The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) has awarded a contract to global engineering firm Mott MacDonald to determine the optimal sustainable vehicle and fleet configuration at the destination
The appointment of Mott MacDonald is a significant development in the roll out of Phase One, which is currently underway.
Mott MacDonald will deliver a comprehensive analysis about the total land, sea and air transport needs for The Red Sea Project, from its opening in 2022, to its completion in 2030. The analysis will also highlight a strategy for destination-wide clean mobility; which can be accomplished using electric and hydrogen vehicles, boats and aircrafts.
The engineering firm will need to identify charging stations for electric and hydrogen vehicles, and assess a fleet of e-bikes, golf buggies, cars, vans, trucks, buses, seaplanes, helicopters, VTOL, passenger ferries, boats, maintenance vehicles, airside vehicles and off-road leisure pursuit vehicles, which are supposed to run solely on renewable energy. Mott MacDonald will also propose the best fleet propulsion systems from a range of available sustainable options.
John Pagano, CEO of TRSDC, said, ?We believe that environmental regeneration and commercial development do not have to be mutually exclusive. Our destination is one of extraordinary natural beauty, which we have a responsibility to protect and enhance for future generations.?
?We?re looking forward to working with Mott MacDonald, who are well aligned with our strong sustainability ambitions to deliver a green mobility plan and will support us with our commitment to become a carbon neutral destination,? he added.
Chris Seymour, Middle East managing director at Mott MacDonald, added, ?At Mott MacDonald, we embed the key aspects of sustainable development into all our projects and business activities. Sustainable development is a matter of making choices and decisions that satisfy all relevant social, economic and environmental concerns, and is an area where TRSDC is setting new standards. We?re looking forward to being part of shaping this beautiful destination and supporting TRSDC?s progressive sustainability initiatives.?
As a part of TRSDC?s commitment to go beyond sustainability, the project will be powered with 100% renewable energy, 24 hours a day, via solar and wind power; an endeavour which has not been achieved on a project of this scale before.
TRSDC is investing in a number of innovative nature-based solutions throughout the construction process, to prevent environmental damage and positively contribute to the area?s delicate ecosystems. A central part of this approach is the aim to increase the project?s net conservation benefit by 30% by 2040.
To keep up with the development of its sustainable management plan, TRSDC will be partnering with leading vendors who have shown a commitment towards innovation and sustainability.
Despite COVID-19 related disruptions in 2020, approximately 500 contracts have been awarded so far, at a value of nearly US$3.2bn, which is set to rise to US$4bn by the end of 2020.
The project has surpassed significant milestones and work remains on track to welcome the first guests by the end of 2022, when the international airport and the first four hotels will open. The remaining 12 hotels scheduled for completion in Phase One will open in 2023, delivering a total of 3,000 rooms across five islands and two inland resorts.
Upon completion in 2030, the Destination will include 50 hotels offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and 1,300 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites.
