Latest news with #AlKhobar
Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
US-based Allrig expands in Saudi to boost energy efficiency
US-based Allrig, a global asset management firm serving the energy sector, has expanded its operations in Saudi Arabia by expanding its existing office in Al Khobar. This move is supported by AstroLabs, the Gulf's leading business expansion platform. Allrig's expansion builds on its established presence in Saudi Arabia, having operated in the Kingdom for nine years through Aramco-approved partnerships. In 2024, the company supported operations across over 50 rigs, delivering critical compliance and maintenance services. Allrig has offices in Asia Pacific, India, the Middle East & Africa, Europe, Brazil, and Mexico, offering specialised services such as jacking system overhauls, derrick remedial works, and drilling equipment recertifications. Allrig stated it holds Aramco approvals for CNDT and Below-the-Hook inspections, enhancing its technical capabilities and trusted presence within the Kingdom. "Allrig has been active through partnerships in the Kingdom since 2016. As part of Allrig's continued commitment to excellence and growth in the Middle East and especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we are excited to deepen our presence in Saudi Arabia," said Robert McInnes, CEO of Allrig. "With years of experience in the region, we are focused on expanding our operational capacity, strengthening our partnerships, and contributing to the Kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 objectives. Our expertise in offshore drilling equipment and services, coupled with a dedicated local team, positions Allrig as a reliable partner in the country's energy sector,' McInnes added. "Allrig's expansion into Saudi Arabia demonstrates full commitment and readiness to contribute to the country's sustainable economic growth by playing a vital role in maximising the value of natural assets in alignment with Vision 2030 objectives," commented Alex Nicholls, director of expansion at AstroLabs. -OGN / TradeArabia News Service Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
09-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Decarbonizing Retail in KSA: Tamimi Markets and Yellow Door Energy sign solar lease
Al-Khobar, KSA: Tamimi Markets, one of the most prominent and trusted names in Saudi Arabia's retail sector, and Yellow Door Energy, the leading sustainable energy partner for businesses in the Middle East and Africa, have signed a solar lease agreement to provide clean electricity to Tamimi Markets' distribution centers in Jeddah and Dammam. The solar project has a combined capacity of 900 kilowatts-peak (kWp), with 465 kWp allocated to the Jeddah fulfillment center and 435 kWp to two facilities in Dammam. Over 1,500 high-efficiency bifacial solar panels will be installed across approximately 7,200 square meters of rooftop space. The solar power plants are expected to generate 1.5 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy in their first year of operation, equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by 586 metric tons. This initiative directly supports Saudi Arabia's Net Zero by 2060 commitment and aligns with the broader goals of Vision 2030. Bobby Rajendran, CEO of Tamimi Markets, commented: 'Sustainability is embedded in Tamimi Markets' DNA, and today we are walking the talk on sustainability by signing this solar lease with Yellow Door Energy. Together with our solar partner, we will decarbonize our operations, enhance business resilience and support Saudi Arabia's Net Zero by 2060 objective. Our shoppers, employees, and wider network can be proud of the fact that Tamimi Markets, the preferred grocery destination for Saudis, is leading the sustainability journey.' Hisham Alhegelan, CEO Middle East at Yellow Door Energ y, shared: 'We are honored to partner with Tamimi Markets on this important solar project. Through the solar lease, significant cost savings and carbon emission reduction will be realized. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to lead the region in its sustainability stewardship, and this important solar project demonstrates this leadership.' Khaled Chebaro, Country Director for KSA at Yellow Door Energy, added: 'We are delighted to support Tamimi Markets and contribute to Saudi Vision 2030. Yellow Door Energy continues to rapidly expand its project portfolio in the Kingdom, helping businesses reduce energy costs and lower carbon emissions. To-date, we have signed five solar leases in Saudi Arabia and look forward to contributing to the Kingdom's Net Zero by 2060 Target.' Construction is already underway, and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Under the solar lease agreement, Yellow Door Energy is responsible for financing, designing, constructing, commissioning, operating, and