🌆 Infra Futures #12

Happy Monday 👋

NETSCOUT's 2024 report reveals a 55% surge in DDoS attacks on critical infrastructure in Europe and the Middle East, driven by increased hacktivist group activities. Thailand's Ministry of Transport launched a $78B infrastructure investment to modernize transportation and support sustainable logistics. A semi-autonomous lift-assist vehicle is being tested for more efficient solar panel installation in the US. Ireland allocated $8.5B to housing in its 2025 budget, with $2.1B for 10,000 social homes, $3.2B for climate projects, and $1.6B for workforce development. Viennese PropTech company Gropyus raised an additional $105.6M to build sustainable, networked, and affordable wood-hybrid multi-family homes.

🏗️ Energy Infrastructure

🔋 Surge in DDoS Attacks on Critical Infrastructure. NETSCOUT's 2024 report says DDoS attacks on critical infrastructure in Europe and the Middle East increased by 55% over four years, fueled by hacktivist groups.

🔌 India Announces Subsidy for EV Charging Infrastructure. The Indian government announced a plan to subsidize the deployment of 72,300 public charging stations, with 48,400 stations for two- and three-wheelers and 1,800 for buses, through an allocation of $240M. 

⚡ Bulgaria and US Expand Energy Cooperation for Nuclear Power. Bulgaria and the US have agreed to extend the scope of their Intergovernmental Agreements on energy, specifically cooperating to build new nuclear capacity at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant.

🚘 Transport Infrastructure

🚧 Thailand's Ministry of Transport Launches Massive Infrastructure Investment. The Thai Ministry of Transport is launching a $78B investment initiative to upgrade the country's transportation infrastructure and support sustainable logistics.

🛣️ US$15B Nigeria-Ivory Coast Road Connection Planned. A $15B highway project is being planned to connect Lagos, Nigeria, to Abidjan, Ivory Coast, passing through Benin, Togo, and Ghana. The 1,068km Lagos-Abidjan Corridor Highway, approved by ECOWAS, is set to boost economic integration and development in West Africa.

🚈 New Railway Station at Rotterdam Port Boosts Freight Capacity and Reduces Emissions. The Rotterdam Port Authority is building a new railway station at Rotterdam Port that will increase freight capacity and reduce CO2 emissions by 30%, supporting sustainable logistics growth.

🏛️ Buildings

🏗️ Semi-Autonomous Lift-Assist Vehicle Aids Solar Panel Installation. A semi-autonomous lift-assist vehicle is being trialed to help workers install solar panels more efficiently on a solar farm in the US.

🏢 Construction of World's Tallest Building to Resume With New $1.9B Contract. Saudi Binladin Group, the original contractor, secured a new $1.9B contract to resume and complete the construction of the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia within 42 months.

🏫 Social Infrastructure

🏗️ Ireland's Budget 2025 for the Construction Sector. In 2025, the Irish government is allocating $8.5B to the Department of Housing, with $2.1B dedicated to building 10,000 social homes. They are also investing $3.2B in climate transition projects and $1.6B in workforce development.

🏙️ Centre's initiative for urban poor workers across 25 cities. The Indian government is preparing a pilot project of $21.6M to support urban poor workers across 25 cities by forming common interest groups, providing social infrastructure, and offering micro-credit.

💰 Infra Deals

🏠 Viennese PropTech Gropyus Raises Additional $105.6M Investment. Gropyus, a PropTech company based in Vienna, secured an additional $105.6M in investment. They build sustainable wood-hybrid multi-family houses that are fully networked and affordable.

🏗️ South Korean firm buys stake in Edinburgh Airport. Hanwha Investment & Securities, a South Korean securities firm, announced that it acquired a 5.4% stake in Edinburgh Airport in Scotland for around 126 billion South Korean won.

✈️ KKR Acquires Leading Near-Airport Parking Provider The Parking Spot. KKR, a global investment firm, acquired The Parking Spot, a leading near-airport parking provider, from Green Courte Partners.

🏗️ JPMorgan Chase Acquires Stake in Eagle Materials Inc. JPMorgan Chase & Co., a major financial institution, acquired a significant stake of 652,614 shares in Eagle Materials Inc., a building materials company, on September 30, 2024.

🖥️ NV5 Global Expands Data Center Services Through Acquisitions. NV5 Global, a provider of professional and technical engineering and consulting solutions, acquired two companies specializing in data center commissioning and energy management to strengthen its data center services in the United States.

🏢 Fidelity Building Services Group Expands into Maine with Acquisition. Fidelity Building Services Group, a leading provider of HVAC/Mechanical Services, Building Automation, and Energy Services, expanded into Maine through the acquisition of Nason Mechanical Systems.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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