jobs. Read more


Further reading

Alba agrees Block 4 financing

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has reached financial close on the 681MW combined-cycle gas turbine plant that comprises Block 4 of the smelter’s Power Station 5. China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure) will provide a $225m facility.

Contracts awarded for US plant

QatarEnergy and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company have reached final investment decision on the Golden Triangle Polymers Plant, an $8.5bn integrated polymers facility in the US. The plant will include the biggest ethylene cracker in the world with a capacity of 2.1 million tonnes a year.

Investors launch Sohar projects

Investors have launched two non-oil industrial projects in Sohar Freezone in Oman. The sultanate’s first petroleum coke calcining facility will be built at a total investment of about $155.9m, while a titanium dioxide production facility will be established at a cost of $112m.

Aramco plans innovation hub

Saudi Aramco and US technology company IBM plan to establish an innovation hub in Riyadh. The hub will support tech-driven economic growth in Saudi Arabia with the help of emerging technologies in hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

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MEED Editorial
Related Articles
  • Taqa H1 profit rises 9.7% to AED4.1bn

    13 August 2026

    Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) has reported a 9.7% year-on-year increase in net income attributable to shareholders to AED4.1bn ($1.12bn) for the first half of 2026.

    The Abu Dhabi-listed utilities company said higher contributions from its utilities businesses offset lower oil and gas earnings following the planned decommissioning of UK North Sea assets.

    Taqa reported revenue of AED27.5bn ($7.5bn) for the six months to 30 June, down 2.6% from AED28.2bn ($7.68bn) in the same period last year. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) increased 7.7% year-on-year to AED11bn ($3bn), from AED10.2bn ($2.78bn).

    Capital expenditure increased 38% year-on-year to AED7.2bn ($1.96bn), reflecting continued investment across power, water and transmission networks. Free cash flow fell to AED4.6bn ($1.25bn) from AED7bn ($1.91bn) in the first half of 2025, largely because of the higher investment.

    Taqa’s board also approved a second-quarter interim dividend of 0.8 fils a share, totalling about AED899m ($245m).

    Power and water projects

    During the first half of 2026, Emirates Water & Electricity Company (Ewec) awarded the 2.6GW Taweelah C independent power project (IPP) to a consortium led by Taqa, which holds a 60% stake.

    The project is intended to support grid stability and enable the large-scale integration of renewable energy into Abu Dhabi’s power system through 2050.

    Taqa and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) also signed a 27-year utilities purchase agreement to provide utilities to the Taziz Industrial Chemicals Zone in Ruwais.

    In the water sector, Taqa Water Solutions, Etihad Water & Electricity (EtihadWE) and Saur International signed a long-term agreement with the Ras Al-Khaimah government to develop a 60,000-cubic-metre-a-day wastewater treatment plant.

    The plant will be the emirate’s largest wastewater treatment facility and will serve up to 300,000 people.

    Taqa, Ewec, Masdar, EDF Power Solutions and Jinko Power also completed an $870.75m (AED3.2bn) green bond issuance to refinance the Al-Dhafra solar photovoltaic IPP.

    Masdar expansion

    Taqa said it continued to expand its international renewable energy exposure through its 43% stake in Masdar. This included Masdar’s binding agreement in April to establish a $2.2bn joint venture with TotalEnergies covering onshore renewable energy projects across Asia.

    The developer also signed an agreement with Repsol to acquire a 49.99% stake in a €849m, 705MW operational renewables portfolio in Spain. The portfolio has potential for a further 565MW of hybridisation capacity.

    Additionally, Masdar secured contracts for difference for 3GW of new offshore wind capacity across the Dogger Bank South projects in the UK.


    READ THE AUGUST 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Saudi Arabia builds for the global stage; Rising uncertainty creates fresh set of challenges in the Maghreb; Gulf banks remain robust in the face of geopolitical tensions.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the August 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

    > MARKET FOCUS: Maghreb fortunes diverge
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
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  • Kuwait selects developer for Shagaya zone one plant

    13 August 2026

     

    A consortium of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and Kuwait’s Fouad AlGhanim & Sons has been selected for a contract to develop the 1.1GW Al-Dibdibah power and Al-Shagaya renewable energy phase three, zone one independent power project (IPP).

