SWPC starts production at Yanbu 4: The Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) launched operations at the 450k cbm a day Yanbu 4 desalination plant, the company said on X. The SAR 3.1 bn (USD 827 mn) project — developed and owned by a consortium made up of Engie (40%), Saudi-based Nesma (30%), and Mowah (30%) — is powered by 20 MW of solar energy, has a 42 km water transport system, and contains a water storage tank with a two-day capacity. The plant uses reverse osmosis to supply water to Makkah and Medina.

More desal by SWPC underway: The company issued tenders last month for the finance, development, operation, and maintenance of the desalination water project in Jubail Industrial City, located next to the existing plant units — Jubail Phase 1, Jubail Phase 2, Jubail 3A and 3B. The tenders were issued to the pre-qualified bidders for the Jubail 4 & 6 Independent Water Projects, which will have a total capacity of 600k cbm/day.

Desalination is big business in the kingdom: EPC contractor Alucor signed an agreement with South Korea’s industrial equipment manufacturer Doosan last week to provide mechanical, electrical and instrumentation installation work for Saudi Arabia’s Shuaibah 3 desalination project. Earlier last year, Saudi's Acwa Power, Gulf Investment Corporation, and Al Bawani Water and Power Company inaugurated the solar-powered Jubail 3A independent RO water desalination plant.

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