New Cairo wastewater treatment plant, Egypt

1st July 2011 By: Lindiwe Molekoa

Name and Location
New Cairo wastewater treatment plant, Egypt.

Project Description
The New Cairo wastewater treatment plant is the first public–private partnership (PPP) project undertaken in Egypt. It will have an initial capacity of 250 000 m3/d to serve over one-million people, reaching 500 000 m3/d by 2029 to treat wastewater.

The facility will be located in New Cairo, which is an extension of the Greater Cairo metropolitan area, and is home to 550 000 people. The population is expected to rise to an estimated three-million in the next two decades.

The aim of the project is to make provision for a cost-effective, environment-friendly wastewater treatment facility to meet the requirements of the present and projected population growth in New Cairo and its surrounding areas.

It is also envisioned to promote PPPs as a model for future water and wastewater projects in the country.

Value
The estimated cost is $475-million.

Duration
Construction of the plant started in February 2010 and it is expected to be operational by March 2012.

Client
The Egyptian Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Development, represented by its New Urban Communities Authority.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Orasqualia, a joint venture between Cairo-based Orascom Construction Industries and Spain’s Aqualia (build, operate and transfer); National Société Générale Bank, Commercial International Bank, Arab African International Bank and Ahli United Bank (funding); PPP Central Unit (technical assistance); Gide Loyrette Nouel (legal adviser); International Finance Corporation (lead advisor), DevCo and Public–Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (advisory work and cofunding); and Parsons Brinckerhoff (technical consultant).

Latest Developments
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
The project is in progress.

Contact Details for Project Information
Orascom director Hassan Badrawi, tel +202 2 461 1036/0727/0917 or fax +202 2 461 9409; or investor relations, Omar Darwazah, email omar.darwazah@orascomci.com; or Erika Wakid, email erika.wakid@orascomci.com.
PPP Central Unit, tel +202 2 342 1283 or fax +202 2 342 1203.