During the period from December 27th, 2025 to January 2ed, 2026, the following international news occurred:
1. ACWA Power successfully refinances Rabigh 3 Water Project
Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power has completed the refinancing of the Rabigh 3 Water Desalination Project. The project has a daily capacity of 600,000 cubic meters, serves the Makkah region, and has achieved over 99% availability. This financing utilized an innovative capital markets structure, issuing the first blue bond and receiving an investment-grade rating, in line with IFC's Blue Finance Guidelines. Supported by global and regional investors like KKR, it supports Saudi Arabia's infrastructure goals under Vision 2030.
2. Saur secures wastewater operations contract in Qatar
French water group Saur has secured a new contract to be responsible for the operation and maintenance of wastewater facilities serving over one million residents in Qatar's capital, Doha, and the southern region. The contract includes implementing advanced operational models such as predictive maintenance and digital network management, aiming to modernize the area's wastewater system. This move significantly expands Saur's footprint in the Middle East.
3. PUB to carry out feasibility study for new desalination plant
Singapore's national water agency, PUB, will launch a tender on December 26, 2025, to conduct a feasibility study for a proposed new desalination plant. The study, expected to take 10 months, will evaluate a dual-mode water plant concept that can process both seawater and freshwater. It will also explore innovative land-saving designs to enhance water supply resilience. Singapore currently operates five desalination plants and continues to invest in water infrastructure to safeguard water security and strengthen the resilience of desalination as one of its "National Taps."
4. Tehran faces intensifying water crisis as reservoirs decline
Iran's capital, Tehran, and surrounding areas are facing an intensifying water crisis, with water levels in key reservoirs far below seasonal norms due to prolonged drought and reduced inflow. Authorities have implemented water rationing in some areas and warned that stricter measures, including potentially relocating some infrastructure, may be necessary if the drought persists. The crisis stems from multiple factors including long-term drought, population growth, and water management challenges.
5. EPA approves $240m in WIFIA loans to strengthen water infrastructure in Oregon and Washington
The US Environmental Protection Agency has approved three Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans totaling USD 240 million to support water infrastructure upgrades in Oregon and Washington. A USD 147 million loan will improve water quality in Medford and protect the Rogue River; USD 65 million will modernize the wastewater system in King County, Washington; and USD 28 million will enhance the reliability of the drinking water system in the Rockwood area. These loans aim to create jobs and ensure safe water services.