In The Spotlight
DEWA’s website shows that six firms submitted bids, of which five were accepted
DEWA to award water pipeline contract in Q4 2025
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is expected to award the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for its Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) Water Transmission Pipelines Works – Project 2 in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to Zawya Projects.
The tender, titled “Supply, Installation, Testing & Commissioning of Glass Reinforced Epoxy Water Transmission Pipelines Works – Project 2,” was issued on 4 June 2025, with bids submitted by 14 August.
Zawya Projects indicated that the contract award is likely to be confirmed in early October, with project completion targeted for the fourth quarter of 2027.
DEWA’s website shows that six firms submitted bids, of which five were accepted.
The accepted bids include Al Nasr Contracting Company at US$116mn, with a discounted amount of US$110mn if both sections are awarded; Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon at US$119.3mn, discounted to US$111mn; Green Oasis General Contracting at $78.9mn; Tristar Engineering & Construction at US$111.5mn; and Oman International Telecommunication Contracting at US$107mn, discounted to US$104mn for both sections.
A bid from Gulf Petrochemical Services was listed at US$40.15mn.
Hills & Fort Construction’s bid of US$170mn was not accepted.
The project forms part of DEWA’s ongoing efforts to enhance water transmission infrastructure in Dubai, with GRE pipelines providing durability, corrosion resistance, and long-term operational efficiency.
Atlas brings together data monitoring, automation and real-time analytics. (Image source: Acciona)
ACCIONA unveils Atlas to drive safer, greener construction
ACCIONA, a global leader in sustainable infrastructure, has unveiled a new digital platform designed to transform the way construction projects are managed worldwide. The system, known as Atlas, integrates multiple digital tools into a single platform to enhance efficiency, safety and sustainability across a wide range of infrastructure developments.
The launch reflects ACCIONA’s ongoing commitment to support the ambitious development and sustainability agendas of the Middle East, where governments are increasingly embracing digitalisation and green technologies to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects.
Atlas brings together data monitoring, automation and real-time analytics to optimise project performance. Its user-friendly design allows project teams to monitor, control and manage construction activities seamlessly.
The platform has been designed with versatility in mind. Whether applied to roads, highways, tunnels, railways, metros, ports or buildings, Atlas can be customised to the specific needs of each project. Its modular, scalable structure enables clients to choose from a wide range of applications including tunnel boring machine (TBM) data management, geotechnical monitoring, asset tracking, concrete traceability and earthwork production tracking.
Beyond performance optimisation, Atlas strengthens workplace safety. The platform incorporates air quality monitoring, emergency alerts, video surveillance and worker location tracking in real time, giving project managers the ability to identify hazards quickly and respond effectively.
Sustainability is also at the core of the system. In line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy, Atlas integrates environmental monitoring tools to track both real-time and historical data, helping to reduce environmental impacts and support decarbonisation initiatives. Fully digitalised concrete production improves compliance, lowers emissions and enhances traceability across the supply chain. Automated inventory and maintenance management tools further reduce waste and improve operational efficiency.
While Atlas is a new launch for the Middle East, the platform has already been successfully deployed on major international projects. In the United States, it supports the Fargo-Moorhead Flood Diversion project – one of the country’s largest infrastructure undertakings – with fleet and fuel management systems designed to cut carbon emissions.
In Brazil, Atlas is being used on the São Paulo Metro Line 6 to improve TBM operations and instrumentation monitoring. The system has also been applied to a reservoir project in Chile and the S19 road tunnel in Poland, where it has optimised asset tracking and strengthened safety systems.
Supporting Middle East transformation
By bringing its global expertise and proven technologies to the Middle East, ACCIONA aims to accelerate the region’s digital transformation in construction. Atlas provides a powerful solution for governments and developers looking to balance rapid urbanisation with sustainable practices, while also ensuring worker safety and operational excellence.
With its focus on integration, adaptability and environmental responsibility, Atlas marks a step forward in how infrastructure is delivered – smarter, safer and more sustainable.
The successful bidders include four consortia
Saudi Arabia awards US$42mn mining exploration licences
Saudi Arabia has awarded exploration licences for 25 sites in the Nabitah–Ad Duwayhi belt, located in the Makkah region, to nine local and international companies and consortia. The winners have committed more than SAR156mn (US$42mn) in exploration spending, according to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.
