Consultancy Services for Preparation of Off-Grid Investment Plan for Ethiopia

Consultancy Services for Preparation of Off-Grid Investment Plan for Ethiopia

To support the implementation of the off-grid rural electrification activities, the Ministry invites eligible consulting firms to submit their interest in providing the assignments described below.

*Compile background information on the country's renewable energy sector overview.

2. PREPARATION OF FINAL OFF-GRID INVESTMENT PLAN FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

*Prepare the draft and final Off-grid Investment Plan for Rural Electrification Development by developing renewable energy in Ethiopia, based on the findings analysis and the consultations with key stakeholders.

Expected Qualifications of Service Providers:

Submission of EOI need to be through legally recognized firms/organizations. MoWIE is looking for consulting firm with deep knowledge of and experience in relevant national and/or regional and/or national best practices. Interested consulting firm must provide information indicating that it is qualified to perform the services (including brochures, description of similar assignments performed, experience in similar operating conditions, availability of appropriate experience and professional qualifications among firm's staff including CV's of professionals and resources to carry out the assignment, organizational administrative strength and financial capability, etc.). Firms can apply individually or in association with one or more other firms. In case of the latter, the lead firm must be clearly indicated. If short-listed, the association will be invited to submit full proposals only through the lead firm.

The Expression of Interest shall be in English.

A consultant will be selected in accordance with Public Procurement & Property Administration Agency of Ethiopia Guidelines & Manuals: Standard Request for Proposals (RFP) For Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS), July 2011.

Only short - listed candidates will be contacted.

Ministry of Water, Irrigation & Energy

Consultancy Services for Detailed Engineering Designs and Preparation of Tender Documents for Water Supply Works in Kibondo and Kakonko Townships, Tanzania

2. The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania has received financial assistance from Development Partners toward the cost of the Water Sector Development Program (WSDP)and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consultancy services. The services include: Detailed Engineering Designs and Preparation of Tender Documents for Water Supply Works in Kibondo and Kakonko townships

26 January 2014, By Jeff Florian

Sezai Turkes-Feyzi Akkaya to refurbish coastal road

Oman’s Transport and Communications Ministry has awarded a RO41.9m ($109m) contract to Turkey’s Sezai Turkes-Feyzi Akkaya (STFA) for a contract covering the improvement of the Khasab to Tibat coastal road.

The ministry had received nine bids for the contract, with STFA submitting the lowest bid. The deadline for submission of bids was 14 January 2013.

Khasab is the capital city of Musandam, an enclave of Oman separated from the rest of the sultanate by the UAE. The road from Khasab runs along the peninsula to the town of Tibat, toward the border with Ras al-Khaimah.

Before the coastal road was built, access to the area was almost impossible by land. The peninsula is now becoming an attractive tourist destination, particularly for those living in the UAE.

Oman has recently issued a flurry of large road contracts as it looks to bolster its economy by developing more modern and integrated transport infrastructure. The government has earmarked $8bn for the construction of 12,704 km of road projects as land transport continues to be the main means of getting around the sultanate.

26 January 2014, By Jeff Florian

New five-star hotel will be built in Jabal al-Akhdar

Dubai-based Alec has won a $53m contract to build a luxury hotel on Jabal al-Akhdar in Oman.

The Jabal Akhdar Anantara Hotel Resort & Spa will be the second five star hotel to be developed in the resort destination.

Oman-based Services & Trade Company (S&T) is Alec’s joint venture partner in the execution of the project. Engineering Innovation Design & Consulting (EIDC) are the design consultants, while Driver Consult Oman are the quantity surveyors.

The resort, which is a 50/50 joint venture between the government tourism investment company Omran and privately owned Musstir, is currently under construction adjoining the Al-Baleed Unesco World Heritage archaeological site in Salalah. It will feature 30 hotel rooms located in a central hotel building, 106 pool villas, health spa, recreational facilities and specialty restaurant.

Singapore-based Alila Hotels & Resorts has been selected to operate the property. 

24 January 2014

Japanese contractor Shimizu has secured a $189.8 million civil contract from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Singapore for the construction of new tunnels along the Thomson MRT Line.

The new Thomson Line tunnels will connect the Seletar Expressway/Woodlands Avenue 12 to Springleaf Station.

Construction of the tunnels is expected to commence from the first quarter of 2014 and slated to be completed in 2020.

Thomson Line tunnels will be 30 kilometres long and are expected to improve rail connectivity in the north-south corridors to the Central Business District (CBD) and developments in the Marina Bay area.

