Societat General d’Aigües de Barcelona, belonging to the Veolia group, has won the mega-tender for water management in eight municipalities of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB), which amounts to more than 1,000 million euros, by achieving the best score in the technical and economic criteria. However, the large tender is not yet resolved because the review process, allegations, and obtaining the definitive green light from the AMB still need to be overcome.
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Veolia already achieved the best technical evaluation and this Thursday won the economic criteria in the tender for the water service in eight municipalities of the Barcelona metropolitan area, according to sector sources. However, it is still awaiting administrative resolution. The management of the most valuable asset for the next 25 years is being decided in Cervelló, Corbera de Llobregat, La Palma de Cervelló, Molins de Rei, Ripollet, Sant Andreu de la Barca, Sant Cugat del Vallès, and Tiana.
The definitive award must pass through the Metropolitan Council and overcome the period of allegations
The procedure remains subject to processing and awaiting administrative resolution by the AMB. That is, the award is still pending approval by the Consell Metropolità, the AMB’s highest governing body, similar to a municipal plenary session. This process is expected to take place in September. In addition, the period for allegations and technical reviews must also be opened.
Another five firms have submitted bids for the mega-tender, several of them forming temporary joint ventures. The contract is one of the largest public tenders launched in Catalonia. It amounts to 1,078 million euros: 937.4 million for acting as a concessionaire for 25 years and 140.6 for an extension period that can be extended for 3 years and nine months. These amounts exclude VAT.
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It was decided that the towns would be managed by a single company after water management passed into the hands of the AMB. Previously, the responsibility lay with the city councils. Currently, their contracts have been extended after the agreed terms expired.
The awarded company must make investments worth 175.6 million euros, which will eventually be passed on to water bills: 12.6 in Cervelló, 26.4 in Corbera de Llobregat, 16.9 in Molins de Rei, 3.2 in La Palma de Cervelló, 15 in Ripollet, 11.3 in Sant Andreu de la Barca, 78.7 in Sant Cugat del Vallès, and 4.5 in Tiana, as stated in the tender document.
