{"id":15084,"date":"2021-10-13T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-13T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/perspectives\/shuqaiq-3-inversion-en-el-futuro\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T14:18:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T14:18:36","slug":"shuqaiq-3-inversion-en-el-futuro","status":"publish","type":"perspectives","link":"https:\/\/cms.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/es\/perspectives\/shuqaiq-3-inversion-en-el-futuro\/","title":{"rendered":"Shuqaiq 3: inversi\u00f3n en el futuro"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>The Shuqaiq 3 desalination plant in Jizan province in south-west Saudi Arabia will be one of the largest reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plants in the world when complete in the fourth quarter of 2021.\u00a0 Awarded to a consortium of <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.almarwater.com\/\"><em>Almar Water Solutions<\/em><\/a> <em>(through <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/alj-enterprises.com\"><em>Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises<\/em><\/a><em>), <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acciona.com\/es\/\"><em>Acciona<\/em><\/a><em>, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marubeni.com\/en\/\"><em>Marubeni Corporation<\/em><\/a><em> and <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rawafid-holding-423704140\/?originalSubdomain=sa\"><em>Rawafid Alhadarah Holding Co<\/em><\/a><em>, the 450,000 cubic meter daily production capacity from this US$ 600m infrastructure investment will guarantee the supply of drinking water to over 1.8 million citizens, while also contributing to economic and industrial development both locally and nationally. <\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KITq7UXrWQE\" width=\"560\" height=\"314\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><em>Recognized throughout the water industry as one of the most complex and innovative plants of its kind, in September 2019 it was named the \u201c<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/en\/news\/shuqaiq-3-desalination-project-receives-the-utilities-project-of-the-year-award\/\"><em>Utilities Project of the Year<\/em><\/a><em>\u201d at the Middle East Energy Awards 2019, held in Dubai, UAE, cementing its status as one of the flagship new infrastructure projects in the region.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>In our latest feature article on the landmark project, we spoke to Santiago Mart\u00ednez, Managing Director, Concessions at Almar Water Solutions and board member of the SPV managing the project, to discuss why water structure investment is such a vital issue, and how Shuqaiq 3 fits into this picture.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_92929\" style=\"width: 215px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-92929\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-92929\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Santiago-Martinez-Almar-Water-Solutions-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-92929\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Santiago Mart\u00ednez Mansilla<\/p>\n<p>Managing Director, Concessions<\/p>\n<p>Almar Water Solutions<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>How will Shuqaiq 3 contribute to the economic development of this region of Saudi Arabia?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>The Shuqaiq 3 seawater desalination plant is being developed to provide water to the provinces of Jizan and Asir in south-west Saudi Arabia, with a population of around 4 million people.\u00a0 These regions, very close to the border with Yemen, are extremely dry and have historically suffered from a chronic deficit of freshwater resources.<\/p>\n<p>Water was traditionally supplied from groundwater resources and thermal desalination plants.\u00a0 \u00a0However, the economic expansion of the area, combined with a growing population, mean that water demand is increasing.\u00a0 The existing water resources are not enough to cope with this rising demand.<\/p>\n<p>Shuqaiq 3 is the first large scale desalination plant in the southern region of Saudi Arabia to use pure reverse osmosis technology, together with high power efficiency.\u00a0 It will supply more than 150 gigalitres per year of drinking water to meet the demands of the region\u2019s communities and industries, while preserving groundwater reserves for future generations.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_92936\" style=\"width: 1525px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-92936\" class=\"wp-image-92936 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Shuqaiq-3-cartridge-filters.