The successful bidders include four consortia: Ma’aden–Hancock Prospecting, Ajlan and Bros Mining–Shandong Gold Group, Technology Experts–Andiamo Exploration, and McEwen–Sumo Holding. In addition, five standalone companies secured licences: Al-Eitilaf Al Mumayaz for Mining Company, Saudi Gold Refinery, Batin Al-Ard for Gold, Aurum Global Group, and Almasar Minerals.
The ministry confirmed that competition for the final site, ND26, was suspended after exploration spending bids exceeded technical evaluations and reached levels deemed commercially unfeasible. The site will be re-evaluated according to the approved timeline under the Mining Investment Law.
Further bidding rounds are planned, with competition for an additional 10 sites in the same belt resuming from 16–18 September. Results will be announced after all regulatory procedures are complete. Another 162 mining sites in the Al-Naqrah and Al-Sukhaybirah Safra belts in the Madinah region will be offered from 28 September. These form part of the ministry’s target to make over 50,000 sq km of mineral-rich belts available by 2025.
Saudi Arabia’s mineral resources are estimated at more than SAR9.4tn, underscoring the sector’s role as a cornerstone of Vision 2030. The Al-Baha region alone is valued at nearly SAR285.4bn (US$76bn) and is rich in resources including gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, feldspar, marble, and pozzolan. The region also contains mineralised belts for gold, copper, and zinc, as well as 19 mining complexes dedicated to building materials.
The Kingdom views mining as a key driver of economic diversification and aims to position the sector as the “third pillar” of its economy alongside oil and petrochemicals. By accelerating exploration and development of its mineral wealth, Saudi Arabia is seeking to enhance its global competitiveness in mining and attract further international investment.
How can ERP systems reshape construction in the Middle East?
The Middle East continues to lead the world in ambitious infrastructure and construction projects. From Saudi Arabia’s giga-developments to urban transformation initiatives across the Gulf, contractors and owners are under immense pressure to deliver projects that are larger, faster, and more complex than ever before. Against this backdrop, digital transformation has become not only a competitive advantage but a necessity.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have long been used in finance and manufacturing. Yet, in construction—an industry defined by unique project-based challenges—traditional ERP often fails to deliver. The sector requires platforms aligned with the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Bill of Quantities (BoQ), the twin pillars of project planning and cost estimation. Without real-time visibility into time and cost benchmarks, contractors risk delays, budget overruns, and compliance gaps.
This has given rise to construction ERP platforms designed exclusively for project delivery. By integrating engineering, procurement, scheduling, and cost control, these solutions provide contractors with a single digital backbone for managing complex projects. Instead of static reports, project leaders gain dynamic insights into resource allocation, cash flow, and progress against milestones—empowering them to act before risks escalate.
One company driving this transformation is DANAOS Projects Software Solutions LLC, a Dubai-based limited liability company with offices in the United Arab Emirates, Greece, and the Philippines. Its flagship platform, ProjectVIEW ERP, is a tier-one cloud ERP developed specifically for large construction and infrastructure enterprises.
Unlike generic systems, ProjectVIEW ERP continuously benchmarks every activity against WBS-defined timelines and BoQ-based budgets. This creates a “quantum cost control” environment where deviations are identified instantly, and corrective actions can be implemented without disrupting compliance or project governance. Designed as an ERP for construction companies, the platform empowers contractors to manage mega projects with precision and transparency.
At the same time, ProjectVIEW ERP reflects a forward-thinking approach powered by structured data. By standardising operations from site to office and office to site, the system weaves a data fabric that connects teams, processes, and stakeholders across the entire project lifecycle. This ensures that decisions are informed by accurate, up-to-date information, reducing risks of miscommunication and enhancing collaboration.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is further extending these capabilities. DANAOS Projects has announced plans to embed AI-driven agents within ProjectVIEW ERP to automate repetitive tasks, predict cost overruns, and detect schedule risks before they materialise. This positions the platform not just as an ERP, but as a digital command center capable of orchestrating mega projects in line with the Middle East’s long-term vision for innovation and sustainability.
