Neom begins Trojena dams price talks
13 November 2023

Register for MEED’s guest programme
Saudi Arabia’s Neom has completed the technical evaluation of the proposals for the Trojena dams. The client and the selected contractors are now negotiating the commercial aspects of the project.
Earlier this year, Neom engaged three contractors on an early contractor involvement (ECI) basis. They include a consortium of Saudi Arabia-based Al-Ayuni with Turkiye-headquartered Limak, Beijing-based PowerChina and Italy’s WeBuild.
The ECI process requires selected contractors to submit methodologies for the project and a design proposal. After evaluating the proposals, Neom will select one contractor for the 26-month contract.
Constructing three dams together could cost about $2bn. The structures will be used to create the central lake at the Trojena mountain resort that will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.
The main dam will have a height of 145 metres and will be 475 metres long at its crest. It will be built using 2.7 million cubic metres of roller compact concrete (RCC).
Some 650,000 cubic metres of RCC will be used to build a dam within the planned lake to create an island below the water level. This kidney-shaped dam will have a height of 38 metres and will be 700 metres long. It will be connected to the nearby Lake Village by an underwater tunnel. The landscaping and other attractions within the dam are known as the Enchanted Forest.
The third dam will have a height of 65 metres and will be 490 metres long at its crest. It will be constructed using 4.15 million cubic metres of rockfill. The works also include the lakebed line and the foundations for the Bow Building, a concrete structure at the end of the lake that will overhang the valley below and incorporate a hotel.
The engineer for the lake is Singapore’s Surbana Jurong. The executive programme manager is the US’ Aecom. US-based Bechtel was awarded the contract to provide project management consultancy services for the Trojena development at the end of last year.
In October, Neom awarded an SR4.5bn ($1.2bn) infrastructure development contract at Trojena to a joint venture of the local Al-Ayuni Investment & Contracting and Turkish Limak Holding.
The contract scope covers the construction of a tunnel and freight depot, and excavation works at Trojena, which is 50 kilometres from Saudi Arabia’s Gulf of Aqaba coast.
The bids for the civil and mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, controls and automation contract were submitted in May.
The so-called Neom Time Travel tunnel extends 4.4km and includes twin-bored tunnels with two ventilation shafts and an at-grade section.
Exclusive from Meed
-
-
-
Teams form for Qiddiya high-speed rail PPP7 May 2026
-
-
All of this is only 1% of what MEED.com has to offer
Subscribe now and unlock all the 153,671 articles on MEED.com
- All the latest news, data, and market intelligence across MENA at your fingerprints
- First-hand updates and inside information on projects, clients and competitors that matter to you
- 20 years' archive of information, data, and news for you to access at your convenience
- Strategize to succeed and minimise risks with timely analysis of current and future market trends
Related Articles
-
Sabic registers profit in first quarter of 20268 May 2026
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) returned to profit in the first quarter of 2026, posting a net income of SR13.2m ($3.52m) compared to a SR1.21bn loss a year earlier.
The Saudi petrochemicals giant posted adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of SR4.15bn for the three months to 31 March, up 25% from the previous quarter.
The company’s revenue fell 6% quarter-on-quarter to SR26.15bn ($6.97m).
Adjusted net income was recorded in at SR816m, compared to a loss in the previous quarter, while adjusted earnings per share stood at SR0.27.
Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes rose to SR1.45bn, an increase of SR1.01bn from the prior quarter.
Sabic said its net position shifted to a debt of SR2.77bn at the end of March, from a net cash position of SR3.61bn at the end of 2025.
“Our transformation journey continues to deliver performance improvements that unlock greater value for our shareholders. We realised $220m at the Ebitda level on a recurring basis during the first quarter of 2026, in line with our planned improvement rate. This keeps us on track towards our cumulative 2030 annual target of $3bn, consisting of $1.4bn in cost excellence and $1.6bn in value creation,” Sabic CEO Faisal Alfaqeer said.
READ THE MAY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFGlobal energy sector forced to recalibrate; Conflict hits debt issuance and listings activity; UAE’s non-oil sector faces unclear recovery period amid disruption.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the May 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> REGIONAL LNG: War undermines business case for Middle East LNG> CAPITAL MARKETS: Damage avoidance frames debt issuance> MARKET FOCUS: Conflict tests UAE diversificationTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16719476/main1840.jpg -
Dubai extends bids for Hassyan SWRO pipeline packages7 May 2026
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) has extended the bid submission deadlines for two water transmission pipeline packages linked to phase two of the Hassyan seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant in Dubai.
