Sugar factory work gathers pace
WORK on a BD56.7-million ($150 million) sugar factory in Bahrain is gathering pace. Arabian Sugar Company (ASC), which is building the plant, has made steady progress in completing the project’s foundation work. It is expected that the factory will be in production by the fourth quarter of next year.

The plant is being set up within the Bahrain Industrial Investment Park in Hidd and designed with European technology. It will have a total installed capacity of 1,800 tonnes per day.

KOC awards $1.81bn contracts
KUWAIT Oil Company (KOC) has awarded Hyundai Engineering and Construction and Petrofac contracts worth KD520 million ($1.81 billion) to design and build pipelines.
Hyundai will build low sulphur fuel oil, fuel gas and gas oil pipelines from Mina Al Ahmadi refinery to Subbiya and Doha power stations. The project, worth KD404 million, will be completed by April 2013.
Petrofac will build fuel gas and gas oil pipelines plus a pumping station from the same refinery to Al Zour and Shuaiba power stations for KD116 million. The project is scheduled for completion in July 2012.

Oman to invite Sur proposals
OMAN Power and Water Company (OPWP) is to invite companies to submit proposals to build a new 1,500 MW independent power project in the industrial estate at Sur. Subject to environmental and regulatory consents, OPWP will invite proposals for around 400 MW of early power ahead of summer peak demand in 2013 and full commissioning of 1,500 MW ahead of 2014 summer peak demand.
OPWP had originally proposed a new independent power project at Al Ghubrah to take advantage of existing infrastructure and allow older plants to be retired. However, in line with international environmental practices, the sultanate is seeking to locate new power stations away from residential areas.

Three revise power bids
SOUTH Korea’s Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction has cut by SR2.1 billion ($559.9 million) a proposal it made for the construction of a 2,400 MW power plant in Saudi Arabia, an industry source said.
The plant, in Rabigh on the western coast of Saudi Arabia, would have capacity of 2,400 to 2,800 MW, some 12-14 per cent of the 20,000 MW the Saudi Electric Company (SEC) plans to add through 2018, at an estimated total cost of $80 billion.
Doosan remains the lowest bidder at SR12.7 billion. The other two bidders, Hyundai Heavy Industries and France’s Alstom have also revised their bids to SR13.9 billion and SR14.4 billion respectively, the source said.
A decision on the project is likely to be taken this month.

Belhasa launches Qatari venture
THE UAE’s Belhasa Projects (BHP) has established a Qatari company as part of its expanion plans. Belhasa Projects Qatar (BHPQ) has been set up  in a joint venture with Sheikh Khalifah bin Fahad bin Mohamad Al Thani.
The new venture plans to focus on wet-infrastructure projects such as pumping stations, rising mains, pipe network, sewage treatment plants (STPs) and district cooling systems.
BHP has completed two STPs for Barwa at Barwa Housing Projects while another plant is under construction at the Barwa Al Baraha project. 
Meanwhile, BHPQ has also signed a contract agreement with Neutralox of Germany, a specialist in odour control and off-gas treatment plants, to exclusively market its products in Qatar.
 Neutralox’s main products include photoionisation plants for off-gas and odour treatment and activated oxygen units for indoor air treatment.

Jotun unveils colour trends
JOTUN Paints has launched its ‘Colour Trends 2010’ concept in Oman, which will be available in its assortment of decorative paints. New vibrant shades comprise the 2010 collection, which combines classic and modern hues with an edgy twist, with three ranges each offering six shades. Jazz Up offers a palette designed to reflect an individual’s creativity, Pure Nuture is ideal for nature lovers, while Mystic Elegance is based on the values of traditional Middle Eastern interiors.

New resort goes up in Oman
OMRAN and its joint venture partner Musstir have laid the foundation stone for the Al Baleed resort in Dhofar, Oman. Due to be completed by December 2012, the five-star seaside resort will feature one main hotel building with 30 rooms, food and beverage outlets, a spa, function areas and other recreational facilities, as well as 106 one-, two-and three-bedroom chalets.
The developers will integrate high quality and environmental standards by ensuring that the resort not only adheres to building regulations, but also gains the best orientation for solar access, shading and air flow.

SPX wins $41m Saudi order
SPX Corporation’s Thermal Equipment and Services segment has been awarded a contract worth $41 million to design, manufacture and supervise the construction and commissioning of two air-cooled condenser dry cooling systems for the Riyadh PP11 power plant in Saudi Arabia. The contract was awarded to SPX by Hyundai Heavy Industries Korea, which is spearheading the design, engineering, construction, installation, testing and commissioning of PP11. SPX will provide engineering services for the project immediately, and first equipment deliveries are planned for the first quarter of next year.

Sakana offers finance for homes
BAHRAIN-based Sakana Holistic Housing Solutions has signed an agreement with Al Sarhan and Al Humaidan Real Estate Company, developer of Dar Al Ezz 1 Busaiteen, to provide Islamic mortgage finance to its customers.
Dar Al Ezz 1 is a 14-storey tower located in Busaiteen offering 80 freehold apartments of 40 single and double bedrooms each. Construction on the building has reached the 10th floor and it is expected to be handed over during next year with  about 60 per cent of the development  reported to have been sold.

DSI awarded Saudi MEP contract
DRAKE and Scull International (DSI) has been awarded a SR469.7 million ($125.2 million) contract for the complete mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works on the Information Technology and Communications Centre (ITCC) project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
DSI will undertake the project in a joint-venture with Al Zamil Group. The contract was awarded by Rayadah Investment Company (RIC), the investment arm of the Saudi government’s Public Pensions Agency (PPA). MEP work on the project has begun and will be completed in 24 months.

Potain cranes work on Turkey dam 
FOUR Potain special application tower cranes from leading crane manufacturer Manitowoc are working on a major hydropower dam project in Turkey’s northern province of Sinop that will significantly expand the country’s capability to generate power and help meet the growing demand for electricity.
Two MD 1100 and two MD 2200 cranes,  the largest and most powerful Potain tower cranes, are working on the $1-billion Boyabat Dam. Thibaut Le Besnerais, vice-president of special applications cranes at Manitowoc, said the cranes were custom manufactured to meet the needs of the project.
Main contractor Dogus Insaat is building the dam for utility giant Boyabat Elektrik Üretim. The construction work is taking place in sections, and the cranes are helping manoeuvre a conveyor system to place the large amount of concrete the dam requires in the most efficient manner.

Scott Wilson names regional chief  
SCOTT Wilson has appointed Steve Metcalfe as managing director of the Middle East region, handing him the responsibility for operations in some 14 countries across the region. Prior to this appointment, Metcalfe directed the close-out design for the $2.5-billion Khalifa Port project in Abu Dhabi, UAE. From 2006 to 2009, he was the director responsible for Scott Wilson North East England operations based in Newcastle. And prior to that, he was a partner of Ferguson McIlveen, a 2006 Scott Wilson acquisition.