Saudi Arabia seen finalizing prequalification for Rabigh 3 plant soon: report

Saudi Arabia’s Water & Electricity Co. (WEC) is expected to complete the prequalification process for the planned Rabigh 3 independent water project (IWP) shortly, MEED reported on Sunday, without giving more details.

Prequalification bids were received from more than ten bidders.

The Riyadh-based company, which is jointly owned by Saudi Electricity Co. and Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), was earlier said to be planning to issue the request for proposals (RFPs) in November following the prequalification process.

The utility provider is planning to set a bid submission date in April 2018, and sign the water purchase agreement (WPA) in August 2018.

A financial close for the deal is targeted by October 2018, and the plant is expected to be commissioned by October 2021.

Last August, WEC received expressions of interest (EOI) from 55 local and foreign firms for the Rabigh 3 scheme, Argaam earlier reported.

The Rabigh 3 reverse osmosis (RO) desalination project will supply 600,000 cubic meters /day of desalinated water, with the potential to expand to 1.2 million cubic meters/day.