JEDDAH: Siemens AG, a global powerhouse in electronics and electrical engineering, operating in the industry, energy and healthcare sectors, has announced major achievements in its projects in those three sectors in Saudi Arabia, where it excels. The company, having been actively involved for more than 75 years now in Saudi Arabia, offers complete innovative and affordable solutions in developing the world without damaging the environment, Kareem Al-Amoudi, senior vice president and country manager for energy, said in his presentation outlining Siemens evolution and accomplishments in the Kingdom. Most recently, it has completed Phase I of the Mashaaer Mugaddassah Metro Project (MMMP), a rail transportation solution that will allow pilgrims to perform Haj in comfort. Besides, The rail solution significantly reduces the travel time between the holy sites. The project consists of an 18 km double track, which was electrified in order to interlink the Arafat district with that in Muzdalifah and Mina/Jamarat by a heavy metro system. Siemens has delivered the whole power supply system, traction substations and the entire overhead cable system. Hartwig Lankow, vice president of Siemens Mobility in Saudi Arabia, said: "Siemens is a major player in the development of the local infrastructure in the Kingdom and in particular in the development of infrastructure of the holy sites to facilitate millions of pilgrims every year. With the commissioning of MMMP, a long cherished dream has come true - pilgrims can use a modern rail transportation system that significantly saves transportation time." The project, which became operational during Haj 2010, will be ready to operate at full capacity during the next Haj season, he added. Other major projects of Siemens Mobility in the Kingdom include the state-of-the-art Signaling and Telecom System implemented on the Saudi Railways Organization Dammam to Riyadh railway line (the 449-km-long section of the line reserved for passenger service was equipped with the European Train Control System (ETCS) - marking the first-ever use of the technology in the Arab world), the Baggage Handling System at Madina International Airport and the modern postal automation equipment for Saudi Post. Under Siemens Complete Mobility concept, the company could create efficient mobility solutions that allow the intelligent coordination of different transport systems - for the safe, cost-efficient and environmentally compatible transport of people and goods. Siemens Green Mobility portfolio shapes the transport market by moving people and goods efficiently with minimum impact on the environment. According to Hartwig Lankow, head of Siemens Mobility in Saudi Arabia, the average global surface temperature has increased by 0.76° C compared to the 18th century, and 11 of the 12 years between 1994 and 2005, rank among the 12 warmest since weather observations began. Greenhouse gas emissions have also risen dramatically since industrialization, with the highest CO2 concentration in the atmosphere for the past 350,000 years being felt at present, he added. In fiscal year 2010, energy-efficient products of Siemens Mobility green portfolio abated about 270 million tons of CO2, which equals the total carbon dioxide emitted by Hong Kong, London, New York, Tokyo, Delhi and Singapore put together, the company said in a statement. Moreover, the Siemens' Industry Solutions Division has received an order to provide demineralization and condensate polishing equipment for the new Marafiq Yanbu power plant in Yanbu. The new plant will allow Marafiq to increase its power generation capacity to better serve industries based in Yanbu and Jubail. The multimillion-dollar water treatment systems are scheduled for start-up in 2011. In energy sector, the world's largest greenfield integrated state-of-the-art water and power project, the Shuaibah Project near Jeddah, utilizes one of Siemens' cleanest steam power plants to generate power and desalinate water for the region of Makkah, Taif, and Jeddah. Siemens has also recently completed a €155 million project for Saudi Electricity Company to provide harmonized grid solutions for a major substation in the Kingdom. The 380-kV substation adds 1,000 MVA of secure power transmission capacity to the Saudi Arabian grid, helping the Kingdom keeps pace with the rapidly growing demand for power. As the project's turnkey partner, Siemens provided technical solutions at all stages of the construction, installation, testing and commissioning of the substation. The world's largest greenfield integrated state-of-the-art water and power project, the Shuaibah Project near Jeddah, utilizes one of Siemens' cleanest steam power plants to generate power and desalinate water for the region of Makkah, Taif, and Jeddah. In healthcare sector, Siemens executed a turnkey project for the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center in Jeddah. The renovation and upgrade of the complete radiology department required various Siemens medical products, systems and solutions that enable the hospital to optimize its workflows and improve the efficiency and quality of patient care. In line with its corporate social responsibility, Siemens in Saudi Arabia is committed to supporting the careers of young Saudis through targeted professional recruitment programs. Its global program, Siemens Caring Hands, provides socioeconomic support to underprivileged communities. The Siemens Generation21 program strongly supports educational activities with its innovative Discovery Box initiative aimed to inspire tomorrow's young scientists, engineers and doctors. Siemens will also be one of the sponsors of the upcoming Fifth Global Competitiveness Forum in Riyadh from Jan. 22-25, 2011. Amr Abdullah Al-Dabbagh, Governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), and Lutz Kahlbua, CEO of Siemens Limited, have signed an agreement to that effect.
