Field Notes: EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST
Denmark: Grundfos acquired the Italian submersible motor manufacturer Tesla s.r.
Denmark: Grundfos acquired the Italian submersible motor manufacturer Tesla s.r.l. on 1 January 2005. Its present owners, Mr. Franco Nassuato and Mr. Paolo Petrucci, will continue to manage Tesla s.r.l. under the same name using a “clear separation strategy,” according to Grundfos. Production will continue with the present employees in the existing factory in Vicenza, Northern Italy.
Ireland: The Fingal County Council awarded a US$ 20-million contract to the US company Earth Tech Inc. to design and build a new wastewater treatment plant and remote pumping stations north of Dublin. After a two-year construction phase, Earth Tech will operate and maintain the facility for 20 years. The plant will serve more than 30,000 people in the towns of Balbriggan and Skerries.
The Netherlands: The Transnational Institute launched its new publication “Reclaiming Public Water” on 28 January during the World Social Forum, held in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Written by water utility managers and civil society campaigners from more than 20 countries, the book provides examples of how public utility reform has resulted in major improvements in access to clean water and sanitation.
The book includes concrete recommendations for creating a more enabling environment for the expansion of access to clean, public water supply in developing countries. “Reclaiming Public Water - Achievements, Struggles and Visions from Around the World” is co-published by Transnational Institute and Corporate Europe Observatory. The book covers the cities of Porto Alegre (Brazil), Santa Cruz (Bolivia), Olavanna (Kerala, India), Penang (Malaysia), Grenoble (France), Bogota (Colombia), Recife (Brazil), Cochabamba (Bolivia), Savelugu (Ghana), Harrismith (South Africa) and Manila (Philippines). The book is also available online at www.tni.org/books/publicwater.htm.
Saudi Arabia: The Malaysian company WWE Holdings Bhd won a RM 417 million contract to construct 234 km of branch sewerage networks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A large majority of the pipes are 200-mm-diameter vitrified clay pipe and the contract includes construction of manholes and inspection chambers; however it excludes the supply of pipes. The project includes a maintenance period of one year.
United Arab Emirates: The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) will sign contracts worth DH 7 billion in 2005 as part of its projected DH 20 billion investment to expand capacity by 2010. The investment will increase power generation capacity to 9,800 mW from the current 3,833 mW, and desalinated water capacity to 100 million gpd from the current level of 61.48 million.
Six international contractors and consortia have been shortlisted for the second phase of the L Station. “We are currently evaluating their bids. By May or June we expect to announce the results,” said Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive of DEWA. “In 40 years, we have invested Dh20 billion to install the power and desalinated water production capacity.” In 2004, power consumption grew by about 14% compared to the previous year. We expect this to grow at an annual 15% to 18% until 2012,” he added. The Dh20 billion investment over the next five years is planned to cover all future power generation and water consumption needs until 2012.
