ACCIONA awarded the operation and maintenance of Gabal El Asfar wastewater treatment plant in Egypt
Operations & Maintenance ACCIONA awarded the operation and maintenance of Gabal El Asfar wastewater treatment plant in Egypt
By
The Gabal El Asfar facility is the largest of its kind in Africa and the Middle East, and the third largest globally by treatment capacity
ACCIONA as part of a consortium with DHCU has been selected by the Construction Authority for Potable Water and Wastewater (CAPW) in Cairo, Egypt, to manage the operation and maintenance of Phase II of the Gabal El Asfar wastewater treatment complex for eight years.
The US $37.45mn contract covers the execution of various rehabilitation works and upgrades on two plants of the complex, each with a daily capacity of 500,000m3. Gabal El Asfar, the largest wastewater treatment facility in Africa and the Middle East, and the third largest globally with a daily treatment capacity of 2.5Hm3, serves the eastern part of Cairo, home to eight million people, said a statement.
ACCIONA was awarded the contract in 2013 for the design, construction, and commissioning of an expansion of Gabal El Asfar, increasing its daily treatment capacity by 500,000m3. In 2022, ACCIONA, in collaboration with DHCU, secured the contract to operate, maintain, and improve Phase I of the oldest wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of the complex, with a daily capacity of 1.5 Hm3.
ACCIONA, in partnership with CAPW, has also been involved in the operation of the water infrastructure for the upper-level water supply network in New Cairo, a satellite city of Cairo approximately 30km east of the capital. This contract encompasses the collection of water from the Nile River, its transportation to a drinking water treatment plant, treatment, and subsequent storage before distribution to consumers.
Beyond Gabal El Asfar, ACCIONA said that it has been instrumental in constructing five other drinking water treatment plants across Egypt, including Almerya, Rod el Farag, Mostorod, North Helwan I, and North Helwan II. These plants collectively have a total daily treatment capacity exceeding 600,000m3, serving an estimated population of over six million.
ACCIONA's engineering extends to the Bahr Al Baqr WWTP in northwestern Egypt, equipped with advanced processes that produce quality water for the irrigation of local crops. This plant boasts a daily treatment capacity of 5.6Hm3. The company currently operates wastewater treatment plants in Abnoub-El Fath (80,000m3/day), Sodfa-El Ghanayem (30,000m3/day), El Ayat (30,000m3/day), and Abu Simbel (6,000m3/day).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
2 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Vietnam Champions UAE-Backed Blockchain for National Finance
Vietnam's Techsmart Telecom, the Institute of Information Technology and CyberSecurity, UAE's Venom Foundation and Abu Dhabi's GS Fund have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance a sovereign digital finance framework. The scheme centres on a national Data Centre, supervised stablecoin issuance, cross-border settlement infrastructure, cybersecurity protocols and fintech training—a landmark convergence of telecom, blockchain, finance and security sectors. The agreement mandates Venom Foundation's sovereign-grade Layer‑0 blockchain be deployed in Vietnam. The foundation, already liaising with central banks across Southeast Asia—including Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam—will integrate ISO 20022 messaging, on‑chain KYC/AML, real-time settlements and asset tokenisation capabilities into the system. GS Fund will spearhead the data centre's construction under a stable legal and economic regime, while IITCS tackles regulatory framework, compliance and talent development, and Techsmart manages connectivity and integration. Work in the initial phase, set for the next 12 months, will prioritise the technical architecture, legal foundations and national infrastructure planning. Vietnam's demographic profile—a young, technologically literate population—and its expanding cross-border fintech activities are seen as key enablers for asset tokenisation, according to Venom Foundation. Dr Hoang Phuoc Thuan of IITCS highlighted Resolution 57's role in connecting sovereign data ambitions with e‑government and AI development. ADVERTISEMENT This public–private partnership reflects Vietnam's Digital Infrastructure Strategy, which targets universal fibre, extensive 5G coverage and advanced data centre roll-out by 2030. Venom's Layer‑0 blockchain—already piloted in the Philippines with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas—cements institutional-grade readiness for programmable finance and asset digitisation. Regulatory progress has been underway since March's Prime Ministerial directive, with the Ministry of Finance and State Bank of Vietnam tasked to propose a Digital Technology Infrastructure law, introduce regulated sandboxes and pilot a crypto framework by May 2025. Amid this, Vietnam's digital asset market has grown substantially—around 17 million citizens currently hold crypto assets valued at over US $100 billion—placing the country in the top five worldwide for individual interest and top three in trading volume. Issues remain unresolved: incomplete guidelines on exchange licensing, asset categorisation and customer protection have placed Vietnam on the Financial Action Task Force's grey list. Integrating blockchain with conventional banking operations—spanning accounting, risk management and cybersecurity—also poses significant implementation hurdles. Further reinforcing policy alignment, the Vietnam Blockchain Association and One Mount Group—members of the VBA—have pledged between US $200 million and US $500 million to establish a sovereign Layer‑1 blockchain, complying with Prime Ministerial Directive 05/CT‑TTg. The final vision foresees multi-year rollout phases extending beyond initial legal and technical milestones to encompass digital payments, reduced reliance on physical cash, strengthened cybersecurity via distributed ledgers, and expanded fintech education for government and private sectors under IITCS guidance.
