Recently Completed Projects by Shapoorji Pallonji

 

 

Shapoorji Pallonji Group is an engineering and construction powerhouse with a long-standing legacy in India. It is responsible for some of the most iconic landmarks in the Mumbai skyline along with other cities as well. 

 

Here are some of the latest projects completed by the engineering arm of Shapoorji Pallonji Group.

Shiva Statue, Rajasthan (2020)

 

Called the Statue of Belief, this 351-feet tall statue has a structural steel framework and a shell of ultrahigh performance concrete moulded to its profile. The concrete shell has been designed and casted with every detail, expression, and feature of Shiva.

Kartarpur Corridor Passenger Terminal Building, Punjab (2020)

 

This state-of-the-art Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) has been constructed for the Landports Authority of India. It is a gateway to the Kartarpur Corridor and serves the Indian Sikh pilgrims as it connects the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur to Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan. 

Syngene's Chemical Synthesis Manufacturing Facility, Karnataka (2020)

 

This manufacturing facility, constructed in Mangalore, comprises a pharma block, API warehouse, QA/QC building, utility block, and sampling shed along with a canteen and admin building. It also includes a water treatment plant, electrical substation, solvent storage, hydrogen shed, gas cylinder storage shed, and more.

Indigo Hotel, Dubai (2020)

 

This 269-key hotel is located in the prime area of Dubai's Business Bay. The construction includes basements, a swimming pool, architectural finishing works, external development, MEP, bathroom pods, interior fit-out, signage, landscaping, and more.

Abraj Quartier Residential Towers, Qatar (2020)

 

Located in The Pearl, Doha, this project comprises 4 towers of 331 furnished apartments each, 25 2-level standard villas, and 5 3-level plus basement VIP Villas along with internal roadways, landscape, and utilities.

FORSAN Central Mall, Abu Dhabi (2020)

 

Located in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, this shopping mall is spread across more than 1.10 million sq.ft. It features a  façade with a series of vertical green and brown elements creating a bamboo forest effect. It consists of retail stores, F&B outlets, an entertainment area, a nine-screen cinema, and a Lulu Hypermarket.

GE Diesel Locomotive Factory, Bihar (2019)

 

This factory has been designed and constructed for GE Diesel Locomotive Pvt. Ltd. It comprises a machine shop, fabrication shop, bogie and wheel assembly shop, metallurgical/chemical laboratory, calibration laboratory, assembly shop, and a paint shop along with warehousing facilities, administrative office, and staff facilities.

MBR Dubai Hills Estate Business Park, Dubai (2019)

 

This business park in Mohammed Bin Rashid City, Al Khail Road consists of four office buildings, hard and soft landscaping, and a multi-storey car park with basement and retail areas as well as associated works and external services.

One Indiabulls BLU Residential Complex, Maharashtra (2018)

 

This complex is located in Worli, Mumbai and comprises 3 premium residential towers with 305 dwelling units. This construction project included civil and structural works, underground and overhead water tanks, UG tank, pump room, STP collection tank, and more with external development works such as concrete roads and drains.

Suzuki Motors Automobile Manufacturing (Plant A & B), Gujarat (2018)

 

This automobile manufacturing facility is located in Hansalpur near Ahmedabad. The construction project also included ancillary buildings and the utility services of UG Water Tank, WTP, Boiler and Compressor House, ETP, STP, Substation Rooms, Bituminous Roads, Storm Water Drains, Sewer Lines, and more.

Ford Vehicle Assembly & Engine Plant, Gujarat (2014)

 

Located at Sanand, this project included the construction of a stamping shop, a paint shop, a body shop. It also involved site development work, civil and structural steel work, finishing work, roads, storm water drains, and external development work.

The Top 5 Shapoorji Pallonji Construction Projects in KSA (Saudi Arabia)

Saudi Arabia, known officially as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), has a booming construction industry in the present times. There is a massive focus on building megaprojects that will increase the standard of living and on developing cutting edge social infrastructure.

Therefore, Shapoorji Pallonji has a number of noteworthy projects in KSA as yet another powerhouse in the construction industry.

Al-Reziza Commercial Tower

Located on Dammam-Al Khobar road in Al Khobar, this commercial tower was constructed for Al-Reziza Trading & Contracting Co. in 2017. It consists of 25 storeys housing office spaces with 2 basement floors, ground floor, mezzanine floor, 5 podium floors, and 18 office floors.

