Regional power and water projects are worth billions, here's the proof.

The six GCC nations are spending billions of dollars on the capacity expansion of their power and water networks. Population growth, industrial diversification and expansion have all added to the demand placed on supply. Growth in demand is being dealt with head on, resulting in some massive new projects, as well as substantial extension works.

Here, UME takes a look at the ten of the most valuable power and water projects from around the GCC. Selection is based on estimated or actual value of the works. All projects are currently active jobs, ranging from the early tender stage through to the closing stages of construction and commissioning.

Kuwait: Shuaiba North Power and Desalination Plant (Actual value: US$1.27 billion)

The project for the construction of the Al-Zour Desalination Plant in Kuwait is split into two phases. Both phases will consist of 1500 MW of power capacity, with a combined water capacity of 125 million gallons per day. Parsons Brinckerhoff International has been appointed as the main consultant and the tender for the main construction contract of phase two has already been issued. The deadline for bid submission is 8 September 2009. An award for the main construction contract is expected to be announced in first quarter of 2010.

Main Contractor: Parsons Brinckerhoff, International Incorporated

Kuwait: Al-Zour Desalination Plant (Estimated value: US$3.6 billion)

The project for the construction of the Al-Zour Desalination Plant in Kuwait is split into two phases. Both phases will consist of 1500 MW of power capacity, with a combined water capacity of 125 million gallons per day. Parsons Brinckerhoff International has been appointed as the main consultant and the tender for the main construction contract of phase two has already been issued. The deadline for bid submission is 8 September 2009. An award for the main construction contract is expected to be announced in first quarter of 2010.

Main Contractor: Parsons Brinckerhoff International Incorporated

Bahrain: Al Dur IWPP (Estimated value: US$2 billion)

The Al Dur power and desalination plant in Bahrain is being developed on a build, own, operate basis by a consortium composed of GDF SUEZ and Gulf Investment. The project has seen lucrative contracts awarded to large international players and will be located at Al Dur. The plant will consist of a combined cycle gas turbine power plant and a reverse osmosis desalination plant, together with all support facilities such as seawater intake and discharge structures and gas connection.

Once operational it will have a capacity of 1234 MW of power and 218 200 m3 per day. Mott Macdonald is the technical advisor and BNP Paribas SA is the financial advisor. Hyundai Heavy Industries was awarded the EPC contract. General Electric (GE) will supply the power plant turbines and Degremont will supply and install the desalination facility.

Main Contractor: Hyundai Heavy Industries (EPC Contractor)

Main Contractor: General Electric (Power Plant Turbines )

Main Contractor: Degremont & Marubeni Corporation (RO desalination facility)

Main Consultant: Mott Macdonald (Technical Advisor)

Main Consultant: BNP Paribas S.A. (Financial Advisor)

Oman: Al Duqm IWPP (Estimated value: US$2 billion)

The Al Duqm IWPP is currently on the books as the first coal-fired power plant in the GCC. If it goes ahead the proposed plant is expected to have an electricity capacity of 1 000 MW. Legal, financial and technical advisory tenders have all been issued. A Request for Proposal for the main construction contract is expected in the second quarter of 2010. Evaluation of the proposals and the subsequent award of contracts are expected in the final quarter of 2010. The plant is not expected to start commercial operation until 2015 at the earliest. The rising price of gas, as well as supply and demand issues drove the decision to look at coal as Oman looks to diversify its electricity generation fuel sources.

Qatar: Ras Girtas Power & Water Plant (Actual value: US$3.9 billion)

The Ras Girtas power and water plant in Qatar's Ras Laffan is expected to have a capacity of 2 730 MW, combined with a potable water output of 63 million gallons per day. The EPC contract went to Mitsui Corporation of Japan, which in turn sub-contracted Hyundai, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry and France's Sidem. Completion of the project's first phase is scheduled for 2010, with full project completion expected in April 2011. Ras Girtas Company for Power is a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum (15%), Qatar Electricity and Water Company (45%), GDF Suez of France (20%), Mitsui Corporation (10%), Chubu Corporation of Japan (5%) and Shikoku Corporation of Japan (5%).

