News
-
Egypt approves plans for 869MW wind power plant Administrator22 June 2026
Egypt’s Cabinet has approved plans for French renewable energy developer Voltalia to develop an 869MW wind power project.
The scheme will be built on land allocated by the New & Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), according to a statement posted by the Cabinet following its most recent weekly meeting.
Voltalia will make an initial investment of $53m and has committed to achieving commercial operations by December 2028.
Voltalia already operates the 32MW Ra solar plant at the Benban solar complex in Aswan and is expanding its renewable energy portfolio in Egypt.
Previously, in 2024, it signed a framework agreement with Egypt’s Taqa Arabia to develop a green hydrogen and renewable power cluster near the Ain Sokhna port in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
The green hydrogen development is planned in two phases, each centred on a 500MW electrolyser powered by more than 1.3GW of renewable generation capacity. The project, still in its early stages, is expected to produce up to 350,000 tonnes of green ammonia a year.
Voltalia’s partnership with Taqa Arabia also includes plans for a 3.2GW hybrid wind and solar project to repower the existing 545MW Zafarana wind farm in Suez Governorate. The Cabinet statement did not indicate whether the newly approved 869MW wind project forms part of that proposal.
Meanwhile, the developer won another contract, earlier this year, to develop a 132MW solar power project in Tunisia’s Gabes region.
The project, known as Wadi, marked Voltalia’s third major solar award in the country after the Sagdoud and Menzel Habib projects awarded in 2024.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17376730/main.jpg -
Local firm signs Jeddah drainage contracts Administrator22 June 2026
Local contractor Alkhorayef Water & Power Technologies (AWPT) has announced it has signed two contracts with Jeddah Municipality to operate and maintain stormwater and surface water drainage networks across the city.
The contracts have a combined value of SR202.06m ($53.9m), and each will run for five years.
The first contract, valued at SR108.46m ($28.9m), covers the operation and cleaning of stormwater and surface water networks in the South and Al-Malisa sub-municipalities.
The second contract, worth SR93.59m ($25m), covers similar services for the Airport Sub-Municipality.
In March, MEED reported that the firm had won a long-term contract to carry out work in the airport’s sub-municipality area. The agreement was signed on 16 June.
Elsewhere, construction has yet to begin on phases one and two of the King Abdullah Road-Falasteen Road tunnel project, each valued at about $175m.
According to sources, Jeddah Municipality selected Saudi contractor Thrustboring Construction Company to build the large-diameter stormwater drainage tunnels in 2025. However, an official agreement has yet to be signed.
The municipality was also previously planning to rehabilitate the existing Al-Zahra pumping station. Prequalification for the project began in 2020; however, it is understood that the main contact tender was cancelled last year.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17376097/main.jpg -
Saudi firm signs Uzbekistan water treatment PPP Administrator22 June 2026
Saudi-listed Miahona has signed a public-private partnership agreement to enhance, operate and maintain Uzbekistan’s Zomin water treatment plant in the country’s Jizzakh region.
The agreement was signed on 18 June with Uzsuvtaminot, the country’s state-owned water utility, the developer said in a filing with the Saudi stock exchange.
Miahona will carry out enhancement works and 25 years of operation and maintenance services for the existing plant, which has a design treatment capacity of 50,000 cubic metres a day
The contract marks the company’s entry into Uzbekistan’s water sector. According to the disclosure, it will enter into force once a project-related governmental decree is issued in accordance with Uzbekistan’s applicable legislation.
The contract is estimated at $105m (SR395m), with a final value to be confirmed following the issuance of the governmental decree.
MEED reported earlier this month that Uzbekistan had stepped up its engagement with Middle Eastern investors, including holding talks with Saudi Arabia’s Acwa and Vision Invest on renewable energy, water management, waste recycling, digital infrastructure and urban utility projects.
The government also recently held discussions with a UAE delegation led by Suhail Mohamed Al-Mazrouei, minister of energy and infrastructure and chairman of Etihad Water & Electricity’s Board of Directors.
At the Tashkent International Investment Forum, it signed a €197m financing package with Germany’s KfW Development Bank to support drinking water supply and wastewater projects in the Surkhandarya and Fergana regions.
The projects will cover Termez and several district centres in Surkhandarya region, as well as Kokand and Margilan in Fergana region.
