Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Company (Sadafco) has started using a photovoltaic (PV)-diesel hybrid system at its Riyadh Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) that can deliver up to 40 per cent of the facility’s daytime energy requirements.

Several foreign engineering companies have bid to build Saudi Aramco’s clean fuels project at the state oil giant’s Ras Tanura refinery. The $2-billion-plus scheme will remove sulphur from refined oil products and is part of a drive by the kingdom to meet stricter environmental standards in export markets, Reuters reported.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Development is expected to launch a major housing project for social security beneficiaries and others in need of housing support, said a report.

Saudi Arabia has issued draft rules for exchange-listed real estate funds in a bid to draw more private investors into its housing sector. The Capital Market Authority published the draft rules last month for “real estate investment traded funds” ahead of a final version of the regulations.

Firms in race to manage office Several international companies have submitted bids for a consultancy contract to manage Saudi Arabia’s National Project Management Office, as part of an effort to keep state spending under control, a report said.

D’Appolonia, the independent engineering consulting company of Rina Group, is currently working on the design of a new five-star heritage hotel in the historical Samhan district of Ad’Diriyah in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia is studying a proposal to employ 3D printing techniques in the construction of homes through a collaboration with a Chinese company. This follows the visit of a delegation from China’s WinSun to Riyadh last month to discuss construction using 3D printing technology, the report in www.3ders.org said.

Al Salem Johnson Controls, a leading provider of integrated heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) solutions and equipment, has highlighted its ability to provide best solutions to customers in power emergency situations.

Qatar’s Barwa Real Estate, one of the Gulf Arab state’s largest listed developers, has bought a vacant plot of land in Riyadh for SR659.28 million ($175.8 million). It did not give the name of the seller of the 2.22-million-sq-m plot.