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1515\" height=\"1010\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-92936\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Some of the enormous cartridge Filters at Shuqaiq 3 Plant<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>What advantages will it bring to both the population and to the industrial sector?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>Shuqaiq 3 will provide cities and industries in the region with a substantial increase in the availability of drinking water sources and improved water quality.\u00a0 The plant is incredibly efficient and will be able to supply water 24\/7, at a very competitive price.<\/p>\n<p>The additional water resource it provides will facilitate a proper development of local cities and industrial centers, as well as supplying new agricultural developments with modern irrigation technologies and systems.<\/p>\n<h2>What is Abdul Latif Jameel Energy\u2019s role in this project?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>Abdul Latif Jameel owns a substantial stake in the project company and has co-led the consortium through Almar Water Solutions team in the development phase (tendering and financial close).<\/p>\n<p>Since construction began in Q2 2019, Abdul Latif Jameel Energy\u2019s main role has been in connection with technical matters (engineering, project management and supervision of the EPC contractor), as well as helping to steer the project company in terms of proper management and governance.<\/p>\n<h2>Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, Shuqaiq 3 remains on schedule. \u00a0How did you achieve this?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>Project progress is over \u00a090% completion and we are working at full speed to achieve our operational go-live date as scheduled by the end of October 2021.<\/p>\n<p>The COVID-19 pandemic certainly added an extra challenge in terms of project management.\u00a0 It has been necessary to implement the required prevention measures (such as social distancing, curfews, travel restrictions, etc).\u00a0 We also implemented acceleration plans regarding equipment supplies, logistics and subcontractors, to achieve our target productivity and hit key milestones.<\/p>\n<p>Safety has been a priority throughout, and we are delighted to have achieved over 8.3 million man-hours so far at the desalination plant and a further 1.3 million at the substation, both with zero lost time injuries.\u00a0 I\u2019m very proud of all the efforts made by our project company, the EPC contractor, and the client to overcome all the difficulties we have found along the way.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_92943\" style=\"width: 1526px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-92943\" class=\"wp-image-92943 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Shuqaiq-3-construction.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1516\" height=\"847\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-92943\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shuqaiq 3 operators supervises the status of the construction work.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Do you think infrastructure is a safe investment asset?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>Investing in infrastructure in general is a crucial factor for the growth and socio-economic development of any country.<\/p>\n<p>Good infrastructure (such as roads, electricity, water, sanitation, communications, etc) is not only essential for industrial production or to supply basic services to citizens, but it is also an engine for development.\u00a0 It helps to increase productivity, reduce costs, facilitate the accumulation of human capital (allowing greater access to education, health or housing, for example), helping to diversify the productive structure and create employment.<\/p>\n<p>This is why many international organizations and NGOs consider that improving infrastructure is vital to reduce poverty and increase growth.<\/p>\n<h2>What about investing in water infrastructure?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>In terms of water infrastructure investment in particular, water is a vital natural resource; one that is not quite so abundant as people might think, and which unlike other commodities, has no substitute.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-33064\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2018\/11\/World-Water-Chart.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1504\" height=\"764\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The Earth\u2019s available fresh water is estimated to be just 0.7% of all the water in the world.