PPPs: advancing global expansion and reshaping water utilities for resilient, sustainable models

They bring together the best of both sectors: the investment capacity, technology, and management efficiency of private companies combined with the public sector’s vision, planning, and commitment to guaranteeing essential services. This synergy allows for the development of complex projects from a technical, financial, and social perspective.

However, PPPs are not just a way to finance projects. They are also a powerful tool to transform the way infrastructure systems operate. In sectors such as water and sanitation, these partnerships foster innovation, digitalisation, and greater efficiency while ensuring economic and environmental sustainability.

Companies such as ACCIONA, with extensive experience in infrastructure and essential services, have made this model the cornerstone of their international growth. It has also become a key means of supporting countries in their transition toward more sustainable and resilient economies.

A new model for utilities

PPPs are not just a way to finance projects; they are also a powerful tool to transform the way infrastructure systems operate

Utilities, the companies responsible for services such as water supply, sanitation, energy, and waste management, are undergoing a profound transformation. Traditionally, they focused on operations and maintenance, but today they must evolve toward integrated, digital, and sustainable models that can adapt to resource scarcity and global uncertainty.

In this context, PPPs play a crucial role. Through these frameworks, essential infrastructure has been developed under agreements that provide long-term stability, enable technology transfer, and allow for more efficient risk management.

They also facilitate the introduction of innovations that the public sector alone would take much longer to implement due to budgetary or regulatory constraints. These include remote monitoring systems, the use of artificial intelligence to optimise processes, and new digital tools that improve customer service and efficiency.

By promoting collaboration between sectors, PPPs strengthen operational performance and help create utilities that are more resilient, adaptable, and better prepared for environmental and social challenges.

ACCIONA: innovation and sustainability on a global scale

ACCIONA has been a pioneer in implementing this model, combining sustainability, technological innovation, and public-private collaboration in more than 40 countries. The company’s philosophy is clear: there can be no sustainable development without sustainable infrastructure.

Through PPPs, ACCIONA has expanded internationally while maintaining a focus on efficiency, social impact, and environmental protection. Each project adapts to local needs while maintaining a common foundation of responsible resource management and long-term sustainability.

Projects in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Brazil, and Costa Rica demonstrate how this approach supports both immediate infrastructure needs and broader sustainability goals.

Saudi Arabia: water self-sufficiency as a goal

ACCIONA, with extensive experience in infrastructure and essential services, has made this model the cornerstone of its international growth

Under Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the national economy and strengthen water and energy security, ACCIONA has developed major projects under PPP models. One of the most notable is the Shuqaiq 3 desalination plant, among the largest in the country, using reverse osmosis technology.

Developed in partnership with the Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC), Shuqaiq 3 supplies drinking water to more than three million people and incorporates the highest standards of energy efficiency and environmental performance. The plant integrates advanced technology to reduce energy consumption and minimise environmental impact, contributing to the country’s long-term goal of water self-sufficiency.

Beyond its technical scope, Shuqaiq 3 has become a regional reference for successful public-private collaboration. It has created local employment, promoted knowledge transfer, and strengthened institutional capacity for managing large-scale infrastructure.

Morocco: strengthening resilience against water stress

PPPs facilitate introducing innovations that the public sector alone would take longer to implement due to budgetary or regulatory constraints

With rapid population growth and increasing vulnerability to drought, Morocco has made water system reinforcement a national priority. The government has relied on PPPs to speed up this process and ensure long-term water security.

Among the projects led by ACCIONA, the Casablanca Desalination Plant stands out as one of the largest in the world, with a capacity of 822,000 cubic metres per day. Located in Sidi Rahal, in the Greater Casablanca region, it is the first plant in a national program to build desalination facilities across the country. The project will help meet growing demand for water in domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses, and will contribute directly to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.

By reducing dependence on overexploited aquifers and ensuring a stable water supply, the Casablanca project will significantly improve Morocco’s resilience to water stress. Its design prioritises energy efficiency and environmental protection, reflecting the country’s commitment to sustainable growth.

Brazil: innovation in water and sanitation management

In Latin America, Brazil has become one of the most dynamic markets for PPPs in the water and sanitation sector. The country’s large population, growing urban centres, and need to modernise infrastructure have encouraged collaboration between public authorities and private operators as a way to expand and improve essential services.

In this context, ACCIONA plays an important role through its participation in projects in the states of Paraná and Espírito Santo, where it manages sanitation networks in a total of 56 municipalities under public-private collaboration schemes. These projects are helping to strengthen local infrastructure and improve the efficiency of water and wastewater services.

The results are clear and measurable: higher operational efficiency, better service quality, and steady progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which promotes access to safe water and sanitation for all. Through these initiatives, thousands of people now have access to improved sanitation services, contributing directly to a higher quality of life in the communities served.

Looking to the future: resilience, efficiency, and sustainability

More than a financial mechanism, PPPs are a structural tool for strengthening the resilience of essential public services. By sharing risks and responsibilities, they guarantee the continuity of operations even in times of crisis or uncertainty.

They also help ensure more efficient use of public funds, encourage technological innovation, and promote transparency in management. For private companies, PPPs provide stable, long-term frameworks that make investment in emerging markets viable and secure.

ACCIONA’s experience shows that this model can transform the way water, energy, and urban services are managed. By aligning public objectives with private expertise and innovation, PPPs support the creation of utilities that are more sustainable, digital, and inclusive. The utilities of the future will be collaborative, data-driven, and environmentally responsible, and PPPs will remain one of the main engines behind this evolution.

Conclusion

Public-private partnerships have become far more than a cooperation model. They are a strategic instrument for transforming public services and building a sustainable future. Examples such as those in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and Brazil show that this collaboration can enhance efficiency, resilience, and equity in access to vital resources.