The fully underground tunnels feature 22 stations along with six interchange stations including Woodlands, Caldecott, Stevens, Orchard, Outram Park and Marina Bay.

Earlier, Shimizu had assisted in the design, construction and completion of Circle Line/Downtown Line 1 tunnels undercrossing Marina Bay Reservoir.

22 January 2014, By Colin Foreman

Project involves building four bridges

The local/Belgian Six Construct Abu Dhabi has been awarded a AED330m ($90m) contract for the construction of bridges connecting Maryah Island with Abu Dhabi Island and Reem Island.

The four bridges, which are basic crossings known as bridges 3, 4,10 and 11, were tendered last year. They have been planned by the project client, state-owned Mubadala Development Company, for a number of years. In 2009, they were tendered as bridges that would become architectural icons for the city. Those tenders were then cancelled and the scheme stalled.

Six Construct is already working on Maryah Island, which used to be known as Sowwah Island. In 2010, the firm was, in joint venture with South Korea’s Samsung C&T, awarded the estimated AED4.7bn deal to build Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

20 January 2014, By Jeff Florian

Red Sea Astrarium to be located in Aqaba

Dubai-based Arabtec Construction has won a AED5.7bn ($1.55bn) contract for construction of Jordan’s first themed tourist destination.

The Red Sea Astrarium will be an integrated entertainment, hospitality, and leisure resort located in Aqaba. Spanning 184 acres, the development will offer four international luxury hotels offering over 2,000 rooms. These include a themed boutique hotel, a 5 star hotel, a family leisure hotel, and a hotel specialising in meetings and conferences.

The entertainment park will also feature retail, dining and entertainment waterfronts overlooking a man-made lagoon. The waterfronts will have a number of unique entertainment attractions including a 4D cinema, Adventure Centre, Theatre, Water park and a signature Star Trek immersive experience, created in collaboration with Paramount Parks & Resorts and CBS Consumer Products.

“We are pleased to be involved in this important project which will further boost the Jordanian economy and enhance the country’s attraction as a tourist destination,” says Hasan Abdullah Ismaik, managing director and chief executive officer of Arabtec Holding. “We are already actively involved in two major projects in Jordan and look forward to expanding our presence there to take advantage of Jordan’s huge potential.”

The UK’s Arup will perform infrastructure design and engineering works on the project, while US-based architectural firm Callison has been engaged to work with locally headquartered Rubicon Group Holding and its team, including Paramount Parks & Resorts and CBS Consumer Products, to masterplan and create a world class destination resort.

Construction work on the project is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2014, with the third quarter of 2017 targeted as the soft opening date. A ground-breaking ceremony for the development was held last May.

Arabtec is currently working on two projects in Jordan: the St. Regis Amman hotel and phase one of Saraya Aqaba development. The latter project includes four international hotels managed by Jumeirah International and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide as well as Souk Saraya, a beach club, offices, a convention centre and Wild Wadi water park, in addition to a part of the residential units, infrastructure, utility buildings and staff accommodation.

The contract for the Red Sea Astrarium pushes Arabtec’s backlog to nearly AED40bn, the company says.
Hill wins contract for Bahrain International airport project

19 January 2014, By Jeff Florian

Hill to manage modernisation programme at Bahrain International

Bahrain’s Transportation Ministry has awarded a BD6.9m ($18.3m) contract to US-based Hill International to provide project management consultancy (PMC) services for the ministry’s airport modernisation programme.

The programme, which has been developed by the ministry and Bahrain Airport Company, aims to improve the infrastructure and services at Bahrain International airport. When completed, the programme is expected to increase the airport’s capacity to 13.5 million passengers a year. 

“We are delighted to be appointed for this vital project,” says Mohammed al-Rais, senior vice-president and managing director Middle East at Hill International. “We are fully committed to the quality and time scale of this development, while adhering to the best international standards.” 

Hill “Today, our biggest projects are public-sector infrastructure schemes, public buildings, airports, railways, hospitals and schools, and I don’t see any change in that [strategy in future],” said Richter. “I think we will see a little more private-sector development, but governments will continue to spend significant amounts of money on infrastructure for their people.”
Arabtec secures $1.55 billion Jordan resort contract

21 January 2014

The themed entertainment park, which is being developed by an international fund, Red Sea Astrarium, will be home to four hotels offering more than 2,000 rooms.

Other facilities include a themed hotel, a 5 star hotel, a family leisure hotel, and a hotel specialising in meetings and conferences.

