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EtihadWE tenders $150m Ajman substation project Administrator21 July 2026
The UAE’s Etihad Water & Electricity (EtihadWE) has tendered a contract to build three new substations in Ajman.
Estimated to cost $150m, the project involves the construction of three new 132/11kV substations in the Bahya, Rumaila and Liwara districts. It also includes associated 132kV underground cabling works to connect the substations to the existing transmission network.
The bid submission deadline is 10 August.
According to tender documents, the project will add distribution capacity to support load growth and improve the security of electricity supply in the emirate.
The scope of work includes site preparation, construction of three substation buildings and foundations, installation of 132kV GIS/AIS switchgear, 132/11kV power transformers and 11kV switchgear, as well as protection, control, Scada and telecommunications systems.
Etihad WE is responsible for electricity and water services in Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah, Fujairah and parts of Sharjah. The utility has been investing in new substations and transmission infrastructure as electricity demand continues to increase across the Northern Emirates.
This includes a 132/33/11kV substation project on Al-Marjan Island in Ras Al-Khaimah. Construction work is ongoing on the project, with Maetal Dubai serving as the main contractor.
EtihadWE is also finalising a new masterplan that will cover network capacity requirements and expansion priorities for the next 10 to 15 years.
In June, Abdulla Al-Khemeiri, chief operations officer, told MEED: “We are currently reviewing it, and we need to obtain shareholder approval first. Once it is approved, it will be released, hopefully by the end of the year.”
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Seven seeks contractors for Dammam water park and hotel Administrator21 July 2026
Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, is preparing to shortlist general contractors for the main construction package of its Dammam Water Park & Hotel project in the Al-Hamra district.
The waterfront development sits on a 324,300-square-metre (sq m) plot.
A notice was issued to contractors in July, and the client is expected to finalise the shortlist by the end of this month.
Seven is seeking firms capable of delivering a lump-sum, turnkey solution for both the water park and a 321-key lifestyle hotel. Construction is expected to take 24 months from contract award.
The water park is designed around five themed zones and will feature what is billed as the world’s first double-tornado/triple-wave waterslide.
The park will include 21 major rides and attractions, 21 food and beverage outlets, 66 cabanas, parking for 1,100 vehicles and a daily peak capacity of 4,500 guests.
Slide procurement has already been completed directly by Seven. The selected contractor will be responsible for locally sourcing slide towers, integrating them with rockwork and secondary steel, and installing the units.
Detailed design and issued-for-construction packages are complete.
Marine works, piling, dewatering and site utilities are being progressed separately by the existing early works contractor.
The hotel component covers roughly 31,700 sq m of gross floor area and will offer 321 guest rooms, four F&B outlets, spa and wellness facilities, a family pool, and meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition space.
The new contractor’s scope includes superstructure concrete works, façade and roof works, mechanical, electrical and plumbing, interior fit-out and landscaping.
Seven will consider only contractors with demonstrated experience delivering water parks with complex aquatics, theming and rockwork – either directly or through clearly defined subcontractor partnerships – along with a track record in high-end turnkey hotel fit-outs.
Construction of Seven’s Dammam entertainment complex is currently under way. In October 2023, Saudi Binladin Group won contracts worth around SR5bn ($1.3bn) from Seven to build two entertainment destinations in the Dammam and Al-Khobar areas of the Kingdom’s Eastern Province.
The Al-Khobar entertainment complex is being built on reclaimed waterfront land. The complex spans around 300,000 sq m and is also known as ‘The Waves’.
The Dammam entertainment complex spans 360,000 sq m and is being built on reclaimed land on the Dammam waterfront.
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Al-Ula appoints equestrian village early works contractor Administrator21 July 2026
Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Al-Ula (RCU) has awarded a contract for early construction works at the Al-Muatadil Equestrian Village.
The contract was awarded to Al-Khobar-based Al-Shalawi International Company.
Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRealis is the project management consultant. UK-headquartered Baker Wilkins & Smith and local firm Al-Hoty Company are the cost consultants.
Dubai-based SSH is the supervision consultant, and UK-based Hopkins Architects is the lead design consultant.
