Saudi Arabia announces US$28.7bn investment in water projects
By Diogo Augusto
7 Sep 2022 by The Water Diplomat
Saudi Arabia’s National Water Company (NWC), the government owned water company, has announced its intention to develop 1429 water-related projects in an effort which will amount to US$28.7bn. This investment, the biggest ever in the water distribution sector according to NWC, will contribute towards the country’s National Water Strategy and Vision 2030, a strategy which aims to boost water-related infrastructure and diversify the country’s economy.
The projects will be implemented in all of the country’s 13 administrative regions and will aim to expand coverage of water and wastewater networks, increase the number of sewage treatment plants as well as extending water services coverage to all of the kingdom’s residents. Saudi Arabia’s Western Sector of Mecca will be benefitting the most from this package by receiving 36% of the investment. The Central Sector which includes the country’s capital Riyadh, comes in second and will see 13% of the funds.
According to NWC’s announcement, Eng. Nemer M. Al-Shebl, Acting CEO, said: “these projects will greatly complement the sustainability of water and environmental services.” He then added: “The water and wastewater coverage will be immensely increased in all Saudi regions following the completion of these projects.”
In the announcement, NWC stated that “the company is committed to implementing such projects at the highest standard, as well as increasing the local content, which would positively impact the economic activities in the Kingdom, especially the industrial and real estate sectors, and would also create countless job opportunities.”