Low bidders emerge for $2bn Ras al-Zour water pipeline

10 October 2008
Two low bidders have emerged for the contract to build the world’s largest water pipeline, running from Dammam to Riyadh.

The two low bidders for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) work are Turkey’s Mapa and the local Al-Rashid Trading & Contracting Company, one source close to the project tells MEED.

But the client, Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), has yet to decide whether to accept either bid, and could retender the contract.

SWCC could not be contacted as MEED went to press.

The pipeline will convey water from the planned Ras al-Zour independent water and power project (IWPP) at Dammam to the capital.

The EPC contract includes three packages. One covers the construction of a segment of the pipeline from Dammam to a pumping station at Al-Jandalia.

Another covers the construction of the segment from the pumping station to Riyadh, while the third covers civil works and the construction of three pumping stations.

The cost of the project is SR7bn ($2bn). It will use 450 kilometres of twin 72-inch-diameter pipes.

Germany’s ILF Consulting Engineers is the consultant.

Water & Electricity Company is currently evaluating bids for the Ras al-Zour IWPP.

A consortium of Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation, Malaysia’s Malakoff International and the local Al-Jomaih Automotive Company has emerged as the low bidder for the project.

The IWPP will have a capacity of 850-1,100MW of power and 220 million gallons a day of desalinated water.

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