Acciona, a leading supplier of sustainable infrastructure solutions and renewable energy projects, said it has secured a $500-million contract from Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) to build its fourth desalination plant in Saudi Arabia.

The Al Khobar 2 desalination plant, being built in partnership with Al Rashid Trading and Contracting Company (RTCC), will be equipped with reverse osmosis (RO) technology.

To be developed on the east coast of Saudi Arabia, the plant boasts a daily capacity of more than 600,000 cu m, thus making it one of the biggest in the country and the largest RO plant under EPC scheme awarded in a single shot in Saudi Arabia. It will cater to the needs of three million people in the area. With this turnkey contract, Acciona consolidates its presence in the water treatment sector in Saudi Arabia, where currently it has three projects under way.

A leading Spanish conglomerate, Acciona develops and manages sustainable infrastructure solutions, particularly in renewable energy projects. Its range of services covers the entire value chain of design, construction, operation and maintenance.Acciona’s aim is to lead the transition to a low-carbon economy and does this by applying technical excellence and innovation to design a better planet. Last year, a €750-million contract was awarded for the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance (for 25 years) of the Shuqaiq3 desalination plant.

Located in the south-west of the country on the Red Sea coast, it is expected to be completed next year. The plant will have a treatment capacity of 450,000 cu m per day to provide a service to a population equivalent of two million.