This includes “the construction and reconstruction of hundreds of kilometres of drinking water and wastewater networks, pumping stations and modern wastewater treatment facilities”, deputy prime minister Jamshid Khodjaev said.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17375811/main.jpg -
Qiddiya seeks contractors for indoor arena project Administrator22 June 2026
Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access
Saudi Arabian gigaproject developer Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has invited contractors to prequalify for a contract to build an indoor sports arena within its Qiddiya entertainment city project.
The invitation was issued on 21 May, with a submission deadline of 28 June.
The multipurpose arena is designed to International Olympic Committee standards.
It will be located in District 18, in the Uptown South area of Qiddiya.
Once completed, the indoor arena will be capable of hosting a wide range of sports, cultural and entertainment events.
The arena will feature numerous sports courts for basketball, handball, futsal, volleyball, tennis, boxing and gymnastics.
It will have a seating capacity of 18,000 spectators.
The project is scheduled for completion by 2030.
QIC’s other major projects include an e-sports arena, the National Tennis Centre, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium, a motorsports track, a racecourse, the Dragon Ball and Six Flags theme parks, and Aquarabia.
QIC opened the Six Flags theme park to the public in December last year.
The park covers 320,000 square metres and features 28 rides and attractions, including 10 thrill rides and 18 aimed at families and young children.
The Qiddiya project is a key part of Riyadh’s strategy to boost leisure tourism in the kingdom.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17375504/main.jpg -
Egypt signs gas deal with Harbour Energy Administrator22 June 2026
Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources has signed a new agreement with London-headquartered Harbour Energy.
Under the scope of the agreement, Harbour Energy will drill two new exploration wells and carry out maintenance work for one of the existing wells within the Dsouq-1 development contract.
Harbour Energy committed an initial $6m investment and a $1m signing bonus for the Dsouq concession. Total investment could rise to $18m if commercial discoveries are made.
The signing was witnessed by Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum, Karim Badawi.
He said that his ministry is continuing to implement a package of investment measures and incentives aimed at encouraging partners to increase investments and intensify exploration, development and production activities.
The agreement was signed by Syed Saleem, a member of the executive branch of the state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), and Samah Sabry, the executive director of Harbour Energy for the Middle East and North Africa region.
Harbour Energy drilled two new wells in Egypt during the fiscal year 2025/2026, resulting in the addition of reserves estimated at 35 billion cubic feet of gas.
The company aims to drill three new exploration wells during the fiscal year 2026/2027.
Egypt is currently pushing to boost the production of both oil and gas in its territory.
Earlier this month, Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources announced that it had fully settled all outstanding arrears owed to oil and gas companies.
Two years ago, in June 2024, the country owed approximately $6.1bn to partners in the oil and gas sector.
READ THE JUNE 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFGCC looks beyond the Strait; Iraq’s reform window narrows as fiscal assumptions shatter; MEED Top 100 companies.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the June 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf races to reroute trade> EXPORT ROUTES: Regional war boosts oil and gas pipeline project activity> CURRENT AFFAIRS: UAE’s Opec departure fulfils multiple ends> MEED TOP 100: Middle East stocks recover unevenly> LEADERSHIP: Building the infrastructure that makes net zero possible> TRADE DEAL: UK-GCC trade deal talks concludeTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17374536/main4731.jpg -
Iran invites companies to register for Kharg Oil Terminal development Administrator22 June 2026
Iran has invited companies to participate in a project to develop the existing Kharg Oil Terminal, according to documents released by the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company and Iranian Oil Terminals Company.
The project focuses on developing units capable of receiving, storing and exporting extra-heavy West Karun crude oil at a rate of 700,000 barrels a day.
The scope of the project includes design, purchase, installation and commissioning of the new facility.
The contract will use the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) model, according to the tender documents.
The project aims to use existing oil storage tanks and reconstruct the deepwater crude oil export berth known as Berth Number One.
The berth known as Berth Number Three will serve as a backup berth for the project.
The winning bidder for the contract will be responsible for a range of works, including:
- Carrying out all stages of verification of the project’s basic design, design and engineering
- Supply and procurement of goods and materials
- Execution and installation
- Pre-commissioning and commissioning
The project is expected to take 30 months to complete, and the winning contractor will also be responsible for maintaining the facility for a further 12 months.
Companies that wish to submit bids need to do so through Iran’s Government Electronic Procurement System (Setad).
Companies interested in participating in the tender have seven days from the publication of the tender notice to receive the documents.
They then have a further 14 days to upload the required documents into the government procurement system.