Al AbdulKarim Tower (AKH Tower)

This commercial tower is the tallest building in Dammam at a dramatic 37 storeys. Completed in 2019, it serves as the headquarters for wholesale distributor Al AbdulKarim Holding Company.

SEC New Headquarters Building Complex

Saudi Electricity Company's new headquarters building in Riyadh was completed in 2019. It consists of 4 typical office towers with basements and a central common podium, a restaurant and recreational building, 2 service buildings, 2 community buildings, car parking area, and 6 guard houses equipped with all facilities.

Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments

Shapoorji Pallonji Engineering and Construction took on this project for Dur Hospitality Company in Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh, completed in 2019. It is a 221-key, five-star Marriott Hotel and Executive Apartments.

Commanders College

This institutional project was constructed in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh in 2015. It comprises a main building, an accommodation building, a passage for the mosque, a guard house, courtyard, and compound wall, among others.

Standalone Photovoltaic Systems - an Overview

Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand-alone_power_system

As we continue to increase our dependencies on gadgets and appliances in our day-to-day lives, our energy requirements have also proportionally increased. Depending on where you are located, you have a variety of options to meet these energy demands. One such promising option is the standalone solar photovoltaic (SSPV) system. It offers many benefits over other sources of energy, but also comes with its share of limitations. Let's explore.

What is a standalone solar PV system?

It is any contraption that can convert sunlight into usable electricity and does not rely on the electric grid to meet your requirements. SSPVs comprise of several components that come together to help you fulfil your energy needs. Typically, an SSPV system features rechargeable batteries that store electricity for use during the night and periods of inadequate sunlight, such cloudy days, rainy days, fogs and dust storms.

What are the components of an SSPV system?

Apart from an array of solar panels that usually output anywhere between 50 to 100+ watts, an SSPV system features batteries that convert electrical energy into stored chemical energy for later usage. They may also feature a charge controller that regulates electricity within the system to avoid over or undercharging the batteries. Fuses and isolation switches protect against shorting the wires by isolating components from electricity when not in use. These systems also require an inverter to convert DC power from the solar arrays into AC, to power your household appliances. Bringing all these components together, the wiring plays a crucial role and has to be correctly rated for the application as well as the voltage.

What are the benefits of an SSPV system?

Before opting in for an SSPV system, one must take into account all of its benefits and shortcomings. These systems are ideal for remote locations such as rural areas or temporary campsites as well as portable applications like in an RV, a camper van, boats etc. They offer free solar power with zero dependencies on the grid and are oftentimes cheaper and less time-consuming than having an electric company extend their power lines into the location of your choice.

What are the limitations of an SSPV system?

While these systems can fill a crucial gap in your energy requirement, they also come with some limitations. They require a dedicated space to set up that must also receive sunlight that is unobstructed by adjacent structures. During periods of inadequate sunlight and the night, these systems solely rely on their batteries. Installing such a system may involve one to make certain lifestyle choices like performing all energy-intensive tasks during the day time, switching to energy-efficient appliances, periodic calculations to keep track of energy utilisation and reinforcing measures to keep all unwanted appliances off at all times when not in use.

If you are planning on going solar, consider all the factors like availability of sufficient land/space, weather conditions in your location, your energy requirements as well as your budget. These systems are easy to set up but do require regular maintenance. It is therefore important to familiarize yourself with how such a system works and what it takes to keep it up and running. A great place to start is getting in touch with a reputable standalone solar PV system provider. At Sterling and Wilson Solar, we endeavour to design and develop unique solar solutions to unique problems, utilising industry best-practices to fully support your energy requirements. Let's go solar together!

A Comprehensive List of the Hotels Constructed by Shapoorji Pallonji Group

As a globally prestigious powerhouse and one of India's oldest construction companies, the Shapoorji Pallonji Group is the force behind some of the most iconic landmarks in the country with cutting-edge projects delivered all across the globe. The Group has constructed and engineered many thoughtfully designed manufacturing projects across sectors which includes stunning hotels for some of the most reputable names in the business. 

Here is a comprehensive list of the hotels constructed for well-known brands by Shapoorji Pallonji Engineering and Construction (SP E&C):

Taj Mahal Palace - Tower Wing in Mumbai (1970)

This extension of one of the most iconic landmarks in Mumbai is a 20-storey tower wing located right across the road from the Gateway of India facing the Arabian Sea.

Oberoi Towers in Mumbai (1973)

Standing as the tallest building in India when it was constructed, the structurally strong hotel has a part podium base rising to 25 floors that holds the tower firm.

