In The Spotlight
Andy Boutle, head of digital construction at ALEC. (Image source: ALEC)
ALEC secures BIM Kitemark recertification for third consecutive year
ALEC, one of the Middle East’s leading construction companies, has once again achieved the BIM Kitemark recertification from BSI.
This marks the third consecutive year it has met the global benchmark for excellence in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and information management under the ISO 19650 series of standards.
The achievement reinforces ALEC’s position at the forefront of digital transformation in construction, aligning with findings from the McKinsey Global Institute, which show that technology and innovation can enhance construction sector productivity by up to 60%.
Recognised globally as one of the most rigorous certifications for information management, the BIM Kitemark requires companies to pass a detailed audit.
ALEC was assessed on its ability to meet client information requirements, maintain accuracy and consistency, enable effective supply chain collaboration, and comply with the ISO 19650 framework.
This recertification not only validates ALEC’s ability to lead digital delivery but also reflects its role in raising industry standards.
VR and other tools
Throughout the past year, ALEC has advanced its Innovation Strategy, supported by focused Digital and IT strategies. Technology and automation remain central to its approach, with initiatives such as a new ERP system to streamline internal processes, expanded use of HoloBuilder, and the introduction of ‘Resolve’, a VR tool integrated with Revizto’s issue tracker.
In parallel, ALEC continues to scale the use of Morta, a data structuring and standardisation platform that allows the company to digitalise ISO 19650 documentation and improve project oversight across design change, procurement, and risk management.
Through this sustained focus on digital innovation, ALEC is not only enhancing its operational performance but also shaping the future of construction in the region.
Barry Lewis, CEO at ALEC, said, “Innovation is part of our DNA, and securing this BIM recertification for a third consecutive year highlights how deeply embedded our digital-first mindset has become. We see enormous growth potential in the region, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and our ongoing investments in innovation and digital excellence enable us to remain agile, deliver the highest quality projects, and capitalise on these opportunities.”
Andy Boutle, head of digital construction at ALEC, said, “We see this recertification as another step on a much broader journey. The regional industry has made great strides in BIM adoption, but there’s still a gap to bridge to reach the next level of utilisation and maturity in line with international standards. At ALEC, we’re committed to helping close that gap, not just within our own projects but also by leading by example and encouraging our partners and clients to embrace a digital-first mindset. In the months ahead, we’ll continue to focus on building seamless interconnectivity between our digital solutions, creating a more data-driven, efficient, and sustainable way of delivering projects.”
The report highlights AVEVA’s sustainable software solutions
AVEVA unveils product impact metrics in latest sustainability report
AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, has published its 2024 Sustainability Report, providing a comprehensive update on its progress towards sustainability goals and its expanding green product roadmap.
The report highlights how AVEVA’s software solutions, designed to unify trusted information and insights, are helping industries drive the responsible and efficient use of the world’s resources.
The report outlines strong progress across all three pillars of AVEVA’s sustainability framework: technology handprint, operational footprint, and inclusive culture. In 2024, AVEVA sustained a 93% reduction in scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared to its baseline year. This achievement was made possible through a series of strategic actions, including a continued shift to renewable energy sources, careful optimisation of office space, and improvements in fleet management.
“We believe that sustainability and business success go hand in hand,” said Caspar Herzberg, CEO, AVEVA. “We’re focused on helping our customers harness the full potential of industrial intelligence, bringing visibility and insight to complex data and processes. This empowers the industry to achieve measurable improvements in both efficiency and productivity, unlocking significant savings in costs, emissions and resource requirements. AVEVA’s 2024 Sustainability Report demonstrates the strides we’ve made to deepen our technology handprint, reduce our operational footprint and advance our inclusive culture.”
Caspar Herzberg, CEO, AVEVA
Demonstrating its commitment to sustainable software development, AVEVA completed a maturity assessment of its entire product portfolio against the principles of the Green Software Foundation. Additionally, 85% of its products underwent power bench testing to evaluate energy consumption, laying the groundwork for future enhancements and ensuring alignment with green software principles.