\u00a0 Generally found in rivers, lakes, and aquifers, it is often not easily accessible and is increasingly threatened by climate change and contamination.<\/p>\n<p>According to the UN, by 2025 an estimated 1.8 billion people will live in areas suffering from water scarcity, with two-thirds of the world\u2019s population living in water-stressed regions.<\/p>\n<p>On top of this, there is a chronic lack of infrastructure to cover the existing population\u2019s water needs.\u00a0 The UN estimates that 10% of the global population (c. 800 million people) has no access to safe drinking water and one-third (c. 2.5 billion) are without access to basic sanitation.<\/p>\n<h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-91817\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/08\/UN-SDG-6-Infographic.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2208\" height=\"2883\" \/>What is the role of the private sector in developing solutions to these challenges?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>The current situation of water scarcity and sanitation presents an enormous economic and social challenge: to provide a secure supply of usable water to the billions of people and countless businesses that depend on it every day.<\/p>\n<p>Achieving this requires huge investment on a scale that governments and the public sector alone cannot provide.<\/p>\n<p>Public sector funding is already under substantial financial pressure, a situation made much worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, so the private sector will very likely need to play a greater role in funding water investments.<\/p>\n<p>This is why private sector water businesses like Almar Water Solutions have such a vital role to play in investing in water infrastructure to help address these challenges.<\/p>\n<h2>How safe are investments in water infrastructure?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>Water is a compelling business model.\u00a0 Due to global population growth, demand for clean, fresh water continues to increase \u2013 unaffected by economic conditions, political developments, or ever-changing consumer preferences.\u00a0 The sector is seen by many as a long-term investment opportunity that has historically offered stable, consistent returns and can serve as an alternative to low-yielding bonds and volatile equity markets.<\/p>\n<p>In the case of specific structured project finance contracts (PPP) like Shuqaiq 3, with a long-term contract backed by the Government, the asset is classified as a financial asset.\u00a0 This means the return is known and fixed during the whole contract life from the very start of construction.<\/p>\n<h2>What are the advantages of investing in water projects?<\/h2>\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>Water investing has the potential to offer strong, long-term, consistent growth potential in a wide range of market or economic environments.<\/p>\n<p>Given the scale of the global water problem and the fact that water infrastructure is extremely costly and capital intensive, it is not surprising that water is increasingly viewed as a core commodity that is potentially as profitable as oil, metals or agriculture, for example.<\/p>\n<p>It is not inconceivable to imagine a situation where water as an asset class could eventually become the single most important physical commodity-based asset class. \u00a0Water assets are already being traded on the US stock exchange since October 2020.<\/p>\n<p>In the next three to five years, the private sector is expected to account for 30% of water investments. Europe has already started to make the transition to private sector provision. \u00a0The majority of water services in the UK and France, for example, are handled by private operators. \u00a0This trend is likely to continue globally, which will have significant implications for the investment landscape.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":15072,"menu_order":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-15084","perspectives","type-perspectives","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Shuqaiq 3: inversi\u00f3n en el futuro - Abdul Latif Jameel<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"es_ES\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Shuqaiq 3: inversi\u00f3n en el 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picture.<\/p>"],"_mobile_featured_image":["field_66f6b4bee65f3"],"mobile_featured_image":["https:\/\/media.