Hotel Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi (2012)

Housing 369 guest rooms and suites that are spread over a whopping 1,370,000 sq. ft., this hotel is considered one of the finest five-star locations in the luxurious location of Abu Dhabi.

ITC Kohenur in Hyderabad (2017)

Offering the finest accomodation and dining services, this LEED 'Platinum Rated Green Building' certified, five-star luxury hotel has 271 rooms, 27 service apartments, and 7 suites including a presidential and grand presidential suite.

Vivanta by Taj in Guwahati (2015)

Another location of the iconic Taj Vivanta, this five-star luxury hotel is built with a blend of traditional and contemporary architecture, housing 150 rooms and luxury suites offering world-class accommodation.

Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Nedumbassery, Kochi (2012)

Located in close proximity to the Kochi International Airport, this four-star Marriott hotel offers upscale hospitality within a built up area of 1,76,000 sq. ft.

Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Edapally, Kochi (2013)

Another Marriott project location in Kochi, this luxury five-star business hotel has a built-up area of 3,50,000 sq. ft. situated within the Lulu International Shopping Mall.

Rove At The Park Hotel in Dubai (2019)

This three-star hotel is a part of Rove Hospitality LLC which is a subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC and has a capacity of 579 keys.

Rove City Centre Hotel in Dubai (2016)

Coming from a subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, this three-star Rove City Centre Hotel has a capacity of 270 keys.

Rove Downtown Hotel in Dubai (2016)

Another landmark construction project for Rove Hospitality LLC, this three-star hotel in Zabeel has a capacity of 420 keys.

Rove Dubai Marina Hotel in Dubai (2018)

This construction project for Rove Hospitality LLC, a subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, is a three-star hotel with a capacity of 384 keys.

Rove Healthcare City Hotel in Dubai (2017)

This is another three-star hotel constructed for Rove Hospitality LLC and is located at Oud Metha with a capacity of 286 keys.

Rove Trade Centre Hotel in Dubai (2017)

SP E&C constructed this 270-key, three-star hotel for Rove Hospitality LLC at Jafiliya, Dubai.

Vida Hotel in Dubai (2019)

Lining the Dubai Creek Harbour, this exquisite, 286-key capacity hotel was constructed for Lagoos Phase One LLC, a subsidiary of M/s Emaar Properties PJSC.

Top Best Cities to Invest in Africa

As the world truly comes closer and becomes one, more and more people are converging into cities. It is estimated that over half of the world's population now resides in cities. As centres of art, culture, trade and opportunity, cities reshape the landscape around them. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the developing world. And whether you reside in one or not, it is very likely that you will find yourself gravitating towards a city at some point of time in your life.

So when the time is right, what city would you go for? Let's take a look at some of the most promising African cities to invest in. While choosing the right city for residential or business purposes, one must take into account factors like accessibility, opportunities, infrastructure, demographic, geographic location, culture and cost of living. With this in mind, we look at the continent's most promising prospects.

When it comes to investing, the most important thing to look for is an upward trajectory. A strong middle-class population is indicative of great business opportunities and from this respect, a few names stand out immediately. Cities like Dar es Salaam in Tanzania and Lusaka, the capital of Zambia take the top spot. Joining them are cities like Accra in Ghana, Lagos in Nigeria, Cairo in Egypt and Nairobi in Kenya. These cities form the new generation of economic powerhouses in the continent.

If you're itching to begin the next chapter of your personal or business life, a great city to start is Nairobi. It is shaping up to be an incredible growth market with a booming residential and commercial scene. The shining star on the block - Garden City - is Kenya's first integrated residential, retail and office development. With bustling apartment complexes, shopping malls, business hotels and medical facilities, Garden City is the perfect place to set up shop. And when you have your heart set into moving in, there's always Mi Vida, a residential complex that is all about living life to the fullest. It features meticulously designed affordable homes with modern fitments and luxury offerings. So, have you found the city of your dreams?

The Lifespan of a Solar Panel

As the climate crisis continues, solar energy is gaining popularity as an alternative source of energy for the home and businesses. Besides being a greener alternative, it is also cost-effective, allowing you to get ‘free’ energy from the sun for decades. The obvious question to ask is, how long would a solar panel efficiently power your needs before the end of its life? 

