The UK has supported a contract to build a revolutionary environmental building in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Loans from UK Export Finance (UKEF) helped Carillion secure a contract worth “tens of millions of pounds” to build environmental management company Bee’ah’s new headquarters in Sharjah, UAE.

The building, which was was designed by the late Dame Zaha Hadid, the world-renowned British architect, will be powered entirely by clean energy sources such as solar and waste-to-energy.

It will also use recycled materials in its construction and implement natural light and temperature management systems where possible.

The headquarters is expected to be operational by the end of 2018 and will be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2021.

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: “Our support to help Carillion secure this contract shows the UK’s global leadership in sustainable engineering and our pioneering expertise in developing smart cities and green buildings for the future.

“The UAE is a key partner in the region and 5,000 UK companies work there. Through UKEF, the government is ensuring that British firms can be the first choice to support the country’s ambitions.”

UKEF is also supporting an oil & gas contract in Ghana with funding worth $400 million (£318m).