Recognising that the greatest climate impact lies in the use of its technology, AVEVA also introduced a new annual metric for saved and avoided emissions. This figure reflects the measurable energy savings generated by a specific portion of its product suite. The company has committed to further refining this methodology and expanding its coverage in the coming years, reinforcing the real-world impact its software has on supporting decarbonisation.
AVEVA’s 2024 Sustainability Report demonstrates how digital innovation can drive sustainable transformation across industries, supporting global efforts to address climate change while improving operational efficiency.
Lisa Wee, CSO, AVEVA
“As we enter the final year of our 2025 targets, we’re focused on meeting our goals and chartering an even bolder path with our sustainability framework. We know that the biggest impact comes from our software handprint – how we work with our customers to enable them to drive decarbonisation, become more resilient and support circularity. This is why we’re publicly reporting our 2024 customer saved and avoided emissions data for select industry sectors. We’re committed to expanding our methodology to capture and quantify our broader impact. At AVEVA, we are continuing to advance towards a sustainable future, driving digital transformation through our software and leading by example with responsible operations,” said Lisa Wee, CSO, AVEVA.
AVEVA's full report can be accessed here: https://www.aveva.com/sustainability-report/
Operator safety also depends on proper use of personal fall protection equipment. (Image source: Niftylift)
Niftylift's safety tech promises to improve working-at-height operations
Niftylift has said that it continues to advance safety in powered access equipment by focusing on the practical risks of working at height.
Although industry statistics show improvement in workplace incident rates, the company remains committed to driving further innovation through smarter engineering and user-friendly technology.
One of its standout developments is the ToughCage platform, which combines a reinforced steel cage with a robust, impact-resistant composite base.
This dual-layer protection not only shields the operator in the event of a collision but also absorbs impact energy to minimise damage to the machine’s boom and surrounding structures.
To tackle the challenges of working on sloped ground, Niftylift has equipped its MEWPs with Inclination Sensing technology.
While machines can travel across gradients beyond operational limits when booms are stowed, any attempt to elevate the booms on a slope triggers alarms and disables the drive function.
The booms must be lowered and the machine repositioned before operations can resume, preventing unsafe working conditions on unstable terrain.
If the basket is raised and the tilt angle becomes too steep, the machine automatically halts drive functions until safely reset.
Operator safety also depends on proper use of personal fall protection equipment.
Built-in safeguards
Niftylift addresses this with its intuitive ClipOn system, which provides red and green LED indicators and an audible alert to confirm harnesses are correctly attached before work begins.
Trapping incidents remain one of the most severe risks when working at height, especially if an operator is forced against the control panel.
In response, Niftylift introduced SiOPS (Sustained Involuntary Operation Prevention System) across all self-propelled machines.
SiOPS detects pressure on the control console, immediately halting all machine movements without waiting for a user response, allowing the operator to recover by simply pressing a flashing green reset button.
Further reinforcing safety protocols is Load Sensing technology, which monitors platform weight in real time.
If the system detects an overload, it disables all work functions until the weight is reduced. During operation, a recovery override allows the basket to be safely lowered first.
Supporting these built-in safeguards is Niftylink, a telematics solution that provides performance insights, real-time diagnostics, and access control.
Using PIN codes or RFID-enabled PAL cards, Niftylink ensures that only trained and authorised personnel can operate the machines, reinforcing on-site compliance and reducing the risk of human error.
Recognising that many incidents result from knowledge gaps, Niftylift also launched the NiftyPRO mobile app, an on-demand training and support tool for operators, fleet managers, and technicians.
With over 100 video tutorials covering machine operation, troubleshooting, and recovery procedures, the app bridges the gap between theoretical training and real-world application, making best practices easily accessible on-site and in the moment.
By combining smart safety features, operator-focused design, and accessible digital training, Niftylift offers a comprehensive approach to making work at height safer, more efficient, and better supported.
“Niftylift is synonymous with innovations in operator safety, introducing technologies over the years that have redefined safety standards, addressing critical risks in working at height, including entrapment, overloading, harness misuse, and unsafe tilting,” said Tom Hadden, technical sales manager, Niftylift. ‘Together, they enhance operational efficiency and provide operators with the confidence they need to work safely at height. We are committed to continuing to lead the industry in promoting safer working practices worldwide.”