    Kuwait’s first utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plant is being procured by Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water & Renewable Energy (MEWRE), through the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (Kapp).

    According to a source, China’s Aiko Energy, Yingli Energy Development and Hengdian Group DMEGC Magnetics have been selected to supply PV modules.

    Another Chinese firm, Sungrow, will supply the project’s PV inverters, the source said.

    As MEED understands, the Masdar-led consortium will export the plant’s electricity output to the national grid under a 30-year power-purchase agreement with the ministry. The contract also includes the construction of an associated 400kV transmission substation. 

    Financial bids for the developer’s contract were opened in July, with MEED exclusively reporting that the Masdar consortium had emerged as a frontrunner for the contract after making “the most competitive” offer.

    In January, MEED reported that three developer consortiums had submitted bids for the project. Kapp previously issued the request for proposals in June 2025.

    London-headquartered consultancy firm EY is the lead and financial transaction adviser. The UK’s DLA Piper is the legal adviser, while Norwegian engineering services firm DNV is the client’s technical and environmental adviser.

    Zone two

    Kuwait aims to have a renewable energy installed capacity of 22,100MW by 2030 as part of the 20-year strategy announced in March 2025 and ending in 2050.

    In July, MEED exclusively reported that at least three consortiums had submitted bids for Al-Dibdibah power and Al-Shagaya renewable energy phase three, zone two IPP, which will have a capacity of 500MW. 

    The Al-Dibdibah power and Al-Shagaya complex is located within the administrative boundaries of Kuwait’s Jahra governorate, west of Kuwait City.

    The zone two scheme is the fourth renewable energy project to be developed under Kuwait’s public-private partnership programme.

    Kapp opened bidding for the zone two IPP in September last year. The winning bidder will design, finance, construct and maintain the project.

    Similar to the 1.1GW zone one project,  EY and DLA Piper, together with DNV, are advising the client on the zone two solar IPP.


    READ THE AUGUST 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Saudi Arabia builds for the global stage; Rising uncertainty creates fresh set of challenges in the Maghreb; Gulf banks remain robust in the face of geopolitical tensions.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the August 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

    > MARKET FOCUS: Maghreb fortunes diverge
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/18415704/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Contractors prepare prices for Al-Ghubar field facilities project

    13 August 2026

     

    Contractors are preparing commercial bids for a key Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) project to build a new facility to handle additional oil production from the Al-Ghubar field in the Ghaba Salt Basin at Qarn Alam, within its Block 6 concession area.

    The Al-Ghubar gas-oil gravity drainage (GOGD) facility will be designed as a sour (hydrogen sulphide) facility and is expected to handle maximum oil production of 1,800 standard cubic metres a day (cm/d), a maximum total water flow rate of 10,421 standard cm/d, and maximum gas lift of 256,934 standard cm/d. Production from the planned Al-Ghubar GOGD facility will be exported to PDO’s main oil line.

    Majority state-owned PDO floated the tender for the Al-Ghubar GOGD facility project in March, setting an initial bid submission deadline of 4 May, MEED previously reported.

    PDO later extended the deadlines for submission of technical and commercial bids to 26 July and 7 August, respectively. Contractors submitted technical proposals by the revised deadline, according to sources.

    Following receipt of the technical bids, PDO has granted contractors additional time – until 16 August – to submit commercial bids for the project, sources told MEED.

