Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) has issued requests for qualification (RFQs) for the development of the Juranah Independent Strategic Water Reservoir (ISWR) project located in the Makkah region that will boast a total storage capacity of 2.5 million cu m. 

 

A total of 34 companies have expressed their interests in the project including 21 Saudi firms, said a statement from SWPC. 

 

The project is being implemented on a BOOT (build, own, operate and transfer) model and the development work will include the water reservoir and all associated infrastructure and facilities. 

 

According to SWPC, international companies that have expressed their interests in the Juranah ISWR project include Spanish infrastructure heavyweights Acciona and Abengoa Agua; Marubeni (Japan) and Chinese construction majors - China Railway Construction Corporation, China Gezhouba and Powerchina Group.

 

Of these EoIs, 21 are from Saudi companies including Ajlan & Bros Energy Company (Abilitii); Al Rajhi Holding Group; Al Bawani Water & Power; Al Yamama; Alfanar; Nesma; AlKawther Industries;

Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies; Amiantit; Petrojet, Taqa, Thabat Construction and Marafiq.

 

In addition, there are some GCC players in the fray such as Metito Utilities and Qantara (UAE); Kuwait-based Gulf Investment Corporation; Orascom Construction and Bahrain-based Lamar Holding, it stated.

 

SWPC said a private sector developer/developer consortium will be selected for the project following a competitive tender process which will be responsible for the development, financing, procurement, implementation and operation and maintenance of the water reservoir. 

 

The successful bidder, through a special purpose vehicle, will provide the required storage capacity to SWPC under a 30-year water storage agreement. 

 

The utility company said its obligations under the agreement will be backed by a credit support agreement from the Saudi government.

 

Synergy Consulting IFA is the lead and financial advisor; while Amer Al Amr Law Firm is the legal advisor and WSP Middle East the technical advisor for the project.-TradeArabia News Service