Farnek Avireal, the pioneering company that won an Emirates Energy Award for its research into energy savings in Dubai’s hotel and hospitality sector, has been awarded a consulting contract from Abela & Company.

Under the contract, Avireal will be responsible for project management and technical assistance for a massive central kitchen being built by Abela, a major player in the regional contract catering industry.

The new central kitchen is double the size of its current facilities in Dubai. The company expects to prepare and serve an additional 120,000 meals per day from the new kitchen that will have an area of 7,040 sq m on a plot of 18,019 sq m designed to meet current and anticipated meal demands.

Avireal will also offer energy management consultancy and facilities management to Abela to ensure best possible maintenance, said a company official.

“Our work doesn’t stop there, however,” said Markus Oberlin, general manager of Avireal Middle East. “Abela care about the impact they have on the environment and want to do something about that. So we will be coming up with the best energy concepts for efficient lifecycle running costs, including the use of solar technologies.

Avireal is working with the Fraunhofer Solar Institute of Germany to introduce the latest in solar technology. The company will utilise the solar power to help reduce the heat of the kitchen for Abela.

With the massive regional construction boom along with continued growth in Middle East aviation and the event and exhibition industry, the demand for contract catering has shot up.

Strategically located for future business in “New Dubai” at Dubai Industrial City, Abela’s new central kitchen will be close to the new Dubai World Central airport under construction at Jebel Ali and Dubai Waterfront.

Abela’s catering services include: in-flight; airport terminals; industrial sites; institutional, hospital and nursing homes; and events and hospitality services.

“Abela is among a growing number of regional companies seeking to reduce or limit their energy consumption which has both a direct effect on their bottomline as well as the environment,” Oberlin added.-TradeArabia News Service