    The following contractors, among others, are understood to be bidding for the project:

    • Archirodon (Greece)
    • Engineering for the Petroleum & Process Industries (Egypt) / Petrojet (Egypt)
    • Jereh (China)
    • Kent (UAE)
    • Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon (India)

    The scope of work on the Al-Ghubar GOGD facility project covers the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the following:

    • On-plot scope consists of:
      • Production separator  
      • Test separator  
      • Concentric wash tank
      • Wet oil pump
      • Water bath heater
      • Surge tank
      • Gas injection/gas lift compressor (centrifugal)
      • Utilities (Instrument Air compressors, chemical injection skids, drain system, vent system) 
      • Suction scrubber
      • Air coolers
      • Discharge scrubbers
      • Condensate flash drum
      • Atmospheric pressure knock-out drum 
      • Flare system
      • Gas heater
      • Water disposal pump
      • Oil shipping pump
      • New 132kV substation and plant substation (housing 6.6kV & 415-Volt switchboard)
      • New control room
         
    • Off-plot scope consists of:
      • Off-plot pipeline network (bulk header, test header, gathering infrastructure/ gathering line header, instrument air header, water disposal header)
      • Two remote manifold stations 
      • Tie-in connection to main oil line
      • Tie-in to gas network pipeline

    PDO previously intended to tender the Al-Ghubar GOGD project under its framework structure with selected EPC contractors, but eventually tendered it separately.

    PDO is the operator of the Block 6 hydrocarbons concession in Oman, which is the sultanate’s largest and most prolific concession. Situated onshore and covering an area of 75,119 square kilometres, Block 6 contains 202 oil fields and 43 gas fields, with PDO producing a total of approximately 680,000 barrels a day (b/d) of oil and condensates from those fields.

    The Omani government holds a 60% stake in PDO through Energy Development Oman (EDO). The other shareholders are UK-based Shell (34%), France’s TotalEnergies (4%) and Thailand’s state-owned PTTEP (2%).

    ALSO READ: PDO floats tender for major flare gas monetisation scheme
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  • Adnoc Gas receives contractor prices for Ewec sales pipeline

    13 August 2026

     

    Contractors have submitted bids to Adnoc Gas for a new pipeline that it plans to build to supply gas from the Habshan scraper launcher station at its Habshan gas compression complex to the Al-Nouf customer receiving station (CRS), for delivery to Emirates Water & Electricity Company (Ewec).

    The proposed 56-inch pipeline, stretching 127 kilometres, will help the UAE’s state utility, Ewec, meet additional gas demand to power the second phase of an artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in Abu Dhabi, as well as to support the relocation of some of its key assets in the Mirfa area of the emirate.

    Adnoc Gas, the natural gas processing business of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc Group), issued the tender in mid-April for the project, officially titled ‘Ewec Mirfa relocation + AI data centre phase 2: Habshan to Al-Nouf pipeline’.

    Contractors submitted technical bids for the project in late May, while commercial bids were submitted on 3 August, sources told MEED.

    According to sources, the following contractors, among others, are understood to have submitted bids:

    • Arkad Engineering & Construction (Saudi Arabia; part of Italy’s Arkad SpA)
    • China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering (China)
    • Galfar Emirates (UAE branch of Oman’s Galfar Engineering & Construction)
    • Kalpataru Projects International (India)

    China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering has performed front-end engineering and design (feed) work on the project.

    The planned pipeline will provide two sales-gas streams to Ewec: 600-660 million cubic feet a day (cf/d) for AI data centre phase 2, and 650-715 million cf/d for the Mirfa relocation project.

    The core elements of the project involve engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the main Habshan-to-Al-Nouf pipeline and the following associated units:

    • 56-inch scraper (pig) launcher (607-V-604) and associated hot tap
    • Four block valve stations (BVSs -637-BVS-01/02/03/04)
    • 56-inch scraper (pig) receiver (848-V-101)
    • CRS at Al-Nouf including sales gas filters, pressure regulating stations (PRS), custody transfer metering systems (CTMS)
    • 30-inch tapping to Ewec plants (cold tie-ins)
    • 52-inch tie-ins between Adnoc Gas’ Maximise Ethane Recovery & Monetisation (Meram) project and package 3 of its broader project to upgrade its sales gas pipeline network across the UAE, also known as Estidama.
    Adnoc Gas business

    Adnoc Group announced the creation of Adnoc Gas through the merger of its subsidiaries Adnoc Gas Processing and Adnoc LNG in November 2022. Adnoc Gas began operating as a commercial entity on 1 January 2023.

