Veolia has been named the successful bidder by the Metropolitan Council of Barcelona for a landmark €1 billion, 25-year contract to run essential drinking water services across eight municipalities in the metropolitan area, supplying water to more than 230,000 residents. The deal strengthens the Group’s long-term presence and reinforces its dedication to Spain, which is expected to become its third-largest market in the years ahead.
At a time when water resources face increasing strain, communities need greater climate resilience, and household finances are under pressure, Veolia’s winning proposal pairs strong local insight with global capability, using innovation to deliver the highest-quality, most durable service at the most competitive cost—reflected in its leading technical and financial scoring.
“We are delighted with this outcome in Spain, a key country for Veolia and one where we have been present for 160 years. We will put the best of our global expertise, technology and innovation at the service of Barcelona and its communities, delivering best-in-class services and the best value for money. Our ability to combine innovation and operational efficiency will enable sustained investment in the quality and resilience of these essential services, strengthening water resilience and environmental security over the long term.” Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia.
Planned upgrades include a new sensor network to identify leaks, the roll-out of newly digitized operations centers, the replacement and modernization of meter stock, and the installation of remote meter-reading systems, as well as electrifying the vehicle fleet, among other measures.
Along with the additional initiatives set out in the tender requirements, these steps are vital to sustain the service and ensure water security for these municipalities—particularly following the severe drought episodes the region has faced in recent years—so the company is committed to begin work right away.
The bid ranking released yesterday by the AMB, based on the Procurement Committee’s recommendation after its plenary meeting, is a routine part of the process and comes ahead of the final awarding of the service contract.
Source: Veolia
