Abu Dhabi is launching two major infrastructure public-private partnership (PPP) projects under the Partnership Projects framework issued by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), for the procurement of three new schools and Phase Two of its street lighting upgrade programme.

Potential bidders can now submit expressions of interest for the two projects, said the ADIO.

These PPP projects will enhance opportunities for private sector involvement in the delivery of infrastructure projects and public services, while improving liveability, access and quality of services for Abu Dhabi residents.

ADIO Director General Dr Tariq Bin Hendi said: “With Abu Dhabi’s PPP framework firmly established, we are launching new major infrastructure projects as part of a pipeline of PPP projects that will strengthen sustainable private sector-led economic growth in the emirate.”

The Zayed City Schools PPP project will provide three new schools with a capacity of 5,360 students in Abu Dhabi. The project, structured in a collaboration framework between ADIO and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), will provide students access to high-quality learning environments and modern facilities, enhancing the attractiveness of Zayed City and Abu Dhabi.

The scope of work includes the design, build, finance, maintenance and transfer of three schools with a concession period of 22 years, inclusive of a construction period of 24 months and a maintenance period of 20 years.

Amer Al Hammadi, Under-Secretary of ADEK, said: “Leveraging our successful Charter School model, which currently counts 15 private sector-operated and public sector-owned schools across the emirate, the project for three new charter schools in Zayed City will offer convenient and high-quality education options for catchment students, aiding Abu Dhabi’s ongoing social development,” he noted.

Phase Two of the streetlighting LED PPP programme will see approximately 140,000 of the emirate’s streetlights replaced with energy-efficient LED technology, resulting in a reduction of approximately 76 per cent in power consumption – equivalent to cost savings of AED705 million ($191.8 million) – and will be structured as a 12-year concession agreement with DMT.

Abdullah Al Sahi, the under-secretary of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, said: “We are paving the way for ambitious projects through the implementation of the second phase of the Street Lighting LED PPP project, which comes as a continuation of the first phase to achieve high-quality street lighting,” stated Al Sahi.

According to him, the Street Lighting LED PPP programme will reduce operating costs and improve the elements of smart city empowerment by replacing the existing street lighting with energy-saving LED streetlights.

“In the second phase, we are expanding the geographical scope of the project to include the Al Ain City and the Al Dhafrah Region,” he stated.