Shuqaiq Desalination Plant Commences Commercial Operation

The Shuqaiq II Independent Water & Power Project in Saudi Arabia commenced production at the end of May 2010. The SR 7.2 billion (US$ 1.9 billion) project is currently producing 212,000 m³/d of water from its seawater reverse-osmosis desalination plant and two of the three power blocks are generating more the 700 MW of electricity.

The Shuqaiq II plant is one of 10 combined desalination and power plants commissioned by the Saudi Government in conjunction with the private sector in 2004 in an effort to meet the increased demand for water and power in Saudi Arabia.

Shareholders in the project are ACWA Power International, Mitsubishi Corporation, Public Investment Fund, Water & Electricity Co and Gulf Investment Corporation. Mitsubishi was the EPC contractor for the project which began in May 2007. ILF acted as the technical advisor to the project company during the development phase and as Owner?s Engineer during the implementation phase. Currently more then 20 ILF staff are on site. The project is scheduled to be completed in April 2011.

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