Saudi-based Acwa Power, a global leader in developing, constructing and operating power generation and desalination water plants in 11 countries, has won a contract to develop the first utility-scale renewable energy plant in the kingdom at an investment of SR993.7 million ($265 million).

The Saudi government will build and operate a total of 1,600 schools across the kingdom under a special project in partnership with private sector enterprises. A total of 60 schools will come up in Makkah and Jeddah, reported the Saudi Gazette.

Saudi Arabia’s Water and Electricity Company (WEC) has approved issuing of request for proposals (RFP) to invite private firms to take part in its Rabigh-3 IWP project which aims to boost desalinated water capacity in the Makkah region of the kingdom.

The Saudi government is working on development projects worth SR14.6 billion ($3.89 billion), including a new airport, the Souk Okaz City as well as an industrial city in the Makkah province, and other road, water and electricity projects, said a report.

Construction Material Chemical Industries (CMCI) is looking to double its exports in the coming years and, towards this end, the Dammam-based construction chemicals specialist intends to launch a production facility in Bahrain shortly.

Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) has signed a power supply agreement worth SR180 million ($48 million) with Saudi Electric Company (SEC), on behalf of its Jeddah Economic Company (JEC) partners, which is developing the Jeddah Economic City.

Metito wins KAEC desal deal King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), the largest privately-funded new city in the world, has awarded a major contract to the Saudi unit of Metito, a leading UAE-based water management solutions provider, for the design and construction of a seawater desalination plant which will be powered by solar energy.