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How BESIX builds for legacy through Public-Private Partnerships in Abu Dhabi
A partnership built on trust and shared vision
The relationship between BESIX and Abu Dhabi has always been rooted in reliability and shared ambition. It is a partnership focused on deliverin g complex, high-quality projects that stand the test of time. From the sweeping curves of the Sheikh Zayed Bridge to the grandeur of Emirates Palace, from the energy of Ferrari World to the serenity of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, BESIX has played a key role in shaping the emirate’s built environment.
Pioneering PPPs in the Middle East
BESIX’s involvement in public-private partnerships in Abu Dhabi dates back to 2008, when it joined forces with then Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADDSC) – now TAQA Water. At that time, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi was witnessing one of the fastest growing populations and economies in the world. In order to meet the needs of the Emirate and its people, the existing wastewater infrastructure had to be upgraded.
The Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company therefore sought a reliable partner with PPP experience to privately finance the 1.5 billion AED scheme, and to provide long-term operating reliability over a 25-year concession period.
BESIX, in partnership with Veolia, successfully designed and delivered two wastewater treatment plants in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, that now treats 430,000 cubic meters per day. This early success became a foundation for more ambitious PPP-initiatives in the UAE.
Delivering the UAE’s first schools PPP
As Abu Dhabi shifted its focus toward cultural and educational development, BESIX was again at the forefront. In 2022, BESIX reached a première with the Zayed City Schools PPP in Abu Dhabi, the country’s first public-school infrastructure project delivered under a PPP model.
Awarded by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) in collaboration with the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), the project was one of the first under Abu Dhabi’s updated regulatory framework for PPPs. The BESIX–Plenary Group consortium reached financial close in July 2022, securing long-term backing from leading global financiers.
The scope includes the design, construction, financing, and 20-year operation of three modern campuses in Zayed City, collectively offering 5,360 student places. Later on, this successful collaboration extended to a student accommodation for Khalifa University, and a 4th campus.
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Fast-tracking educational infrastructure
“Building on this momentum, we have achieved with our partners a financial close in early 2024 for an extension of the programme: a fourth school in Khalifa City,” adds Elias Sfeir. “This new facility will accommodate 3,380 students and is scheduled to open in time for the 2026–2027 academic year.” Thanks to a streamlined procurement process, the project moved rapidly from planning to implementation.
These developments confirm BESIX’s capacity to manage the full lifecycle of PPP projects, from equity investment and EPC delivery to long-term operations and maintenance, ensuring alignment between public objectives and private sector efficiency.
Our teams are not only delivering future-oriented PPPs, such as the high-tech schools in Zayed City. We’re also contributing to Abu Dhabi’s cultural landscape through projects like the Zayed National Museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Together, these landmark developments and social infrastructure partnerships reflect our core purpose: building a lasting legacy.
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