Dubai Metro Project
and
Solar Power Project
Contents
1.PROJECT INTRODUCTION
2.PROJECT INFORMATION – DUBAI METRO
3.PROJECT INFORMATION – DUBAI SOLAR PARK
4.PROJECT OBJECTIVES
5.CONCLUSION
1.PROJECT INTRODUCTION
The demands on the construction industry have increased significantly and with economic growth, infrastructure growth is required, and demands on project management are increased.. The Dubai Metro Project and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park are two major infrastructure projects that require expansion.
2.PROJECT INFORMATION – DUBAI METRO
The Dubai Metro Project was initially opened in 2009 and is currently the world’s largest driverless train network. The purpose of the Dubai Metro project was to increase the transportation systems of Dubai and reduce the congestion on Dubai roads. The Dubai metro comprises of two networks named Green Line and Red Line with current plans to expand the Red line for the EXPO 2020 site and the new Dubai World Central airport. The original project was over budget and took longer than planned, the lessons learned will have to be included in the risk analysis to ensure appropriate responses can be established to deal with the risks effectively, Sanghera (2010).
3.PROJECT INFORMATION – DUBAI SOLAR PARK
The growing population and ever reducing natural energy resources, Dubai has constructed a Solar Park to provide alternative energy, Sambridge (2013). The mega solar park project (Davies, Gann & Douglas, 2009) Phase 1 was opened in October 2013 on time and within budget. Dubai has only 4% of the UAE oil reserves and predictions are that oil will run out in 20 years, Carlisle (2010). The need to find alternative energy is critical for the growth and sustainability of Dubai. The solar park facility is the largest of its kind in the region, and the need to expand is line with the economic growth of Dubai.
4.PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Careful consideration should be giving to any new or upgrading infrastructure project, and key factors should considered. The factor are considered for the two infrastructure projects, Dubai Metro and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park:
Demand for these projects and benefits to stakeholders: It can be said that the most important stakeholder for the two infrastructure projects is the end user the public, OCED (2006). The demand for this infrastructure arises from the need felt by the public. Public transportation systems around the world along with energy supplies are essential to economic growth.
Stakeholders’ analysis: The most important stakeholders in any significant infrastructure project are people, employees, construction agencies and government. The most important stakeholder is people of society. It was the need for sustainable development and ease of people that the government takes initiatives for these types of large projects.
Regulatory and political context: Economic growth strives on useful infrastructure projects. The economic growth has been the strategy of Dubai government. Dubai has been focusing on tourism for over 20 years. The requirements for foreign visitors such as hotels and shopping malls have been supported and instigated by the Dubai government. Full political support and where necessary new regulatory conditions created for the infrastructure projects.
Environment and Social Impact: The metro and solar park have reduced the effect on the environment. The metro reduces cars and thus pollution, and the solar park creates clean alternative energy. Both projects created work for the community during the construction and then permanent employment upon completion. The Dubai Metro employs over 3,000 staff, Serco (2014).
The financial model: Both projects have adopted the model of private-public partnership. There were number of international investors involved in Dubai metro project. The solar park project Phase I was funded by the UAE members of the Supreme Council of Energy, DEWA (2012). Phase II is a joint investment, and Phase III is currently out for tender, so the financial model is not known at the time of this study.
Project management: Both infrastructure projects are expansion infrastructure projects. The lessons learned should be considered for the CSF to be considered. The Dubai Metro was completed late and exceeded the budget, so the reasons why have to be understood and avoided for the new RED Line extension. The Solar Park was completed on time and within budget. It is crucial that this project is still reviewed and understood to identify how the project was successful. In this review, it may be possible to find further improvements to increase the savings and execute the works quicker and if not follow the successful method.
Security and Safety consideration: The construction phase would require the companies to produce their health and safety procedures for the project manager to approve and review. During the operation phase of the two projects, health and safety procedures should still be followed but would be based on operation and not construction. Serco (2014) are a Manpower Company and have trained 3,000 staff for the metro project.
Post implementation asset management: Asset management is required to look after the investments in the projects. The metro project has to be maintained to ensure it runs efficiently and effectively to meet the public requirements. The solar park has to be maintained and run efficiently otherwise shutdowns and failure of the park could result in a shortage of power. The foreign investors used for the projects would have experience in providing the necessary asset management procedures.
5.CONCLUSION
Infrastructure projects assist economic growth but can be costly to implement. Considerations of what is the right infrastructure project for the region should be carried out. Who will benefit from the project? When it’s a solar park or metro infrastructure project both the investor and the end user are beneficiaries. These types of project can be used for other infrastructure projects.
References
Carlisle, T. (2010) Dubai discovers new oil deposit [Online] Available from: (Accessed on 28 April 2015)
DEWA (2012)Dubai Electricity and Water Authority starts the first phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai [Online] Available from: (Accessed on 29 April 2015)
Davies, A., Gann, D. & Douglas, T. (2009) ‘Innovation in megaprojects: systems integration at London Heathrow Terminal 5’. [Online] Available from: (Accessed on 14 April 2015)
OCED (2006) OCED Annual Report [Online] Available from: (Accessed on 20 March 2015)
Sambridge, A. (2013) Phase 1 of Dubai's $3.3bn solar park goes live [Online] Available from: (Accessed on 14 April 2015)
Sanghera, P. (2010) ‘PMP In Depth: Project Management Professional Study Guide for the PMP Exam, 2nd edn’. Boston, Course Technology, a part of Cengage Learning
Serco (2014) Dubai Metro [Online] Available from: (Accessed on 29 April 2015)