Also read: Niftylift's real-time harness safety compliance in access platforms
Masdar and Iberdrola expand offshore wind portfolio in Europe. (Image source: Masdar)
Masdar and Iberdrola expand offshore wind portfolio in Europe
Masdar and Iberdrola have achieved two major milestones as part of their US$16.35bn strategic clean energy alliance: a US$5.67bn co-investment in the UK’s East Anglia THREE offshore wind farm and the full energisation of their 476MW Baltic Eagle project in Germany.
The East Anglia THREE project marks one of the largest offshore wind transactions of the decade, with Masdar and Iberdrola each holding a 50% stake and shared governance. Located off the Suffolk coast, the 1.4GW wind farm is expected to begin operations in Q4 2026, providing clean electricity to 1.3 million homes.
A US$5.25bn project finance facility has been secured from 24 international banks, oversubscribed by 40%, highlighting strong investor confidence. The project benefits from a 15-year Contract for Difference (CfD) and a Power Purchase Agreement with Amazon signed in 2024.
In Germany, the Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm has now been fully energised. As the first completed project under the Masdar–Iberdrola partnership, it will supply around 475,000 households with clean energy and eliminate approximately 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. Located in the Baltic Sea, the 476MW wind farm is part of Iberdrola’s Baltic Hub, which also includes Wikinger and the planned Windanker project.
These developments strengthen the partnership’s goal to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030, while supporting Europe’s offshore wind targets and advancing energy transition goals across the UK, Germany and beyond.
Signalling an Emirati-European partnership
HE Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar, said, "Masdar and Iberdrola are continuing to forge one of the largest and most powerful strategic clean energy partnerships to accelerate capacity growth in Europe and worldwide. Offshore wind will play a crucial role in the global energy transformation, and landmark developments like Baltic Eagle and East Anglia THREE are significant advances towards clean energy targets in major European nations. With demand surging due to exponential AI growth and the rise of emerging markets, projects such as these have never been more critical."
Ignacio Galán, Iberdrola’s executive chairman, said, "Today is an important landmark in our global partnership with Masdar. Partnerships such as this one are vital in accelerating energy security and competitiveness and working towards delivering ambitious climate targets. With Masdar, we have a partner who shares our vision and commitment.
Joining forces with Masdar in the East Anglia THREE offshore windfarm will allow Iberdrola to accelerate our strategic focus on the UK, where we are investing £24bn to 2028 in transmission and distribution networks and in renewable energy, contributing to the delivery of the UK Government’s ambitious electrification plans. The completion of Baltic Eagle represents a new milestone in our partnership, reinforcing Iberdrola’s commitment to electrification and strengthening our presence in the Baltic Sea."
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, chief executive officer of Masdar, said, "This landmark partnership underscores our commitment to driving Europe’s energy transformation and advancing global climate goals. Our strategic co-investments with Iberdrola in East Anglia THREE and Baltic Eagle demonstrate how ambitious cross-border partnerships can deliver transformative impact at scale. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for offshore wind collaboration, and we are looking forward to deepening this partnership as Europe accelerates its renewable energy targets."
Also read: Aed Energy secures investment to scale thermal storage in MENA
Tadweer and BEEAH will now combine forces. (Image source: Tadweer)
Tadweer acquires Masdar’s stake in Sharjah waste-to-energy plant
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC, Masdar has announced the divestment of its stake in the Sharjah Waste-to-Energy plant, pending customary closing conditions, to Tadweer Group.
The strategic move will see Tadweer join BEEAH as a joint venture partner in Emirates Waste-to-Energy, which owns and operates the facility.
The transition allows Masdar to concentrate on scaling its clean energy portfolio, while Tadweer sharpens its focus on local and global waste management ventures.
Tadweer and BEEAH will now combine forces to manage and expand the Sharjah Waste-to-Energy plant, including plans to double its power generation from 30 MW to 60 MW and significantly boost waste processing capacity.
