Saudi Tender Watch — Issue 4

Tracked events

6

Known award value

$221m

Confirmed deadline

14 Oct

Priority action

Metro designers and multidisciplinary consultancies should verify the Makkah Metro submission date and eligibility immediately. The assignment provides an early position in a four-line, 89-station programme with future civil, systems, rolling-stock and transit-oriented development opportunities.

Makkah Metro design consultancy

Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites

Planned network: 4 lines · 89 stations · 3 depots
Closing date: October 2026 · exact date unconfirmed
International access: Eligibility unconfirmed
Opportunity score: 9 / 10

Who should pursue — metro designers, transport planners, rail-systems specialists, architects, depot designers, ridership advisers and Saudi-partnered multidisciplinary consultancies.

The commission has set an October deadline for consultancy work supporting the proposed Makkah Metro. Current plans envisage Lines A–D, 89 stations and three depots, delivered over three phases between 2032 and 2045. The programme is expected to integrate transit-oriented development and elements of private-sector participation. Exact submission instructions and foreign-bidder eligibility should be confirmed directly before committing bid resources.

Why it matters — Early design participation can position international firms for later civil works, rail systems, stations, rolling stock, depots, financing and property-development assignments.

Dammam water park and hotel package

Saudi Entertainment Ventures

Site area: About 324,300 m²
Closing date: 14 October 2026
International access: Eligibility unconfirmed · shortlisted field
Opportunity score: 8 / 10

Who should pursue — shortlisted main contractors, water-attraction specialists, hotel contractors, MEP firms, landscapers, ride suppliers and food-service equipment companies.

Seven has invited bids for a construction package covering its planned Dammam water park and associated hotel. The main contractor field is understood to be shortlisted, with submissions due in mid-October. Companies outside the prime field should target specialist subcontracting, equipment supply and operating systems through the shortlisted bidders.

Why it matters — The combined water park and hotel scope should create sizeable packages across pools and attractions, MEP, façades, landscaping, fit-out, kitchens and specialist equipment.

Al-Khafji mixed-use development

PIF-backed development company

Masterplan: 20 km² · 10 km waterfront
Current milestone: Ansam packages due late September
International access: Eligibility unconfirmed
Opportunity score: 8 / 10

Who should pursue — infrastructure and marine contractors, utilities specialists, hotel and residential builders, designers, project managers and public-realm suppliers.

Package procurement is advancing at the coastal development near the Saudi-Kuwaiti border. Bids were submitted in August for secondary infrastructure and the southern marina, while Ansam district tenders are reported to remain under way. The programme is being advanced through several packages rather than one main contract, creating multiple entry points across infrastructure, buildings, utilities, hospitality and marine works.

Why it matters — The development’s scale and multi-package strategy offer a longer pipeline for Saudi-qualified international contractors and specialist suppliers.

Third-round gas-fired IPP programme

Saudi Power Procurement Company

Programme scale: 4 projects · about 7.2GW
Stage: Developer qualifications submitted
International participation: Expected under IPP structure
Opportunity score: 9 / 10

Who should pursue — international utilities, IPP developers, infrastructure funds, lenders, turbine suppliers, EPC contractors and carbon-capture-ready engineering specialists.

Developers have submitted qualification documents for SPPC’s third round of combined-cycle gas-fired independent power projects. The programme comprises four plants of approximately 1,800MW each. The prime qualification stage is closed, but equipment suppliers, lenders, advisers and EPC firms should begin positioning with prospective qualified teams before requests for proposals are issued.

Why it matters — A 7.2GW programme creates major development, financing, turbine, EPC, long-term service and future carbon-capture-readiness opportunities.

Sadara cogeneration plant

Sadara Chemical Company

Capacity: 400–450MW · 550–700 t/h steam
Stage: At least 3 consortium bids submitted
Prime competition: Closed
Opportunity score: 8 / 10

Who should pursue — generation-equipment manufacturers, balance-of-plant suppliers, water-treatment firms, O&M providers, lenders and transaction advisers.

At least three consortiums submitted proposals at the end of August to develop and operate an independent steam and power plant serving Sadara’s Jubail petrochemicals complex. The developer competition has closed, but the preferred-bidder and financing stages will clarify routes for equipment, construction, water treatment and operating services.

Why it matters — The project combines substantial power generation with high-volume process steam, supporting a broad industrial-utilities supply chain.

Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium mechanical package

Qiddiya · Elegancia Arabia Trading

Contract value: SAR829m · about $221m
Delivery period: September 2026–May 2030
International participation: Confirmed through Qatar-backed awardee
Opportunity score: 8 / 10

Who should pursue — HVAC manufacturers, pumps and valves suppliers, firefighting specialists, controls and BMS companies, testing firms and specialist subcontractors.

Elegancia Arabia Trading has secured the mechanical package for Qiddiya’s flagship stadium. The scope covers HVAC, public health, firefighting and building-management systems. The prime award is complete, but execution through May 2030 gives suppliers and specialist contractors a defined international-led route into an advanced, climate-controlled venue.

Why it matters — The named contractor, defined systems scope and four-year delivery period create a practical target for manufacturers and specialist subcontractors.

Pipeline watch

King Saud Air Base: The Ministry of Defence has tendered a further three-year development phase. Value, deadline and bidder restrictions remain unconfirmed; approved contractors should verify the original notice.

Saudi Aramco CRPO 176: An award decision is approaching for one of six offshore EPCI packages tendered during 2026. Suppliers should monitor the selected Long-Term Agreement contractor.

King Fahd International Airport: Dammam Airports Company has appointed WSP for expansion design. Monitor the design programme for terminal, airside, systems and enabling-works packages.

SABIC Agri-Nutrients: Samsung E&A’s $3.47bn Jubail ammonia and urea EPC award should generate multiyear equipment, construction, automation and logistics procurement.

Before pursuing an opportunity

Confirm tender status and eligibility with the procuring organisation. Check Saudi registration, RHQ applicability, local content, prequalification, classification, Saudisation and joint-venture requirements. “Eligibility unconfirmed” means the public material did not establish foreign-bidder access.