Saudi Arabia’s National Water Company (NWC) has announced plans to roll out 1,429 projects – collectively worth more than $28.4bn – for tender, making it the water distribution sector’s largest package of projects ever.
In a statement, the NWC said that the roll out is part of its plans to develop water and environmental infrastructure in the Kingdom. This includes expanding the coverage of water and wastewater networks, increasing sewage treatment plants (STPs) capacity, and extending water services coverage to all citizens and residents across the regions of the Kingdom.
The company added that the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and NWC Chairman Eng Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen A. AlFadley headed a meeting with senior NWC executives to review the company’s readiness to execute such major national projects.
In May 2022, the UAE said that over $2bn in water desalination projects were underway in the country.
Eng Nemer M Al-Shebl, NWC Acting CEO said: “The projects will contribute to the realisation of the National Water Strategy and Vision 2030’s objectives, diversify economy and boost overall development.”
He added that the projects will complement the sustainability of water and environmental services in the Kingdom. Furthermore, water and wastewater coverage will be immensely increased in all Saudi regions following the completion of these projects, Al-Shebl said.
The Acting CEO emphasised NWC’s commitment to implementing these projects at the highest standard, as well as increasing the local content, which would positively impact economic activities in the regions, especially the industrial and real estate sectors, while also creating job opportunities.
In June, Saudi authorities announced 93 utility infrastructure projects worth $2.26bn.
The projects include 13 administrative regions comprising cities and governorates in all six sectors. NWC has specified 353 projects worth $10.36bn for the Western Sector (Makkah); 240 projects worth $3.77bn for the Central Region (Riyadh); and 215 projects worth $3.44bn for the Northern Sector comprising Qassim, Hail, Jauf and the Northern Borders.
The company will also launch 328 projects worth more than $4bn for the Southern Sector including Asir, Jazan, Najran and Al-Baha provinces: and 162 projects costing over $2bn for the North-west Sector comprising Madinah and Tabuk regions.
Additionally, the company plans to implement 117 projects worth $4.44bn for the Eastern Sector (Eastern Province); and 14 projects worth more than $723.6mn to support all sectors.
Early in August, Doosan Enerbility said that it had won an EPC contract for the $640mn Shuaibah 3 IWP in Saudi Arabia.