Under the patronage and in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Hussam bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Emir of Al-Bahah Region, His Excellency Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture & Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Water Partnership Company, signed the project agreements for the Ras Mohaisen Independent Water Plant Project. The signing ceremony took place at the Emirate of Al-Bahah Region.
The Ras Mohaisen project, located in Al-Qunfudhah Governorate, Makkah Region, will have a production capacity of 300,000 cubic meters of desalinated water per day. Eng. Al-Fadley emphasized that this agreement aligns with the Kingdom’s water sector strategy, which aims to expand private sector participation, enhance water infrastructure across all regions, and ensure sustainable water production. He said that the project is part of a broader effort to implement similar private sector-led initiatives.
The desalination plant is expected to strengthen water supply chains, benefiting residents and visitors in the Makkah and Al-Bahah regions. His Excellency Eng. Al-Fadley highlighted that the project contributes to the development of this vital sector by improving service quality, increasing operational efficiency, optimizing spending, and leveraging private sector expertise in construction and operation. The initiative also supports Saudi Vision 2030 by fostering private sector investment and innovation.
The Ras Mohaisen project, located in Al-Qunfudhah Governorate, Makkah Region, will have a production capacity of 300,000 cubic meters of desalinated water per day
Eng. Khalid Al-Quraishi, CEO of the Saudi Water Partnership Company, stated that the plant's initial operational phase is set to begin in the first quarter of 2028. Utilizing reverse osmosis technology, the facility will reduce electricity consumption, enhance continuous production, lower operating costs, and promote local content by increasing the localization of operations and human resources.
The project was tendered under the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model, attracting interest from 44 companies, including 21 Saudi firms. After a selection process, a preferred consortium was chosen from two competing consortia, which included three local companies and one international company. The winning consortium includes ACWA Power, Hajj Abdullah Ali Reza & Partners, and Al-Kifah Holding Company.
This project marks another step in the Kingdom’s ongoing privatization and public-private partnership efforts across the environment, water, and agriculture sectors. It follows the successful implementation of various independent water projects, Independent Water Transmission Pipeline, and wastewater treatment initiatives.
