UAE - Mubasher: Abu Dhabi will launch two major infrastructure public-private partnership (PPP) projects to establish three new schools and implement the second phase of its street lighting upgrade programme.

Potential bidders are called for submitting expressions of interest for the two projects, which are executed under the Partnership Projects framework issued by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), according to a press release on Monday.

Structured in a collaboration framework between ADIO and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), the Zayed City Schools PPP project will deliver three new schools with a capacity of 5,360 students in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed City.

The project's contract will include a 22-year concession period, a 24-month construction period, and a 20-year maintenance period.

In the second phase of the street lighting LED PPP programme, around 140,000 of the emirate’s streetlights will be replaced with energy-efficient LED technology.

This replacement will lead to around 76% reduction in power consumption, equivalent to cost savings of AED 705 million, and will be structured as a 12-year concession agreement with DMT.

The Director-General of ADIO, Tariq Bin Hendi, said: "With Abu Dhabi’s PPP framework firmly established, we are launching new major infrastructure projects as part of a pipeline of PPP projects that will strengthen sustainable private sector-led economic growth in the emirate."

Meanwhile, the Undersecretary of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abdullah Al Sahi, commented: "We will continue to achieve sustainable achievements through the exemplary employment of partnerships with the private sector, in conjunction with adherence to the highest international quality standards, to establish the position of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi among the most preferred cities to live in the world."