Saudi Arabia signs new water and power contracts

Saudi Arabia has signed new contracts to boost energy and water production in the Kingdom

Three contracts worth SR 16 billion were signed here yesterday to boost water and electricity supply to Madinah and Yanbu and its surrounding villages.

Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al-Hussayen signed the accords for the third phase of Yanbu desal plant in the presence of Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul bin Majed. The contract for a desalination and electricity power generation project will cost SR 11.23 billion, another project SR 3.82 billion and an electricity project to support the Yanbu desal plant will cost SR 716 million.

Abdul Rahman Al-Ibrahim, governor of Saline Water Conversion Corporation, said Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest supplier of desalination water, accounting for 18 percent of total global production.

SWCC and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction are constructing the world’s largest single multi-effect distillation desalination unit in Yanbu.