Innovative new floodlighting system is controlled using
touch screen technology
Nottinghamshire's Abacus Lighting has continued to expand its
portfolio of global projects with an installation of its unique
range of telescopic masts at a new world class football stadium in
the Middle East.
The Al Shamal stadium in Qatar, home to the Qatar National
Olympic Committee (QOC), has been designed with four corner turret
structures around the football field which mimic the original Al
Shamal fort itself. The masts telescope down into the turrets
when not in use.
The stadium hosts international and national football matches,
but is also used by the local community. It is part of the
Olympic Committee's vision for Qatar to "be a leading nation in
bringing the world together through sport".
Abacus' stadium masts were also installed at Nottingham's Trent
Bridge Cricket Ground last year in an £8.2million
redevelopment which helped to win the ground the honour of hosting
the ICC Twenty20 tournament, bringing millions of pounds of extra
revenue to businesses across Nottinghamshire.
Abacus' Export Director, John Anthony, said: "The telescopic
range used in this project was developed specifically to minimise
the impact of the floodlighting on the beautiful Qatar skyline and
to retain the visual impact of this iconic stadium.
"The floodlighting and the mast operation have been designed to
be managed using touch screen technology. The floodlights link up
to real time data exchanges and let operators know when maintenance
is needed and ensures light output is operating at optimum
performance. The innovative system is actually capable of
using an online interface which means that, in the near future, we
could monitor and control the floodlighting and masts from a
desktop in the UK if necessary."
The project, in partnership with Insha of Qatar, signifies a
continuation of Abacus' success in Qatar and the Middle East.
Over the past 30 years, the company has carried out several
major floodlighting installations including Dohar Golf Club and Al
Saad Stadium, a venue for the Asian Games 2007, as well as regular
ongoing business with Qatar Petroleum.
As well as Qatar, the company has strong markets across the
Middle East. Projects to date include the lighting of the Nad al
Sheeba racecourse in Dubai; the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens stadium
redevelopment and the Emirates Palace football pitch.
Abacus has also dominated golf course floodlighting in the
Middle East and has installed its floodlights at nearly every
course in Dubai. The latest course to benefit from Abacus's
expertise was the new Nick Faldo Course which is situated at the
Dubai Emirates Golf Club.