November 25, 2013 Mumbai: Voltas, India's premier air conditioning and engineering services company, walked away with honours for the fourth consecutive year at the prestigious MEP Middle East awards, at a gala event in Dubai on 20th November. This time the accolade was for 'Sustainable GCC Project of the Year', awarded for Voltas' design-and-build MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health) solutions for the Al Bustan Utility Complex in Riyadh, KSA.

The complex stands apart from Riyadh's utility grid and other services, calling for a great deal of self-sufficiency and resource conservation. Meeting this requirement with remarkably energy-efficient electro-mechanical systems, Voltas has set new Middle Eastern and international standards in sustainable engineering.

Being executed by Voltas Olayan, the company's Saudi Arabian subsidiary, the Rs 3240 million project encompasses air conditioning and other electro-mechanical services (including electricals, ELV systems and fire-fighting systems).

Since HVAC accounts for the bulk of energy usage, Voltas proposed a highly energy-efficient hybrid cooling system combining VAM (vapour absorption machines) and electric chillers, enhanced by a thermal storage system. This hybrid combination reduces the peak electrical load demand; it also recycles the generator waste heat to fire the VAM chillers, as well as for heating purposes in winter.

Now nearing completion, the Al Bustan Utility Complex will be one of the most sustainable infrastructural projects in the Middle East.

Voltas is no stranger to the MEP Middle East awards. Over the previous three years running, it won the coveted 'MEP Contractor of the Year' award, as well as for 'Overall GCC Project of the Year' (for Abu Dhabi's Ferrari World in 2010, Dubai's Etihad Towers in 2011, and Abu Dhabi's Yas Water World in 2012).

Says Gavin Appleby (EVP & COO - Voltas International Operations Business Group): "With the Al Bustan Utility Complex, Voltas expects to set a new regional and global benchmark for 'green' development. The project's success confirms the company's continued standing as the region's leading MEP contractor, well positioned to seize the emerging opportunities across the 'green' building and sustainable energy sectors."