Arabian Post
4 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Radisson's Bold Saudi Push Drives Middle East Footprint Surge
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Radisson Hotel Group has ramped up its presence in Saudi Arabia, now anchoring half of its Middle East portfolio within the Kingdom, a senior company executive confirmed amidst the Future Hospitality Summit in Riyadh. With 50 of the group's 100 regional properties either operational or under construction based in Saudi Arabia, the expansion underscores its strategic prioritisation of the country's ambitious hospitality landscape. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer at Radisson, described Saudi Arabia as 'one of the top five countries for us globally.' Of the 50 properties, 30 are already open, while 20 are at various stages of construction. The current pipeline, spanning the next three to four years, includes these 20 projects, with another 30 slated for completion over the next four years, collectively offering approximately 4,000 to 5,000 new rooms and generating some 5,000 jobs. ADVERTISEMENT This expansion aligns with the Kingdom's target to add more than 362,000 hotel rooms by 2030, backed by a US$110 billion investment as part of its Vision 2030 diversification drive. Radisson is strategically deploying a mix of brands across segments. Younes outlined plans for another 10–15 Radisson Blu properties and four to five more under its luxury Radisson Collection label in cities including Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah. Smaller priors in secondary cities are also on the radar for core four‑star Radisson properties. Recent openings include Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Riyadh Minhal, and Radisson Hotel Madinah— the group's first presence in the holy city of Madinah. Additional launches planned this year include Radisson Blu Hotel Riyadh Al Sahafa and Radisson Hotel Jeddah Tahlia Street in Q2, followed by Radisson Collection Residence Riyadh and Radisson Hotel & Residences Makkah Thakher City in Q4, all designed to capture the religious and leisure tourism surge. Radisson is also forging partnerships with Saudi entities. A landmark deal with Knowledge Economic City in Madinah will introduce a Park Inn by Radisson in the Islamic World District. Meanwhile, a Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Tourism Authority—signed at the Arabian Travel Market—demonstrates deep engagement within the local ecosystem. The group remains on track to grow its Middle East network to 150 hotels, resorts and serviced apartments by 2030, building on a record-breaking global performance in 2024. Younes emphasises the tailored approach: blending its Scandinavian-inspired hospitality with regional traditions and integrating wellness, eco-friendly features and entertainment to appeal to evolving guest preferences, as detailed by Development Director Ayman Ezzeddine at the Riyadh summit. Analysis by regional consultants underscores the significance of Radisson's strategy. Analysts note that by allocating half of its current Middle East portfolio to Saudi Arabia, Radisson demonstrates confidence in the Kingdom's tourism transformation. Its focus on both high-volume mid-market and luxury segments positions it to tap demand from business travellers, pilgrims and upscale visitors alike amid government incentives and infrastructure investments. Radisson's move is also in step with ongoing giga‑projects such as Amaala, the Red Sea Project and Rua Al Madinah, each aimed at hosting millions of tourists and pilgrims by 2030. These projects feature world-class hotels, resorts and cultural infrastructure, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's status as a global hospitality hub.