RCU announced the project plans in March 2023, including the development of an equestrian hub with two arenas that can accommodate 5,000 and 1,400 spectators, respectively.
The venue will also include grass polo, sand polo and endurance facilities, with capacities of 600, 400 and 600 seats, respectively.
These facilities will be complemented by visitor amenities, two stable compounds with capacity for 740 horses, and accommodation and retail outlets for event participants and workers.
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Contractors await decision on Riyadh airport sewage plant Administrator21 July 2026
Seven contractors are awaiting a decision on a contract to build a sewage treatment plant at the King Salman International airport (KSIA) development in Riyadh, according to sources.
It is understood that bids were submitted to King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) in March, following the tender’s release earlier this year.
The plant will treat wastewater generated by the airport and surrounding developments, including passenger terminals, runways, residential districts, commercial facilities and logistics areas.
The facility will have a treatment capacity of 92,000 cubic metres a day. The contract is estimated to be worth SR700m ($187m).
The bidders (all local) are:
- Al-Rawaf Trading & Contracting
- Almajal Alarabi
- Nesma Water & Energy
- Safari Company
- Saudi Services for Electro-Mechanic Works
- Washnah Contracting
- Water & Environment Technologies (Wetico)
The project scope includes the construction of the treatment plant, the installation of preliminary, secondary and tertiary treatment systems, sewage collection and conveyance pipelines, pumping stations, and electrical and control systems.
US-headquartered Jacobs is acting as the main project consultant. Commercial operations for the plant are scheduled for 2029.
The sewage treatment plant is one of several water infrastructure packages planned for the airport. KSIADC is also evaluating bids for a separate $30m engineering, procurement and construction contract covering potable water and fire water tanks and an associated pumping station. The same seven companies have submitted bids for that package.
Earlier in July, MEED exclusively reported that a joint venture of Beijing-headquartered China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Dammam-based Mofarreh AlHarbi & Partners had won a deal to undertake the enabling and substructure works for Terminal 6 at KSIA.
The latest development followed KSIADC’s receipt of prequalification statements from contractors on 1 July for two new packages at KSIA.
These include the construction of a permanent East-West corridor and landside access roads serving the North and South terminals.
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Dubai Municipality awards Tasreef drainage contract Administrator21 July 2026
Dubai Municipality has awarded local firm Detech Contracting the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the TF-15-C1 package of its Tasreef Rainwater Drainage Network programme.
It is understood the municipality issued the letter of award for the contract earlier this month, covering the construction of a stormwater drainage system along Al-Wasl Road and communities west of the Dubai Canal.
The project includes the construction of a gravity-based stormwater pipeline network with diameters of up to 3.5 metres. It is estimated to cost $100m.
It was tendered in February through the government’s Sewerage and Recycled Water Projects Department, with bids submitted in April.
The package forms part of the wider Tasreef initiative, which is intended to improve Dubai’s flood resilience.
The TF-15-C2 package was recently awarded to China State Construction Engineering Corporation for a stormwater drainage network project located along Umm Suqeim Road in the Al-Barsha and Al-Quoz areas of Dubai.
The project is estimated to cost $162m and includes the construction of about 20 kilometres of new stormwater pipelines. Similar to the C1 package, it is located west of the Dubai Canal and will connect the Al-Quoz 3 and Al-Quoz 4 industrial areas with Al-Quoz 1.
Separately, Al-Kharafi has won a drainage EPC contract (Ds207) to upgrade an existing pumping station for the municipality, a source said. The package focuses mainly on mechanical works and is valued at about $39m.
In May, MEED reported that local firm Nael Construction & Contracting had signed a contract with Dubai Municipality to build a sewage and stormwater drainage system in Dubailand.
The project (DS-204-C1) involves the construction of a drainage system with sewage gravity pipelines of up to 2,200mm in diameter.
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Qatari Diar unveils $30bn Egypt project masterplan Administrator21 July 2026
Qatari Diar, the real estate arm of the Qatar Investment Authority, has announced the masterplan for its $30bn Alam Al-Roum project on Egypt’s north coast.
The masterplan was developed by US-based architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.