The entertainment park will also feature retail, dining and entertainment waterfronts overlooking a man-made lagoon and constituting the cultural and social hearts of the Astrarium.

The waterfronts will feature a 4D cinema, adventure centre, theatre, water park and a Star Trek immersive experience, created in collaboration with Paramount Parks & Resorts and CBS Consumer Products.

Other facilities of the park include the 'Hijazi' and 'Hanging Gardens' that are a horticulturist's dream; a water feature; and the 'Summit' building, which will house eight different entertainment attractions.

Arup will undertake the infrastructure design and engineering, while architectural firm Callison will work with Rubicon Group Holding and its team of visionaries, including Paramount Parks & Resorts and CBS Consumer Products, to master plan and create the resort.

Construction work on the project is due to start in the third quarter of 2014 and complete by the third quarter of 2017.

17 January 2014

The mixed use scheme will be constructed on a 32,000m² plot with a built up area of about 350,000 m², and will be part of Al Reem Island project.

The mixed-use scheme will house a 61-storey residential tower featuring 613 furnished apartments and a 15 storey C-shaped tower comprising a five star hotel with 400 guest rooms and 200 serviced apartments.

Both the towers will be connected by a ballroom and retail block of 4,600 m² in area, while the project includes a 3,275m² food and beverage space as well as 3,795m² function space.

Arabtec Holding managing director and CEO Hasan Abdullah Ismaik said the company has been actively involved in delivering a host of infrastructural, tourist and cultural projects that constitute some of the major components of Abu Dhabi's urban evolution as envisaged in Plan Abu Dhabi 2030.

"We are proud to continue our long-time contribution to the urban development of Abu Dhabi,"

"We are confident that 2014 will be a special year not only in terms of new awards but also with regard to the progress of implementation of our growth strategy and the striking of more local and international partnerships to take Arabtec to higher levels of success."

The construction work on the project is scheduled to start during the first quarter of 2014 and is expected to be completed in 36 months thereafter.

AECOM wins Tseung Kwan O–Lam Tin Tunnel project in Hong Kong

16 January 2014

AECOM Technology has secured $116 million contract to provide consultancy for the Tseung Kwan O - Lam Tin (TKO-LT) Tunnel project in Hong Kong.

The contracts include an about $13 million consultancy contract for the design and $103 million contract for construction supervision of the TKO-LT Tunnel project.

TKO-LT Tunnel will feature a 2.6 mile two-lane highway between Tseung Kwan O (TKO) at Po Shun Road in the east and the proposed Trunk Road T2 in Kai Tak Development in the west.

AECOM chairman and chief executive officer John Dionisio said since 2009, the company has been involved in the planning of this project, providing preliminary design and other services.

"We are very proud to be able to contribute to the project's next phase," Dionisio added.

After completion, the tunnel along with the Central Kowloon Route and Trunk Road T2 will become part of the city's Route 6, which would be an east-west express link between the West Kowloon and TKO areas.

Route 6 is expected to cut down the transit time between West Kowloon and TKO from the current 30 minutes to 12 minutes

Kuwait approves local firm for $151m pipeline deal

16 January 2014, By Adal Mirza

Kuwait Oil Company to build new crude oil flowlines across the country

Kuwait’s Central Tenders Committee (CTC) has approved the local Heavy Engineering Industries & Shipbuilding Company (Heisco) for a KD42.9m ($151m) contract to build crude oil flow lines in the west of the country.

The deal was approved on 25 December. A contract is now expected to be signed with the client, state-upstream operator Kuwait Oil Company (KOC).

Heisco submitted the lowest bid for the deal in mid-October, beating rival proposals from eight other firms.

It also bid for a separate deal to build flowlines in the southeast of Kuwait, although its price came in third place to the local Mechanical Engineering & Contracting Company, and Combined Group Contracting Company.

Dubai prepares to appoint advisers for metro extensions

16 December 2013, By Colin Foreman

Role covers extensions to the Red and Green lines

Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) is expected to appoint an external adviser to explore its options for funding the extensions of the Red and Green lines of the city’s metro in early 2014.

