Power Generation, Water Desalination

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Ras Al-Khair Phase-I, IWPP: 3030 MW CCGT & SWRO

Duration:

2013 – 2019

Mandate:

Prior to founding EBP, the firm's Managing Partner, Nasir, served as Owner's Engineer Project Manager, appointed by AFRY Switzerland, leading the project from the early construction phase – following replacement of the previous Project Manager – through commissioning to operational handover.

Equity Investors:

• 57% SWCC / Ministry Equity Funding
• 43% MA'ADEN (SAUDI ARABIAN MINING COMPANY)

Energy and Water Off-take:

• Power: Ma'aden; for mining and globally largest operational smelter in cooperation with local Utility SCC
• Water: Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC); globally largest desalination plant

EBP Partner, appointed by Pöyry Switzerland as Owner's Engineer Project Manager, led the delivery of three integrated technology projects with a total investment exceeding US$4.3 billion. The Ras Al-Khair Phase 1 Independent Water and Power Project (IWPP) comprised a 3,030 MW dual-fired CCGT power plant, a key 380 kV grid connection and integration system, and a 250 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination facility. The project was delivered as strategic national infrastructure, supplying power to the world's largest aluminum smelter and hosting the world's largest operational desalination plant at the time of commissioning.

EBP Managing Partner provided project oversight during the execution phase of the project lifecycle, from construction through commissioning to operational handover.

  • Power Generation: 3030 MW dual-fired CCGT plant comprising five combined-cycle blocks in a 5 × (2+1) configuration (each block with 2 gas turbines and 1 steam turbine) plus 2 open-cycle gas turbine units. Major equipment included 12 SGT6-5000F gas turbines, 5 SST6-4000 steam turbines, 17 SGEN6-1000A generators, 10 HRSGs, and SPPA-T3000 instrumentation & control system.
  • Grid Integration: New 380 kV generation GIS substation, 2 × 380 kV pumping station GIS substations, and associated 380 kV overhead transmission lines with Line-In and Line-Out (LILO) interconnections.
  • Desalination: 250 MIGD and SWRO facility, the world's largest and highest reliability rate desalination project at the time, 2019.

Services Provided:

  • Led Owner's Engineer management for Ras Al-Khair IWPP Phase I, integrating large-scale CCGT power, SWRO desalination and 380 kV grid infrastructure.
  • Directed strategic planning and feasibility to support financing readiness and full PPA/WPA compliance.
  • Oversaw technical optimisation, commercial structuring, EPC strategy, ESG alignment and legal frameworks across the project lifecycle.
  • Supervised EPC contractors and tendering processes for power, desalination and grid packages, including contract negotiation and award.
  • Managed integrated power–water–grid interface risk, Offtake coordination and ESHS compliance.
  • Led commissioning, grid synchronisation and operational handover, ensuring COD achievement and long-term reliability of one of the world's largest IWPP infrastructure project.