Water Infrastructure

Rabigh 4 completes 600,000 m3/day performance test

Published 20 July 2026 Publisher IMWO Region Middle East Confidence Confirmed
Aerial view of Rabigh 4 IWP process trains, solar array and Red Sea coastline during the 2026 performance-test period

SEPCOIII / PowerChina; exact Rabigh 4 IWP performance-test article image

SEPCOIII reports that Rabigh 4 completed its EPC performance test on 19 February 2026 at the 600,000 m3/day design capacity. Power use was 2.712 kWh/m3, falling to 2.659 kWh/m3 after photovoltaic generation. SWPC has not published commercial-operation acceptance.

The EPC test reached rated output

SEPCOIII provides the dated performance-test statement and measured power-use figures. ACWA defines the 600,000 m3/day plant, 1,200,000 m3 storage, 6.804 MWp PV system, project structure and scheduled Q1 2026 commissioning. Modern Marine identifies the project-specific intake and outfall flows. SWPC's February 2026 profile listed the project under construction before the test; no later SWPC commercial-operation certificate, final marine acceptance record or sustained environmental result is public.

The marine system carried the full plant load

Modern Marine gives the intake at 1,500,000 m3/day and the outfall at 900,000 m3/day. Both systems had to support the plant through the rated-output test. SWPC acceptance, final marine handover and receiving-water performance will determine when Rabigh 4 enters its 25-year operating term.

Evidence conclusion

Owner acceptance and marine close-out remain open

Rabigh 4 remains in commissioning until SWPC or the project company publishes commercial operation. The EPC result covers one defined test period; intake and outfall acceptance, storage availability, punch-list closure and long-run environmental performance remain open. Near-term demand lies in commissioning and lifecycle support. An operating reference requires owner acceptance and sustained performance.

Outstanding evidence

  • SWPC or project-company commercial-operation notice
  • Final intake and outfall handover
  • As-built marine alignment and diffuser details
  • Brine-plume and receiving-water monitoring
  • Storage-system acceptance and availability
  • Sustained output and energy use after the test period

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