Iran exports most of its oil via the Kharg Oil Terminal on Kharg Island.
US President Donald Trump said strikes in mid-March “obliterated” Kharg’s military assets but did not target the island’s oil infrastructure.
He warned that if Iran continued disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, he would reconsider the decision to spare energy targets on the island.
Trump has threatened several times to take “control” of Kharg Island, but he has not yet followed through on this threat.
The small coral island is located 33 kilometres from Iran’s coast and has strategic importance because Iran’s coastline is mostly too shallow for large tanker ships to dock.
READ THE JUNE 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFGCC looks beyond the Strait; Iraq’s reform window narrows as fiscal assumptions shatter; MEED Top 100 companies.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the June 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf races to reroute trade> EXPORT ROUTES: Regional war boosts oil and gas pipeline project activity> CURRENT AFFAIRS: UAE’s Opec departure fulfils multiple ends> MEED TOP 100: Middle East stocks recover unevenly> LEADERSHIP: Building the infrastructure that makes net zero possible> TRADE DEAL: UK-GCC trade deal talks concludeTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17374518/main.jpg -
EtihadWE tenders water storage and pipeline project Administrator22 June 2026
Etihad Water & Electricity (EtihadWE) has invited bids for the construction of a 4-million-imperial-gallon reinforced cement concrete water tank in Madam, Sharjah.
The scope also includes a DN1000 ductile iron transmission pipeline in Fujairah.
Madam is located in eastern Sharjah, close to the Fujairah border and within EtihadWE’s Northern Emirates water network.
MEED understands that the DN1000 transmission pipeline will serve the proposed 4-million-imperial-gallon water tank
The bid submission deadline is 29 June. Technical proposals will be opened on the same date.
EtihadWE said the tender is open to experienced and prequalified engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors registered on its vendor list and holding a valid prequalification certificate.
The utility previously completed a separate water transmission project involving a DN1000 pipeline from the Ghayl New Water Distribution Centre in Ras Al-Khaimah to Madam.
The local Dhafir Technologies was the EPC contractor.
The project attracted 16 bids for the main contract during procurement. Among the bidders were Darwish Engineering Emirates (UAE), Green Oasis General Contracting Company (UAE), Lindenberg (UAE), Tamas Projects (UAE), Tecton (UAE) and Wade Adams (UAE).
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17347317/main.jpg -
Contractor appointed for The Carlyle Residences DIFC Administrator22 June 2026
Local construction firm Dubai Contracting Company has won a contract to build The Carlyle Residences project in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) area.
The contract was awarded by Dubai-based real estate developer H&H Development.
The Carlyle Residences by H&H Development will be the first Carlyle-branded residential development outside New York.
The 33-storey tower will comprise approximately 40 two- to five-bedroom apartments.
UK-based David Chipperfield Architects is the project architect.
French firm Tristan Auer is the project’s interior designer.
Dubai-based enabling firm Swissboring is undertaking the project’s foundation works.
The latest contract award follows H&H Development’s appointment of Dubai-based construction firm Al-Futtaim Contracting to build 142 villas at Eden Hills in Dubai.
Separately, in February, H&H and Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Investment Company announced the launch of the Eden House residential project in Abu Dhabi.
The project will offer more than 200 residential units across 60 floors and was designed by Dubai-based architectural firm dxb Lab.
The development will be located on Abu Dhabi’s Al-Maryah Island.
H&H’s latest contract awards in the UAE market come amid heightened real estate and construction activity, with schemes worth more than $323bn at the execution or planning stages, according to UK-based analytics firm GlobalData.
GlobalData forecasts that output from the UAE’s residential construction sector will grow by 3% in real terms in 2026-29, supported by infrastructure, energy and utilities developments, as well as residential construction projects.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17346200/main.jpg -
Dubai opens prequalification for Gold Line metro Administrator22 June 2026
Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access
Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has issued the request for qualification notice for a contract to build the new Gold Line, as part of its expansion of the Dubai Metro network.
Contractors are required to submit their qualification statements by 17 August.
This follows the RTA’s invitation to contractors to express interest in building the new Gold Line in May, as MEED reported.
Dubai officially announced the launch of the new Gold Line in April.
In a post on social media site X, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said the project will cost about AED34bn ($9.2bn).
The Gold Line will increase the total length of the Dubai Metro network by 35%.
The project is scheduled for completion in September 2032.
