Nakheel Awards AED 527 Million Contract for Dubai Islands ‘B’ Infrastructure
Nakheel has awarded a AED 527 million contract to Al Nasr Contracting to build core infrastructure on Dubai Islands’ Island B, accelerating the emirate’s major coastal expansion.
Nakheel’s contract for the Dubai Islands’ Island B will fund roads, utilities and district plant integration, supporting future residential, hospitality and mixed-use development on the artificial island. The award marks a significant step in delivering the master plan and aligns with Dubai’s Urban Plan 2040 objectives.
Contract Award and Financial Details
Nakheel confirmed the contract value at AED 527 million, naming Al Nasr Contracting LLC as the lead contractor for infrastructure works on Island B.
The appointment follows a competitive procurement process aimed at fast-tracking the next phase of the Dubai Islands development.
The company said the award is a milestone in the project’s delivery timeline and signals continued capital deployment into strategic coastal expansion.
Nakheel described the contract as part of a long-term construction programme to enable vertical development and community delivery across the islands.
Scope of Infrastructure and Engineering Works
The scope covers primary roads and pavements, potable water systems, electricity and telecommunications networks, and comprehensive sewerage works.
Works will also include integration with the central district cooling plant and technical coordination with neighbouring Island A to ensure network continuity.
Design emphasis will be placed on flexible, future-ready utilities that can accommodate evolving demand and sustainability standards.
Engineers will implement resilient infrastructure systems intended to support large-scale residential, hospitality and leisure projects planned for the island.
Statements from Nakheel and Al Nasr Contracting
Khalid Al Malek, chief executive of Dubai Holding Real Estate, said the contract reflects disciplined and deliberate execution of one of Dubai’s major coastal masterplans.
He added that providing foundational infrastructure is essential to creating long-term value and progressing the transformation of Dubai Islands into an integrated urban destination.
Jean Nicolas El Helou, chief executive of Al Nasr Contracting LLC, said his firm is committed to delivering high-quality engineering works that support Dubai’s growth agenda.
El Helou emphasised the contractor’s focus on robust construction standards and sustainable implementation across the Island B programme.
Project Scale, Capacity and Urban Ambition
Dubai Islands spans some 18.6 square kilometres across five interconnected islands, and will add close to 57 kilometres of new coastline to the emirate.
The overall scheme includes approximately 21 kilometres of beaches and is designed to accommodate more than 231,000 residents in roughly 49,000 homes, including villas, luxury houses and apartments.
Planned amenities include a mix of resorts, marinas, retail outlets and leisure facilities intended to diversify Dubai’s tourism and residential offer.
Project promoters position the islands as a long-term contribution to urban growth, tourism capacity and the wider agenda for economic diversification.
Connectivity and Strategic Location
The island cluster will connect to the mainland via three strategic bridges linked to the Shindagha corridor, improving vehicular and service access.
Those links are designed to place Dubai International Airport about 10 kilometres from the islands and Downtown Dubai approximately 15 kilometres away, enhancing the islands’ accessibility.
The transport framework aims to integrate the islands with Dubai’s urban fabric and support efficient movement for residents, visitors and commercial activity.
Planners anticipate that the proximity to major transport nodes will help position Dubai Islands as a convenient coastal destination within the city.
Implications for Delivery and Urban Planning
The contract award is framed by Nakheel as a preparatory phase for vertical construction and phased community handover.
By completing enabling works early, developers and investors can sequence residential and hospitality launches in line with market demand.
The programme also reinforces alignment with Dubai’s Urban Plan 2040, which targets sustainable, high-quality expansion and improved liveability.
Observers say that well-executed infrastructure delivery will be critical to meeting environmental and service benchmarks as the islands move from land reclamation to operational neighbourhoods.
The AED 527 million contract for Island B represents a tangible step in the Dubai Islands project’s evolution, moving the master plan closer to practical delivery and signalling further construction milestones ahead.