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shuqaiq-3-5-scaled.jpg"],"_push_notification":["field_66f6b47de65f1"],"push_notification":[""],"_publish_mobile":["field_66f6b491e65f2"],"publish_mobile":["0"],"_status":["field_652694983fe12"],"status":["publish"],"_thumbnail_id":["15072"],"_wpml_word_count":["{\"total\":1691,\"to_translate\":{\"ar\":1691,\"zh-hans\":1691,\"fr\":1691,\"ja\":1691,\"es\":1691,\"tr\":1691}}"],"_last_translation_edit_mode":["native-editor"],"amazonS3_cache":["a:12:{s:100:\"\/\/cms.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Santiago-Martinez-Almar-Water-Solutions.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";s:5:\"17537\";s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:108:\"\/\/cms.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Santiago-Martinez-Almar-Water-Solutions-205x300.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";s:5:\"17537\";s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:102:\"\/\/media.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Santiago-Martinez-Almar-Water-Solutions.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";s:5:\"17537\";s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:110:\"\/\/media.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Santiago-Martinez-Almar-Water-Solutions-205x300.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";s:5:\"17537\";s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:90:\"\/\/cms.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shuqaiq-3-cartridge-filters-1.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";s:5:\"17538\";s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:92:\"\/\/media.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shuqaiq-3-cartridge-filters-1.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";s:5:\"17538\";s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:85:\"\/\/cms.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shuqaiq-3-construction-1.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";s:5:\"17539\";s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:87:\"\/\/media.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Shuqaiq-3-construction-1.jpg\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";s:5:\"17539\";s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:80:\"\/\/cms.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/World-Water-Chart-1.png\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";s:5:\"13149\";s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:82:\"\/\/media.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/World-Water-Chart-1.png\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";s:5:\"13149\";s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:83:\"\/\/cms.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/UN-SDG-6-Infographic-1.png\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";s:5:\"17490\";s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}s:85:\"\/\/media.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/UN-SDG-6-Infographic-1.png\";a:2:{s:2:\"id\";s:5:\"17490\";s:11:\"source_type\";s:13:\"media-library\";}}"],"_edit_lock":["1778595594:22"],"content":["<p><em>Cuando se complete en el cuarto trimestre de 2021, la planta de desalinizaci\u00f3n Shuqaiq 3, en la provincia de Jizan, en el suroeste de Arabia Saud\u00ed, ser\u00e1 una de las plantas de desalinizaci\u00f3n de \u00f3smosis inversa (RO) m\u00e1s grandes del mundo. La capacidad de producci\u00f3n diaria de 450\u00a0000 metros c\u00fabicos de esta inversi\u00f3n en infraestructura de 600\u00a0millones de USD adjudicada a un consorcio de <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.almarwater.com\/\"><em>Almar Water Solutions<\/em><\/a> <em>(a trav\u00e9s de <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/alj-enterprises.com\"><em>Abdul Latif Jameel Enterprises<\/em><\/a><em>), <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acciona.com\/es\/\"><em>Acciona<\/em><\/a><em>, <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marubeni.com\/en\/\"><em>Marubeni Corporation<\/em><\/a><em> y <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rawafid-holding-423704140\/?originalSubdomain=sa\"><em>Rawafid Alhadarah Holding Co<\/em><\/a><em>, garantizar\u00e1 un suministro de agua potable a m\u00e1s de 1,8\u00a0millones de ciudadanos, a la vez que contribuir\u00e1 al desarrollo econ\u00f3mico e industrial tanto a nivel local como nacional.