OC, HA JV to construct world’s largest waste treatment plant: A JV made up of our friends at Orascom Construction (OC), Hassan Allam Construction (HAC), Arab Contractors and the UAE’s Metito was awarded the construction of the El Hamam agricultural wastewater plant, which they say is the largest such plant in the world. The plant has a capacity of 6 mn cubic meters of water per day and treated water will irrigate up to 500k feddans west of the Nile Delta area, according to statements from Metito and Hassan Allam Holding (HAC’s parent company). Construction on the plant had begun back in mid-February, a cabinet statement had said at the time.

Developing wastewater capacity is a crucial element of the government’s USD 50 bn multi-year water-saving plan. In addition to El Hamam, there’s the Al Mahmasa 1 mn cubic meter a day agriculture wastewater treatment plant, which Hassan Allam and Metito inaugurated back in April.

Catch yourself up: Read our primer on the USD 50 bn multi-year water-saving plan through 2037. Hardhat also took a deep dive late last year on what were the causes of leakages in our drinking water and irrigation water infrastructure, and what we’re doing about it. Read: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

IN OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE NEWS-

The International Cooperation Ministry signed a EUR 109 mn financing agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) which would go towards installing wastewater utilities in the rural areas surrounding Luxor, the Madbouly cabinet said in a statement today. The funding is expected to benefit 22k households and 236k citizens in the long-run.

Meanwhile, the AfDB approved a USD 27.2 mn loan for the USD 156.4 mn, 200 MW Kom Ombo solar plant in Upper Egypt, according to a statement from the bank today.The EBRD had previously set aside USD 54 mn for the project, co-financed with other parties. The plant — which is being developed by ACWA Power — will receive additional financing from the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Arab Bank and OPEC Fund for International Development.

CATCH UP QUICK-

• Chinese building materials manufacturer Jushi is planning to establish a fiberglass production line in Egypt, Jushi Egypt board member Wu Ping reportedly told Al Mal.