We are pleased to present this book which showcases ... - WSP Group

Demand for power and water in the Middle East is growing in line
with the rapid economic development of the region. In Saudi Arabia,
the government is investing £1700M in power and desalination
plants over the period 2005-2025.As the first independently
operated and financed water and power project (IWPP) in
Saudi Arabia, the 900 MW plant in Shuaibah, which will treat
880 000 cu m of water every day, is setting new standards
in terms of its environmental performance.
WSP was appointed by the Saudi Malaysian Consortium to undertake
the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) for the
project and to develop a plan for its ongoing environmental
management and monitoring.
The ESIA had to comply with the Equator Principles and meet the
standards of both the Saudi Regulator (Presidency of Meteorology
and Environment) and the lending banks financing the project.
In delivering the planning approvals within the stringent time
constraints of the programme, and keeping all stakeholders
on the project informed about its progress,WSP ensured that the
consortium could achieve sign-off from these bodies to build and
operate the plant.
Our work has established a new set of environmental benchmarks
and the development of appropriate environmental mitigation has led
to construction and operational costs being minimised. Key areas for
which WSP provided solutions through innovation and careful design
of mitigation measures included:
■ Design and operation of marine outfall to minimise impact on
oral reef ecology, including water quality modelling undertaken
by Danish Hydraulics Research (DHI);
■ Air quality modelling of IWPP atmospheric emissions to
demonstrate compliance with World Bank guidelines;
■ Identification of an appropriate site and disposal option for power
station fly ash;
■ Close cooperation with Saudi nationals from the King Abdulaziz
University, Jeddah, to ensure a culturally sensitive approach to
consultations with local community.
The consortium will operate the plant for 20 years, selling water and
power back to the Water and Electricity Company of Saudi Arabia.
The IWPP’s performance will be closely monitored, and the
environmental management and monitoring plan developed by WSP
provides a sound basis for protecting the client’s investment by
ensuring ongoing compliance with environmental standards.
The ESIA was completed in a timely fashion and achieved PMR
approval in December 2005 and the required Financial Closure for
this £1500M project by mid January 2006.
Client:
Saudi Malaysian Consortium (four partners)
Project team:
Trowers and Hamlin (Legal Counsel)
Mahassni (Saudi Counsel)
ILF Consulting Engineers (Technical Advisor)
Standard Chartered Bank
Environmental Consulting Bureau
King Abdulaziz University Jeddah
Status:
Environmental planning consents achieved by December 31 2005
WSP services:
Environmental Consultancy
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