President of the Saudi Water Authority inspects four desalinated water production projects in Jubail and Ras Al-Khair with a total capacity of 2.5 million m³ per day

His Excellency the President of the Saudi Water Authority, Eng. Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkarim, inspected four desalinated water production projects in Jubail and Ras Al-Khair, with a total design capacity of 2.5 million cubic meters per day, to monitor progress, operational readiness, and preparedness to bring the associated production capacities into service. This supports water supply reliability and keeps pace with the growing demand.

The tour included the fifth and seventh phases of the Jubail desalinated water production system, with a total design capacity of 1.6 million cubic meters per day, as well as the fourth and fifth phases of the Ras Al-Khair production system expansion, with a total capacity of 900,000 cubic meters per day.

Together, the four projects are among the world’s largest water desalination projects in terms of design capacity. They are operationally integrated with the supply and transmission network and utilize carbon-emission-free technologies and solutions that reduce the electrical energy required to produce each cubic meter, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

During the visit, His Excellency reviewed the progress of works and the level of compliance with timelines, construction works, expansion works, electrical interconnection, and the implementation and installation of the associated water transmission systems and service facilities.

He also reviewed the readiness of the projects’ supply chains and the continued supply of major equipment, key materials, and spare parts in accordance with the approved plans.

The projects are being implemented under the supervision of national technical and engineering teams, with the participation of specialized consultants and national experts, while construction works are being carried out by Saudi companies and contractors. This reinforces the efficiency of national capabilities in managing and executing major projects, contributes to localizing core industries related to the water sector, increases local content, and supports the development of a sustainable industrial base for the sector.

His Excellency also discussed with the executive leadership teams, project teams, and implementing contractors the technical challenges and approved solutions to address them. He emphasized accelerating the pace of completion, adhering to quality standards, enhancing coordination among relevant entities, and addressing any potential issues at an early stage to ensure the completion of the new production capacities and their entry into service in accordance with the approved timelines.

He stressed the importance of developing national capabilities and transferring knowledge to ensure efficient and sustainable project operations.

His Excellency further emphasized that the expansion projects in water production are progressing according to an integrated planning approach that balances available capacities with future needs. He noted that bringing these capacities into service will enhance the system’s flexibility and its ability to maintain a continuous water supply in the face of operational changes and exceptional circumstances.

Beneficiaries will experience the impact of these new capacities through enhanced water service stability and reliability in the areas served by the Jubail and Ras Al-Khair systems, in line with population and economic growth and in support of the objectives of the National Water Strategy 2030.