The master-planning team also includes US-based landscape architecture firm SWA; UK-headquartered marina design and operations consultant Marina Projects; and French transport and traffic engineering consultant Setec.
The development will cover more than 20 million square metres and include 7.2 kilometres of private beachfront on the Mediterranean Sea.
The site is about 20 minutes from Marsa Matrouh and 50 minutes from Ras El-Hekma.
According to a statement, the project includes $3.5bn in direct cash investment and is designed as an integrated, year-round Mediterranean destination.
Alam Al-Roum expands Qatari Diar Egypt’s portfolio, which includes CityGate, New Giza and The St Regis Cairo.
Qatari Diar and Egypt’s New Urban Communities Authority signed the project agreement for Alam Al-Roum in November 2025.
The estimated value of the deal to Egypt is $7.5bn. Under the agreement, Cairo will receive an upfront payment of $3.5bn by late December 2025 for the initial land purchase and is expected to receive an in-kind stake in the project, estimated to be worth $1.8bn.
Qatari Diar’s broader investment plans for the area include spending up to $26.2bn in addition to the $3.5bn already allocated for the land purchase.
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Contractors submit final offers for Global Sports Tower Administrator21 July 2026
Contractors submitted their last and final offers in the first week of July for the main construction contract for the Global Sports Tower, located in the Athletics District of the Sports Boulevard development in Riyadh.
The Sports Boulevard Foundation issued the tender for the main works contract on 31 July last year.
The 130-metre-tall Global Sports Tower will cover an area of 84,000 square metres (sq m) and include more than 30 sports facilities.
The tower will feature the world’s tallest indoor climbing wall, at 98 metres, and a 250-metre running track.
Saudi Arabia’s Sports Boulevard Foundation also received bids on 10 June for a contract covering project management consultancy (PMC) services for the Global Sports Tower, as MEED reported.
MEED reported in May 2025 that design work on the tower had been completed. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud approved the designs in 2024.
The Sports Boulevard development runs across Riyadh from east to west and, once complete, is set to be the world’s longest park, spanning more than 135 kilometres.
The development will feature several districts, including Wadi Hanifah, the Arts District, Urban Wadi, the Entertainment District, the Athletics District and the Eco District, as well as Sands Sports Park.
The large-scale project aims to transform central Riyadh – currently dominated by major highways – into a recreational corridor.
Sports Boulevard, which will feature 4.4 million sq m of public realm and landmark buildings, will also be home to the Centre for Cinematic Arts and a 2,000-seat amphitheatre.
The development will provide more than 2.3 million sq m of mixed-use commercial, residential and retail assets, along with sports facilities around the park, which will be known as Linear Park.
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Consultants submit bids for Saudi Arabia’s GCC rail link Administrator20 July 2026
Consultants submitted proposals on 14 July for a contract to provide design consultancy services for the Saudi Arabian section of the GCC railway network, which is intended to link all six member states.
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) issued the tender on 7 May, MEED previously reported.
The tender covers the concept, preliminary and issued for construction design stages. SAR requires the selected consultant to review, update and complete the existing preliminary design.
The consultants who submitted bids include:
- Atkins with Khatib & Alami
- DeutscheBahn with ARX
- Egis with Sener
- Idom with Dal Al-Handasah
- Systra
Saudi Arabia’s section of the railway will start at Al-Khafji in the Eastern Province, near the border with Kuwait, and end at Al-Batha, on Saudi Arabia’s border with the UAE. The route length in Saudi Arabia will be about 672 kilometres (km).
The railway will interface with the Kuwait National Rail Road (KNRR) project on the Kuwaiti side. Last year, MEED exclusively reported that the KNRR design contract was awarded to Turkiye’s Proyapi Muhendislik ve Musavirlik Anonim Sirketi.
The KNRR forms part of the wider GCC rail network. GCC railway projects have gained renewed momentum since the six member states signed the Al-Ula Declaration in January 2021.
In October last year, Qatar’s cabinet approved a draft agreement paving the way for a railway link between Qatar and Saudi Arabia as part of the GCC railway network.
