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  Riyadh to tender Expo 2030 infrastructure in Q3

  11 August 2025

  

   

  Saudi Arabia’s Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC), tasked with delivering the Expo 2030 Riyadh venue, is expected to float the tender for the project's initial infrastructure works by September.

  Earlier in August, MEED exclusively reported that ERC had received interest from contractors on 24 July for the infrastructure package.

  MEED understands the expression of interest notice was issued on 17 July.

  The infrastructure works covering the construction of main utilities and civil works will be tendered in three packages:

  • Lot 1 covers the main utilities corridor
  • Lot 2 includes the northern cluster of the nature corridor
  • Lot 3 comprises the southern cluster of the nature corridor

  The tendering for the infrastructure package follows ERC receiving bids from firms on 6 July for a contract to build the site offices required for initial construction works at the project.

  In July, US-based engineering firm Bechtel Corporation announced it had won the project management consultancy deal for the delivery of the Expo 2030 Riyadh masterplan construction works.

  The masterplan encompasses an area of 6 square kilometres, making it one of the largest sites designated for a World Expo event. Situated to the north of the Saudi capital, the site will be located near the future King Salman International airport, providing direct access to various landmarks within Riyadh.

  Countries participating in Expo 2030 Riyadh will have the option to construct permanent pavilions. This initiative is expected to create opportunities for business and investment growth in the region.

  The expo is forecast to attract more than 40 million visitors.

  In June, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth vehicle, launched ERC as a wholly-owned subsidiary to build and operate facilities for Expo 2030.

  In a statement, the PIF said: “During its construction phases, Expo 2030 Riyadh and its legacy are projected to contribute around $64bn to Saudi GDP and generate approximately 171,000 direct and indirect jobs. Once operational, it is expected to contribute approximately $5.6bn to GDP.”

  

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/14445633/main.jpg

  Yasir Iqbal
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  Kuwait signs developer agreement for its largest IWPP

  11 August 2025

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  Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power and Kuwait-based financial institution Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) have signed a letter of agreement to develop the Al-Zour North phase 2 and 3 independent water and power project (IWPP) in southern Kuwait.

  The project is set to be the largest IWPP plant in Kuwait, with a net power generation capacity of at least 2,700MW and a net desalinated water production capacity of at least 120 million imperial gallons a day.

  The partners will investment more than $4bn in developing the Al-Zour North phase 2 and 3 IWPP, which will support Kuwait’s electricity generation and water security infrastructure.

  The Acwa Power and GIC consortium have signed a letter of agreement with the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects Authority (Kapp) and the country’s Ministry of Electricity, Water & Renewable Energy. Under a 25-year offtake agreement, the Acwa Power-led consortium will design, finance, build, operate, maintain and transfer the plant and its associated facilities under a build, operate and transfer model.

  The consortium and Kapp will establish a project company in which the former will a hold 40% stake and Kapp will retain the other 60% share capital. Kapp will then allocate 50% of the company’s capital for public subscription by Kuwaiti citizens after the project becomes fully operational by 2029 and is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange.

  Ibrahim Ali Al-Qadhi, CEO of GIC, said: “This project represents a landmark investment in GIC portfolio, utilising the latest technologies and highest global standards in power generation and water desalination.”

  Raad Al-Saady, managing director and vice chairman of Acwa Power, said: “We look forward to bringing our experience from a diverse portfolio of projects worldwide and applying our expertise in the build-operate-transfer model in close partnership with our counterparts in Kuwait.

  “Together, we will work to enhance the reliable and sustainable delivery of power and water in Kuwait, further strengthening our shared efforts towards energy transition and water security,” Al-Saady said.

  

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  MEED Editorial
• 
  QatarEnergy selects contractors for Bul Hanine oil field project

  11 August 2025

  QatarEnergy has selected contractors for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works on a project to maintain and increase the oil production potential of the Bul Hanine offshore oil field development.

  QatarEnergy divided the EPC scope of work on the Bul Hanine expansion project into three main packages.

  State-owned China Offshore Oil Engineering Company (COOEC) has been selected for the first two EPC packages, while Qatari contractor Doha Petroleum Construction Company (Dopet) has been picked for the third EPC package, according to sources.

  Additionally, COOEC has appointed US-based KBR to provide detailed engineering services for the first and second EPC packages, sources told MEED.

  QatarEnergy received technical bids for the three EPC packages in late January and early February.

  Contractors submitted commercial bids for the first package on 13 July, and for the second and third packages on 7 July, MEED previously reported.

  The following contractors, among others, are understood to have been bidding for the Bul Hanine offshore oil field development expansion project:

  • China Offshore Oil Engineering Company (China)
  • Doha Petroleum Construction Company (Qatar)
  • Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon (India)
  • McDermott (US)
  • PetroVietnam Technical Services (Vietnam)

  Qatar's Bul Hanine oil field lies about 120 kilometres offshore in the Gulf’s waters. The field has been in production since 1972 and has produced more than 1.3 billion barrels of oil to date, with an average rate of production of 40,000 barrels a day (b/d).

  Through this project, QatarEnergy intends to increase and stablise the field’s output to 93,000 b/d.

  EPC works on the first package cover:

  • Installation of four wellhead platforms, requiring 80,000 tonnes of fabrication work
  • Expansion of existing offshore production stations
  • Construction of living quarters
  • Construction of utilities platform
  • Installation of gas-injection platform
  • Installation of riser platform
  • Modifications to existing structures
  • Installation of safety and security systems

  EPC works on the second package cover:

  • Installation of subsea pipelines
  • Installation of umbilicals
  • Installation of subsea cables
  • Installation of associated offshore infrastructure.