    The consolidation of Adnoc’s gas processing and liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations into Adnoc Gas has created one of the world’s largest gas-processing entities, with a processing capacity of about 10 billion standard cubic feet of gas a day at eight onshore and offshore sites, which include its Asab, Bab, Bu Hasa, Habshan and Ruwais plants.

    The company also owns a 3,250km gas pipeline network to supply feedstock to its customers in the UAE. This sales gas pipeline network is being expanded to over 3,500km through the estimated $3bn Estidama project.

    At present, the network delivers sales gas to Adnoc Group companies, Ewec, Dolphin Energy, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), and other industrial consumers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.

    The main critical facilities and/or manifolds of the Adnoc Gas sales-gas pipeline network are as follows:

    • Habshan gas compressor plant
    • Thammama-C manifold
    • Maqta manifold
    • KM-42 station
    • Taweelah gas compressor plant

    Additionally, Adnoc Gas will also acquire its parent Adnoc Group’s 60% share in the Ruwais LNG terminal project at cost in the second half of 2028. UK energy producer BP, Japan’s Mitsui & Co, UK-based Shell and French energy producer TotalEnergies are the other shareholders in the project, holding 10% stakes each.

    Adnoc Gas recently announced it is executing a capital expenditure (capex) budget of $28bn for 2026 to 2030, reaffirming the spending plan it previously committed to for the period.

    As part of that capex plan, Adnoc Gas said it achieved final investment decision (FID) on the second and third phases of its Rich Gas Development (RGD) programme earlier this year.

    The company awarded $8.2bn of EPC contracts for the second and third phases of the RGD programme. These relate to the construction of a new gas processing train at the Habshan complex and a natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionation train at the Ruwais gas processing facility, respectively.

    Adnoc Gas detailed its capex plan as part of a media roundtable to discuss its financial results for the second quarter of the year (Q2 2026).

    The company achieved net income of $665m in Q2 2026 – above the upper end of the $400m-$600m guidance range provided in the first quarter.

    Supported by its cash flow from operations, the company’s board has approved a quarterly dividend of $940m, payable in September, in line with its commitment to deliver annual dividend growth of 5% through 2030.

    The detailed scope of work on the Ewec Mirfa relocation + AI data centre phase 2: Habshan to Al-Nouf pipeline project covers the following:

    • 56-inch sales gas pipeline from Habshan to Ewec Al-Nouf plant:
      • The new 56-inch sales gas pipeline from Habshan to Al-Nouf CRS, covering 127km, will supply sales gas to Ewec plant. Majority of the pipeline route is through the Sabkha area (approximately 100km) and will be routing parallel to existing pipeline facilities. FOCs shall be laid on both sides of the pipeline. Approximately 30 NDRCs (mostly micro tunneling) are envisaged for this pipeline.
      • The 56-inch pipeline is envisaged with four block valve stations 647-BVS-01-04 based on the pipeline location class study.
      • The pipeline shall be provided with scrapper launcher at Habshan (located in Estidama package 3 scrapper launcher plot) along with 48-inch hot tap tie-in at the gas source point (on existing 56-inch supply line manifold) and scraper receiver at Al-Nouf CRS for pipeline cleaning and inspection.
      • Habshan outlet battery limit, available battery limit pressure is 39 – 41.5 barg.
      • At Al-Nouf CRS the tie-in pressure requirement is minimum 25 barg downstream of the CRS facilities at the tie-in point to Al-Nouf plant.
      • Maximum pressure during line pack condition is 41.5 barg.
         
