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SAUDI ARABIA - Industry

Julio de la Rosa

Middle East Business Development Director, ACCIONA, Water SOLUTION

Bio

Julio de la Rosa is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience working on global flagship power, energy, water, and environment projects. He joined ACCIONA in 2016 and has been responsible for the overall management of all strategic and operational market and customer relationship activities across the Middle East. Before joining ACCIONA, de la Rosa was with a Spanish multinational corporation in the domains of energy, telecommunications, transportation, and environment.

"Saudi Arabia is currently the most crucial countries for ACCIONA, contributing over 50% of our total revenues in the water solution division."

ACCIONA’s operations in Saudi Arabia have undergone significant growth characterized by domestic engagement, collaboration with the local supply chain, and a commitment to workforce diversification.

How have ACCIONA’s water operations in Saudi Arabia evolved in the last decade?

The history of ACCIONA in Saudi Arabia started in 2012 after it secured the contract for the Jubail RO4 plant from Marafiq. In 2013, it won the operation and maintenance contract from the National Water Company for the Hada and Arana sewage treatment plants. Hada and Arana are two critical facilities that provide services to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina with a total operating capacity of almost 0.5 million cbm of water per day. 2018-2021 marked ACCIONA’s best years in Saudi Arabia, with nine consecutive projects comprising five desalination plants, three wastewater treatment plants, and a management, operation, and maintenance (MOM) contract for the National Water Company. Presently, ACCIONA has built six desalination plants—producing 2.3 million cbm of desalinated water daily able to provide potable water to 10 million people within the Kingdom—and three wastewater treatment plants, servicing 1.6 million people with a capacity of 400,000cbm per day. Furthermore, ACCIONA is involved in a MOM contract in the southern regions of Al-Bahah, Jizan, and Shuqaiq, covering an area equivalent to half of Spain and serving 5 million people. This transformative journey aligns with ACCIONA’s strategic plan for the Middle East. ACCIONA has evolved into a multifaceted entity, namely a developer, operator, and technology-driven company. Our expertise extends beyond desalination to encompass water treatment and various water infrastructure projects, all integrated with renewable energy solutions.

How would you characterize the Saudi water sector and ACCIONA’s positioning within the market?

ACCIONA holds a unique position in the Saudi water market, leveraging the expertise of a corporation with over 45,000 employees in more than 40 countries. We operate from four offices across the country, emphasizing local engagement and increasing the local content in our projects. Our commitment extends beyond construction to developing relationships with local companies, promoting local supply chain collaboration, and enhancing workforce diversification. We are actively increasing the participation of women in ACCIONA, reflecting a significant positive trend. As an example of this, we have recently launched the Fresh Graduates Program to encourage the recruitment of local profiles. Besides, the program aims to hire a total of 24 fresh graduates, at least 50% of women.

What is the current significance of Saudi Arabia for your company?

Saudi Arabia is currently the most crucial countries for ACCIONA, contributing over 50% of our total revenues in the water solution division. This significance extends beyond water, as we are expanding into other divisions within the country. We wholeheartedly support the remarkable transformation underway in Saudi Arabia, driven not only by social changes but also by a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. The Saudi Climate Action 2030 aims for net-zero emissions by 2060, with 50% of energy from renewables by 2030. Additionally, the National Water Strategy 2030 seeks to optimize water services, enhance circular economy practices, and ensure sustainability. At ACCIONA, sustainability is ingrained in our DNA. We champion the most efficient desalination technologies, incorporating renewable energy and cutting-edge solutions. With an annual investment of over USD500 million in R&D&I programs, we bring the best water technologies to Saudi Arabia. Our presence in the country is vital, allowing us to showcase ACCIONA’s true capabilities to the market.

Which of your ongoing or upcoming projects will have a significant impact on the Saudi water sector?

In the Saudi water sector, there is a strong emphasis on reducing the environmental footprint, primarily driven by minimizing energy consumption in desalination plants. The competition is fierce, often involving decimal precision to secure projects; however, ACCIONA advocates for a holistic approach, measuring efficiency and sustainability across the entire water supply chain from generation to pumping, transmission, storage, and distribution. ACCIONA is actively involved in PPP programs with SWPC and will participate in upcoming IWPs like Ras Al Mohaisan and Jubail 4 and 6, as well as ISTPs in Riyadh and Hada and Arana in the next five to six months.

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