Webuild wins US $4.7bn deal to build three dams in Saudi Arabia
The contractor will also develop ‘The Bow’ which will feature a hotel overhanging the mountain’s valley below
A US $4.7bn contract has been awarded to contractor Webuild to build three dams to create a freshwater lake for a ski resort in the Neom special economic zone of Saudi Arabia. According to the contractor, the dams will create a 2.8km-long lake at the Trojena mountain destination.
The main dam will be made of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) and will be 145m high, 475m long and hold a volume of approximately 2.7m cu/m. The second dam will also be built using RCC, while the third will be in rock, with a volume of 4.3m cu/m. The artificial lake will cover an area of 1.5sqkm and will have an island reserved for botanical dives and walks.
Webuild will also develop ‘The Bow’ which will feature a hotel overhanging the mountain’s valley below, it said. It will extend the surface of the lake beyond the front of the main dam. Shaped like the prow of a ship and suspended over the valley, the Bow will house a hotel, residential area, and a large central atrium.
“We are delighted and truly proud to be awarded this important project in NEOM. The 2.8km-long, man-made, freshwater lake will be a key asset in the Trojena masterplan. The project is set to be an international engineering and construction marvel and we believe our team has the global experience and expertise to deliver this exciting infrastructure project,” said Pietro Salini, CEO of Webuild.
Philip Gullett, Executive Director – Region Head at Trojena added, “The appointment of Webuild is a significant milestone in our construction progress. We have already completed around three million cu/m of excavation at the lake site, and we continue to excavate 90,000cu/m of rock per week. Most importantly we are implementing a sustainable approach by using all the rock excavated and reusing it for the lakebed lining and dam construction. This is crucial stage of the project’s overall development, and we are excited to see works get underway.”