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p><iframe src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/KITq7UXrWQE\" width=\"560\" height=\"314\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\r\n<p><em>Reconocida en todo el sector del agua como una de las plantas m\u00e1s complejas e innovadoras de su clase, en septiembre de 2019 fue nombrada \u201c<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/en\/news\/shuqaiq-3-desalination-project-receives-the-utilities-project-of-the-year-award\/\"><em>Proyecto de servicios p\u00fablicos del a\u00f1o<\/em><\/a><em>\u201d en los Premios de la energ\u00eda de Oriente Medio 2019, celebrados en Dub\u00e1i, EAU, lo que afianz\u00f3 su estatus como uno de los nuevos proyectos insignia de infraestructura en la regi\u00f3n.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p><em>En nuestro \u00faltimo art\u00edculo sobre el proyecto de referencia, hablamos con Santiago Mart\u00ednez, director general de concesiones en Almar Water Solutions y miembro de la junta directiva de la entidad de prop\u00f3sito especial que gestiona el proyecto, para analizar por qu\u00e9 la inversi\u00f3n en estructuras h\u00eddricas es un problema tan vital y c\u00f3mo encaja Shuqaiq 3 en este marco.<\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_92934\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"205\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-92934\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Santiago-Martinez-Almar-Water-Solutions-205x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"205\" height=\"300\" \/> Santiago Mart\u00ednez Mansilla<br \/>\r\nDirector general de concesiones<br \/>\r\nAlmar Water Solutions[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<h2>\u00bfC\u00f3mo contribuir\u00e1 Shuqaiq 3 al desarrollo econ\u00f3mico de esta regi\u00f3n de Arabia Saud\u00ed?<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>La planta de desalinizaci\u00f3n de agua de mar Shuqaiq 3 se est\u00e1 desarrollando para suministrar agua a las provincias de Jizan y Asir, en el suroeste de Arabia Saud\u00ed, con una poblaci\u00f3n de alrededor de 4\u00a0millones de personas. Estas regiones, muy cercanas a la frontera con Yemen, son extremadamente secas e hist\u00f3ricamente han sufrido un d\u00e9ficit cr\u00f3nico de recursos de agua dulce.<\/p>\r\n<p>Tradicionalmente el agua se obten\u00eda de recursos de agua subterr\u00e1nea y de plantas de desalinizaci\u00f3n t\u00e9rmica. Sin embargo, la expansi\u00f3n econ\u00f3mica del \u00e1rea, combinada con una poblaci\u00f3n en crecimiento, ha hecho que la demanda de agua vaya en aumento. Los recursos h\u00eddricos existentes no son suficientes para hacer frente a esta creciente demanda.<\/p>\r\n<p>Shuqaiq 3 es la primera planta de desalinizaci\u00f3n a gran escala de la regi\u00f3n sur de Arabia Saud\u00ed que utiliza tecnolog\u00eda de \u00f3smosis inversa pura, junto con una alta eficiencia energ\u00e9tica. Suministrar\u00e1 m\u00e1s de 150 gigalitros de agua potable al a\u00f1o para satisfacer la demanda de las comunidades e industrias de la regi\u00f3n, a la vez que se preservan las reservas de aguas subterr\u00e1neas para las generaciones futuras.<\/p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_92941\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1515\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-92941\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Shuqaiq-3-cartridge-filters.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1515\" height=\"1010\" \/> Algunos de los enormes filtros de cartucho en la planta Shuqaiq 3[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<h2>\u00bfQu\u00e9 ventajas aportar\u00e1 tanto a la poblaci\u00f3n como al sector industrial?<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>Shuqaiq 3 proporcionar\u00e1 un aumento sustancial de la disponibilidad de fuentes de agua potable y una mejora de la calidad del agua para las ciudades e industrias de la regi\u00f3n. La planta es incre\u00edblemente eficiente y podr\u00e1 suministrar agua las 24\u00a0horas del d\u00eda, los 7\u00a0d\u00edas de la semana, a un precio muy competitivo.<\/p>\r\n<p>El recurso h\u00eddrico adicional que proporciona facilitar\u00e1 el desarrollo adecuado de las ciudades y los centros industriales locales, as\u00ed como el suministro de nuevos desarrollos agr\u00edcolas con tecnolog\u00edas y sistemas de riego modernos.<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00bfCu\u00e1l es el papel de Abdul Latif Jameel Energy en este proyecto?<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>Abdul Latif Jameel es propietaria de una participaci\u00f3n sustancial en la empresa del proyecto y, a trav\u00e9s del equipo de Almar Water Solutions, ha codirigido el consorcio en la fase de desarrollo (licitaci\u00f3n y cierre financiero).<\/p>\r\n<p>Desde que comenz\u00f3 la construcci\u00f3n en el segundo trimestre de 2019, el papel principal de Abdul Latif Jameel Energy se ha centrado en asuntos t\u00e9cnicos (ingenier\u00eda, gesti\u00f3n de proyectos y supervisi\u00f3n del contratista de EPC), as\u00ed como en ayudar a dirigir la empresa del proyecto en t\u00e9rminos de gesti\u00f3n y gobernanza.