In April 2023, Acwa Power signed water purchase agreements with the Saudi Water Partnership Company for the Rabigh 4 reverse osmosis plant on the Red Sea coast. According to The National, the project was to cost 2.54 billion Saudi riyals, about 677.3 million dollars, and deliver 600,000 m³/day. The plant was to serve the Makkah and Madinah regions, where demand rose sharply during Ramadan and the Hajj season. Financial close was expected in the third quarter of 2023, with operation planned for 2026.
The report showed Saudi Arabia expanding large desalination capacity through private developers and a state offtaker, with lower power consumption named as an explicit goal.
Source: The National