The vigorous economic growth – the new homes, new corporate edifices and high-rise infrastructures – ushered in a new era of record activity in the construction sector which fueled also a huge increase in demand for other sectors, among them are mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), and water and power sectors. "The current boom in the construction segment with many large projects in the pipeline represents enormous opportunities for the company especially in the water and MEP sectors," said Tawfiq Abu Soud, Executive Director of Drake & Scull Water and Power L.L.C (DSWP), a wholly owned subsidiary of Drake & Scull International (DSI) PJSC, a regional market leader in integrated design, engineering and construction disciplines of civil contracting, mechanical, electrical & plumbing (MEP), and water and power. DSWP announced that it has secured a AED100 million contract to set up an Intake Water System package for a 2x525 MW thermal power station in Orissa, India. Works on the project will start immediately and is expected to be completed in March 2013. Drake & Scull International is poised for significant growth in 2012 especially with the increased demand for water and power services in the region. "This project is of strategic importance for the company to further expand in the utilities, infrastructure and water industries in India. Our aim is to channel our international expertise and technologies to cater for the surging demand in the water treatment, water re-use, and sewage treatment sectors. The water industry in India has a lot of scope and growth and DSWP intends to bring its European technologies to benefit from this thriving sector," Abu Soud added. "India has also seen a significant growth in the real estate (buildings & industry) sector in the last few years and plays a substantial role in contributing to the economy of the country. Presently real estate accounts for about 5 percent of India's GDP and is expected to rise up to 6 percent over next five years. The MEP segment is currently quite fragmented with few companies offering integrated engineering solutions such as DSI." Since its inception, Drake & Scull Water and Power has completed works in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi and other GCC markets. The company also completed the integration of Passavant-Roediger into DSI's business platform and secured a series of project wins in Europe, China and the MENA region. In 2011 DSWP, signed a memorandum of understanding with Australian based company Earth Heat Resources Limited, an ASX listed New Energy Company, to jointly explore, bid for and secure geothermal project opportunities in the Middle East and Africa. DSWP is also actively seeking opportunities in the solar power and other alternatives energy sector in the region.
