Latest news with #TurnerTownsend
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Turner & Townsend to support decommissioning of key Abu Dhabi power plant
Turner & Townsend, the global professional services company, has been appointed by TAQA Transmission to provide programme management consultancy services to support the retirement of a power generating plant in Abu Dhabi. Located in the east of Abu Dhabi, the existing power generating plant, which has a capacity of 1640 MW and 1200 MVAr, will be decommissioned in 2029. In its place an upgraded energy efficient plant will be developed with a focus on integrating solar and nuclear power into the network aiding decarbonisation, said a statement. Turner & Townsend will establish a Programme Management Office (PMO) and provide strategic support to expand and facilitate a comprehensive and sustainable upgrade of the power transmission and distribution infrastructure in the region. This will enable the construction of new grid and switching stations and substations, cable corridors and cable works, capacitor banks, and high voltage overhead lines, it said. TAQA Transmission, previously known as Transco, aims to meet the UAE's rapidly growing and evolving energy demands by embracing innovation and new technologies to ensure the region's networks remain sustainable and fit for the future. Tarek Hamade, Regional Lead, Natural Resources, Middle East, at Turner & Townsend, said: "In our role as programme management consultant, we are thrilled to be helping TAQA Transmission in delivering its future-fit energy infrastructure. Following the pending retirement of the plant, a large-scale project such as this demands innovative delivery models to achieve optimal performance. 'We look forward to working with TAQA Transmission on this groundbreaking clean energy transmission project, creating a more sustainable environment for all and ensuring a reliable and efficient supply of power across Abu Dhabi and its surroundings.' - TradeArabia News Service
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Turner & Townsend to support decommissioning of Abu Dhabi power plant
Turner & Townsend has been appointed by Abu Dhabi-based TAQA Transmission (previously known as TRANSCO) to provide programme management consultancy services to support the retirement of an existing power generating plant located east of Abu Dhabi. The facility, which encompasses 1,640 megawatts (MW) capacity and 1,200MVA high-voltage substation, will be decommissioned in 2029, the firm said in a press statement. It will be replaced by a new plant which will support the integration of solar and nuclear power into the Abu Dhabi grid. According to the statememt, Turner & Townsend will establish a Programme Management Office (PMO) and provide strategic support to expand and facilitate a comprehensive and sustainable upgrade of the power transmission and distribution infrastructure in the region. This will enable the construction of new grid and switching stations and substations, cable corridors and cable works, capacitor banks, and high voltage overhead lines. (Writing by SA Kader; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Turner & Townsend to support the decarbonisation of a key power plant in Abu Dhabi
Turner & Townsend, the global professional services company, has been appointed by TAQA Transmission to provide programme management consultancy services to support the retirement of a power generating plant in Abu Dhabi. Located in the east of Abu Dhabi, the existing power generating plant, which has a capacity of 1640MW and 1200MVAr, will be decommissioned in 2029. In its place an upgraded energy efficient plant will be developed with a focus on integrating solar and nuclear power into the network aiding decarbonisation. Turner & Townsend will establish a Programme Management Office (PMO) and provide strategic support to expand and facilitate a comprehensive and sustainable upgrade of the power transmission and distribution infrastructure in the region. This will enable the construction of new grid and switching stations and substations, cable corridors and cable works, capacitor banks, and high voltage overhead lines. TAQA Transmission, previously known as TRANSCO, aims to meet the UAE's rapidly growing and evolving energy demands by embracing innovation and new technologies to ensure the region's networks remain sustainable and fit for the future. Tarek Hamade, Regional Lead, Natural Resources, Middle East, at Turner & Townsend, said: 'In our role as programme management consultant, we are thrilled to be helping TAQA Transmission in delivering its future-fit energy infrastructure. Following the pending retirement of the plant, a large-scale project such as this demands innovative delivery models to achieve optimal performance. 'We look forward to working with TAQA Transmission on this groundbreaking clean energy transmission project, creating a more sustainable environment for all and ensuring a reliable and efficient supply of power across Abu Dhabi and its surroundings.' For more information please contact: Andrew Gilbertson / Tom Hayes Camargue T + 44 (0) 20 7636 7366 E turntown@ About Turner & Townsend: Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. Working with clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, Turner & Townsend specialises in major programmes, project, cost and commercial management, project controls and performance, net zero and digital solutions, in markets around the world. Turner & Townsend is majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with its partners holding a significant non-controlling interest. Please visit our website: About TAQA Transmission: TAQA Transmission is responsible for the planning, construction, operations and maintenance of high-voltage power and bulk water transmission networks within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and beyond. TAQA Transmission provides safe, sustainable, economic, and reliable transmission networks that connect generation plants to distribution companies, as well as other customers. TAQA Transmission is a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PSJC (TAQA). For more information, please visit
