Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) has announced that request for propsals (RFPs) have been issued to the pre-qualified bidders for Jubail 4&6 Independent Water Project (IWP) which boasts a total capacity of 600,000 cu m/day.

The project, which will be designed using Reverse Osmosis seawater desalination technology, is

set for commercial operations in Q3 2027.

The scope of work includes the finance, development, operation and maintenance of the key seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination water project in Jubail Industrial City as well as associated infrastructure and facilities.

The desalination plant will be located 18 km south of Jubail Industrial City in the kingdom, adjacent to the existing plant units (Jubail Phase 1, Jubail Phase 2, Jubail 3A & 3B), in the Eastern Province of the kingdom.

Last year in September, SWPC had announced that nine leading utility developers, including two in consortiums, had qualified for the project.

These include: Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa); Acciona Agua; Saudi developer Acwa Power; GS Inima; International Power (Engie); Marubeni Corporation Power and Water Utility Company for Jubail and Yanbu (Marafiq) as well as consortiums of Ajlan & Bros and Rawafid Industrial Company and that of Al Jomaih Energy & Water Company and Sogex Oman.

According to SWPC, on selection, the successful bidder, through a project company to be incorporated, would develop the project and then sell the entire capacity and output to SWPC under a 25-year concession pursuant to a Water Purchase Agreement (WPA).

For the project, KPMG Professional Services are acting as financial and lead advisor to SWPC, while White & Case are the legal advisors and WSP the technical advisors.