Saudi Arabia has launched tenders for two major water infrastructure projects under its public-private partnership (PPP) framework, reinforcing its commitment to expanding access to desalinated water across key regions. The initiative is part of the kingdom’s broader National Water Strategy 2030, which aims to modernize and diversify water supply systems.
The tenders were issued by the Water Transmission Company (WTCO), a government-owned entity responsible for strategic water transmission and storage. WTCO is inviting engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms to bid on two independent water transmission system projects designed to serve the Makkah, Al-Baha, and Al-Qassim regions.
The first project, the Ras Mohaisen–Baha–Makkah transmission system, will deliver desalinated water to Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Al-Baha. It features a maximum design flow of 542,000 cubic meters per day, a pipeline stretching 325 kilometers, and includes four pumping stations. The infrastructure will connect the Ras Mohaisen desalination plant to regional distribution networks and storage facilities.
The second project, Jubail–Buraidah 2, targets the Al-Qassim region and is part of the larger Jubail–Buraydah Water Transmission Programme. It will supply up to 840,000 cubic meters per day through a 348-kilometer pipeline supported by a central pumping station. The system will link the Jubail desalination facility to inland cities via new transmission and storage infrastructure.
WTCO, established in 2019 under Cabinet Resolution No. 32, operates commercially and is licensed by the Saudi Water Authority. It oversees seven integrated systems that manage the planning, development, and operation of critical water infrastructure across the kingdom.
These PPP projects reflect Saudi Arabia’s strategic push to enhance water security, reduce reliance on groundwater, and support sustainable urban growth in both coastal and inland regions
(Source: MEED)