Top utility developers in race for 500MW Oman solar project
Nama Power said in response to its request for qualification last year, it had received 12 bids from both local and international developers.
Of these, nine had been either conditionally, or unconditionally qualified by the Omani group after a rigorous evaluation process. These developers were from Sultanate of Oman, UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, China, South Korea, Singapore, France, and Japan.
According to Nama Power, Masdar, Acwa Power and EDF Renewables have all submitted bids along with their consortium partners, while Sembcorp Utilities is bidding on its own.
The key solar facility, being set up at an investment of RO155 million ($401 million), will be located alongside the existing 500MW Ibri II project in Al Dhahirah governorate which has been operational since summer 2021. It is due for completion in the first quarter of 2027.
Now, on the final four, Nama Power said a consortium of Masdar, Korea Midland Power (Komipo) and Al Khadra Partners makes up the first listed bid, while a partnership between Acwa Power and TotalEnergies Renewables forms the second bid and consortium of EDF Renewables and Korean Western Power (Kowepo) forms the third listed bid. Sembcorp Utilities is the fourth one.
As the single buyer of power and water for all independent power projects in Oman, Nama is working along with Ministry of Energy and Minerals and the Authority for Public Services Regulation to achieve the energy renewable targets set in Oman Vison 2040.
It had last December launched its fourth solar tender, for a 280MW plant.- TradeArabia News Service
Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
6 hours ago
- Gulf Today
TCS layoffs herald AI shakeup of $283 billion outsourcing sector
Indian outsourcing giant Tata Consultancy Services' decision to cut over 12,000 jobs signals the start of a broader AI-fueled trend that could end up eliminating around half a million jobs over the next two to three years from the $283 billion sector, experts said. While TCS pegged the move to shed 2 per cent of its workforce to skill mismatches rather than AI-related productivity gains, experts viewed the largest-ever layoffs by India's top private employer as the beginning of things to come in the labour-intensive sector. Roughly 12,200 TCS middle and senior management jobs will be lost. The industry, which has played a crucial role in creating a middle class in India, is increasingly seeing AI being used for everything from basic coding to manual testing and customer support. The sector employed 5.67 million people as of March 2025 and accounted for over 7 per cent of India's GDP. It has a huge multiplier effect due to the direct and indirect jobs it creates and the cars-to-homes consumption it drives in the world's fifth-largest economy. It has historically absorbed a majority of India's engineers but that will change as rising AI use ekes out more efficiencies and demands newer skills that many current employees lack, according to half a dozen industry veterans, analysts, and staffing firms. 'We are in the midst of a massive transition that will transform white-collar work as we know it,' said Silicon Valley-based Constellation Research founder and chairman Ray Wang, echoing other experts who warned that more layoffs are likely on the cards. The most vulnerable employees include pure people managers with minimal tech knowledge, those in charge of testing or identifying bugs and ensuring user-friendliness before delivering software to clients, and infrastructure management staff who provide basic tech support and ensure networks and servers are working well, experts said. 'About 400,000 to 500,000 professionals are at risk of being laid off over the next two to three years as their skills don't match client demands,' tech market intelligence firm UnearthInsight's founder Gaurav Vasu said, adding that about 70% of those layoffs would impact workers with 4-12 years' experience. 'This (fear stemming from TCS layoffs) may hurt consumer demand for tourism, luxury shopping and even delay long-term investments such as real estate,' Vasu said. TCS and its peers Infosys, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, LTIMindtree, and Cognizant collectively employ over 430,000 workers with 13 to 25 years of experience, according to staffing firm Xpheno. 'At the moment, they may appear like the big fat middle layer,' Xpheno's co-founder Kamal Karanth said. None of the IT firms responded to Reuters queries seeking comment. 'With cost optimization being the key driver for new deal wins, clients are asking for productivity benefits - a trend which is also growing due to the rise in AI adoption. This requires IT firms to do more work with the same number of employees or the same work with fewer employees,' Jefferies analyst Akshat Agarwal said in a research note. TCS, which had more than 613,000 workers before the layoffs, said in its late July announcement it was gearing up to be 'future-ready' by investing in new technologies, entering new markets, deploying AI at scale for its clients and itself, and realigning its workforce model. It did not answer Reuters queries on how many layoffs were tied to AI adoption and why it could not redeploy the affected employees. 'This is very devastating news,' said a 45-year-old, Kolkata-based TCS employee affected by the latest layoffs. 'It is very difficult for people my age to get new jobs.' Some others who are still at TCS fretted over its mediocre performance bonuses for senior employees in recent quarters, a new 'bench policy' that limits the time somebody could be without a project regardless of personal circumstances or past performance, on-boarding delays, and the emotional turmoil caused by the layoffs. 'All these developments have tanked the morale of mid-career folks like me,' a Pune-based TCS employee said. The Indian outsourcing sector has been a key employment engine since the 1990s, offering upward mobility to millions of engineers. But revenue growth has weakened recently as its clients, stung by inflation and US tariff uncertainty, defer discretionary spending and demand better cost management. 'The tech industry is at an inflection point, as AI and automation move to the very core of how businesses operate,' industry body Nasscom said. During past tech revolutions, disruption was felt at the organisational level. 'With AI, for the first time, the onus is on the individual to reinvent or re-skill themselves,' former Tech Mahindra CEO CP Gurnani said. Reuters
