FRENCH energy management and automation leader, Schneider Electric has been catering to the power and energy needs of Saudi Arabia for the past 34 years with its portfolio of safe, reliable, and sustainable solutions that serve as the driving force of the company’s operations in the Kingdom.



In its priority to serve as a key contributor to the nation’s economic growth, Schneider Electric continuously seeks to expand its manufacturing facilities and strengthen its local partnerships.



The latest recognition — ‘Building Project of the Year 2015’ MEED award — validates Schneider Electric’s commitment to the development of Saudi Arabia’s economy.



Additionally, Schneider Electric was awarded a distinction certificate in recognition of the products and solutions put in place during the first phase of construction of the Jabal Omar Project in Makkah.



The first of its kind in the region, the MEED Quality Awards for Projects, in association with Mashreq Bank, is designed to recognize and reward best practices and quality in construction projects throughout the GCC. The merit-based awards are judged by an esteemed panel of experts from the projects industry in the region.



Ziad Mortaja, country president of Schneider Electric in Saudi Arabia said: “Recognition from MEED, one of the regions most trusted sources of business intelligence, is a source of pride for Schneider Electric.



As Saudi Arabia has had a growing focus on project standards and excellence in consumer experience, the teams maintained complete coordination and synergy in order to benefit internal and external stakeholders, while ensuring sustainability in an implementation of this scale.”



The city of Makkah is home of the Grand Mosque with the Al Haram Piazza attracting millions of Muslims from across the world for religious pilgrimage.



The Jabal Omar Development project, located west of the Grand Mosque on Mount Omar, comprises 40 towers with a holding capacity of over 100,000 persons.



The project aims to reduce overcrowding, providing high quality accommodation and prayer areas for visitors, as well as retail outlets and luxury hotels.



Sabry Mazraawy, vice president of Eco Buildings Business Unit said: “A project of this scale required a keen focus on the electrical network architecture, and necessitated high technical competencies from various fields.



There was complete coordination between all stakeholders in order to keep this project on its trajectory.



Once complete, the main symmetrical towers of the project, with their interconnecting upper bridge will form an iconic landmark, serving as a gateway to the Grand Mosque.”



The Jabal Omar Project aims to improve the overall experience for Makkah residents and visitors, particularly during the Ramadan and Hajj seasons.



Schneider Electric’s scope of work for the Jabal Omar Development Project included engineering services, a complete electrical network, installation and interfacing of LV and MV equipment, automation, supply of DAS systems throughout the project, as well as providing a complete power system for nine hotels in Makkah (including MRMUs, RTUs, MVSG, Transformers, LV MDBs, LV PFC, DPs, LPs, Consumer Units, Synch Panels, VFDs, Busway).



Monitoring and control of the project costs and scope ensured that the project remained within the defined budgets. For more information on the MEED Quality Awards, please visit www.meedawards.com. — SG