<\/p>\r\n<h2>A pesar de los desaf\u00edos de la crisis de la COVID-19, Shuqaiq 3 sigue cumpliendo los plazos establecidos. \u00bfC\u00f3mo lo consigui\u00f3?<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>El progreso del proyecto ha superado el 90\u00a0% y estamos trabajando a toda velocidad para alcanzar nuestra fecha de puesta en marcha operativa para finales de octubre de 2021, tal y como estaba previsto.<\/p>\r\n<p>Sin duda, la pandemia de la COVID-19 a\u00f1adi\u00f3 un desaf\u00edo adicional en t\u00e9rminos de gesti\u00f3n de proyectos. Ha sido necesario implementar medidas de prevenci\u00f3n necesarias (como distanciamiento social, toques de queda, restricciones de viaje, etc.). Tambi\u00e9n pusimos en marcha planes de aceleraci\u00f3n con respecto a suministros de equipos, log\u00edstica y subcontratistas, para lograr nuestros objetivos de productividad y alcanzar hitos clave.<\/p>\r\n<p>La seguridad ha sido una prioridad en todo momento y, hasta ahora, estamos muy satisfechos de haber logrado m\u00e1s de 8,3\u00a0millones de horas de trabajo en la planta de desalinizaci\u00f3n y otros 1,3\u00a0millones en la subestaci\u00f3n, sin lesiones que hayan supuesto una p\u00e9rdida de tiempo. Estoy muy orgulloso de todos los esfuerzos realizados por nuestra empresa de proyectos, por el contratista de EPC y por el cliente para superar todas las dificultades que hemos encontrado en el camino.<\/p>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_92948\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1516\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-92948\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Shuqaiq-3-construction.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1516\" height=\"847\" \/> Operadores de Shuqaiq 3 supervisan el estado de los trabajos de construcci\u00f3n.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<h2>\u00bfCree que la infraestructura es un activo de inversi\u00f3n seguro?<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>En general, la inversi\u00f3n en infraestructuras es un factor crucial para el crecimiento y el desarrollo socioecon\u00f3mico de cualquier pa\u00eds.<\/p>\r\n<p>Una buena infraestructura (como carreteras, electricidad, agua, saneamiento, comunicaciones, etc.) no solo es esencial para la producci\u00f3n industrial o para suministrar servicios b\u00e1sicos a los ciudadanos, sino que tambi\u00e9n es un motor para el desarrollo. Contribuye a aumentar la productividad, a reducir los costes y a facilitar la acumulaci\u00f3n de capital humano (permitiendo un mayor acceso a la educaci\u00f3n, la salud o la vivienda, por ejemplo), lo que ayuda a diversificar la estructura productiva y a crear empleo.<\/p>\r\n<p>Este es el motivo por el que muchas organizaciones internacionales y ONG consideran que mejorar las infraestructuras es fundamental para reducir la pobreza y aumentar el crecimiento.<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00bfY qu\u00e9 me dice de invertir en infraestructuras h\u00eddricas?<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>En t\u00e9rminos de inversi\u00f3n en infraestructura h\u00eddrica en particular, el agua es un recurso natural vital, no es tan abundante como la gente podr\u00eda pensar y, a diferencia de otras materias primas, no tiene sustituto.<\/p>\r\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-33068\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2018\/11\/World-Water-Chart.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1504\" height=\"764\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>Se estima que el agua dulce disponible equivale solo a un 0,7\u00a0% del agua del planeta. Se encuentra generalmente en r\u00edos, lagos y acu\u00edferos, a menudo no es f\u00e1cilmente accesible y est\u00e1 cada vez m\u00e1s amenazada por el cambio clim\u00e1tico y la contaminaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\r\n<p>Seg\u00fan la ONU, para 2025 se estima que 1800\u00a0millones de personas vivir\u00e1n en \u00e1reas que sufren de escasez de agua, con dos tercios de la poblaci\u00f3n mundial viviendo en regiones con estr\u00e9s h\u00eddrico.<\/p>\r\n<p>Adem\u00e1s, existe una falta cr\u00f3nica de infraestructuras para cubrir las necesidades de agua de la poblaci\u00f3n existente. La ONU estima que el 10\u00a0% de la poblaci\u00f3n mundial (aproximadamente 800\u00a0millones de personas) carece de acceso a agua potable segura y un tercio (aproximadamente 2500\u00a0millones) no tiene acceso a un saneamiento b\u00e1sico.