Inaugurated in 2022, the plant is the Middle East’s first commercial-scale waste-to-energy facility and plays a central role in the UAE’s strategy to divert waste from landfills and generate low-carbon electricity.
The agreement reinforces all partners’ commitment to sustainability, with continued collaboration expected on initiatives that support the UAE’s clean energy goals and broader climate agenda.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, chief executive officer of Masdar, said, “We are proud of the impact this project has had within the UAE, and we extend our sincere thanks to BEEAH for their valued partnership since the inception of our Emirates Waste-to-Energy joint venture. As we transfer our stake, we are confident that Tadweer and BEEAH will continue to advance the project with strong leadership and a clear strategic vision.”
Ali Al Dhaheri, managing director and chief executive officer of Tadweer Group, said, “Acquiring this high-performing asset will further enhance Tadweer Group’s capabilities and support the UAE’s ambition to become a global leader in sustainable waste management and energy conversion. We look forward to working with BEEAH to build on the strong foundations it has laid working alongside Masdar.”
Khaled Al Huraimel, group CEO of BEEAH Group, said, “We thank Masdar for having partnered with us in the Emirates Waste-to-Energy joint venture and their support on the Sharjah Waste-to-Energy Plant, our inaugural, groundbreaking project. We look forward to further building on these accomplishments alongside Tadweer Group as a joint venture partner, marking a new chapter of growth and waste-to-energy innovation for the nation and the region.”
Also read: UAE Council launches national waste exchange platform
New Iveco vehicles at the Madrid truck plant (Image source: Iveco)
Iveco celebrates 50 years
A major focus is on improving energy efficiency, particularly through smarter cooling.
Is the GCC leading in sustainable construction?
The International Code Council (ICC) looks at how the construction landscape in the GCC is changing, especially with smarter materials, cooling, and policy changes.
Behind the GCC's towering structures and landmark megaprojects lies a critical question: how can the region build in a way that is not only transformative but also sustainable?
As urbanisation intensifies, construction is under mounting pressure to evolve. Sustainability is no longer optional, it is essential. The choices made today will shape the resilience and livability of tomorrow’s cities.
To meet this challenge, governments and developers across the region are actively rethinking how buildings are designed, constructed and operated.
From low-carbon materials to pioneering technologies and updated regulations, the GCC is making bold moves to create a greener built environment.
A major focus is on improving energy efficiency, particularly through smarter cooling.
In a region where air conditioning can account for up to 70% of a building’s energy use, upgrading HVAC systems is both an environmental and financial imperative.
This has spurred the adoption of passive cooling techniques, better insulation, and demand-driven systems powered by renewables, enabling climate control with a lighter carbon footprint.
Green materials
The materials used in construction are also undergoing a transformation.
Concrete, long the backbone of GCC development, is now being refined with low-carbon alternatives and advanced admixtures to reduce emissions without compromising strength or durability.
This shift is being accelerated through regional standardisation and innovation in cement technology.
In parallel, the GCC, particularly the UAE, is leading a global push toward 3D-printed buildings.
These structures reduce material waste, speed up project timelines, and allow for complex, custom designs. They represent a fundamental reimagining of how construction can be more efficient, scalable and sustainable.
Underpinning these efforts are national climate policies like the UAE Net Zero 2050 and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Green Initiative.
These frameworks are driving practical action, not just policy statements, supported by updated building codes and new training pathways for professionals.
Programmes from bodies such as the International Code Council (ICC) are equipping the workforce with the skills needed to meet increasingly ambitious environmental standards.
The GCC’s approach to sustainable construction is comprehensive: it combines innovation, policy, and people. In doing so, the region is not just keeping pace with global trends, it is setting new ones.
Through its commitment to smarter, cleaner, and more responsible building, the GCC is demonstrating that environmental stewardship and architectural progress can, and must, go hand in hand.
Also read: ICC to showcase global building safety standards in Egypt
LEAP
Venue:
Riyadh Front Expo Centre
Dates:
6-9 February 2023
Website:
https://www.onegiantleap.com/en/home.html
