SPARK announces 80% completion of its first phase

SPARK has launched ‘green building’ solutions to enhance sustainability. (Supplied)
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Updated 29 March 2021
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SPARK announces 80% completion of its first phase

  • The first phase’s near-completion means that the allotted land is now ready for investment

RIYADH: The King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) said on Sunday that 80 percent of the project’s first phase was officially complete.

According to a SPARK statement, 80 percent of the infrastructure works, land paving, road construction, service delivery and administrative office buildings has been finished, and the first phase is due to be completed this year.

The announcement coincided with the completion of a project connecting the city to the main Shedgum Gas Plant, 64 km away, allowing SPARK to meet the electric power needs of its investors.

The first phase’s near-completion means that the allotted land is now ready for investment, and 35 investment applications have been approved for companies and their support services. Contracts have already been signed with 23 other companies.

Two strategic agreements have also been signed with the Industrialization and Energy Services Co. (TAQA) and the Arab Minerals Co. (AMCO). 

Under the agreement, TAQA is seeking to expand its local operations through the TAQA Industrial Complex, with an initial investment of up to SR300 million ($80 million). AMCO is investing SR260 million to develop a new center in the city.

Dr. Muhammad Yahya Al-Qahtani, chairman of the board of directors at King Salman Energy City, said that the investments of the project’s first phase would form a “global gateway” to the regional energy sector, amounting to approximately SR6 billion.

“Despite the challenges and exceptional circumstances that have occurred as a result of the pandemic, we were able to achieve more progress in construction operations in line with the goals set for the month of July of this year, especially after adopting advanced and environmentally friendly building solutions.

“It is highly efficient, as SPARK is the first in the Kingdom and the Middle East region to adopt such innovative solutions to ensure that sustainability remains a primary focus for the development of the project.”

SPARK has also launched “green building” solutions in order to enhance sustainability and support the circular carbon economy, as well as enhancing safety levels on site and reducing time spent and materials used in construction.


CoMotion Global 2025 in Riyadh discusses trends in electric vehicles

Updated 8 sec ago
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CoMotion Global 2025 in Riyadh discusses trends in electric vehicles

RIYADH: The Global CoMotion Summit, CoMotion Global 2025, in Riyadh, is examining the latest trends in electric vehicles, autonomous mobility, artificial intelligence in transportation, smart city solutions, and future supply chains.

The summit, hosted by the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority, commenced on Dec. 7 in the Saudi capital, highlighting the major transformations witnessed in global cities due to the rapid growth of urban technologies and Saudi Arabia’s role in this sector, according to Al-Eqtisadiah.

This specialized international summit focuses on the future of urban mobility and smart cities, bringing together an elite group of decision-makers, leaders from the public and private sectors, experts, investors, and innovators from around the world.

What are the main objectives of the Global CoMotion Summit?

The summit is being held from Dec. 7 to 9 in Riyadh, further cementing its position as a global center for urban innovation and future technologies.

This is thanks to the extensive transformations it is witnessing, integrating the efforts of the summit’s strategic partners, including multiple ministries and government entities.

Together, they are establishing a national system to push forward the development and on-the-ground application of advanced mobility solutions.

The summit’s work began with an opening session attended by Fahd Al-Rasheed, the chairman of the Board of Directors of SCEGA and the Saudi lead for the Urban 20 initiative, and Rumaih Al-Rumaih, the deputy minister of Transport and Logistic Services, and acting president of Transport General Authority.

They reviewed the features of new transformations in urban transport systems and the future of innovation in the sector.

The founder and CEO of CoMotion, John Rossant, said: “Riyadh hosting this edition of the Global CoMotion Summit makes it an exceptional edition, due to the high-level participation it witnesses, including ministers, city leaders, and prominent creative technologists. This sends a clear message that the next decade of transformation in the mobility sector will be shaped on an unprecedented level to redefine the concept of future cities.”

The summit also features the participation of a number of leading global companies in the mobility sector, including Uber, Door to Door, Budget Saudi Arabia, and Changan Almajdouie. They will showcase the latest technologies and solutions in electric vehicles and smart services, reflecting the Kingdom’s rapid adoption of clean, advanced technologies.

The event’s program also includes a series of interactive mobility labs, the launch of the first edition of the “CoMotion City Pioneers Award,” and the inauguration of the “Mayors in Motion” initiative, aimed at enhancing international cooperation in urban innovation, advanced infrastructure, and sustainable mobility.

Showcasing major development projects in Saudi Arabia

In addition, the gathering will highlight the most prominent development projects in Saudi Arabia, including the Riyadh Metro project, models for developing local electric vehicle manufacturing, and the Kingdom’s preparations to host Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034, and their role in enhancing future transport infrastructure. 

It will also showcase global experiences from Africa, China, and North America, with discussions on the future of conscious cities and the use of smart technologies in managing urban mobility.

Hosting the Global CoMotion Summit 2025 is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to enhance its position in building smarter and more sustainable future cities and driving innovation in the urban transport sector, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.