Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) has received private sector bids for the Jubail 4 and 6 Independent Water Project (IWP), marking a key milestone in the development of one of the kingdom’s strategic water infrastructure initiatives.
A consortium led by Acwa Power, a major Saudi utility project developer, alongside Haji Abdullah Alireza & Co. and AlSharif Contracting and Commercial Development, has submitted its proposal for the development of the Jubail 4 & 6 project, which will produce 600,000 cubic meters of potable water per day.
The project is designed to meet the growing water demand in the Eastern Province and other parts of the country.
The Jubail 4 & 6 IWP, part of Saudi Arabia’s broader push to strengthen its water security and infrastructure, will also incorporate an electrical substation to support its operations.
It is expected to significantly enhance the kingdom’s capacity for desalinated water production, a critical resource in a region with scarce freshwater supplies.
SWPC, which oversees public-private partnership water projects in the kingdom, has embarked on a competitive tender process to select a private sector developer or consortium responsible for the funding, construction, procurement, implementation, operation, and maintenance of the Jubail 4 & 6 plant.
The successful bidder will enter a 25-year concession agreement with SWPC under a Water Purchase Agreement (WPA), whereby the project company will sell the plant’s entire capacity and output to SWPC.
With a targeted commercial operation date set for the first quarter of 2028, the project is expected to play a key role in the kingdom’s efforts to meet its Vision 2030 goals, which prioritise water security and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Jubail 4 & 6 is set to help alleviate water shortages in key industrial and residential areas, while also supporting the growing urbanisation and population increase in the Eastern Province, one of the kingdom’s most industrialized regions.
SWPC is focused on enhancing water production and treatment infrastructure to meet the growing demand across the Kingdom. Through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), SWPC is combining the expertise and resources of both sectors to boost efficiency and innovation in the water industry.
Desalination, a major focus of SWPC’s initiatives, is particularly critical for the Saudi Arabia, where natural water resources are limited, and reliance on desalinated water is essential. SWPC is also incorporating renewable energy solutions into desalination and wastewater treatment processes to promote environmental responsibility.
Jubail is home to several large desalination plants that supply water to Saudi Arabia’s industrial zones and urban centers.
Jubail 3A and 3B, two previous Independent Water Projects (IWP), were awarded in recent years and are currently in various stages of construction and operation. The projects, along with Jubail 4 & 6, form part of SWPC’s broader plan to expand water production capacity and ensure long-term sustainability of the kingdom’s water resources.
The Jubail 3A IWP, developed by a consortium led by the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) and Marubeni Corporation, produces approximately 600,000 cubic meters of water per day, similar to the output expected from the Jubail 4 & 6 plant.
The bidding process for Jubail 4 & 6 began in September last year, with SWPC announcing that nine leading utility developers and two consortiums had prequalified for the project. These included regional and international players such as Taqa, Acciona Agua, GS Inima, International Power (Engie), and Marubeni Corporation, among others. The competitive nature of the tender process underscores the growing interest from global developers in Saudi Arabia’s water projects.
Through SWPC’s public-private partnership model, the kingdom has been able to attract substantial foreign investment and technical expertise, driving forward its ambitious water sector goals.
The company’s strategy has been to invite bids from qualified developers to ensure that the projects meet international standards for sustainability and efficiency.