Beyond traditional building and infrastructure projects, ProjectVIEW ERP also supports offsite construction, modular construction, and prefabrication workflows. These methods are increasingly adopted across the region to accelerate delivery timelines, improve quality, and enhance sustainability. By extending ERP functionality to these industrialised construction models, ProjectVIEW enables enterprises to maintain full visibility and cost control.
As Middle Eastern nations accelerate their national visions, construction companies will increasingly depend on cloud ERP ecosystems to meet sustainability, efficiency, and governance objectives. Project-specific ERP systems are not only supporting tools—they are becoming the central command centers of project delivery.
By weaving structured data across the construction lifecycle, project-specific ERP platforms such as ProjectVIEW ERP are enabling contractors in the Middle East to deliver mega projects on time, within budget, and to the highest international standards.
More details on https://www.danaos-projects.com
Technology has been a major enabler of progress
UAE ranks among world’s safest skies with top ICAO score
The UAE has achieved a score of 98.86% in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, placing it among the world’s top performers in aviation safety, according to a new report from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
The GCAA credited this result to strong regulatory oversight, significant investment in human capital, the adoption of advanced technologies, and alignment with global best practices. The findings were shared in a Wam news agency report, underscoring the UAE’s determination to position its aviation sector at the forefront of international safety standards.
As part of its broader efforts to document and share progress, the authority has launched a new series of analytical reports titled A Closer Look: Civil Aviation in the UAE. The most recent edition, Building One of the World’s Safest Skies, highlights milestones in aviation safety and outlines the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
At the core of these achievements is the UAE’s National Aviation Safety Plan (2023–2026). Implemented under the State Safety Programme and aligned with ICAO’s Global Safety Plan, it focuses on reducing operational risks, strengthening oversight, and embedding a safety-first culture across the sector. In 2024 alone, the GCAA carried out more than 900 safety oversight activities, including inspections, licensing, infrastructure checks, and airspace reviews.
Technology has been a major enabler of progress. The authority has rolled out an AI-powered, risk-based oversight system that provides real-time risk dashboards, automated audit prioritisation, and operator self-assessment portals. This system enhances efficiency and regulatory reach without increasing staff numbers, reflecting the UAE’s We the UAE 2031 vision of combining innovation with effective governance.
Other notable initiatives include the Voluntary Reporting System (VORSY), which encourages pilots and operators to report potential hazards, and the Communicable Disease Management Protocol (CAR-CDMP), developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Prevention. This protocol—recognised by both ICAO and the World Health Organization—sets new standards for preventing and managing disease transmission within aviation operations.
The UAE has also assumed a leadership role on the global stage by hosting and organising several high-profile aviation gatherings. These have included the ICAO Conference on Aviation & Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) in 2023, the ICAO RASG-MID meetings in 2024, the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium in 2025, and the Global Sustainable Aviation Market (GSAM) 2025, alongside its annual UAE Aviation Safety Conference.
The GCAA emphasised that safety in the UAE is not treated as a procedural requirement, but as the foundation of aviation operations. It underpins passenger trust, ensures the continuity of air travel, and safeguards lives. The authority stressed that these principles drive every initiative undertaken in the sector, reinforcing the UAE’s position as one of the safest and most trusted aviation hubs in the world.
IRENA will share its latest analysis on the shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics. (Image source: IRENA)
IRENA Council convenes in Abu Dhabi
The 29th meeting of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Council will convene on 11 September in Abu Dhabi, bringing together more than 400 government officials from 169 countries and the European Union.
Over two days, delegates will provide strategic guidance on IRENA’s work programme while tackling critical issues driving the global energy transition.
A central focus will be energy security, with discussions on diversifying supply chains, advancing next-generation technologies, and boosting regional manufacturing capabilities.
IRENA will share its latest analysis on the shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics of renewable energy supply chains, with particular attention to the solar PV sector.
The agenda also includes accelerating investment in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which IRENA highlights as essential to decarbonising long-haul aviation.
The Agency will present new initiatives to support SAF projects and channel financing through its platforms, enabling developers and governments to progress projects from early-stage concepts to bankable ventures.
The meeting will conclude with Members outlining future priorities for IRENA, addressing institutional matters, and preparing for the upcoming 30th session.
