The 2GW subsea cable, spanning over 500 kilometers, will be the UK’s largest electricity transmission project to date. Delivered by SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), EGL2 will provide enough clean energy to power approximately two million homes. The project received final approval from Ofgem, which accelerated the process to enable an earlier start to construction. EGL2 is expected to be fully operational by 2029. Chair of SSEN Transmission’s Board Gregor Alexander said: “EGL2 will play a major role in bolstering energy security and contributing to net zero targets, but it will also generate jobs and provide a legacy to local communities here in the north-east of Scotland, where our teams are already supporting local environmental initiatives.” Akshay Kaul, Ofgem Director General for Infrastructure Group, stated: “Today is a historic occasion. Not only is construction starting on EGL2, Britain’s biggest ever electricity transmission project, but we’re also standing here two years earlier than we might have been thanks to Ofgem’s fast track new process which cuts red tape to get consumers across the country connected to renewable energy more quickly.” Offshore Delivery Director for National Grid Zac Richardson commented: “EGL2 is the first of four currently proposed 2GW…
ISG, the sixth-largest building contractor in the UK, has filed for administration, raising concerns about the future of numerous projects nationwide. The company’s six UK subsidiaries, including its main construction arm, have submitted court applications, following months of speculation about their financial difficulties. The collapse of ISG could have significant implications for the construction industry and the completion of several high-profile projects. Among the projects impacted by ISG’s administration are the restoration and redevelopment of Birmingham’s Moseley Road Baths, the Regents Quarter offices-to-labs project at King’s Cross, and the conversion of Coventry’s former IKEA store into an arts and culture center. ISG’s workload includes 34 contract awards and 45 ongoing schemes, totaling £4.15 billion. One of the most significant projects is the Queen Square Institute of Neurology and UK Dementia Research Institute for the University College London, which was expected to be completed in early 2025. The six companies that have filed for administration are: ISG Construction Ltd, ISG Engineering Services Ltd, ISG Jackson Ltd, ISG Retail Limited, ISG UK Retail Ltd, and ISG Central Services Ltd. According to recent financial reports, ISG Construction and ISG Retail had experienced financial challenges in the past year. In November 2023, ISG was…
British Airways has announced a significant investment in carbon removal projects, solidifying its position as the largest carbon removals purchaser in the UK and the largest airline purchaser of carbon removals globally. The airline has signed a six-year agreement to purchase over £9 million worth of carbon removal credits from innovative projects in the UK and overseas. These credits will contribute to British Airways’ ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. Carbon removal projects supported by British Airways include initiatives such as capturing CO2 from whisky distilleries and repurposing it into building materials, enhanced rock weathering techniques, and high-durability reforestation projects. The airline is also investing in carbon capture projects in Canada and India, focusing on carbon removal from rivers, oceans, and soil. British Airways has partnered with CUR8, a UK-based company specializing in sourcing high-quality carbon removal credits. The airline has purchased 33,000 tonnes of carbon removal credits through its CUR8 portfolio, contributing to the growth and development of the carbon removal sector. Carrie Harris, Director of Sustainability at British Airways, said: “As we approach the halfway point in this critical decade of action, we’re sharpening our focus on delivering real, tangible progress by 2030. We…
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) has embarked on a significant soil mapping initiative under the Agroecology and Circular Economy for Ecosystem Services (ACE4ES) project. This initiative aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen ecosystem services across several African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, and Tanzania. Led by experts in soil science, agronomy, and GIS technology, the soil mapping exercise will gather crucial information about soil characteristics across diverse agro-ecological zones. This data will inform the implementation of agroecological methods, such as crop diversification, composting, and biochar application, to improve soil fertility, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance climate resilience. The ACE4ES project prioritizes reducing Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs), including methane and black carbon, in agriculture. Soil mapping plays a pivotal role in this effort by providing a comprehensive understanding of soil properties. This information enables the team to recommend targeted agroecological practices that enhance soil health, crop yields, and environmental sustainability. Dr. Kwaku Onwona-Hwesofour Asante, lead scientist of the ACE4ES project, stressed the importance of the initiative, stating, “This soil mapping exercise will offer us precise, location-specific data, enabling us to tailor agroecological practices for different regions. It’s crucial for improving soil…
Marimaca Copper Corp. is pleased to announce the appointment of Oscar Valenzuela as Vice President, Project and Alexis Muñoz as Vice President, Project Execution. These appointments strengthen Marimaca Copper’s leadership team as the company advances its development strategy. Mr. Valenzuela brings over 35 years of experience in executive development and operational leadership roles in the mining industry. Prior to joining Marimaca, he served as Director of Projects for Capstone Copper and held senior positions at Mantos Copper, Anglo American, and Glencore. Mr. Muñoz has over 29 years of experience in the construction and execution of large-scale mining projects. He most recently served as Construction and Commissioning Manager for Capstone’s Mantoverde Development Project. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at Collahuasi and BHP. Hayden Locke, President & CEO of Marimaca Copper, commented: “We are excited to welcome Oscar and Alexis to the Marimaca Team. Oscar brings an enormous amount of experience in executive operational leadership in Chile which will be critical during the next phase of our development strategy. Alexis brings deep execution experience across major, and relevant, mining projects, and he represents an important addition to our Owners Team as we move toward the development of the MOD. People…