At least eight firms are understood to be competing for the role. They are:

• 
  EY (formerly Ernst & Young) (UK)/Atkins (UK)
  
• 
  KPMG (Netherlands)
  
• 
  Deloitte (US)/Arup (UK)
  
• 
  PwC (UK)
  
• 
  Jones Lang LaSalle (US)
  
• 
  Colliers International (US)
  
• 
  CBRE (US)
  
• 
  Booz & Co (US)
  

Another extension to the Red Line is also being planned by the RTA as it begins to prepare for Dubai Expo in 2020. Two alignments are understood to be under consideration. They are a spur line that will be part of the existing Red line and will also create options for stations at existing residential and industrial areas not currently on the metro network. That option will involve a section of the Red line running from the metro car park at Nakheel Harbour and Tower station, past Discovery Gardens, the Green Community, and Dubai Investment Park, before heading out to the expo site next to the new airport.

Another alignment being considered is an extension to the Red Line beyond Jebel Ali that will head inland to the Expo site. Although cheaper to deliver, this solution would mean longer journey times to the Expo, and would not provide the opportunity to build new stations for existing centres of population and industry.

The existing Dubai Metro was financed directly by the government, but as a result of the collapse of the emirate’s economy in 2009, it was left unable to pay contractors on the project. As a result, it reached a deal with the contractors to pay them in installments up to 2017. The financial crisis also prompted the government to focus on reducing its budget deficit and curtailing direct spending on infrastructure.

The RTA is also seeking private-sector funding for a real estate development around the Union Square metro station in Deira.

The project is intended to be developed as a PPP between the RTA and a private developer. A procurement process to select a suitable developer is due to start next year.

Referred to as the Union Oasis, the scheme is modelled as a Transit Oriented Development (TOD), a concept that aims to maximise the area surrounding transport hubs, with an aim of increasing usage of the nearby trains, metros and buses.

Union station is one of the busiest stations on the Dubai Metro network, as it is where the Red and Green rail lines cross. It is also close to Dubai Creek and has connections with water taxis and local buses. The development of the area surrounding the station is expected to encourage more people to use public transport, as well as regenerate the Deira area, which lies at the heart of old Dubai.

EY is the financial adviser on the project and has conducted a feasibility study into the development, while Atkins has acted as technical adviser and has drawn up the initial architectural designs.

Local firm wins $157m contract for Kuwait ministries complex

15 January 2014, By Jeff Florian

First United Trading & Contracting Company to renovate development

The local First United Trading & Contracting Company has won a $157m contract for the ministries complex in Kuwait.

The complex is located in Kuwait City and spans 19 blocks, accommodating various ministry offices above two levels of basement car parking. The scope of work involves constructing and renovating buildings that no longer meet the requirements of the ministry.

The second-lowest bidder was a joint venture of the local Al-Sager General Trading & Contracting and India’s Shapoorji Pallonji, with a price of $173m, followed by Kuwait’s Combined Group Contracting Company with a bid of $196m.

The scheme was first tendered in 2012, and a joint venture of Kuwait Company for Process Plant Construction & Contracting and Project Dynamics UK was the preferred bidder for the contract. But the deal was cancelled for unknown reasons.  
Contractor wins Dubai theme park construction deal

• 
  15 January 2014, By Colin Foreman
  

The local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Construct has been awarded an estimated AED125m ($34m) contract to build a new theme park in Dubai.

The project, known as Hub Zero, will be built in the Satwa area close to Sheikh Zayed Road and the Downtown Burj Khalifa development.

Bel Hasa Six Construct’s contract involves the construction of the building that will house the theme park. The local Riva Group of Companies is delivering the rides and attractions.

The project will be built behind Meraas’ Avenue development. The local/UK Al-Futtaim Carillion was awarded the contract to build the first phase of the scheme in December 2011.

The three-phase retail development will be spread over 1.1 kilometres and will be built on the crossroads of Al-Wasl Road and Safa Road. The consultant for the scheme is the local Dewan Architects & Engineers.

14 January 2014, By Jeff Florian

Arabtec to build a mixed-use development on Reem Island in Abu Dhabi

Arabtec Holding has announced that it has won a AED2.59bn ($706m) contract to build a mixed-use development on Abu Dhabi’s Reem Island.

The project, which was awarded to its subsidiary Arabtec Construction, will house a 61-storey residential tower, featuring 613 furnished apartments and 15-storey C-shaped tower that will host a five-star hotel offering 400 guest rooms and 200 serviced apartments. The two towers will be connected by a ballroom and retail block extending 4,600 square metres in area.

Construction work on the project, designed by the Architecture and Planning Group, is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2014 and will take 36 months to complete.

With the new contract, Arabtec said its backlog in 2013 crossed AED33bn, a record for the company.

