Three Herbert Smith Freehills deals received prestigious awards at the IJGlobal Awards 2024 (MENA) ceremony, held at the Four Seasons Resort in Dubai on 30 April 2025.
Waste to Energy Deal of the Year: Abu Dhabi Waste-to-Energy IPP, UAE
The project involves the construction of a new waste-to-energy plant for Emirates Water & Electricity Company (EWEC) in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is one of the largest waste-to-energy facilities in the region and is being developed in collaboration with Tadweer Group to divert waste away from landfills. The plant will have an expected processing capacity of 900,000 tonnes of waste per year, enabling an expected carbon emissions reduction of 1.1 million tonnes per year.
Utilities Deal of the Year - Industrial Wastewater: Ras Tanura Industrial Wastewater Treatment Project, KSA
The project involves the financing of an industrial wastewater treatment plant with an envisaged treatment capacity of 20,000 m³/day, a wastewater transmission system, and an effluent transmission system, together with associated infrastructure and facilities. The project aims to utilise technology and sustainable solutions to efficiently treat and purify industrial wastewater, conserving and recycling water resources while safeguarding the ecosystem. The plant is projected to commence commercial operations in June 2026.
Water Deal of the Year - Water Transport: Rayis-Rabigh Independent Water Transmission Pipeline, KSA
The project involves the construction of a 150-kilometer-long pipeline to transmit 500,000 m³/day of drinking water between Rayis and Rabigh in Saudi Arabia. It is the first independent water transmission pipeline in the region developed with private sector participation. The pipeline will ensure a continuous supply of drinking water in both directions, create job opportunities, and support local content in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. The 35-year BOOT contract for the project is valued at nearly SAR 8.4 billion, with construction costs of SAR 2.4 billion.
Commenting on the awards, Dubai Partner Phil Hanson says: "We are proud to have three of our deals recognised in this year's IJGlobal Awards for MENA. These deals have supported clients on their energy transition journey and their development of water and wastewater projects. This recognition demonstrates the strength of our projects and infrastructure team and our ability to draw upon expertise across offices in our global network to advise on complex, high-profile deals – congratulations to everyone involved."
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