meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Rise in PPPs reflects Saudi budgetary pragmatism

7 March 2025

 

Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

The value of public-private partnership (PPP) contracts in Saudi Arabia has risen sharply over the past two years as the government seeks to develop projects through the private sector and diversify funding sources.

According to MEED Projects data, in 2023, the value of PPP concession contracts hit an all-time high of $28.2bn, equivalent to more than 23% of the total value of all project contracts awarded that year. Although that figure fell to 18.3% last year, it was still far higher than the historical average in the kingdom.


Source: MEED Projects

The figures are even starker when taking only government spending into account. In 2023, the value of signed PPP contracts totalled more than a third of the value of government or government-related projects awarded in 2023 and more than a quarter last year. This is compared to the average of 15.6% between 2019 and 2022, and just 3.5% recorded in 2018. 

Government contracts include awards made by ministries, municipalities and royal commissions, in addition to state-funded key project clients such as Saudi Water Authority, the National Housing Company and Jeddah Airports Company. Public Investment Fund (PIF) subsidiaries such as Neom, the National Water Company and Rua Al-Madinah are also included.

Reducing spending

The government increasingly views the development of projects through the PPP framework as a means of delivering strategic schemes like power and desalination plants off-balance sheet using private sector funding, thereby reducing its capital expenditure requirements. 

This has been particularly important as Riyadh’s financing commitments for its gigaprojects and infrastructure programmes have soared in line with its Saudi 2030 Vision. New contract awards overall in the kingdom reached $149bn, the highest ever recorded by a single country in the region and one of the largest globally.


*Government contracts include awards made by ministries, municipalities and royal commissions, in addition to state-managed key project clients such as Saudi Electricity Company, the National Housing Company and Jeddah Airports Company. Public Investment Fund (PIF) subsidiaries like Neom and Rua Al-Madinah are also included. Capital expenditure by Saudi Aramco is excluded from the analysis | Source: MEED Projects

Beyond utilities

PPPs have been used in Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC region for over two decades, but have been mainly limited to power generation and water desalination plants, where the developer benefits from guaranteed take-or-pay power-purchase agreements that eliminate demand risk.

However, over the past three years, the government has successfully implemented PPPs in a number of new sectors, including education and healthcare, to finance, build and operate schools and hospitals. Forthcoming PPP projects include the estimated $2.5bn Asir-Jizan highway, which would be the first road concession in the GCC, and the multibillion-dollar contract to develop the expansion of Abha International airport.

The NCP is expected to add dozens more PPPs to its future pipeline to relieve the state’s financial burden and to stimulate the private sector’s involvement in the local projects market 

Outside the utilities sector, the body responsible for pushing the PPP agenda is the National Centre for Privatisation (NCP). It has more than 170 PPPs in the pipeline, covering long-term concession agreements in projects as diverse as municipal laboratories, television and radio tower infrastructure, court complexes and logistics zones.

As capital expenditure continues to increase, the NCP is expected to add dozens more PPPs to its future pipeline to relieve the state’s financial burden and to stimulate the private sector’s involvement in the local projects market.

Gigaproject delivery

The gigaproject development companies will likely follow a similar path. Off-grid developers Neom and Red Sea Global have both signed utilities concessions with the private sector for their power, desalination, water treatment and district cooling requirements, with the former also contracting companies to build and operate labour accommodation.

Going forward, other PIF developer subsidiaries like New Murabba Development Company (NMDC), Diriyah Company, Roshn Group and King Salman International Airport Development Company are attempting to harness the private sector for a number of their project components. 

NMDC, for example, will seek companies over the next five years to finance and operate its water treatment, power, district cooling, waste collection, telecommunication, secondary roads, street lighting, social infrastructure and EV charging infrastructure requirements under its partnership strategy. 

The use of PPP contractual frameworks will be critical to ensure delivery of the gigaprojects as soaring construction costs have resulted in delays to the programme and put a strain on the PIF and government’s finances. 

Growing appetite

Power and water production schemes aside, it remains to be seen whether the private sector and banks will have the appetite to take on the investment risk these projects will entail, especially if they do not come with government guarantees, explicit or otherwise.