GCC railway line
Under the overall plan, the railway will run from Kuwait, pass through Dammam in Saudi Arabia, reach Bahrain via a planned causeway, and continue from Dammam to Qatar, the UAE and, ultimately, Muscat via Sohar in Oman. The railway is reported to span about 2,186km in total.
The route length within each member state is as follows: 684km in the UAE, 672km in Saudi Arabia, 306km in Oman, 283km in Qatar, 145km in Kuwait and 36km in Bahrain.
The railway is designed for passenger trains travelling at 220km/h and freight trains operating at 80-120km/h.
With high levels of project activity, governments in spending mode and renewed cooperation under the Al-Ula Declaration, the latest efforts to restart the GCC railway project may make more progress than previous attempts. If completed, the railway could prove transformational for a region that is globally connected but still divided by national borders.
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Chinese firm wins Dubai drainage contract Administrator20 July 2026
China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) has announced it has won a contract to deliver a stormwater drainage pipeline package under Dubai Municipality’s Tasreef programme.
The contract is for the TF-15-C2 stormwater drainage network project located along Umm Suqeim Road in the Al-Barsha and Al-Quoz areas of Dubai.
MEED exclusively revealed in May that the contractor had been selected for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract. The project is estimated to cost $162m.
The scope of work includes the construction of about 20 kilometres of new stormwater pipelines, together with associated inspection and intake manholes. The project is located west of the Dubai Canal and will connect the Al-Quoz 3 and Al-Quoz 4 industrial areas with Al-Quoz 1.
It is being delivered as part of Dubai’s Tasreef strategic plan, which supports the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. Once completed, the new drainage infrastructure is expected to improve the emirate’s stormwater network, increase flood protection and enhance the resilience of Dubai’s infrastructure.
In February, the municipality confirmed it had awarded contracts for five new projects under phase two of the programme to expand and strengthen Dubai’s stormwater drainage network.
These include a separate contract awarded to CSCEC for the TF-11-C1 stormwater drainage project in the Dubailand area.
Also in February, Dubai Municipality invited consultants to qualify for a contract to supervise construction on the TF-15-C2 stormwater drainage projects along with two other projects (TF-13-C1 and TF-16-C1) under the Tasreef programme.
According to a source, a consultant has yet to be appointed.
TF-16-C1 involves upgrading and rehabilitating the stormwater system east of the Dubai Canal, while TF-13-C1 involves building a water pipeline stormwater drainage system at Al-Marmoum, Al-Qudra and Al-Yalayis 2 & 3.
Bids are currently under evaluation for the EPC contracts for both projects.
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Dubai receives eight bids for Hassyan SWRO pipeline contract Administrator20 July 2026
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Eight contractors have made offers for a contract to supply, install, test and commission glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) water transmission pipelines and associated works for the Hassyan seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) phase two network in Dubai.
The contract relates to project one of the Hassyan pipeline network expansion being undertaken by state utility Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa).
Local firm Binladin Contracting Group submitted the lowest offer of AED335.92m ($91.5m), according to results published by the utility.
The other bids were:
- Green Oasis General Contracting (UAE) – AED345.00m ($93.9m)
- Al-Nasr Contracting (UAE) – AED391.54m ($106.6m)
- Wade Adams Contracting (UAE) – AED393.80m ($107.2m)
- RMB Contracting (UAE) – AED437.96m ($119.3m)
- Tristar Engineering & Construction (UAE) – AED441.55m ($120.2m)
- Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast (UAE/India) – AED451.47m ($122.9m)
- Gulf Petrochemical Services Trading (UAE) – AED495.20m ($134.8m)
RMB also submitted a conditional discounted offer of AED427.02m ($116.3m). Three companies submitted regret notices, while one offer was rejected after no valid commercial offer was received.
In January, Dewa announced that construction of the 180-million-imperial-gallon-a-day phase one of the Hassyan SWRO independent water project was 90% complete.
Dewa has two other contracts out for tender for GRE water transmission pipeline work related to the Hassyan SWRO phase two network.
Project two was tendered on 22 January and has a bid submission deadline of 21 July. Project three was tendered on 26 January and has a bid submission deadline of 29 July.
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