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
KSA construction market thrives as data centres and diversification drive Middle East demand
The average cost to build in Riyadh, the most expensive city in the region, is US$3,112 per m2 – as high construction demand in Saudi Arabia pushes up costs. Skilled labour shortages are nudging up construction cost inflation across the Middle East, forecast to be as high as 5.0 percent this year for Riyadh, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Globally, New York City and San Francisco top the table for average construction costs at US$5,744 and US$5,504 per m2 – as demand proves resilient to geopolitical disruption. Long-term national strategies focused on economic diversification across the Middle East are unlocking significant development opportunities and driving demand across key sectors, according to the Global Construction Market Intelligence report (GCMI) 2025 from global professional services company Turner & Townsend. This surge in activity is also contributing to rising construction costs as competition for resources intensifies. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product is forecast to grow by 3.5 percent in 2025, and then 3.9 percent in 2026, according to the International Monetary Fund, and the country has become one of the most active global construction markets. However, a growing number of major programmes are having to absorb labour from a limited pool, pushing up the cost of building. The GCMI report shows Riyadh is the most expensive to build in the Middle East, averaging US$3,112 per m2, 24 places and almost $400 higher than the next most expensive market in the region, Doha (US$2,613 per m2). Shortages of specialist skills are not limited to KSA, with every Middle Eastern market in the GCMI reporting that skilled labour shortages are having a significant impact on project delivery. This is one of the factors keeping inflation high, and construction cost escalation is forecast to be 5.0 percent this year in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Despite this, in the context of the worldwide ranking, construction costs across the Middle East are relatively competitive compared with other international economic hubs. Riyadh, for instance, sits well below cities like London, where average construction costs reach US$5,385 per m² - making the UK capital one of the most expensive markets globally. Several factors feed into this cost gap, including government subsidies that support strategic developments across the Gulf, more cost-efficient labour markets, and lower land acquisition costs. Nation-building initiatives are playing a key role in driving demand in the region. Major mixed-use developments like Diriyah Gate and King Salman Park make this the top-performing construction sector in the Middle East according to the report. The data centre boom is also accelerating, especially in KSA, where Vision 2030 has catalysed the rise of HUMAIN, a PIF-backed company poised to play a leading role in positioning the Kingdom as a regional hub for AI innovation. With US$2.5 trillion of untapped mineral reserves, KSA is also attracting public and private investment in mining. With Riyadh at 98 percent warehouse occupancy, the report points to growth in the local industrial, manufacturing and logistics space to meet the rising demand, and to help procurement teams source locally so they comply with Vision 2030. In neighbouring Qatar, global headwinds and a downturn in real estate construction in has helped to keep construction cost inflation below the rest of the region, forecast to be 1.0 percent in 2025. However, sports and tourism still offer developers opportunities. In the UAE, economic diversification, as well as a booming population, have laid the groundwork for residential development to grow as well as wider social infrastructure. To deliver on the potential of these growth areas, the GCMI report advises clients to invest in widening the local skilled labour pool, and to work more closely with domestic manufacturers to mitigate any potential impacts of wider global disruption. Dean Furey, head of real estate, KSA, said: 'Construction is at the heart of the Middle East's efforts to diversify local economies. We're seeing the resulting boom in mixed-use, hospitality and residential schemes quickly putting the region on the map as a destination of choice for both local and international leisure. Demand is up in high-tech sectors like data centres too, which have been given a bigger role in national strategies and are attracting more private investment. 'In KSA, given the scale and complexity of its national giga-project pipeline, completing all planned construction by 2030 will not be without its challenges. As a result, resources are being strategically concentrated in priority sectors such as hospitality, sports, leisure, entertainment and residential to align with Vision 2030 objectives and to prepare for major upcoming events like Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034. 