Main Contractor: Mitsui Corporation of Japan

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Qatar: Mesaieed Independent Power Plant (IPP) (Actual value: US$2.3 billion)

The Mesaieed Independent Power Plant (IPP) project combines a 2 000 MW power plant with a large substation. The plant output will serve the national grid and the planned Mesaieed aluminum smelter. Iberdrola Ingenieria Y Construction won the EPC contract in November 2006. Fichtner Consulting Engineers is the technical advisor. GE was awarded the contract of installation six Frame 9FA gas turbines, two Frame 6B gas turbines, six 330H type generators, and three D11 steam turbines. The project is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2010 and Qatar Petroleum will supply gas for the plant.

Main Contractor: GE (Turbines Supplier)

Main Contractor: Iberdrola Ingenieria Y Construction

Main Consultant: Fichtner Consulting Engineers (Technical Advisor)

UAE: Hassayan power and desalination plant (Actual value: US$2 billion)

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's Hasssyan power and desalination complex is planned to be a huge plant made up of six stations (P1, P2, Q1, Q2, R1, R2) each with a gross capacity of around 1 500 MW and between 100 - 120 million gallons per day of desalinated water. Configurations on the drawing board include gas turbines with associated heat recovery steam generators, auxiliary boilers, backpressure steam turbines and MSF desalination units. The project will also include infrastructure for water storage and distribution.

Mott Macdonald is the consultant for P1, while Lahmeyer is the consultant for P2. DEWA initially planned to build two water and power plants at the site simultaneously. In February 2009, DEWA delayed the tender for the P2 stage to September 2009. P1 was put on hold due to the high prices of bids submitted.

Main Contractor: Mott Macdonald (P1 Stage)

Main Contractor: Lahmeyer Intl (P2 Stage)

Saudi Arabia: Shuaiba power plant, stage 3 (Actual value: US$3 billion)

Located 100 km south of Jeddah, this project involves the construction of a 1200 MW plant adjacent to the existing Shuaiba facility. Alstom won the main construction contract for the expansion package in July 2008. Construction is in progress and expected to be completed in early 2013. When finally complete the Shuaiba power station will be made up of 14 units, each of 400 MW, adding up to a gross total output of 5600 MW. As leader of the construction consortium, Alstom is designing, supplying, installing and commissioning the entire plant.

Key components include oil-fired boilers, STF40 steam turbines, GIGATOP turbogenerators, sea-water flue gas desulphurization and auxiliary equipment. The boilers are designed to burn both crude and heavy fuel oil. Alstom's consortium partner, Saudi Archirodon, will carry out all the associated civil and marine works.

Main Contractor: Alstom

Saudi Arabia: Jizan Economic City (JEC) - Power Plant (Actual value: US$3.4 billion)

CPI Power Engineering was awarded the main construction contract in November 2008. Construction of the 2 400 MW captive power plant started early this year and is expected to be completed in 2013. It is intended to power an aluminium smelter in Jizan Economic City. The city itself is 725 km south of Jeddah and will include residential, commercial and industrial zones. The economic city will be built in phases and is expected to be completed by the end of 2020. The Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) signed an agreement with Malaysia's MMC Corporation and the local Saudi Binladen Group to develop a 1 million ton per year aluminum smelter in November 2007.

Main Contractor: CPI Power Engineering

Saudi Arabia: Jubail IWPP (Actual value: US$2.5 billion)

The independent water and power plant in Jubail Industrial City will be made up of four blocks and based on combined cycle generation gas turbines. The extraction steam will supply the desalination plant, which will have 27 units employing multiple effect distillation technology. When operational, the plant will produce 2 745 MW of power and 800 000 m3 per day of desalinated water.

These resources are destined for Jubail Industrial City and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed with on a build, own, operate and transfer basis. The Seuz consortium was awarded the construction contract in December 2006. The consortium is a joint venture between Suez Energy International and Saudi Arabia's Acwa Power Projects.

Main Contractor: Suez Energy International

Main Contractor: Acwa Power Projects, Saudi Arabia

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