Sustainability has become a pressing global issue, and as responsible industry leaders, it is essential for us to address the environmental, social, and economic aspects of our projects. By adopting sustainable practices, we can create lasting positive impacts on the environment, enhance the well-being of communities, and drive long term profitability.
In this special feature, we focus on sustainability in the construction industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Larsen & Toubro
Sustainable infrastructure development driven by Larsen & Toubro
Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the Indian engineering conglomerate, is making impressive strides in sustainability participation across Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. With its extensive global presence, L&T has been expanding its portfolio of power, water, and renewables projects in the GCC region, to participate in the sustainable infrastructure development and economic growth of the region.
“Our strong focus, globally, is on resource efficiency and decarbonization,” remarks Mr. S N Subrahmanyan, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, L&T. “Our sustainability vision is to create a better world by pursuing eco-friendly growth, promoting a culture of sustainability and innovation. Our green business portfolio is 37% and we are present across various sectors: renewables (solar/ wind), FGDs, water & wastewater, sustainable transportation such as metro and more. We have even been adjudged 3rd among ‘World’s Top 200 Environmental Firms’ by global agency Environment News record (ENR),” he added.
Renewable Projects: A Commendable Focus in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, L&T’s involvement in renewable projects is impressive having secured approval to commence constructing the 300 MW Jeddah Solar PV Power Plant. L&T has also won a contract to construct a 380 kV substation along with associated transmission interconnections in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Programme that will contribute to Saudi Arabia’s objective of increasing renewable generation in its energy mix. Another significant project in Saudi Arabia is the 700MW Ar Rass solar photovoltaic independent power plant (IPP) that exemplifies L&T’s dedication to leverage advanced technologies and collaborating with industry partners. The company has also developed a Circular Economy strategy for its Saudi Aramco projects.
NEOM: A Visionary Project for Sustainability
L&T’s participation in the development of NEOM, a groundbreaking project in Saudi Arabia, further underscores its commitment to sustainability. As part of NEOM’s infrastructure development, L&T has reached a significant milestone by securing a $2.7 billion project. “Our involvement in this visionary project showcases our willingness to push boundaries and contribute to the creation of a new future for the region,” highlighted Mr. Subrahmanyan.
Energy Efficiency, A key priority
Water conservation is another crucial aspect of L&T’s sustainability efforts having set a target to achieve water neutrality by 2035. The company’s Water & Effluent Treatment (WET) business vertical is India’s foremost organization to build infrastructure for water conservation, preservation, harvesting, reuse by adopting water-efficient technologies in its operations.
Towards efficient waste management, the Company has implemented effective practices such as waste segregation, recycling, and reuse in its operations.
Further, L&T places great emphasis on Circular Economy and the use of sustainable materials in its operations, aiming to reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources and increase the utilization of renewable resources. The company uses non-virgin and eco-friendly materials to the tune of 24% in its raw materials. By incorporating sustainable materials like fly ash, slag, and recycled materials in its construction projects, L&T actively contributes to the promotion of sustainable practices in the industry.
Biodiversity preservation is a priority too by implementing measures such as afforestation, ecological restoration, mangrove plantation and minimizes its impact on biodiversity and actively promote conservation in its operations.
