29-08-08 A consortium has signed a $ 2 bn deal for the development of the Al-Dur Independent Water and Power Producer (IWPP) which aims to help Bahrain cope with future energy demands. The project will be built on the south-eastern coast of Bahrain and will substantially increase power and water supplies in the Kingdom.
The Ministry of Finance awarded the consortium -- made up of French-based GdF Suez and Kuwait's Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) -- following an international competitive tendering process.

The project is the third IWPP being developed in Bahrain. It will deliver electricity and water to the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) under a 20-year agreement starting in June 2011.
The first phase will start in the summer of 2010, with full capacity being achieved in summer 2011.

The project consists of a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine power plant and a Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology desalination plant. The complex will have a capacity of 1,234 MW of power and 218,200 cmpd of water. The initiative is expected to cost more than $ 2 bn, which will be funded by a mix of equity capital and project finance through a consortium of regional and international banks.
"The Middle East needs to build substantial additional power and water capacity and we have proven to be a reliable and competent partner to do so", said Dirk Beeuwsaert, GdF Suez Energy International's chief executive officer.