The tenders cover the supply, installation, testing and commissioning works for glass reinforced epoxy (GRE) water transmission pipelines. The project will enable potable water to be transmitted from the phase two plant into Dubai’s transmission network.
The tender bond for the first package is AED9.6m ($2.6mn). The tender bond for the second project is AED17.9m. The deadlines for the two projects have been pushed back to 2 June and 4 June, respectively.
Local firms Al-Nasr Contracting, Tristar E&C and Wade Adams, along with UAE firm Binladin Contracting Group, are among the companies expected to submit bids for the main contracts for these projects.
In April, Dewa issued two separate tenders for transmission projects in the emirate.
The first tender covers the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of GRE water transmission pipelines and associated works at several locations in Dubai. The closing date for submissions is 4 June. Bidders are required to provide a tender bond of AED9m ($2.45m).
The second tender relates to 132kV cable works and associated modifications at several substations, including the Autosouq, Crystal and Danaro Road substations. The package also includes a new 132kV cable circuit and cable shifting works linked to the DXB INTRL 400/132kV substation.
The bid submission deadline is 11 June, with a required tender bond of AED17.5m.
In January, Dewa announced that construction of the 180 million imperial gallons a day phase one of the Hassyan SWRO independent water project was 90% complete.
READ THE MAY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFGlobal energy sector forced to recalibrate; Conflict hits debt issuance and listings activity; UAE’s non-oil sector faces unclear recovery period amid disruption.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the May 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> REGIONAL LNG: War undermines business case for Middle East LNG> CAPITAL MARKETS: Damage avoidance frames debt issuance> MARKET FOCUS: Conflict tests UAE diversificationTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16716599/main.jpg -
Teams form for Qiddiya high-speed rail PPP7 May 2026

Firms are forming joint ventures as part of a public-private partnership (PPP) package to bid for the upcoming works on the Qiddiya high-speed rail project in Riyadh.
The latest development follows Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Riyadh City, Qiddiya Investment Company and the National Centre for Privatisation & PPP receiving prequalification statements from firms by 30 April for the PPP package of the rail project.
The consortiums that are planning to bid for the PPP package are:
- McQuarie / Hitachi / Keolis / Albawani / WeBuild / Hyundai / HyundaiRotem
- Plenary / Siemens / MTR / FCC / Nesma & Partners / Freyssinet
- Vision Invest / CRRC / Mapa
- Mada International / Renfe / Alstom / Hassan Allam Construction / El-Seif Engineering Contracting / China State Construction Engineering Corporation / Limak Holding
- Lamar Holding / Talgo / Mermec / China Harbour Engineering Company / Al-Ayuni Investment & Contracting
The prequalification notice was issued on 19 January, and a project briefing session was held on 23 February at Qiddiya Entertainment City.
The Qiddiya high-speed rail project, also known as Q-Express, will cover 84 kilometres, connecting King Salman International airport and King Abdullah Financial District with Qiddiya City.
The line will operate at speeds of up to 250 kilometres an hour, reaching Qiddiya in 30 minutes.
There are five stations planned: Qiddiya Grand Central Station, Qiddiya Uptown Station, King Abdullah Financial District, Terminal 6 King Salman International Airport (KSIA) and Iconic Terminal at KSIA.
Last month, MEED exclusively reported that contractors had submitted their prequalification statements for the engineering, procurement, construction and financing package by 16 April.
In November 2023, MEED reported that French consultant Egis had been appointed as the technical adviser for the project. UK-based consultancy Ernst & Young is acting as the transaction adviser, and Ashurst is the legal adviser.
READ THE MAY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFGlobal energy sector forced to recalibrate; Conflict hits debt issuance and listings activity; UAE’s non-oil sector faces unclear recovery period amid disruption.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the May 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> REGIONAL LNG: War undermines business case for Middle East LNG> CAPITAL MARKETS: Damage avoidance frames debt issuance> MARKET FOCUS: Conflict tests UAE diversificationTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16716585/main.jpg -
Contractor wins $218m Aramco-backed logistics hub deal7 May 2026

Saudi Amana, the local affiliate of UAE-based construction firm Group Amana, has won an estimated SR820m ($218m) contract to build a logistics complex at King Salman Energy Park (Spark) in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.
Asmo, the logistics joint venture of Saudi Aramco and DHL Supply Chain, awarded the contract.
