Gulf Construction Online

Regional News

Update

01 August 2002

Barka plant nears completion

Muscat: The $411 million Barka power and desalination plant in Oman is likely to be commissioned early next year.

AES Corp of the US and a local company are developing the 427.36 MW power and 20-million-gallons-per-day desalination project on a build, own and operate (BOO) basis with a 15-year concession from the Omani government.

According to an official at AES Barka Power Company, a subsidiary of the American company, the desal unit will become operational by end of March next year. A trial run is scheduled by December this year.

When commissioned, the project will augment the power and water supply in Batinah and Muscat.

Power plant bids date extended

Dubai: The deadline for submission of bids to build Jebel Ali 'L' power plant with a capacity of 650-750 MW in the UAE emirate of Dubai has been pushed back by another month or so, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) general manager Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer said.

The tender process, which had opened last month, was initially expected to close by August 26. Al Tayer said so far 42 parties have taken up the tender documents.

The project also involves the establishment of a water desalination plant with a capacity of 70 million gallons per day. The first phase of the project is to be ready by end-2003. The station would be built at Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone as part of the emirate's master network plan. Dewa said the project will be divided into four packages.

Jebel Ali units nearly complete

Dubai: More than 3,800 housing units are nearing completion at Dubai's Jebel Ali Village, where a complete neighbourhood is being developed for residents. The first phase of The Gardens, developed by Jebel Ali Properties, has 3,828 flats with one to three bedrooms. Over 1,400 have already been rented out, Jebel Ali Property managing director Saif Sultan Al Shamsi said.

The rest of the 220-hectare project will be offered once the interiors and finishing touches on the landscaping works are completed in September this year.

Al Shamsi said the119-building community will have all the facilities including parks, shopping complexes, schools, hospitals, swimming pools, clubs, gymnasium and playground."We are also building 208 luxury villas for tenants with all the latest amenities," he said.

Khatib and Alami is the consultant for the project, while the 119 buildings are being built by Obaidulla Constructions, Saleh Constructions, Fujairah National Construction and Al Sahel Contracting.