Red Sea Global awards contract for sustainable transport consultancy
Mott MacDonald to deliver plan for ambitious sustainable transport requirements at The Red Sea Global tourism development in Saudi Arabia
Riyadh, (7 Dec 2020): Red Sea Global RSG (formerly known as TRSDC) , the developer of the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project, has awarded a contract to global engineering firm Mott MacDonald to provide consultancy services to determine the optimal sustainable vehicle and fleet configuration at the destination.
Mott MacDonald will deliver a comprehensive and robust analysis of the total land, sea and air transport needs for the development and operation of the 28,000km² site, from its opening in 2023 to its completion in 2030. This will involve a strategy for destination-wide clean mobility using electric and hydrogen vehicles, boats and aircrafts.
“We believe that environmental regeneration and commercial development do not have to be mutually exclusive. Our destination is one of extraordinary natural beauty, which we have a responsibility to protect and enhance for future generations,”
Said John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG.
“We’re looking forward to working with Mott MacDonald, who are well aligned with our strong sustainability ambitions to deliver a green mobility plan and will support us with our commitment to become a carbon neutral destination,” he added.
The company will also be required to identify the most appropriate supporting infrastructure, such as electric and hydrogen vehicle charging stations, in line with RSG’s ambitions to power the destination with 100 percent renewable energy.
The appointment is a key development in the roll out of Phase One, which is well underway. Vehicle fleet to be assessed includes e-bikes, golf buggies, cars, vans, trucks, buses, seaplanes, helicopters, VTOL, passenger ferries, boats, maintenance vehicles, airside vehicles and even off-road leisure pursuit vehicles. Mott MacDonald will also propose the best fleet propulsion systems from a range of available sustainable options.
Chris Seymour, Middle East Managing Director at Mott MacDonald, said: “At Mott MacDonald, we embed the key aspects of sustainable development into all our projects and business activities. Sustainable development is a matter of making choices and decisions that satisfy all relevant social, economic and environmental concerns, and is an area where RSG is setting new standards. We’re looking forward to being part of shaping this beautiful destination and supporting RSG’s progressive sustainability initiatives.”
As part of RSG’s commitment to go beyond sustainability to actively enhance the destination, the project will be powered with 100 percent renewable energy, 24 hours a day via solar and wind power, an accomplishment which has never been achieved on a project of this scale before.
RSG is investing in a number of innovative nature-based solutions throughout the construction process, to not just prevent environmental damage, but positively contribute to the area’s delicate ecosystems. A central part of this approach is the aim to increase the project’s net conservation benefit by 30 percent by 2040.
In line with the development of the sustainable management plan, RSG will be partnering with leading vendors who demonstrate a proven track record and commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Considerable progress has been made on The Red Sea Global, despite Covid-19 related disruptions in 2020. Approximately 500 contracts have been awarded so far at a value of SAR 12 billion (nearly $3.2 billion) – set to rise to nearly SAR 15 billion by the end of 2020.
The project has surpassed significant milestones and work remains on track to welcome the first guests by the end of 2023, when the international airport and the first four hotels will open. The remaining 12 hotels scheduled for completion in Phase One will open in 2023, delivering a total of 3,000 rooms across five islands and two inland resorts.
Upon completion in 2030, the Destination will include 50 hotels offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and 1,300 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites.
About Red Sea Global
Red Sea Global (RSG - www.redseaglobal.com) is a closed joint-stock company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) ofSaudi Arabia.
RSG is a global multi-project developer, seeking to lead the world towards a more sustainable future, showing how responsible and regenerative development can uplift communities, drive economies, and enhance the environment. The protection of natural capital is central to all development decisions, as the organization seeks to create abetter future for all.
A cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambition to diversify its economy, RSG is playing a key role in transforming the nation, by creating exciting opportunities for young Saudi talent and the private sector, as it develops built assets and destinations across multiple sectors that make a positive impact for people and planet.
RSG is the visionary company behind some of the world’s most ambitious development ventures, including luxury regenerative tourism destinations such as The Red Sea and AMAALA.
Across its portfolio, RSG leverages the most innovative concepts, strategies, and technologies to deliver projects that actively enhance the wellbeing of customers, communities, and environments.
