Regional News

In brief

Bahrain mulls energy ratings

Bahrain’s commercial and residential properties may soon have energy efficiency ratings based on their actual consumption and green credentials, with the best glowing with gold, reported Gulf Daily News.

The buildings will be assessed by the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) before they receive a rating, according to SEA president Dr Abdulhussain Mirza.

“We are working on a project of labelling buildings based on their energy and water savings,” said Dr Mirza. “For example, we will rank the building gold or silver based on its energy conservation and this would raise the value of the property.”

He revealed that the kingdom was currently working on replacing 70,000 street lights and their 400,000 bulbs to LEDs as part of a structured plan to cut down on energy costs.

 

Green light for key causeway

A plan to build a multi-million-dollar 23-km causeway linking Hawar Islands to Bahrain’s mainland has been given the green signal by the Southern Municipal Council

One option under consideration is to build a bridge stretching from the furthest point in the south of Bahrain, Ras Al Bar, to the northwest corner of Hawar.

The government has already included funding in its 2019-2020 national budget to place electricity cables, protected by a secure pathway on the seabed, to the coastal haven from the mainland.

 

New tourism project in Oman

OMAN’S Ministry of Heritage and Tourism have signed an agreement with Qurm Stone Development for developing a tourism project in Muscat at an investment of RO60 million ($155 million).

To be set up over a 500,000-sq-m area in Muscat governorate, the Yenkit Hills tourism project is being implemented in three phases, reported Oman Observer.

Phase One will see the development of a five-star resort with 90 rooms and suites complete with all facilities. Phase Two involves construction of 122 upscale residential/tourist units as well as a panoramic commercial complex to serve the area and the project. The final phase will see the construction of a five-star hotel with 150 room and suites in addition to 50 five-star hotel apartments complete with facilities.

The work on the project will begin next year and is due to be completed in 2026, it added.