TOP HIGHLIGHTS
> SWEDEN Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson has set out plans for new legislation that would allow Sweden to build more nuclear power stations. The country currently has six nuclear power stations, which together produce around 40% of its energy.
Sweden isn’t reliant on gas for its power generation but has still seen energy prices rise amid increased demand as a result of the war in Ukraine. Now the government wants to pass new legislation, as early as March 2024, to allow the construction of new reactors.
> THAILAND It is reported that Thailand will start construction of its 290-billion baht (US$8.8 billion) U-Tapao aviation city this year. A government spokesman has confirmed that the project will begin early in 2023. It involves turning the Vietnamwar-era U-Tapao airport into the third main international airport in the country.
A public-private partnership will fund the project. Design and consultancy firm One Works has already won a deal with infrastructure business GMR Group, Thai AirAsia and other stakeholders to develop a masterplan.
> GERMANY Hamm has introduced the HX series, with the company calling it a new generation of pivot-steered tandem rollers. Replacing the previous DV+ series, Hamm says it has intuitive operation with Easy Drive, high performance data, comfort features and sustainable operation, as well as the ‘Smart Compact’ digital compaction assistant.
All models are available in countries with the EPA Tier 4/EU Stage V emissions regulation. The new flagship models are designed for asphalt compaction, the HX 70i model (7 t/55.4 kW) and HX 90i (9 t/74.4 kW) and can achieve high surface outputs on large construction sites.
> INDONESIA It has been reported that Indonesia will begin building apartments worth US$2.7 billion for its new capital city on Borneo Island in the second quarter of the year. The country announced in 2019 that it planned to move its capital city from Jakarta to a new area in Indonesian Borneo. The new city, named Nusantara, is estimated to cost US$32 billion.
Reports suggest that authorities have already started building basic infrastructure in the area, with an aim to start relocating some government administration and civil servants in 2024.