A renewable energy unit of General Electric (GE) has completed a turnkey substation contract to power a saltwater desalination plant in Saudi Arabia that will supply drinking water to Makkah and Jeddah.

The Rabigh-3 plant is considered one of the largest seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plants in the world, with a capacity of 600,000 cubic meters of drinking water for the two Saudi cities.

GE’s Grid Solutions had secured an independent water and power (IWP) bulk supply joint project from Rabigh-Three Company, the co-owner and operator of the Rabigh-3 IWP.

The contract also involved Shandong Tiejum Electric Power Engineering Company.

“The energization of the substation is a testament to our commitment to delivering our projects in the Kingdom, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic,” said Bernard Dagher, president and CEO of Grid Solutions’ regional arm.

“The use of our advanced technology and the efficient and safe mobilization of our teams highlights our focus on supporting the Kingdom in meeting the Vision 2030 goal of ensuring high-quality services, including water, to the people,” he said.

The success of the project also demonstrated the Kingdom’s strong ties with China, said Mo Bing, project director at Shandong Tiejun.

“This is one of the exemplifications of China’s commitment and relation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the development and support to meet the stupendous Vision 2030 of the king and the crown prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said.

The issue of water security has always been a priority for countries in the Gulf region due to limited renewable freshwater resources and shrinking available water resources.