Saudi Electric Co wins $488m Haramain rail deal

Saudi Arabia's long-awaited Haramain Railway looks set to open by early 2013, according to the terms of the network's power contract, which has just been awarded.

Arab News reported that the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) had won the $488m deal to supply the electricity required by the rail link, and that the firm's president had agreed to complete all works and services by the end of 2012.

The 450km railway will link the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah with the port city of Jeddah.

SEC's contract win will see it providing 600MV to the high-speed network, as well as powering the stations at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Rabigh and at Madinah.

British firms Foster and Partners and Buro Happold signed a $37.9m deal to design the link's four railways last year.

In July, Reuters reported that six consortiums were in the running to build the four stations.

A consortium led by Al Rajhi Group won the $1.79bn contract to conduct civil works for the project.

A report issued by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) said that the Kingdom would be spending $10bn over the next 10 years in upgrading its transport infrastructure.

Aside from the Haramain link, Saudi Arabia is also building the Jeddah-Dammam Land Bridge line, the north-south Mineral Line.

22 September 2010