Mowah successfully prequalified in four key Independent Water Transmission Pipeline (“IWTP”) projects to be procured by the Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) –  Ras Mohaisen – to Baha – to Mecca IWTP, Rayis – Rabigh IWTP,  Riyadh – Qassim IWTP, and Jubail – Buraydah IWTP.

The Saudi National Water Strategy (NWS 2030), in accordance with the Saudi Vision 2030, recognizes the critical importance of ensuring sustainable development of the Kingdom’s water resources while providing affordable high-quality services. Amongst the key goals under NWS 2030 are (i) to reduce the water demand supply gap in the Kingdom; and (ii) to provide 90% of national urban supply by desalinated water to reduce reliance on non-renewable ground sources.

Through the Independent Water Transmission Pipeline program, the Saudi Government aims to achieve the aforementioned goals, by developing the necessary potable Water Transmission Systems network comprising of pipelines and interim/terminal storage facilities to provide critical connectivity between the consumption centers and the upcoming desalination plants. In line with this initiative, SWPC has conducted separate prequalification processes to shortlist bidders for each of the projects.

The Ras Mohaisen – to Baha – to Mecca IWTP will have a capacity of  185,000 cubic meters per day and will span up to 300 km. The Rayis – Rabigh IWTP  will have a  transmission capacity of 500,000 cubic meters per day with a length of 150 km.  The Riyadh – Qassim IWTP will have a  transmission capacity  of  685,000 cubic meters per day  and a length of 1,392 km. The Jubail – Buraydah IWTP  will have a transmission capacity up to 650,000 cubic meters per day and a total length of 603 km.

The projects will be developed on a build, own, operate and transfer (“BOOT”) basis. The contract between SWPC and the project company for the provision of  the transmission capacity will be governed by a 35-year Water Transmission Agreement (“WTA”).  SWPC’s obligations under the WTA will be supported by a credit support agreement entered into by the Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

SWPC issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Ras  Mohaisen – Baha – Makkah IWTP to the pre-qualified bidders in August 2022.  The bid submission date is scheduled on Jan 2023 while the Commercial Operation Date (COD) is expected in Q2 2026.  The RFPs for the other IWTPs are yet to be released.