“Diverse, resilient and transparent supply chains are essential to achieve the tripling renewable power capacity target by 2030,” said IRENA director-general Francesco La Camera. “While the shift toward renewables is a key enabler for energy security and independence, global supply chains remain concentrated in a few nations. Efforts to diversify them, however, must contend with complex economic realities, making the 29th IRENA Council an important opportunity to advance this discussion collectively.”
In his capacity as 29th IRENA Council Chair, H.E. Mr Francisco Chacón Hernández Ambassador of Costa Rica to the UAE, KSA and Jordan said, "IRENA has been and is a successful, inclusive vehicle of a universe of countries in their quest to find solutions towards a sustainable energy of the future. A future, envisioned to fulfill, in time, human aspirations for shared prosperity to all, the younger generations in particular. As a Costa Rican chair of the 29th Council, topics as energy transition, decarbonisation and renewable energies will be on the forefront of our aims and thoughts. True to our Costa Rican idiosyncrasy, we will never impose. We will seek to listen with respect to all, and team up together to get going, always in good faith."
The residential sector continues to lead the Kingdom’s construction activity. (Image source: dmg events)
Saudi Arabia’s Western region powers US$692bn construction boom
Saudi Arabia’s Western region is driving a construction pipeline worth US$692bn, accounting for 55% of the Kingdom’s US$1.25tn development plan, according to Knight Frank.
The region, led by Jeddah, is seeing projects of unprecedented scale that are reshaping its skyline and positioning it at the centre of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 transformation.
Saudi Arabia’s construction output reached US$141.5bn in 2023, up 4.3% from the previous year, and is forecast to hit US$181.5bn by 2028, making it the largest construction market globally.
In Jeddah, landmark developments include Jeddah Central, a US$19.9bn coastal redevelopment featuring a marina, beaches, museums, a stadium, and 2,700 hotel rooms; Jeddah Tower, set to surpass 1 km in height and become the world’s tallest building; and the restoration of UNESCO-listed Al-Balad.
Additional mega projects such as Jeddah Cove and Airport City further highlight the city’s diverse blend of heritage, commerce, leisure, and infrastructure.
The residential sector continues to lead the Kingdom’s construction activity, accounting for US$43.5bn, or 31% of output in 2023, with projections to reach US$56.9bn by 2028.
Power and utilities follow closely, valued at US$35.1bn in 2023 and expected to rise to US$46.5bn by 2028.
This scale and diversification reflect the breadth of opportunity across the construction ecosystem, opening doors for both local and international companies.
The Western region’s construction boom is also spurring new demand for advanced technologies, expertise, and sustainable practices.
With projects on a scale never seen before in the Kingdom, companies are positioning themselves to align with Vision 2030 objectives, tapping into opportunities ranging from smart urban design and digital construction to offsite solutions and renewable energy integration.
Industry leaders, investors, architects, engineers, and developers are increasingly turning their focus towards Jeddah, where rapid urbanisation and large-scale developments are fuelling demand for cutting-edge products and services.
Amidst all this, Jeddah Construct is to return to the city from 28-30 September.
Jeddah Construct, the largest construction gathering in Saudi Arabia’s Western Province, serves as a vital meeting point for industry professionals, offering three days of networking, business opportunities and knowledge sharing. By drawing influential decision-makers and highlighting top manufacturers and suppliers, the event has become a key destination for those looking to engage with Jeddah’s fast-growing construction sector.
“Jeddah Construct reflects the scale and ambition of the construction market in Saudi Arabia’s Western Province. With significant investment concentrated in the region, the event offers a strategic setting for companies to connect with industry leaders, present their solutions and explore opportunities aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives,” said Muhammed Kazi, senior vice president – construction at dmg events. “It is an environment where the market’s ambitions for growth and the partnerships shaping its future come together.”
Middle East Coatings Show
Venue:
Egypt International Exhibition Centre
Dates:
19 - 21 June 2023
Website:
https://www.middleeastcoatingsshow.com/
19 Jun 23 - 21 Jun 23
Venue:
Egypt International Exhibition Centre
Dates:
19 - 21 June 2023
Website:
https://www.middleeastcoatingsshow.com/