Water & Waste Management Opportunities in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s water strategy is centred on large-scale desalination expansion, major increases in wastewater reuse and improving efficiency across its entire water network through modern regulation and private-sector participation.

With presentations from the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN) and the Saudi Water Authority (SWA), as well as DBT Saudi Arabia, this webinar will aim to provide attendees with a readout of current water sector opportunities in the Kingdom and how UK organisations’ capabilities align with their water strategy.

Saudi Arabia is experiencing rapid economic and population growth, with the population expected to increase from 35 million to 40.1 million by 2030. Due to limited natural water resources, desalination facilities will continue to play a critical role in meeting rising water demands. It is projected that desalinated water supply will reach 2.18 billion m³/year, as the country ranks among the top five global water consumers, with an average daily usage of 360 litres per person.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) has therefore announced an allocation of US$80 billion for water projects in the coming years, in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In addition, the Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) – a government-owned entity under the Ministry of Finance, established to support the Kingdom’s water sector through public-private partnerships – has been mandated to invest approximately US$105 billion into desalination plants, wastewater projects, new dams, water reservoirs, small sewage treatment plants and more. Additional projects are expected to be tendered by NEOM ENOWA, Red Sea Global and other PIF Giga projects.