Arabian Post
11 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Saddle Café to Launch First DXB Outlet in Terminal 3
Emirates Leisure Retail, the hospitality arm of the Emirates Group, has confirmed a strategic partnership with Saddle Group to bring the first Saddle Café to Dubai International Airport. Set to open in the Arrivals area of Terminal 3 before year-end, this expansion marks a significant milestone for both companies. Saddle Café, a well-established homegrown brand, has garnered attention for its blend of contemporary coffee culture with a rich food offering. This latest addition at one of the busiest international airports signals its ambitious expansion plans beyond its original locations. The new venue is expected to enhance the airport's diverse F&B options, catering to travellers seeking high-quality, quick-service meals and beverages. Dubai International, which handles millions of passengers annually, has long been a hub for high-end dining establishments. The decision to introduce Saddle Café into Terminal 3 reflects the increasing demand for premium food options, with a focus on quality, speed, and convenience. The collaboration with ELR is part of a broader strategy to provide visitors with a range of gourmet experiences while at the airport. ADVERTISEMENT The café's opening comes at a time when the UAE's hospitality sector is recovering strongly from the pandemic's economic impact. With international tourism steadily rising, Dubai's airports are looking to refresh and expand their offerings to cater to the evolving preferences of global travellers. Saddle Café's reputation for serving high-end coffee, pastries, and healthy meals fits into this vision perfectly, providing a well-rounded service for passengers in transit. Although ELR is best known for operating large-scale establishments across the region, this venture represents a new chapter in its portfolio. The partnership with Saddle Group, a Dubai-based company known for its innovative café concepts, reflects the growing trend of blending local talent with large-scale retail opportunities in the UAE. The franchise agreement also aligns with the region's ongoing efforts to position Dubai as a global culinary hotspot. As the city strengthens its position as a central hub for international business and tourism, catering services at DXB are being increasingly scrutinised. New initiatives are increasingly expected to not only meet the needs of travellers but also enhance the airport's overall appeal as a destination in itself. By securing a location in the high-traffic Arrivals area, Saddle Café will be strategically placed to serve both tourists arriving in Dubai and local commuters. Its modern design and menu are designed to appeal to the diverse international clientele passing through the airport every day. The café is expected to offer a carefully curated selection of locally inspired beverages, international coffee blends, and gourmet food options, with an emphasis on sustainability. As travel habits evolve, the integration of local brands into international spaces has become more prevalent. The collaboration between Emirates Leisure Retail and Saddle Group demonstrates a conscious effort to showcase the rich, dynamic hospitality scene of Dubai to the world. It also highlights the growing trend of airports as not only transport hubs but also destinations for food lovers, business travellers, and those looking to enjoy a premium experience while on the move.
Campaign ME
a day ago
- Campaign ME
Nandita Saggu joins Liwa Content.Driven as Chief Growth Officer
Dubai-based creative agency Liwa Content Driven has appointed Nandita Saggu as Chief Growth Officer, tasking her with driving strategic business growth, raising the agency's profile in regional and global markets, and enhancing operational effectiveness. Saggu brings two decades of experience to the role, including more than 15 years in the Middle East. She has held senior leadership positions at digital and martech firms including Incubeta, YAAP, Facelift and DViO Digital, with a track record of scaling businesses, forging strategic partnerships, and improving commercial performance. In her new remit, Saggu will work closely with Liwa Director Sagar Rege and the wider leadership team to build Liwa's client portfolio across key sectors, expand into new markets such as Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC, and support cross-functional collaboration across creative, strategy, and production. 'Nandita's visionary approach is precisely what we need to take Liwa to the next level,' said Sagar Rege, Director at Liwa Content Driven. 'Her experience in scaling digital agencies and her understanding of the regional market will be invaluable as we build our capabilities and expand our footprint.' Commenting on the appointment, Nandita Saggu said: 'I am thrilled to join Liwa Content Driven, an agency known for its bold and creative campaigns. I look forward to working with Sagar and the leadership team to build a growth strategy focused on driving new business, elevating our brand, and strengthening our internal operations to achieve remarkable growth.'
