In July 2021, Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Saudi Arabia had halted the sale of its combined power and desalination plant at Ras Al Khair. The privatisation committee for environment, water and agriculture cited the aim of using expertise built up in the Kingdom in desalination, research and supply chains. It said a new strategy for assets of SWCC, the Saline Water Conversion Corporation, would follow shortly. In January, seven firms and consortia had been asked to submit bids, with the winner to own 60 percent of the project company.
The report showed the state weighing privatisation proceeds against keeping its own expertise in large desalination plants, without ruling out investors in the water sector altogether.
Source: Asharq Al-Awsat