Kuwait approves $3.3 billion sewage plant deal with Chinese firm
Kuwait City – Kuwait has approved a major infrastructure contract worth nearly $3.3 billion to construct the country’s largest sewage treatment plant, marking one of the most significant public works projects in recent years.
The agreement reflects Kuwait’s push to modernise essential utilities while strengthening economic cooperation with China under long term development plans.
The Central Agency for Public Tenders has cleared a direct contract between the Ministry of Public Works and China State Construction Engineering Corporation to build the North Kabd sewage treatment facility.
The project is designed to address growing wastewater management needs driven by population growth, urban expansion, and rising water consumption across the country.
Under the approved plan, the Chinese company will be responsible for the full scope of the project, including design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the plant.
The operational period is set at ten years, during which the facility is expected to function at high capacity and meet strict environmental and technical standards.
Once completed, the North Kabd plant will be capable of treating up to one million cubic metres of wastewater per day, making it the largest such facility in Kuwait.
This scale is intended to significantly ease pressure on existing sewage infrastructure and reduce the volume of untreated or partially treated wastewater.
Kuwait has long faced challenges in effectively reusing treated wastewater due to limited storage capacity and outdated infrastructure.
As a result, a large portion of treated water is discharged into the sea, with reuse largely restricted to irrigation because of quality limitations.
Officials see the new plant as a critical step toward improving wastewater reuse efficiency and supporting sustainable water management practices.
Enhanced treatment capacity could eventually open opportunities for broader reuse applications, helping conserve freshwater resources in the oil rich but water scarce nation.
The sewage plant contract is part of a wider wave of Chinese backed projects underway in Kuwait, highlighting deepening economic and infrastructure ties between the two countries.
These initiatives align with Kuwait’s long term development strategy, which prioritises large scale infrastructure investment to diversify the economy and improve public services.
In December, Kuwait signed a separate agreement worth around $4 billion with another Chinese company to develop the Mubarak Al Kabeer port project.
Together, these projects underline China’s growing role in Kuwait’s infrastructure landscape, spanning ports, construction, and utilities.
The awarding of the North Kabd sewage plant contract also signals Kuwait’s willingness to use direct contracting mechanisms for strategic projects.
Such an approach is often adopted to accelerate implementation timelines for complex developments considered vital to national interests.
Market observers note that large infrastructure investments like this can stimulate local economic activity, create jobs, and enhance technical capacity through knowledge transfer.
At the same time, they raise expectations for improved environmental outcomes and better quality of life for residents.
As Kuwait continues to invest heavily in infrastructure, efficient project execution and long term operational performance will be closely watched.
The success of the North Kabd sewage plant is expected to play a key role in shaping future wastewater management and sustainability initiatives in the country.