<\/p>\r\n<p><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-91821\" src=\"https:\/\/www.alj.com\/app\/uploads\/2021\/08\/UN-SDG-6-Infographic.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"2208\" height=\"2883\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00bfCu\u00e1l es el papel del sector privado en el desarrollo de soluciones para estos desaf\u00edos?<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>La actual situaci\u00f3n de escasez de agua y saneamiento plantea un enorme desaf\u00edo econ\u00f3mico y social: proporcionar un suministro seguro de agua utilizable a miles de millones de personas y a innumerables empresas que dependen de ella cada d\u00eda.<\/p>\r\n<p>Para lograrlo, se requiere una gran inversi\u00f3n a una escala que los gobiernos y el sector p\u00fablico por s\u00ed solos no pueden proporcionar.<\/p>\r\n<p>La financiaci\u00f3n del sector p\u00fablico ya est\u00e1 sometida a una sustancial presi\u00f3n financiera, una situaci\u00f3n que ha empeorado mucho por la pandemia de COVID-19, as\u00ed que es muy probable que el sector privado tenga que desempe\u00f1ar un papel m\u00e1s importante en la financiaci\u00f3n de las inversiones en agua.<\/p>\r\n<p>Este es el motivo por el que empresas del sector privado, como Almar Water Solutions, juegan un papel fundamental en la inversi\u00f3n en infraestructuras h\u00eddricas para ayudar a abordar estos desaf\u00edos.<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00bfSon seguras las inversiones en infraestructuras h\u00eddricas?<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>El agua es un modelo de negocio convincente. Debido al crecimiento de la poblaci\u00f3n mundial, la demanda de agua limpia y fresca contin\u00faa aumentando, sin verse afectada por las condiciones econ\u00f3micas, los acontecimientos pol\u00edticos o las preferencias cambiantes de los consumidores. El sector est\u00e1 considerado por muchos como una oportunidad de inversi\u00f3n a largo plazo que hist\u00f3ricamente ha ofrecido rentabilidades estables y constantes y que puede servir como alternativa a los bonos de bajo rendimiento y a los vol\u00e1tiles mercados de renta variable.<\/p>\r\n<p>En el caso de contratos de financiaci\u00f3n de proyectos estructurados desarrollados mediante participaci\u00f3n p\u00fablico-privada (PPP), como Shuqaiq 3, con un contrato a largo plazo respaldado por el Gobierno, el activo se clasifica como activo financiero. Esto significa que la rentabilidad se conoce y se fija durante toda la vida del contrato, desde el inicio de la construcci\u00f3n.<\/p>\r\n<h2>\u00bfCu\u00e1les son las ventajas de invertir en proyectos de agua?<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>SM: <\/strong>La inversi\u00f3n en agua tiene el potencial de ofrecer un crecimiento s\u00f3lido, a largo plazo y constante en una amplia gama de entornos de mercado o econ\u00f3micos.<\/p>\r\n<p>Dada la magnitud del problema del agua global y el hecho de que la infraestructura h\u00eddrica es extremadamente costosa y requiere un gran uso de capital, no es de extra\u00f1ar que el agua se considere cada vez m\u00e1s un producto b\u00e1sico potencialmente tan rentable, como el petr\u00f3leo, los metales o la agricultura, por ejemplo.<\/p>\r\n<p>No es inconcebible imaginar una situaci\u00f3n en la que el agua podr\u00eda convertirse en la clase de activos f\u00edsicos m\u00e1s importante. Desde octubre de 2020 los activos de agua ya se est\u00e1n negociando en la bolsa de EE.\u00a0UU.<\/p>\r\n<p>De aqu\u00ed a tres\/cinco a\u00f1os, se espera que el sector privado represente el 30\u00a0% de las inversiones en agua. Europa ya ha empezado a hacer la transici\u00f3n a la provisi\u00f3n del sector privado. La mayor\u00eda de los servicios de agua en el Reino Unido y Francia, por ejemplo, est\u00e1n gestionados por operadores privados. Es probable que esta tendencia contin\u00fae a nivel global, lo que tendr\u00eda implicaciones significativas para el panorama de inversi\u00f3n.<\/p>"],"_content":[""],"_ame_cpe_post_policy":["{\"accessProtection\":{\"active\":\"replace\"}}"],"_edit_last":["22"],"_wpml_media_duplicate":["1"],"_wpml_media_featured":["1"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["60"],"_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":["8"]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/perspectives\/15084","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/perspectives"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/perspectives"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15072"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms.alj3.clients.lemonhq.io\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15084"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}