Acwa Power, a leading Saudi developer, investor, and operator of power generation, water desalination, and green hydrogen plants worldwide, along with its partners Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) and AlBawani Water & Power Company (AWP), have inaugurated Jubail 3A independent water desalination plant (Jazlah Water Desalination Company).

 

This follows the award of the commercial operation certificate from Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC), marking the start of full-time operations. 

 

The plant is the first-of-its-kind in the kingdom due to its integration with photovoltaic (PV) solar power. 

 

Jazlah company project was successfully delivered through a development consortium comprising Acwa Power (40.2%), Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) (40%), and AlBawani Water & Power Company (AWP) (19.8%). The execution of the project involved the EPC consortium of Power China, Sepco III, Lantania, and Abengoa, while SWPC is the offtaker.

 

The Jazlah company project was inaugurated under the patronage and in the presence of Eng  Abdulrahman bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Fadhli, Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Water Partnership Company.

 

The $650 million Jazlah company project, located in Jubail, has achieved an exceptional world efficiency record of 2.8 kWh/cubic metre of water using Arabian Gulf Seawater. 

 

The groundbreaking project also marks the first Independent Water Project (IWP) in the Eastern region with a production capacity of 600,000 cu m of desalinated water per day to meet increasing water demands. 

 

Jazlah encompasses a 45.5 MW solar PV power generation facility, which will account for 20 per cent of the plant’s energy consumption and will deliver clean water to over three million people at a record-breaking tariff of 0.41 USD/m3, using reverse osmosis technology.

 

The plant’s utilisation of advanced PV and RO technologies will reduce carbon emissions by 60,000 tons per year supporting sustained social and economic advancement in line with Saudi Vision 2030, officials said.

 

The project achieved 40% local content with a total expenditure of SR1.5 billion ($400 million), further demonstrating Acwa Power's contribution to the growth of the Saudi domestic ecosystem of suppliers and manufacturers, they said.

 

The project employs 100% Saudi nationals and further contributes to the growth of a skilled and educated workforce through a cooperative university program which invites students from esteemed universities to undergo training at the plant. By partaking in this program, students acquire essential skills and expertise, empowering them to seamlessly transition into the labour market upon graduation.

 

"Today, we proudly present the Jazlah desalination plant, a significant milestone in the water sector," stated Engineer Khalid Al-Quraishi, the CEO of Saudi Water Partnership Company. 

"With a daily production capacity of 600,000 cu m, this project marks the first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) desalination initiative in the Eastern region with the world's lowest tariff of 1.54 riyal/cubic metre. This remarkable project is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of the consortium consisting of Acwa Power, Gulf Investment Corporation, and Al Bawani Water and Electricity Company, who worked tirelessly over a challenging 30-month period to bring this plant into operation."

 

Al-Quraishi also underscored the plant's commitment to sustainability, saying: "Through the utilisation of green energy, Jazlah generates 45.5 MW of solar PV power, resulting in reduced carbon emissions and a significant decrease in grid electricity consumption. The plant operates at an impressive energy efficiency rate of 2.8 kWh/cubic metre. The success of this project is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, along with the cooperation of all public and private stakeholders. Together, we aim to enhance and sustain water sources, ensuring their reliability and high quality while minimizing environmental impact."

 

"We are very proud of delivering the Jazlah company project on time despite commencing during the Covid period," Eng Fakher AlShawaf, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AlBawani Holding. "It has been a challenging project, and what was achieved by the team is remarkable. This project is a testament to how the public and private sectors can work together to provide services cost-effectively and expeditiously." - TradeArabia News Service