maintaining the solar power plants while Tamimi Supermarkets remains focused on providing the best retail experience for its shoppers. The solar lease model enables Tamimi Supermarkets to enjoy the benefits of clean energy without operational risk, allowing the company to focus on its core business while advancing its sustainability objectives. About Yellow Door Energy: Yellow Door Energy is the leading sustainable energy partner for businesses, serving commercial and industrial customers in the Middle East, Africa and beyond. In Saudi Arabia, Yellow Door Energy works with premier companies to provide on-grid and off-grid energy solutions through a solar lease. The lease enables businesses to save money, switch to clean energy, all without any capex or upfront investment or operational risk. These solutions are in line with Vision 2030 and directly contribute to Saudi Arabia's Net Zero by 2060 target. Yellow Door Energy's shareholders are Actis, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Mitsui & Co., Ltd., and The Arab Energy Fund (TAEF). About Tamimi Markets: Established in 1979, Tamimi Markets is one of Saudi Arabia's leading supermarket chains, celebrated for its high-quality products, exceptional customer service, and innovative shopping experiences. With a history of rapid growth, Tamimi Markets has achieved significant milestones, including the acquisition of Al Raya for Food Stuffs Company, and its recent expansion into the Western region of Saudi Arabia. These advancements position Tamimi Markets to further strengthen its presence in the Kingdom, drive innovation in the retail sector, and solidify its role as a key player in the regional market.
Arabian Business
28-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia launches Lazurde in Al Khobar with over 8,100 homes and major urban facilities
Saudi Arabia has launched a giant new real estate project in Al Khobar, which will grow to 8,100 homes on completion. Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Region, officially launched Lazurde in Al Khobar, marking a significant step forward in Saudi Arabia's ongoing housing transformation. The project is part of Saudi Arabia's broader commitment to sustainable urban development and the national goal of providing adequate housing for all segments of society. Lazurde in Saudi Arabia Total area: Over 3.9 million square metres Housing units: More than 8,100 villas and apartments Green spaces: Exceeding 778,000 square metres Community infrastructure: Includes educational, healthcare, and recreational facilities Development model: Built in partnership with private-sector developers During the launch, Prince Saud bin Naif praised the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, crediting their support for the rapid progress in the Kingdom's housing sector and the ongoing efforts to enhance quality of life across all regions.
Argaam
27-06-2025
- Business
- Argaam
Saudi Water Authority to finance SAR 2.4B Jubail, Al Khobar desalination systems
The Saudi Water Authority signed a financing agreement with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the National Infrastructure Fund (Infra) to support a strategic project aimed at developing the infrastructure of the first phase of the Jubail desalination system and the second phase of the Al Khobar system, at a total value of SAR 2.43 billion. According to SPA, AIIB will provide over SAR 1.6 billion in funding under the agreement, marking one of the largest non-sovereign institutional financing deals supported by the bank to date. This strengthens public-private partnerships in strategic infrastructure projects. Infra will contribute SAR 750 million. The water sector is one of the key focus areas of the fund, aligning with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. The project aims to convert the Jubail Phase 1 and Al Khobar Phase 2 desalination systems from multi-stage thermal desalination to reverse osmosis (RO) technology. This shift is expected to improve energy efficiency, increase water production capacity, and extend the operational lifespan of both systems by around 20 years, in support of Saudi Arabia's sustainability and climate goals under Vision 2030. The Al Khobar Phase 2 desalination system has achieved a global milestone as the world's largest seawater desalination plant using RO technology, with a record production capacity of 670,852.4 cubic meters per day. It was also built on the smallest land area globally for a plant of its kind, thanks to the application of advanced technical methodologies and value engineering. This agreement follows a joint announcement made earlier this year between the AIIB and the Government of Saudi Arabia, which laid the groundwork for long-term cooperation in the areas of water, wastewater, renewable energy, sustainable transport, and urban development.
