NWC inks SAR 399 mln management deal with Saudi-Spanish consortium for southern cluster

Signing ceremony

National Water Co. (NWC) signed a contract worth SAR 399 million with a Saudi-Spanish consortium to operate water and environmental treatment services in the Southern Cluster (Aseer, Al-Baha, Jazan and Najran regions), according to a statement.

The consortium includes International Water Distribution Co. Ltd. (TAWZEA), Haji Abdullah Alireza & Co. Ltd. (HAAISCO), FCC Aqualia, and Acciona Agua SA.

Nemer bin Mohammed Al-Shebl, NWC's interim CEO, said that the duration of the contract is seven years, and if the targets are achieved after the third year, and the readiness of the sector is increased, NWC will be able to move directly to the stage of concession contracts in which the private sector will take full responsibility for water services, without waiting for the seven years to end.

He also added that company is now acting upon the awarding of management contracts to the remaining clusters, namely Western and Northern, which will be completed by the end of February for the Western Cluster, and by the end of March for the Northern Cluster this year.

NWC will announce the consortium that will win these contracts in due course.

SISCO and Amiantit own 50% of TAWZEA’s capital, which amounts to SAR 146 million.