Ras Al-Khaimah to award wastewater contract this year
16 January 2025
Ras Al-Khaimah's Public Services Department (PSD) and Investment & Development Office (IDO) are expected to award the contract to develop and operate the UAE northern emirate's first wastewater treatment plant project this year.
The Rakwa Wastewater Infrastructure Project entails the development of a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 60,000 cubic metres a day (cm/d), which could be expanded to 150,000 cm/d.
The scope of the build, own, operate and transfer scheme will include extensive sewerage and distribution works in addition to the main treatment plant.
The project clients expect to receive bids for the contract on 25 January, MEED previously reported.
The intention is to award the contract before the end of the year, said a source familiar with the project.
It is understood that the Public Services Department will be the counterparty and offtaker that will sign the water-purchase agreement with the successful developer consortium.
Firms that have been prequalified to bid for the contract include:
- Acciona (Spain)
- Besix (Belgium)
- China Harbour Engineering Company (China) / BOWT
- Cobra (Tedagua, Spain)
- GS Inima (Spain/South Korea) / Alkhorayef Water & Power Technologies (Saudi Arabia)
- Etihad Water & Electricity (EWE, UAE) / Saur (France)
- FCC Aqualia (Spain)
- MA Kharafi (Kuwait) / Passavant Energy & Environment (UAE, Germany)
- Metito
- Miahona Company (Saudi Arabia)
- Orascom Construction (Egypt)
- Sustainable Water Solutions (UAE)
- Veolia Middle East (France/local)
Two companies that previously provided utility services in the UAE, Abu Dhabi Sustainable Water Solutions – which has since rebranded as Taqa Water Solutions – and Sharjah-based Etihad Water & Electricity, are among those that have been prequalified to bid for the contract to develop the project.
This is the first sewage treatment plant public-private partnership (PPP) that is being developed by the Ras Al-Khaimah authorities.
There could be other potential PPP projects in the future depending on the outcome of the first tendering proceedings, the source told MEED.
On 15 January, Etihad Water & Electricity (Etihad WE), the UAE federal utility company, announced the allocation of AED465m ($126m) for the rehabilitation of the water network across the UAE’s Northern Emirates, including AED214m for Ras Al-Khaimah.
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The request for qualifications (RFQs) was issued by the municipality’s Sewerage and Recycled Water Projects Department (SRPD).
The bid submission deadline is 26 February.
The first scheme under the package is TF-16-C1, which involves upgrading and rehabilitating the stormwater system east of the Dubai Canal.
The second, TF-15-C2, will deliver stormwater links along Umm Suqeim Road to serve the Al-Barsha and Al-Quoz communities.
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READ THE FEBRUARY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFSpending on oil and gas production surges; Doha’s efforts support extraordinary growth in 2026; Water sector regains momentum in 2025.
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Modon tenders Ras El-Hekma construction contracts
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Abu Dhabi-based developer Modon Holding has tendered several contracts as part of the first phase of development at Ras El-Hekma, a planned new city on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.
MEED understands that the tenders were issued in January.
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Modon has accelerated development works at Ras El-Hekma this year. In January, MEED reported that Modon Holding had awarded a E£15bn ($316m) contract for the construction of a project at Ras El-Hekma.
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Ras El-Hekma is on a spur of land on Egypt’s northern Mediterranean coastline, about 240 kilometres west of Alexandria.
Last year, Abu Dhabi-based holding company ADQ appointed Modon Holding as the master developer for the Ras El-Hekma project.
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The signing ceremony was held at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority headquarters in Aqaba on 5 February.
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Chinese firm wins Ceer automotive supplier park deal
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