SWPC signs WPA with ACWA consortium for Jubail 3A IWP in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) has signed a Water Purchase Agreement (WPA) with a consortium led by ACWA Power for a greenfield sea water reverse osmosis desalination project; The Jubail 3A Independent Water Plant (IWP), in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The project will have an investment value of US $650m and a capacity of 600,000 m3 of potable water/day, greatly contributing to Saudi efforts to ensure water security.

The 25-year agreement was signed with His Excellency Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen A. AlFadley, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Chairman of the Board Directors of SWPC.

Terms of the agreement

Under the terms of the partnership, the consortium led by ACWA Power will design, construct, commission, operate and maintain the desalination plant as well as associated potable water storage and electrical special facilities.

According to Saudi Water Partnership Company CEO, Khaled Al Qureshi, in alignment with the company’s mission to ensure adequate water production capacity for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, they are keen to work closely with ACWA Power, a Saudi company with international expertise, as a trusted partner

“The Jubail 3A is a highly significant project for the KSA water sector, featuring storage facilities as well as in-house solar power to reduce any burden on the energy grid. It will also be crucial in meeting growing water demand, supplying Riyadh, Qassim and the Eastern Provinces with much needed potable water,” he added.

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Paddy Padmanathan, Chief Executive Officer of ACWA Power said that, building sustainable water security is a key priority for the Kingdom. ACWA Power is well positioned to ensure long term availability and supply of reliable, low-cost water resources needed to advance socio-economic progress. “We continue to contribute strongly to the Kingdom’s National Water Strategy 2030 and Vision 2030 by utilising our considerable global expertise to provide solutions that best support national interests. We are delighted to collaborate with SWPC on this major project and are confident that the Jubail 3A IWP will play a significant role in enhancing critical water infrastructure for the country,” he affirmed.

Desalinated water makes up 63% of water consumed in Saudi Arabia. ACWA Power is a leading industry player in the KSA water sector and has been entrusted with several major desalination projects in the country including the Rabigh IWP, Shuqaiq IWPP and the Shuaibah plants.