  EPC works on the third package cover:

  • Installation of brownfield hookups
  • Installation of flowlines
  • Laying of pipelines
  • Maintenance works
  • Associated offshore infrastructure.

  ALSO READ: Contractors submit revised prices for QatarEnergy NGL train project

  

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  Indrajit Sen
• 
  Almabani wins $870m Riyadh road schemes

  11 August 2025

  

   

  Saudi Arabian contractor Almabani General Contractors has won two contracts worth over SR3.2bn ($853m) for the construction of two road schemes in Riyadh.

  The contracts were awarded by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC).

  The first contract was awarded to develop road networks around Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). The SR1bn project will enhance connectivity within KAFD.

  The project involves the construction of 17 bridges, comprising 211 spans measuring 20-45 metres in length and 6.7-16.5 metres in width.

  The scheme includes 247 piers, including abutments and frames, with heights of 3.5-29.5 metres. The scope also covers traffic detours and utility diversions; geotechnical investigations; mechanical, electrical and plumbing works; and hardscape and landscape enhancements.

  Candian firm WSP and US-based Parsons are managing the project.

  The construction works have started, and the project is expected to be completed by May 2027.

  The other SR2.1bn ($583m) contract was awarded for the development of Al-Thumamah central section. 

  This project is part of the broader Al-Thumamah Road and Imam Bin Faisal Road development scheme, which is a 24-kilometre (km) east-west corridor in the northern region of Riyadh. 

  The scope covers the construction works on a section that stretches from Mohammed Bin Salman Road to Uthman Bin Affan Road, with a total length of 7.7km.

  The construction work encompasses major interchanges and structures, including tunnels, underpasses, bridges, viaducts, pedestrian bridges and associated infrastructure works.

  Spanish engineering firm Idom is the project consultant.

  The project is due to be completed by October 2028.

  Planning for growth

  In 2021, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud said that the population of Riyadh will double to 15-20 million people by 2030. 

  He directed government entities to work closely with the RCRC to prepare the city’s development strategy.

  The RCRC’s major projects include Riyadh Metro, Riyadh Art, Sports Boulevard, King Salman International Park, Green Riyadh and the Diriyah Gate project.

  The RCRC's road schemes are expected to improve Riyadh's road networks in preparation to host major events in the coming years.

  In November last year, Riyadh was selected to host the Expo 2030 event, where the kingdom plans to invest $7.8bn. The figure was revealed in June 2024 in Paris at the 172nd general assembly of the expo organising body, the Bureau International des Expositions.

  This announcement was followed by Saudi Arabia's official selection to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup in December last year.

  Saudi Arabia will likely invest hundreds of billions of dollars in developing the required infrastructure to host the events. 

  

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/14445476/main.jpg

  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  UCC-led team wins $4bn Syria airport redevelopment

  7 August 2025

  Syria's General Authority of Civil Aviation has signed a $4bn memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop and expand Damascus International airport with a consortium of international firms led by Qatar's UCC Holding.

  The agreement designates UCC Holding as the primary developer – through its investment arm UCC Concessions Investment – along with three Turkish partners, Cengiz, Kalyon, TAV and the US-based Assets Investments USA.

  The project will be implemented under the build, operate, transfer model and covers the expansion of the Damascus International airport in five phases.

  The expansion will ultimately increase the airport's capacity to handle 31 million passengers annually.

  The agreement also includes the construction of a 50-kilometre (km) road leading to the airport and $250m in financing to purchase up to 10 Airbus A320 aeroplanes for Syrian Airlines.

  The signing ceremony took place at the presidential palace in Damascus in the presence of President Ahmad Al-Sharaa. It was attended by US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack and representatives from the Qatari embassy in Damascus.

  The agreement was signed by Omar Al-Husari, chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation; Mohammad Moataz Al-Khayyat, chairman of UCC Holding; Sani Sener, chairman of TAV; Anthony Salter, CEO of Assets Investments USA; Murat Ergonul, board member of Cengiz Insaat; and Mustafa Kocar, CEO of Kalyon Insaat.

  READ MORE: Turkiye's Kalyon goes global

  The project adds to UCC Holding's portfolio of projects in Qatar and elsewhere. UCC has been involved in airport projects, including Hamad International Airport in Qatar, Rwanda's new international airport and Tripoli airport in Libya.

  UCC is also bidding for the contract to develop the first phase of Terminal 6 and the Iconic Terminal at King Salman International airport (KSIA) in Riyadh.

  The agreement follows on from the Syrian Ministry of Energy's signing of a $7bn memorandum of understanding (MoU) in May with a team led by UCC Holding to develop 5GW of power generation capacity – doubling the country’s output – by constructing new gas and solar power plants.

  The agreement covers the development of four combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants in Traifawi, Homs, Zayzoun, Deir-Azzour and Mehardeh in Hama with an installed capacity of 4GW, and a 1GW solar power plant in Wedian Al-Rabee in the southern region of Syria.

  The projects will be implemented under build, own, operate (BOO) and build, operate, transfer (BOT) models alongside power purchase agreements. Following final agreements and financial close, completion is expected within three years for the gas plants and two years for the solar plant.

  This aviation package also includes:

  > Middle East invests in giant airports
  > Broader region upgrades its airports
  > Global air travel shifts east

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  Yasir Iqbal