National Water Company earmarks $27.4bn for projects
27 November 2023
Saudi Arabia's National Water Company (NWC) has earmarked SR102.9bn ($27.4bn) for the implementation of 1,294 water and wastewater projects across the kingdom, according to its CEO, Nemer bin Mohammed al-Shebl.
The schemes range from expansion projects for water and wastewater networks to the construction of water and wastewater treatment plants, Al-Shebl told the recent Arab Water Conference in Riyadh.
MEED understands that NWC is working on a plan that includes investment opportunities to implement future projects to "expand water and sanitation services to keep up with the scale of demand and growth".
Al-Shebl invited interested local and international companies to "seize safe investment opportunities in the water sector through the implementation of the water and environmental treatment projects offered by the company".
Al-Shebl highlighted the milestones in the integration of the water supply sector under NWC, where all management contracts have been signed to increase operational efficiency, and three long-term operation and maintenance contracts (LTOMs) have been signed for sewage treatment plants.
He said further LTOM contracts are expected to be signed in the first half of 2024.
Al-Shebl said that the implementation of the company's privatisation programme begins with the management and LTOM contracts, as well as the involvement of the private sector in the construction of wastewater treatment plants in cooperation with Saudi Water Partnership Company.
NWC is also working to promote work on a commercial basis by reducing operating costs and maximising benefits from capital expenditure, according to Al-Shebl.
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