    • Facilities at Al-Nouf CRS:
      • 56” Scraper Receiver with Scrapper Handling Trolley and Jib crane. Both CRSs shall be identical in design and size.
      • The battery limit pressure at tie-in connection to Al-Nouf is 25 barg.
      • Electrical and Instrumentation (E&I) building and fire point shelter.
      • Permanent power supply to CRS from Ewec or Taqa and associated facilities.
         
    • AI data centre phase 2 project – CRS 1:
      • Sales gas filters (duty + standby configuration)
      • Custody transfer metering skid (duty + standby configuration)
      • Pressure regulating skid (duty + standby configuration)
      • Gas chromatograph, hydrocarbon dew point analyser inside AC shelter
      • Flow limiting control valves with bypass control valves
      • 30-inch cold tie-in to AI data centre phase 2.
         
    • Mirfa relocation – CRS 2:
      • Sales gas filters (duty + standby configuration)
      • Custody transfer metering skid (duty + standby configuration)
      • Pressure regulating skid (duty + standby configuration)
      • Gas chromatograph, hydrocarbon dew point analyser inside AC shelter
      • Flow limiting control valves with bypass control valves
      • 30-inch cold tie-in to Mirfa relocation power plant.
         
    • 52-inch jump over between Meram and Estidama package 3:
      • A 52-inch interconnection including ROV and associated facilities shall be provided between Meram 56” sales gas pipeline tie-in and Estidama package-3 56-inch pipeline tie-in. 52-inch piping to be installed on the existing / new pipe rack to cross the existing pipeline corridor. Cold tap Tie-ins on both existing pipeline is envisaged to install this jump-over connection.
      • The existing Meram plot or Estidama package 3 plot at 8.2km shall be extended to install the new ROV and associated facilities.
      • The new 52-inch ROV and associated facilities shall be connected to the Meram area existing systems and suitable modification and integration with SMC/telecommunication systems shall be performed by the EPC contractor.
      • Necessary adequacy checks shall be performed on the piping structures, supports, plots, systems, as applicable.
         
    • Electrical and instrumentation buildings:
      • E&I building type 1 at Al-Nouf CRS.
      • Block valve station (BVS) shall be provided with hybrid cooling shelter for equipment installation in case solar power system is to be adopted. If power source available nearby, electrical and instrumentation building (type 2) is to be provided.

    The duration of EPC works on the project is 31 months from the award of contract.

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  • Oman plans seven factories to localise transformer parts

    13 August 2026

    Oman has signed 10 agreements worth an expected RO15m ($39m) to localise the manufacture of key electrical transformer components typically used in power transmission and distribution projects.

    The agreements were signed on 12 August under the Authority for Public Services Regulation in cooperation with Muscat-headquartered Voltamp Energy.

    They cover the establishment of seven new factories, which will manufacture eight essential electrical transformer components.

    Two existing factories will also add production lines to manufacture a further two components.

    The agreements were signed with four local small and medium-sized enterprises and six local and international companies.

    It is understood that local firms Al-Mahri Industrial Enterprises, Al-Maha Ideal Solutions and United Engineering Services are among the companies participating in the programme.

    The projects are expected to occupy a proposed total area of 34,000 square metres, with commercial production scheduled to start in 2027.

    In March, state utility Nama Power & Water Procurement (PWP) said it expects the renewable energy share to increase steadily, reaching 16% in 2028 and 21% in 2029 before rising to 30% in 2030. This compares to about 4% in 2024.

    To support the sultanate’s renewable energy expansion, about 70 transmission projects are expected to enter service between 2026 and 2030, according to the Oman Electricity Transmission Company’s Five-Year Annual Transmission Capability Statement.

    The localisation initiative is intended to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce reliance on imports amid global supply risks and market fluctuations.


    READ THE AUGUST 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Saudi Arabia builds for the global stage; Rising uncertainty creates fresh set of challenges in the Maghreb; Gulf banks remain robust in the face of geopolitical tensions.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the August 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

    > MARKET FOCUS: Maghreb fortunes diverge
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/18398112/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall