The Velana International Airport Expansion Project in the Maldives, constructed by CHEC, has recently been awarded LEED Gold Certification—widely regarded as the "Oscars" of green building.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a globally recognized rating system for green buildings, applied in more than 180 countries and regions. It evaluates projects across multiple dimensions, including sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design, awarding four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

As a key gateway and major transportation hub in the Maldives, the Velana International Airport Expansion Project has drawn widespread attention. Throughout the project lifecycle, CHEC adhered to green construction principles, overcoming challenges such as building on coral reef islands to deliver a modern, intelligent, and environmentally friendly terminal. The new terminal was officially inaugurated on July 26, 2025.

During design and construction, the project team integrated passive energy-saving strategies with active environmental technologies to effectively reduce operational energy consumption. Internationally certified green building materials were widely used, with a strong focus on resource renewability and recycling.

Through optimized MEP design and interior finishing, the terminal enhances natural lighting and ventilation, reducing energy use while creating a comfortable and healthy indoor environment for passengers and staff.

In addition, tailored to the Maldives' unique geographic conditions, the project adopted water-efficient irrigation systems and climate-adaptive landscaping, minimizing the consumption of scarce freshwater resources.