Zawya
26-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia's AFI Robotics is transforming live oil & gas inspections
Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia: In an industry where downtime carries a high price and safety is non-negotiable, Saudi-based AFI Robotics is quietly redefining how oil and gas infrastructure is inspected and cleaned, without halting operations. AFI Robotics, a Saudi robotic engineering company, is deploying in-service robotic systems designed specifically for hazardous, confined, and hard-to-access environments, transforming how aboveground storage tanks (ASTs), oily ponds, sludge basins, and pits are inspected and cleaned. 'Saudi Arabia is not just adopting advanced industrial technologies, we're engineering them,' said Talal Al Hamdan, Chairman of AFI Robotics, and prominent Saudi entrepreneur and businessman in manufacturing, marine, and high technology solutions inclusive of logistics under ASH Group. 'At AFI Robotics, we're proving that homegrown innovation can lead standards in safety, efficiency, and operational resilience. Our robotics are designed for the region, tested in the region, and ready to transform how critical infrastructure is managed on an industry level.' At the core of its portfolio is a submersible inspection robot equipped with ultrasonic thickness testing capabilities that operate without requiring a tank shutdown. This procedure is in line with API 653 RP 575 which are standards used for the inspection, repair, alteration, and reconstruction of aboveground storage tanks, primarily in the petroleum and chemical industries, the robot delivers real-time floor thickness data, enabling predictive maintenance and reducing costly downtime. For sludge-heavy environments, AFI has developed a robotic desludging system capable of cleaning up to 150 cubic meters per hour, while simultaneously mapping sludge levels using echo sounders. The real-time volumetric analysis gives operators data visibility while automating one of the industry's most hazardous conventional tasks. 'Our mission has always been to engineer solutions that remove risk without removing operational continuity,' says Rabieh Ghossainy, Founder and Managing Director of AFI Robotics. 'Whether it's storage tank inspections or pit desludging, we build systems that keep operations in service, without compromise.' Beyond inspection and cleaning, AFI's AI-enabled visual platforms feature cameras suitable for high-risk environments and automated defect recognition, allowing remote operators to monitor corrosion, cracks, or anomalies with pinpoint accuracy. These systems are particularly useful in flammable or toxic environments, offering a safer alternative to conventional inspections in live systems. AFI's robots are high tier, field-proven systems currently operating across multiple industrial sites in the Kingdom and wider region. The machines have been deployed in petrochemical plants, oil terminals, and manufacturing zones with minimal integration time and measurable impact on safety KPIs. The company's product development approach blends mechanical engineering, data science, and industry-specific compliance. With experience drawn from regional field applications and the formal collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Intelligent Manufacturing & Robotics (IRC-IMR) at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) university, AFI Robotics has positioned itself as a key enabler for operational excellence across the energy sector. As inspection protocols tighten and maintenance demands grow, the industry is looking for smarter, faster ways to keep facilities online without compromising safety. With Saudi Arabia driving forward its Vision 2030 agenda, AFI Robotics stands as a clear example of how local innovation is addressing industrial needs. By offering scalable, autonomous solutions that align with international safety and inspection standards, the company setting new expectations for how infrastructure can be maintained in real time. Its technologies directly support national goals around localization, industrial resilience, and digital transformation, while fostering technical talent and research partnerships within the Kingdom. The company's ongoing collaboration with leading academic institutions like KFUPM reflects a commitment to continuous innovation, ensuring that its solutions evolve alongside emerging industry needs. AFI Robotics is delivering measurable value where it matters most: on the ground, in the tanks, and across the operational front lines. About AFI Robotics AFI Robotics is a Saudi-based engineering company specializing in robotic inspection and cleaning technologies for industrial environments. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Al Khobar, the company develops and deploys advanced robotic systems for in-service tank inspections, sludge removal, and visual assessments in hazardous zones. It is a member of SPRINT Robotics. With a focus on safety and innovation, AFI Robotics serves the oil, gas, and energy sector. In 2022, AFI Robotics entered into a formal joint venture with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Intelligent Manufacturing and Robotics (IRC-IMR), and has received the university's Vision to Venture Award for its contribution to industrial robotics research. Learn more at
