Saudi Arabia issues RFQ for key water pipeline project

The top international companies eyeing the project include Spanish infrastructure majors Acciona and Abengoa Agua; Swiss group Hoffmann Technics; top Korean builder Samsung C&T Corporation and Japan's Marubeni in addition to China's Gezhouba, Harbour Engineering, China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering and Powerchina International. Among the top Saudi firms in the race are Ajlan & Bros; Al Bawani Water & Power (AWP); Nesma; Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies; Sicim; Arabian Bemco Contracting; Mowah, Tamasuk Holding Company and Tecton Engineering & Construction Saudi Contracting.

The regional heavyweights who have expressed interests in the project are Gulf Investment Corporation and Alghanim International General Trading & Contracting (both from Kuwait); Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa); Bahrain-based Lamar Holding and Egypt's Orascom Construction and Hassan Allam Holding, it stated.

The deadline for submitting the bids has been set at January 24.

This comes as part of the Independent Water Transmission Pipelines Programme (IWTP) which aims to develop a network of potable water transmission systems consisting of pipelines and temporary/terminal storage facilities to provide a connection between consumption centers and desalination plants. SWPC said the winning bidder will develop the project and then transfer the entire water capacity to the company, in accordance with the Water Transfer Agreement (WTA).

The duration of the water transfer agreement is expected to be 35 years. The firm's obligations under the WTA will be backed by a credit support agreement entered into by the Saudi Ministry of Finance.

For the Jubail-Buraidah project, Synergy Infrastructure Consulting and Financial Advisory Services will be the principal and financial advisor, while Amer Al Amr Law Firm will be the legal advisor and Fitchner the technical advisor.-TradeArabia News Service