SWPC said it will conduct a competitive process to select a developer/developer consortium for the 100-km-long pipeline project which will be implemneted on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis. The deadline for submitting the bids has been set at September 30.

The successful bidder will provide the entire transmission capacity to SWPC under a 35-year water transmission agreement, said the statement from the utility company.

SWPC pointed out that its obligations under the agreement will be backed by a credit support agreement from the Saudi government.

Through the kingdom's Independent Water Transmission Pipeline (IWTP) programme, the Saudi government aims to achieve the two major goals of slashing the water-demand-supply gap in the kingdom and provision of 90% of national urban supply through desalinated water to cut reliance on non-renewable ground sources.

SWPC has signed up Synergy Consulting IFA as the lead and financial advisor, while Amer Al Amr Law Firm is the legal advisor for the project and Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG the technical advisor.