Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) has announced that it has received bids from three consortia for the Juranah Independent Strategic Water Reservoir Plant Project (ISWR Project).
The Juranah ISWR is the first project of its kind to be developed in partnership with the private sector.
The project will be implemented on a BOOT (build, own, operate, and transfer) model, encompassing the construction of the water reservoir, as well as all related infrastructure and facilities.
Once completed, the Juranah plant will have a capacity of 2.5 million cubic meters, providing drinking water to Makkah city by the first quarter of 2027.
SWPC has identified the three consortiums competing for the project as follows:
- Abdul Aziz Al Ajlan Sons Company (in partnership with Orascom Construction)
- Nesma Company (with Al Jomaih Energy & Water Company and Buhur for Investment Company)
- Vision International Investment Company (in partnership with Gulf Investment Corporation and Taqa)
The selected developer consortium will assume responsibility for the development, financing, procurement, implementation, operation, and maintenance of the water reservoir, according to SWPC.
In May 2023, Smart Water Magazine reported that a total of 34 companies had expressed interest in the project.
Among them were prominent global utility companies, such as Spanish infrastructure giants ACCIONA and Abengoa Agua, as well as Marubeni from Japan, and Chinese construction powerhouses China Railway Construction Corporation, China Gezhouba, and Powerchina Group.
Leading Saudi firms that expressed interest in the project included Ajlan & Bros Energy Company (Abilitii), Al Rajhi Holding Group, Al Bawani Water & Power, Al Yamama, Alfanar, Nesma, AlKawther Industries, Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies, Amiantit, Petrojet, Taqa, Thabat Construction, and Marafiq.