However, the experience to date suggests that there is a big appetite in the private sector – at least locally – to take on an expanded role in absorbing some of the state’s financing burden. Whether this will remain the case as the PPP pipeline continues to grow will be key to Saudi Arabia’s project and 2030 Vision ambitions.

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/13466076/main.gif
Edward James

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • State-backed spending cushions UAE construction slowdown

    13 October 2026

     

    The UAE projects market is undergoing a structural realignment. Following a surge in private real estate investment after the Covid-19 pandemic, activity in the commercial and residential segments has softened amid regional geopolitical uncertainty.

    Rather than allowing the market to contract, state and government-related entities (GREs) – particularly in Dubai – have stepped in to offset the shortfall, deploying balance-sheet capital countercyclically into strategic infrastructure, cultural and tourism projects.

    Dubai recalibrates

    Dubai’s construction sector has remained resilient at a headline level. On-site work continues, and major international contractors are securing new work.

    A clear indicator of this stability came in September, when China State Construction Engineering Corporation secured an AED5bn ($1.3bn) contract from Dubai Holding for the developer’s new headquarters and the Jumeirah Residences Emirates Towers scheme.

    Beneath this headline stability, however, procurement drivers have shifted dramatically. Private real estate activity, which supported the market’s post-pandemic resurgence, cooled following the onset of regional conflict at the end of February. Off-plan residential sales declined from a monthly peak of $9bn in February to $4bn in August.

    Monthly contract awards for residential projects mirrored this contraction, dropping from $3bn to $306m over the same period as private developers deferred new project launches and conserved capital.

    Government and government-related clients have absorbed much of the resulting shortfall. Dubai awarded $52.6bn of contracts in 2025, of which state-backed clients accounted for $26bn, or about 49%.

    In 2026 to date, government and GRE procurement has reached $22.4bn of the $34.6bn in contracts awarded, representing almost two-thirds of total market activity.

    The shift towards sovereign-backed spending appears intended to support construction activity and limit pressure on the supply chain during a period of private sector retrenchment.

    This state intervention is underpinned by an unawarded projects pipeline of $530bn in Dubai, according to MEED Projects data.

    The city’s future construction pipeline remains heavily weighted towards housing and integrated urban developments. Unawarded construction projects in the emirate total about $144.5bn, with residential and mixed-use developments accounting for almost 89% of the total value.

    Planned residential schemes account for $66.5bn, or 46%, of the pipeline, followed by large-scale mixed-use developments at $62bn, or 42.7%. The remainder comprises hospitality projects ($5bn), commercial offices ($4.8bn), telecommunications ($2bn) and retail ($2bn), alongside smaller allocations for education and civic facilities.

    Abu Dhabi accelerates

    A similar dynamic is evident in Abu Dhabi, where sovereign-backed entities continue to shape construction procurement. Unlike Dubai, which has historically relied more heavily on private developers, Abu Dhabi’s market is largely led by state-affiliated master developers.

    Entities such as Aldar Properties and Modon Holding remain the primary engines of the emirate’s residential and mixed-use pipeline, progressing vast masterplans across Saadiyat Island, Yas Island and Hudayriyat Island.

    At the same time, Abu Dhabi is directing public capital expenditure towards entertainment, culture and hospitality as it pursues the objectives of its Tourism Strategy 2030.

    Rather than moderating capital deployment amid regional geopolitical strains, state-backed entities are accelerating destination developments designed to expand visitor capacity and build long-term economic resilience.

    Leisure developer Miral has already confirmed plans to invest more than AED12bn ($3.2bn) across Yas Island over the next five years. The investment will fund new attractions and expand hotel capacity, separate from the planned Disney development.

    Work is already under way on a 63,000-square-metre phase-two expansion of Warner Bros World Yas Island, featuring a Harry Potter-themed zone.

    Major civic entertainment venues are also moving to construction. In May, Alec Engineering & Contracting received the letter of award for the $1.7bn Sphere Abu Dhabi project on Yas Island. The venue is being developed by the Department of Culture and Tourism–Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in partnership with US-based Sphere Entertainment, and is scheduled to be completed in the third quarter of fiscal year 2029.