Arabtec has more than $8bn-worth of ongoing projects on its books, including construction of a branch of France’s Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi.

In December, Abu Dhabi General Services (Musanada) awarded a $1.2bn contract to a consortium of Arabtec and Spain’s Constructora San Jose to build the New Al-Ain hospital.

In November, Arabtec won a $490m contract for the construction of a 77-storey mixed-use tower on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. The tower will be 369 metres tall and will comprise more than 22,000 square metres of office space on 18 floors, and 908 sq m of retail area. It will also include a 350-room hotel and 83 serviced apartments, as well as 180 apartments.

The company also secured work on a hotel project in Dubai in October when it was awarded a contract to build the final phase of the Tiara Hotel on Palm Jumeirah. The 332-room hotel project comprises two mixed-use towers, including a dedicated 216-room hotel and 116 residential apartments
DP World awards Jebel Ali port construction deal

14 January 2014, By Colin Foreman

Contract involves building access to the new Terminal 4

Local port operator DP World has awarded Bam International of the Netherlands the estimated AED370m ($100m) contract to design and build the causeway, bridge and quay wall serving the future Terminal 4 at Dubai’s Jebel Ali port.

The scope of the contract includes the construction of 400 metres of quay wall. It also includes a 420-metre bridge and causeway to link the new terminal being built on an island of reclaimed land to the main port.

Two other firms were competing for the contract. They were the local/Belgian Belhasa Six Construct and India’s Afcons.

The deal is the first major contract to be awarded at Jebel Ali port since 2012, when a joint venture of Japan’s Toa and France’s Soletanche Bachy was selected for the AED700m ($190m) contract to build Terminal 3 at Jebel Ali port in May. The terminal will add 4 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of capacity to the port when it is completed in 2014.

The expansion of Terminal 2 was completed in late June. Archirodon Construction won the AED150m contract to expand the terminal in February 2012. The expansion of Terminal 2 adds a further 1 million TEUs, and by 2014, the port will have a total capacity of 19 million TEUs.

The reclaimed island intended to be used for Terminal 4 has the potential to add a further 10 million TEUs to the overall long-term port capacity.
Perkins & Will wins design contract for Riyadh hotel

8 January 2014, By Jeff Florian

US firm to work on five-star hotel in city’s diplomatic quarter

Saudi Hotel and Resorts Company (Sharaco) has awarded a contract to the US-based Perkins & Will for the design of a five-star hotel in Riyadh.

The low-rise, four-story structure, which has a built-up area of 40,000 square metres, is located in the city’s diplomatic quarter.

The firm said the design of the hotel is inspired by a variety of local influences including the natural environment and Saudi culture.

“We are thrilled to have been selected for this high-profile project, which highlights our growing capability in the region for hospitality schemes,” says Steve Charlton, managing director at Perkins & Will’s Dubai office.

The hotel is due for completion in 2016

8 January 2014

Over $7bn awarded in December in the Middle East

There were two individual contract awards in December that topped $1bn. The largest was the $1.4bn deal secured by South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries for the construction of the power plant component of Kuwait’s first private power and water scheme.

Hyundai will build the gas-fired 1,500MW, combined-cycle power plant, while Sidem will build the 107 million gallons a day (g/d) desalination component of the Al-Zour North project. The consortium is scheduled to complete the construction of the Independent Water and Power Project (IWPP) in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Hyundai and Sidem signed contracts with Shamal Al-Zour Al-Oula, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) company awarded the contract to build and operate the Al-Zour project, on 12 December, the same day the project company signed the energy conversion and water purchase agreement (ECWPA) with Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW).

The other $1bn-plus award was secured by a joint venture of UAE-based Arabtec Construction and Spain’s Constructora San Jose. They won a $1.2bn contract from Abu Dhabi General Services (Musanada) for the construction of the New Al-Ain hospital in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Musanada is now the largest construction client in Abu Dhabi after the emirate’s executive council decided earlier in 2013 to make it responsible for the delivery of all capital expenditure projects outside the oil and gas and utilities sectors. Also in December, Musanada awarded two contracts totalling $582m for the construction of the new highway connecting Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Ghantoot Transport & General Contracting Establishment won one of the deals, while a joint venture of Tristar Engineering & Construction and Italy’s Salini Costruttori won the other,

The only other contract valued at more than $500m was secured by Saudi Arabia’s El-Seif Engineering Contracting Company for work on the security compounds network programme.

The $667m contract is for phase 2a and involves the development of seven security complexes across Saudi Arabia.