'Now, clients across the region will need to address the capacity crunch that may become more acute as these sectors continue to thrive, especially since the pool of top-tier contractors in the region is already stretched. Firms must figure out how they want to work with their supply chain moving forward. It'll take some collaboration with partners to set up the right operating models, and there is more room to innovate in digital tools. Those that invest now can widen the gap between them and their competitors. From analysis of 99 markets globally, the GCMI shows the US maintaining a strong hold on the top rankings of the most expensive places to build. Five US cities are in the top ten. New York is in first place, with an average cost of US$5,744 per m2, followed by San Francisco at US$5,504. Los Angeles (US$4,786) is sixth, with Chicago seventh (US$4,695) and Philadelphia in ninth (US$4,604). Rankings of Middle Eastern markets: Region Ranking (/99 markets) Cost per sqm (US$) 2024 construction cost inflation (%) 2025 construction cost inflation (%) Wages / hour (US$) Riyadh Middle East 37 3,112 5.0 5.0 14.1 Doha Middle East 61 2,613 1.0 1.0 5.4 Dubai Middle East 74 1,926 6.0 5.0 6.5 Abu Dhabi Middle East 76 1,872 5.0 5.0 5.9 Top 10 global rankings: Region Ranking (/99 markets) Cost per sqm (US$) 2024 construction cost inflation (%) 2025 construction cost inflation (%) Wages / hour (US$) New York City North America 1 5,744 3.3 3.5 131.4 San Francisco North America 2 5,504 3.5 4.0 117.5 Zurich Europe 3 5,386 0.7 1.0 117.9 Geneva Europe 4 5,386 0.6 1.0 117.9 London UK 5 5,385 2.0 3.0 56.8 Los Angeles North America 6 4,786 2.3 4.0 71.4 Chicago North America 7 4,695 3.5 3.5 79.5 Tokyo Asia 8 4,647 5.8 5.6 29.1 Philadelphia North America 9 4,604 3.0 5.0 107.9 Sapporo Asia 10 4,577 5.8 5.6 24.2 The full report is available on the Turner & Townsend website: For more information please contact: Angharad Chandler / Tom Hayes Camargue E turntown@ About the Global Construction Market Intelligence report (GCMI) Compiling data from Turner & Townsend teams in 99 global markets, the GCMI gives an in-depth analysis of construction costs – and what's driving them – around the world. It measures input costs for materials and labor to calculate the average cost per m2 across seven construction types, including advanced manufacturing, residential development and commercial offices. All local construction costs have been converted into US dollars to allow accurate cost comparisons to be made between construction markets in widely diverse economies. About Turner & Townsend Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. Working with clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, Turner & Townsend specialises in major programmes, project, cost and commercial management, project controls and performance, net zero and digital solutions, in markets around the world. Turner & Townsend is majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with its partners holding a significant non-controlling interest. Please visit our website:
Independent Singapore
09-07-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Singapore's construction activity remains strong despite it being among the most expensive markets in Southeast Asia at US$3,104 per sq m
SINGAPORE: Singapore's construction activity remains strong despite the city state being one of the most expensive markets in Southeast Asia, with average costs at US$3,104 (S$3,972) per square metre (sq m) and expected inflation of 3.0% in 2025 and 5.0% in 2026. According to Turner & Townsend's Global Construction Market Intelligence (GCMI) 2025 report released on Tuesday (July 8), contracts awarded in the first four months of 2025 were about 60% higher than the same period last year. In comparison, construction costs remain significantly lower in Kuala Lumpur (US$1,354 per sq m), Hanoi (US$1,147 per sq m), and Ho Chi Minh City (US$1,168 per sq m). However, the city-state continues to face rising waste disposal costs due to stricter sustainability regulations, limited contractor capacity, and a shortage of skilled mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) labour. Skilled MEP labour shortages also affect 90.9% of Asian markets, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, the report stated. Turner & Townsend's Southeast Asia managing director, Sumit Mukherjee, said, 'Persistent shortage of specialist labour, particularly in MEP trades, highlights the importance of strategic investment in local workforce development and innovative construction methods to mitigate potential bottlenecks and ensure project success.' While cost remains a key factor in Southeast Asia, Mr Mukherjee noted the focus is increasingly shifting towards value, efficiency, and supply chain resilience. Turner & Townsend's Asia managing director Brian Shuptrine said that Southeast Asia is 'actively seizing' growth opportunities through recalibration of costs and demand despite global economic headwinds. He said, 'The region's commitment to digital transformation and sustainability, and the strategic advantages of nearshoring, are fundamentally reshaping the construction landscape. This translates into significant opportunities for clients investing in future-proof assets, particularly within the rapidly expanding data centre developments and advanced manufacturing sectors.' The report also found that data centres have now overtaken industrial, manufacturing, and distribution as the region's top-performing construction sector, driven by rising demand from hyperscalers and cloud service providers, along with growing interest in high-performance, sustainable facilities. Corporate occupier activity rebounded, while hospitality, sports, and leisure projects are seeing modest recovery as tourism and entertainment gradually return. Nearshoring trends and growing demand for advanced manufacturing facilities are also supporting construction activity across the region. /TISG Read also: Surbana Jurong warns that mega-projects such as Changi Airport Terminal 5 could elevate construction costs in Singapore Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