    On neighbouring Saadiyat Island, DCT Abu Dhabi has broken ground on Dar Al-Funoon, a performing arts venue designed by the late Frank Gehry. The project is planned to accommodate more than 6,000 people across a 2,000-seat multipurpose hall, an open-air amphitheatre, a studio theatre and a jazz venue. Main contract bids are currently under evaluation ahead of an imminent award and a 2030 opening.

    Abu Dhabi’s unawarded projects pipeline is led by mixed-use and residential developments, which together account for about $51.3bn, or 54% of the roughly $95bn total shown.

    Telecommunications and data infrastructure forms the single largest individual segment at $33.4bn (35%). Subsequent phases of the estimated $40bn Stargate project represent the bulk of the emirate’s planned data-centre capacity. The planned artificial intelligence infrastructure initiative is designed to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional data and connectivity hub, with construction on phase one already under way.

    Hospitality accounts for a further $7.6bn (8%) of the pipeline. The remaining balance of roughly $2.6bn is distributed across retail, culture, leisure, healthcare, public facilities, commercial offices, earthworks and education.

    Along with Dubai’s $79.6bn in near-term tenders, the combined $116bn in active procurement confirms that sovereign liquidity will continue to insulate the UAE construction market from broader private sector volatility.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20536766/main.gif
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Consortium signs EPC contract for Rabigh 2 IPP expansion

    13 October 2026

    A consortium comprising PowerChina, Egypt’s Elsewedy Electric and Beijing-headquartered Sinohydro has signed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for Saudi Arabia’s Rabigh 2 combined-cycle gas-turbine (CCGT) independent power project (IPP) expansion.

    The signing ceremony took place in Riyadh on 12 October and the contract involves the plant’s design, procurement, installation, construction, commissioning, grid connection and performance testing.

    MEED previously reported that construction works had commenced, with Elsewedy Electric and Sinohydro carrying out works on the project.

    The signing follows the project’s financial close earlier this month, after it secured SR9.69bn ($2.58bn) in long-term financing.

    The financing has a tenor of approximately 34 years and was provided by a consortium of local, regional and international lenders.

    The project is being developed by Al-Morjan Two Electricity Company, in which Acwa and Saudi Energy, formerly Saudi Electricity Company, each hold a 40% stake.

    In April, MEED reported that Acwa and Saudi Energy had signed a 31-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) for the project.

    The agreement is valued at SR11.5bn ($3.07bn) and covers the development of a CCGT plant in the Mecca region under a build, own and operate arrangement. The project also includes the development and expansion of a 380kV electrical substation. The plant is designed to be ready for the future installation of carbon-capture technology.

    READ THE OCTOBER 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Industry and logistics drive development at Neom; Saudi Arabia’s investment priorities realign amid conflict; MEED’s 2026 power developer ranking.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the October 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20535598/main3026.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Contractors submit Riyadh road scheme bids

    13 October 2026

     

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Contractors submitted bids in the first week of October to upgrade a section of the Al-Urubah Road axis leading to Prince Bandar Bin Abdulaziz Road in Riyadh.

    The project scope involves upgrading about 15.5 kilometres of the road to increase capacity to about 200,000 vehicles a day.

    MEED understands that the bidders include:

    • Al-Ayuni Investment & Contracting
    • Al-Rashid Trading & Contracting
    • China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation / Al-Omaeir Trading & Contracting
    • Mofarreh Alharbi & Partners
    • Nesma & Partners

    The project aims to increase traffic capacity, streamline vehicular movements and eliminate conflict points along the corridor.

    The US-based engineering firm Parsons is overseeing the project’s implementation after winning a $53m contract from the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) in 2024.

    The contract includes project management services for RCRC’s main and ring roads programme.

    The programme includes 500km of new roads and upgrade works in and around Riyadh. 

    In 2021, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud said Riyadh’s population would 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 several road development projects in the capital.