Unlike complex machinery, solar panels do not operate at 100% for a specific period of time before completely dying on us. Instead, solar panels slowly degrade with a reduction in efficiency as time and elements take their toll on the panels. Being simple contraptions with zero moving parts, solar panels are a reliable energy source despite being subjected to the harsh conditions of the outdoors.

Every solar panel has a solar degradation rate - the rate at which it gradually loses efficiency as time goes by. Generally, an industry average rate of 0.5% efficiency-loss per year is considered normal. This means that it would take 10 years for an average solar panel to go from being 100% efficient right after installation to becoming 95% efficient. Not bad, considering solar energy is free, regular, and abundant. However, at some point, a solar panel reaches a point of being too inefficient to power your needs. When a solar panel reaches about 85% efficiency, its ‘useful’ life is over and manufacturers will recommend replacing the panels.

The reason panels degrade is usually due to micro-cracks that develop as the panels flex with temperature variations and due to other factors. These tiny cracks make it more difficult for the free flow of the electrons and as a result, not all of the energy that a panel produces makes its way into your home or business. At some point, it makes more financial sense to replace the panels, especially in business applications where a steady supply is essential.

So how long do solar panels last? The useful lifespan of solar panels lasts anywhere between 25-30 years. That’s enough time for the panels to pay you back for the cost of initial installation in the form of free energy from the sun. It is also enough time for the panels to generate enough clean energy that offsets the energy required to produce them in the first place. Therefore, enough time to make solar panels an economically and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil-based energy sources. 

As with any other technology, the better you buy, the better your experience with the product. Established manufacturers of solar panels have worked out ways to minimize degradation, utilizing the best manufacturing, installation, and maintenance practices. If you’re on the lookout for a reliable partner that can fulfill your solar power needs, Sterling and Wilson Solar is the right partner for you. It is one of the leading solar EPC and O&M solutions providers in the world with a presence across 25 countries and a portfolio of 252 solar power projects.

A List of the Manufacturing Plants Constructed by Shapoorji Pallonji Group

One of India’s oldest and most prestigious construction companies and now a global powerhouse delivering cutting-edge projects worldwide, the Shapoorji Pallonji Group has built a diverse range of civil as well as structural projects including iconic landmarks that serve millions globally. Among these projects, Shapoorji Pallonji Group has constructed and engineered many thoughtfully designed manufacturing plants for reputed companies and brand names. 

Here is a comprehensive list of the manufacturing plants constructed for reputed companies by the Shapoorji Pallonji Engineering and Construction (SP E&C):

1. Volkswagen Plant in Pune (2010)

This plant is the largest investment by a German company in the Indian market.

2. Tata Motors Facility in Pune (1965)

This impeccably engineered project is Tata Motors’ largest facility in India.

3. BMW Plant in Chennai (2008)

Shapoorji Pallonji E&C designed and built BMW’s first-ever plant in India.

4. SAIL Steel Plant in Rourkela (2015)

This is one of SAIL’s single largest material handling projects in India.

5. Amway Manufacturing Facility in Madurai (2015)

This is Amway’s first owned manufacturing facility in India.

6. Asian Paints Plant in Khandala (2014)

This reputed Indian company’s paint manufacturing plant is spread over 1M sq. m.

7. Berger Paints India Ltd in Hindupur (2014)

This manufacturing facility has an initial capacity of 80,000 tons over 23,200 sq. m.

8. Haier Industrial Park in Pune (2018)

This is an expansion of Haier's existing factory with a new manufacturing facility.

9. ITC Bhadrachalam Manufacturing Facility (2013)

Expansion of the paper manufacturing facility with a built-up area of 40,892 sq. m.  

10. Glass Bottle Manufacturing Facility in Aurangabad (2013)

Comprises production buildings, a batch house, raw material storage units, and a water treatment plant.

11. Ganesha Manufacturing Facility in Pune (2018)

Includes two new AIL & MPT production plants, ancillary structures, and roads.

12. Sterile Manufacturing Facility in Visakhapatnam (2014)

Pharmaceuticals manufacturing facility comprising terminal sterilization and aseptic sterilization.

13. Diesel Engine Manufacturing Facility in Aurangabad (2016)

Responsible for manufacturing and supplying the Perkins 4000 series engine range.

14. Flavours Manufacturing Facility in Maharashtra (2019)

This facility includes a production building, warehouse, pump houses, UG tanks, and more.

15. Textile Manufacturing Facilities in Karnataka (2018)

This is a textile spinning unit with an installed capacity of 2,00,000.