Siemens has been contracted to accomplish the electrical transmission and distribution (T&D) work for the first phase of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).
The SR553-million ($147.15 million) contract was awarded by Emaar, The Economic City (Emaar.E.C), the Tadawul-listed company developing KAEC. The work is scheduled to be completed by 2010.
Fahd Al-Rasheed, board member and CEO, Emaar.E.C, and Christian Selch, CEO, Siemens Saudi Arabia, signed the deal in Jeddah recently.
Speaking on the occasion, Al-Rasheed said: “King Abdullah Economic City has made rapid progress in the development of its various components including the residential units that were launched to overwhelming investor response. Offering the highest infrastructure support is part of our developmental strategy, and Siemens, with its established track record, has the competencies to lay out a world-class transmission and distribution grid to serve the first phase of KAEC.”
Selch commented: “KAEC is one of the largest development projects in the region. Through the contract for T&D work, we are being part of a truly global undertaking. Our aim is to assist the country as it continues to move towards a leading role in the international arena. We are committed to introducing world-class standards and undertaking the work according to schedule.”
The scope of the contract covers laying out 110 kV/13.8 kV electrical substations and transmission infrastructure over the Industrial Zone, Resort Cove and Bay La Sun Village – the first integrated residential community launched in KAEC. The work includes design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of up to three substations and related facilities to ensure seamless power connectivity across the project.
Siemens will also undertake the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning work for 110 kV cable connections from the Industrial Zone substation to Resort Cove substation and from Resort Cove substation to Bay La Sun Village substation.
King Abdullah Economic City is situated on 168 million sq m of land on the Red Sea coast. The mega-project features six zones – the Sea Port, Industrial Zone, Central Business District, Educational Zone, Resort District and Residential Communities.
The first phase of the project including the Industrial Zone, Sea Port and Residential Communities has been launched, and work is progressing on schedule.