    READ THE OCTOBER 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Industry and logistics drive development at Neom; Saudi Arabia’s investment priorities realign amid conflict; MEED’s 2026 power developer ranking.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the October 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20533695/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Contractor groups prequalify for Dubai Metro Gold Line

    13 October 2026

     

    Six contracting groups submitted prequalification statements on 9 October for the contract to build Dubai Metro’s new Gold Line.

    The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) issued the request for qualification notice for the project in June, as MEED exclusively reported.

    The consortiums formed to bid for the main contract are:

    • Alstom / China Railway Engineering Corporation / National Projects Construction / Dogus Construction (France/China/local/Turkiye)
    • CRRC / Limak / Mapa Group (China/Turkiye/Turkiye)
    • Hitachi / China Harbour Engineering Company / China State Construction Engineering Corporation (Japan/China/China)
    • Siemens / Petrojet / Concord Engineering & Contracting / Rowad Modern Engineering (Germany/Egypt/Egypt/Egypt)
    • Hassan Allam / IC Ictas / Siemens (Egypt/Turkiye/Germany)
    • Larsen & Toubro / Powerchina / Wade Adams (India/China/local)

    Dubai officially announced the Gold Line in April.

    In a post on social media site X, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said the project would cost about AED34bn ($9.2bn).

    The Gold Line will increase the Dubai Metro network’s total length by 35%. The project is scheduled to be completed in September 2032.

    The fully underground line will extend for more than 42 kilometres and include 18 stations. It will pass through 15 areas of Dubai and serve 1.5 million residents.

    The project is expected to connect more than 55 under-construction real estate developments.

    The Gold Line will begin at Al-Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai and terminate at Jumeirah Golf Estates. It will connect with the existing Red and Green lines and integrate with the Etihad Rail passenger network.

    The contractor will be responsible for the design and construction of all civil works, electromechanical equipment, rolling stock and rail systems. The selected contractor will also be required to support systems maintenance and operations during an initial three-year period.

    In October last year, MEED exclusively reported that the RTA had selected US-based engineering firm Aecom to provide consultancy services for the Dubai Metro Gold Line project.

    Stage one covers concept design; stage two, preliminary design; stage three, tender-document preparation; stage four, construction supervision; and stage five, the defects-liability period.

    READ THE OCTOBER 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Industry and logistics drive development at Neom; Saudi Arabia’s investment priorities realign amid conflict; MEED’s 2026 power developer ranking.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the October 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20531469/main.png
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Egypt discusses technology cooperation with SLB

    13 October 2026

    Egypt is in talks with US-based oilfield services company SLB to expand technical cooperation in the country’s oil and gas sector, according to a statement from the Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources.

    Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi met SLB chief executive Olivier Le Peuch in Riyadh, the ministry said.

    During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen their strategic partnership and expand cooperation in technology and digital transformation.

    They also discussed how SLB could support exploration and production activities, with the aim of increasing output and attracting further investment in Egypt’s oil and gas sector.

    Badawi emphasised the importance of extending the existing partnership with SLB, including its role in technology transfer and the development of technical capabilities in Egypt’s oil sector, according to the statement.

    He said Egypt should build on existing areas of cooperation and deploy advanced technological solutions to reduce exploration risk, increase recovery and production rates from existing fields, and improve operational efficiency.

    Badawi and Le Peuch also discussed progress on a seismic survey project being undertaken by SLB in partnership with France-based Viridien.

    The project includes an ocean-bottom node seismic survey covering about 95,000 square kilometres of Egypt’s eastern Mediterranean waters.

    The discussion focused on the data processing and analysis schedule, the steps required to prepare and release preliminary results, and the drilling schedule.

    Badawi and Le Peuch also discussed expanding the use of horizontal drilling technologies in Egypt. This would involve identifying suitable locations and developing a commercial and contractual model for their deployment.

    The Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources and SLB are also exploring opportunities to expand the use of artificial intelligence in reservoir management and production optimisation.

    This work is being explored in partnership with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation and Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company.

    READ THE OCTOBER 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Industry and logistics drive development at Neom; Saudi Arabia’s investment priorities realign amid conflict; MEED’s 2026 power developer ranking.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the October 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/20517735/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp