LARSEN & Toubro (L&T), India’s leading technology, engineering and construction conglomerate, has inaugurated a new 11,249-sq-m systems integration facility at the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) in Dubai.

The Jebel Ali facility is a significant step towards tapping the automation-driven business opportunities in the oil and gas, power, water and infrastructure sectors in the GCC region that would contribute to growing L&T’s electrical and automation business outside of India.

L&T has applied for ‘Green Building – Gold certification’ for this facility to the US Green Building Council and, when approved, is expected be the first company to receive the Gold certification in the electrical, automation and telecom sectors in Jafza. Listing in the ‘green building’ category confirms that the facility is designed and built for environment-compatibility and sustainable future, providing a healthy work environment and reducing operating costs by making it more energy efficient.

L&T’s president – operations and member of the board, R N Mukhija, said: “Systems integration and in-house electrical equipment manufacturing capabilities contribute to offering total integrated solutions in automation, electrical and telecom space into the region.”

Besides systems integration, L&T addresses the building and infrastructure segments in the GCC with products and solutions in the electrical space.

Head of L&T’s Electrical and Automation Operating Company (EAOC), S C Bhargava, said: “Our expansion plans and creation of centres of excellence are in line with the ongoing and anticipated growth in automation and systems integration business. This facility is yet another step in the progressive globalisation of L&T’s electrical business, and ensures that it has a wide footprint to service some of the fastest growing markets in the Gulf countries, parts of Africa and CIS countries.”

Besides strengthening its position in the existing market segments like oil and gas, water, cement and metal, L&T’s systems integration business also plans to leverage the emerging opportunities in the infrastructure sector such as metro rail, highway traffic management and other projects.