Arabian Post
4 hours ago
- Arabian Post
ADNOC's Bold Bid for Santos Faces Regulatory ‘Energy Security' Test
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, via its XRG investment arm, has launched an A$8.89‑per‑share all‑cash takeover offer worth roughly US$18.7 billion for Santos, Australia's second‑largest gas producer. The bid has ignited intense scrutiny from Australian regulators concerned about safeguarding domestic gas supply and securing critical infrastructure. Simultaneously, XRG has pledged to accelerate key gas‑project development, a strategy aimed at wining over skeptical authorities and stakeholders. The takeover offer emerges at a pivotal moment: Santos' shares closed at A$7.73 following the announcement, indicating investor scepticism over regulatory clearance, even as the A$8.89 bid reflects a healthy 28 per cent premium. Jamie Hannah, deputy head at VanEck Australia, acknowledged that while the path ahead 'is not going to be smooth sailing', the 'very attractive' straight‑cash offer underscores its appeal. ADVERTISEMENT Regulatory risk centres on the critical role Santos plays in Australia's energy system. The firm possesses about 5 per cent of eastern and 24 per cent of western domestic gas market share, essential for supplying both export and local needs. Analysts warn that the Foreign Investment Review Board, charged with vetting significant foreign acquisitions, will scrutinise ADNOC's control over gas assets, particularly given concerns of an east‑coast gas shortfall projected by 2027. Yet ADNOC is banking on its deep financial resources to tip the scales. XRG has emphasised it can fast‑track Santos' stalled projects, such as Narrabri and Beetaloo, pledging to develop them faster and more robustly than Santos' previous plan to boost shareholder returns. UBS's Tom Allen highlighted this strength, saying regulators may view ADNOC's funding as a delivery mechanism for the gas Australia needs. The layered bid comes from a consortium that includes not only ADNOC's XRG, but also Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company and private‑equity giant Carlyle, valuing Santos at some US$36.4 billion including debt – making it the largest all‑cash corporate takeover ever in Australia. Despite such scale, state‑level political concerns are emerging. South Australia's Premier Peter Malinauskas and Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis have called for protections on local jobs, licence control, and keeping Santos's headquarters in Adelaide. Meanwhile, new state legislation adds weight to ministerial approval of petroleum licence transfers, granting South Australia extra leverage in the process. At the federal level, Treasurer Jim Chalmers holds the ultimate authority. His decision will rely closely on FIRB advice, with insiders describing it as a pivotal 'captain's call' for the Albanese government. The broader Ministry of Energy and Resources, currently reviewing gas supply strategies, may leverage the bid to extract concessions in line with looming energy security needs. Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher, whose compensation could wind up exceeding A$50 million if the deal proceeds, has maintained discretion, saying he will 'let the process take its course'. Gallagher previously brought forward a stalled bid with Woodside, signalling a strategic interest in consolidation. Market sentiment remains guarded but not dismissive. Santos shares rallied approximately 11 per cent in the wake of the board's backing of the bid and release of due‑diligence exclusivity. Analysts point to ADNOC's deep capital reserves and the trade deal with the UAE as factors that may cushion adversities and lend credence to the offer. One area of uncertainty is the domestic Narrabri gas project in New South Wales: although Novation from the recent Native Title Tribunal clearance supports its long‑anticipated development, ongoing regulatory review and possible asset spin‑offs to comply with FIRB guidelines could delay its final investment decision. Analysts have speculated that domestic‑facing assets might be excluded or managed separately, potentially involving Carlyle as a local partner to satisfy national interest criteria. This complex engineering of commercial ambition and governmental oversight places energy security at the centre of the acquisition narrative. While ADNOC's financial might and project‑acceleration promise may reassure regulators, political and community stakeholders are tightening the lens on national asset control, job retention, and supply resilience. The outcome will hinge on whether FIRB, acting on Chalmers's counsel, accepts the consortium's assurances — or opts for a compromise that safeguards domestic gas capacity.