Blockchain Sports Ecosystem, a worldwide tech company, and Saudi Alpha Jossor Investments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a groundbreaking sports complex in Saudi Arabia. The project, valued at $3.3 billion, aims to create one of the largest and most innovative sports complexes in the MENA region. The complex will feature an advanced football academy equipped with cutting-edge training solutions and real estate development aligned with the concept of a smart sports city. This project will contribute to the development of tourism and attract foreign investment in the region. Renowned football stars Kevin Kuranyi, Jay-Jay Okocha, Mikael Silvestre, and Jens Lehmann were present at the signing ceremony to endorse the strategic partnership. Blockchain Sports Ecosystem, with its team of 1200+ tech and sports experts and offices in 8 countries, is a pioneer in building the future of sports using advanced technologies like AI, XR, and blockchain. The company partners with over 30 football academies worldwide, training thousands of young players. Dmitry Saksonov, Founder of Blockchain Sports Ecosystem, said: “I believe the partnership marks a significant milestone and is beneficial for the whole MENA region. The Middle East has proved its ability to bring innovative projects of enormous…
Manchester United, Trafford Council, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have formed a strategic partnership to maximise the growth and regeneration potential of the Trafford Wharfside area. The partnership will establish an advisory team, led by an independent director, to develop a comprehensive vision for the area surrounding Old Trafford. The focus will be on how a world-class stadium can catalyze wider regeneration, bringing social and economic benefits to Trafford and the surrounding region. The advisory team will work closely with the existing Trafford Wharfside masterplanning process and the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force, a group of local leaders and national experts exploring options for a new or redeveloped stadium. Technical and project management support will be provided by the advisory team to Trafford Council, GMCA, and Manchester United as planning intensifies. The team will also play a crucial role in informing the final recommendations of the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force. Lord Coe, Chair of the Task Force, said: “The objective of this once-in-a-generation project is not only the development of a world-class stadium for the north of England, but also to ensure that this brings broad social and economic benefits to the local area and surrounding region….
TerraRevo Builders, a residential general contractor specializing in luxury home construction in Silicon Valley, has successfully completed a complex foundation project in Emerald Hills, California. The project faced unique challenges due to the area’s dramatic elevation changes, heavy clay soil, and periods of extreme weather. Emerald Hills is renowned for its picturesque setting, but also presents significant construction hurdles. Located at the base of the Emerald Hills Golf Course, this particular site is prone to heavy clay soil and standing water issues, especially after heavy rainfall. To combat the standing water left over after heavy rains and soft soil resulting from months and months of continual rainfall, and to be able to move on with the project after months of resulting delays, we diverted the standing water to low points on the property and put continually running pumps in place to evacuate the water. Next, another foot of soil out of the already excavated footings and piers was taken out and replaced with rock that was compacted every few inches. To stabilize the future foundation further, the rock and dirt walls were wrapped in a geogrid material before ultimately concrete was poured over rebar cages. This allowed us to finally…
Planera, a leading provider of construction CPM scheduling and planning solutions, today announced that it has raised $13.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Sierra Ventures, with participation from Sorenson Capital, Brick and Mortar Ventures, Prudence VC, and Firebolt Ventures. The funding will fuel Planera’s growth and accelerate the development of its innovative tools, addressing the evolving needs of general contractors (GCs), specialty subcontractors, and the broader construction industry. Traditional construction project management software has fallen short in meeting the demands of today’s industry, lacking essential features like cloud-based capabilities, collaborative functionality, and visual planning tools. Planera is poised to disrupt the market by offering a modern, comprehensive solution tailored to the specific needs of construction professionals. “This funding milestone brings us closer to our vision of empowering teams with the technology they need to plan, schedule, and collaborate more effectively to deliver optimal outcomes for complex construction projects,” said Nitin Bhandari, CEO and co-founder of Planera. “We’re seeing strong demand for long term as well as weekly planning tools, and we are heavily investing in more advanced features like quality checks, performance analytics and construction-specific AI to better anticipate and manage unexpected project challenges. This…
Drees & Sommer SE, a leading consulting firm specializing in infrastructure, construction, and real estate, has been appointed to manage the large-scale hydrogen production project in Emden, Germany, being undertaken by EWE, the northern German energy supplier. Drees & Sommer will provide comprehensive project management services, including project steering, approval procedures, engineering management, and tendering support. The company brings extensive experience in managing complex infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy sector. The planned 320-megawatt electrolysis plant in Emden will produce up to 26,000 metric tonnes of green hydrogen per year, primarily for use in the steel industry. The project is part of EWE’s Clean Hydrogen Coastline (CHC) initiative, which aims to integrate green hydrogen production, transport, storage, and use. Drees & Sommer will provide comprehensive project management services, including project steering, approval procedures, engineering management, and tendering support. The company brings extensive experience in managing complex infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy sector. The planned 320-megawatt electrolysis plant in Emden will produce up to 26,000 metric tonnes of green hydrogen per year, primarily for use in the steel industry. The project is part of EWE’s Clean Hydrogen Coastline (CHC) initiative, which aims to integrate green hydrogen production, transport, storage,…
