Utilities

These are crucial times for Saudi Arabia’s power and water sectors as both move through a process of major reform. Privatisation is at a more advanced stage in water than in power, but the next few years should see substantial change in both markets, providing significant opportunities for investors. Projects that use a wider range of energy sources are also in the planning and development stages, while efficiency in distribution and usage is being strongly promoted, alongside a further reduction in subsidies through reorganisation of the electricity tariff system. Meanwhile, major desalination projects are under way, along with the roll out of new sewage and wastewater treatment plants, reservoirs, leakage reduction measures, transmission networks and groundwater conservation schemes. The Kingdom has set itself some ambitious short- and long-term goals for both sectors, with a shift towards a more market-oriented approach a key objective of the reforms.

This chapter contains an interview Ziyad Al Shiha, President and CEO, Saudi Electricity Company; Ali Alhazmi, Governor, Saline Water Conversion Corporation; and Thamer Al Sharhan, Managing Director, ACWA Power.