Asmo received the main contract bids on 18 March, as MEED reported.
Al-Khobar-based engineering firm House of Consulting Office is the project consultant.
In February, Asmo signed an agreement with Bahrain‑headquartered Arcapita Group Holdings to deliver the project at Spark.
The project will feature a 43,000-square-metre (sq m), temperature-controlled Grade A warehouse; more than 3,000 sq m of offices and staff amenities; 5,300 sq m dedicated to chemicals storage; and an open yard covering about 1.2 million sq m.
Planned for large-scale industrial use, the site is expected to incorporate advanced warehouse and building management systems, end-to-end digital connectivity, automation and robotics.
It will also be developed in line with internationally recognised sustainability standards, featuring solar photovoltaic readiness, electric-vehicle charging infrastructure and a target of Leed Gold certification.
The development aims to support the next stage of Saudi Arabia’s logistics and supply chain expansion.
Under the deal structure, Arcapita will provide funding and retain ownership of the asset, while Asmo will develop the facility and then lease and operate it under a 22-year occupational lease.
According to a statement, “the scheme will be executed via a forward-funding model, underscoring a long-term commitment to national infrastructure”.
Asmo added that this will be its first purpose-built logistics centre and one of four strategic locations planned to anchor its nationwide logistics network, aligned with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy under Saudi Vision 2030.
READ THE MAY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFGlobal energy sector forced to recalibrate; Conflict hits debt issuance and listings activity; UAE’s non-oil sector faces unclear recovery period amid disruption.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the May 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> REGIONAL LNG: War undermines business case for Middle East LNG> CAPITAL MARKETS: Damage avoidance frames debt issuance> MARKET FOCUS: Conflict tests UAE diversificationTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16715420/main.jpg -
Kuwait postpones bid deadlines for four downstream oil tenders7 May 2026

Kuwait has extended bid deadlines for four tendered contracts that are all focused on the country’s Mina Al-Ahmadi (MAA) refinery.
The contracts include a project that has been tendered by state-owned downstream operator Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) to upgrade water transmission and storage infrastructure at the refinery.
The contract will use the engineering, procurement and construction model and the tender was originally issued in October 2025 with an initial bid deadline of 4 January 2026.
The tender has already seen several extensions and the latest rescheduling has set the bid deadline back from 19 April 2026 until 10 May 2026.
The project is expected to take two years to complete and its scope is focused on expanding water storage capacity at the facility, either through extending existing tanks or building new tanks.
The winning bidder will also be responsible for developing associated infrastructure and upgrading related systems that transport desalinated water to the refinery, such as pipelines and other infrastructure.
In its 2024-25 annual report, KNPC said the project will help to meet demand for water at the facility’s refining and gas production units.
The other three contracts are all maintenance contracts, which were also tendered by KNPC and have had their bid deadlines extended until 30 June 2026.
The first of these is focused on mechanical maintenance of the Clean Fuel Project (CFP) units at the facility, as well as gas liquid production facilities.
The CFP units were added to the refinery as part of the $16bn CFP, and were brought online in 2021.
The project aimed to increase Kuwait’s capacity to produce low-sulfur fuels and, as part of the project, the MAA refinery was integrated with Kuwait’s Mina Abdulla (MAB) refinery.
The project increased the capacity of MAB to 454,000 barrels a day (b/d) and the MAA refinery to 346,000 b/d.
The second maintenance contract is focused on the mechanical maintenance of refining and production units at the MAA facility. The third contract is focused on workshop maintenance at the facility.
The MAA refinery has been hit in several attacks during the US and Israel's war with Iran, which started on 28 February 2026.
The full extent of the damage to the facility is currently unclear.
Last month, MEED revealed that state-owned oil companies in Kuwait have fast-tracked the award of contracts to repair damage to infrastructure in the oil and gas sector.
To expedite the award of contracts, deals were directly negotiated with trusted contractors without public tenders.
The contracts were negotiated by senior officials at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation subsidiaries including Kuwait Oil Company and KNPC, sources said.
It is not known whether any of these contracts related to repairs at the MAA refinery.
READ THE MAY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFGlobal energy sector forced to recalibrate; Conflict hits debt issuance and listings activity; UAE’s non-oil sector faces unclear recovery period amid disruption.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the May 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> REGIONAL LNG: War undermines business case for Middle East LNG> CAPITAL MARKETS: Damage avoidance frames debt issuance> MARKET FOCUS: Conflict tests UAE diversificationTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16715383/main.jpg