The Gold Line will be a fully underground network covering more than 42 kilometres, with 18 stations.
It will pass through 15 areas in Dubai, benefiting 1.5 million residents.
The project is expected to provide connectivity to over 55 under-construction real estate development projects.
The Gold Line will start at Al-Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai and end at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
It will connect to Dubai Metro’s existing Red and Green lines and integrate with the Etihad Rail passenger line.
The contractor will be responsible for the design and build of all civil works, electromechanical equipment, rolling stock and rail systems.
The selected contractor will also be required to assist in the systems maintenance and operations during an initial three-year period.
In October last year, MEED exclusively reported that the RTA had selected US-based engineering firm Aecom to provide consultancy services for the Dubai Metro Gold Line project.
Stage one covers concept design, stage two covers preliminary design, stage three covers the preparation of tender documents, stage four encompasses construction supervision, and stage five covers the defects and liability period.
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17342276/main.png -
Aramco issues tender for gas pipeline at Ras Tanura refinery Administrator19 June 2026
Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access
Contractors are preparing bids for a Saudi Aramco tender involving the replacement of a pipeline that is part of the Gas Line Abqaiq – Ras Tanura (GART) transmission network.
The GART grid transports associated gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) from the Abqaiq oil processing complex as feedstock, northwards to the Ras Tanura refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The aim of the project is to replace the GART-22 pipeline that connects the Juaymah export terminal on the Gulf coast in the Eastern Province to the Ras Tanura refinery, to ensure reliable fuel gas supply and meet ongoing demand.
The basic scope of work on the project is to install a new, 24-inch pipeline system that will replace the GART-22 line and the abandoned GART-24 line. It will cover a distance of 18 kilometres between Juaymah and the Ras Tanura terminal.
The scope also includes the installation of associated scraper trap facilities (launcher and receiver), pressure control valves, motor-operated valves and gas detection and sampling systems.
Aramco issued the tender for the project in May and has set a deadline of 30 June for contractors to submit proposals.
The following contractors, among others, are understood to be bidding for the project:
- ACE Pipeline Arabia
- Combined Group Contracting Company
- Gas Arabian Services Company
- Max Streicher Saudi Arabia
- National Basics Company
- Saad Ali Alessa Group
- Sicim
- Sinopec Engineering Group Saudi
- Tecton Engineering & Construction
Ras Tanura refinery complex
The Ras Tanura refinery is the oldest, and one of the largest, crude oil refineries in Saudi Arabia. The complex has a refining capacity of 550,000 barrels a day (b/d).
The facility also has a 305,000 b/d NGL processing facility, a 960,000 b/d crude stabilisation facility, combined steam and gas turbine electrical power generation plants with a summer capacity of 145MW and a winter capacity of 158MW, and a combined 150-pound and 600-pound steam capacity of 6,217 million pounds an hour.
It has 75 crude oil and products storage tanks with a combined capacity of 5.8 million barrels.
The Ras Tanura refinery’s major facilities include a 325,000 b/d crude distillation unit, a 225,000 b/d gas condensate distillation unit, a 50,000 b/d hydrocracker and 107,000 b/d of catalytic reforming capacity.
The facility is Aramco’s only refinery to contain a Visbreaker processing unit, which has a 60,000 b/d capacity.
The Visbreaker reduces the quantity of residual oil produced in the distillation of crude oil and increases the yield of more valuable middle distillates, heating oil and diesel.
The refinery complex also produces 17,000 b/d of asphalt, more than any other refinery in Saudi Arabia.
Ras Tanura receives crude feedstock from the Abqaiq, Safaniya and Manifa oil field developments.
Crude is typically transferred to Ras Tanura through a pipeline and can also be supplied by ship.
Most of Ras Tanura’s production is transferred to the Dhahran bulk plant for domestic use, while some products are exported from the nearby Ras Tanura shipping terminal.
READ THE JUNE 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFGCC looks beyond the Strait; Iraq’s reform window narrows as fiscal assumptions shatter; MEED Top 100 companies.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the June 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf races to reroute trade> EXPORT ROUTES: Regional war boosts oil and gas pipeline project activity> CURRENT AFFAIRS: UAE’s Opec departure fulfils multiple ends> MEED TOP 100: Middle East stocks recover unevenly> LEADERSHIP: Building the infrastructure that makes net zero possible> TRADE DEAL: UK-GCC trade deal talks concludeTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17332850/main.JPG