Saudi Arabia's WTCO reveals interested firms for Ras Mohaisen-Baha-Makkah WTS project

Saudi Arabia’s Water Transmission Company (WTCO) has announced the list of companies that have expressed their interest in participating in the development of the Ras Mohaisen - Al-Baha - Makkah Water Transmission System project (IWTS). This 300-kilometer-long pipeline is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's push to ensure water security and sustainability under its ambitious Vision 2030 framework.

Part of the Western Supply Group, the IWTS project is designed to transmit 515,000 cubic meters of water per day, bridging critical consumption centers with desalination facilities. The project aligns with the objectives of the Saudi National Water Strategy (NWS 2030), which aims to close the water demand-supply gap and deliver 90% of urban water supply via desalination. This approach is set to significantly reduce reliance on non-renewable groundwater sources.

The IWTS program represents a key element in the Kingdom’s strategy to develop potable water transmission systems, including pipelines and storage facilities, to ensure reliable water delivery in rapidly urbanizing regions.

The project will be executed under a design, build, finance, lease, and transfer (DBFLT) model, a hallmark of Saudi Arabia’s approach to fostering public-private partnerships (PPP). The selected developer or consortium will finance and build the infrastructure, leasing its capacity to WTCO under a long-term Water Transmission Development and Lease Agreement (WTDLA) expected to span up to 35 years. Advisory support for the project includes Synergy Consulting IFA as the lead and financial adviser, Clifford Chance as the legal adviser, and ILF as the technical adviser.

In response to WTCO's call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) on November 6, 2024, a lineup of 31 companies has expressed interest in participating. The list includes a mix of international heavyweights and regional powerhouses, demonstrating the broad appeal of Saudi Arabia’s water infrastructure projects.