ACWA Power Barka to expand desalination plant in Oman

ACWA Power Barka has signed a water purchase agreement (WPA) with Oman Power and Water Procurement Company to expand its current desalination plant and increase its freshwater production capacity by 10 million gallons per day.

The project will be developed as a step towards addressing the growing demand for fresh drinking water in the country, which is increasing at a rate of 8% every year.

The company will construct the new expansion project near its present desalination plant situated at Barka, 65km north of Muscat, on a BOO (build, own and operate) basis, reported The Times of Oman.

ACWA Power Barka has received approval from its shareholders to enter into different agreements related to the expansion project, including operations and maintenance agreements and loan agreements, among others.

The company will finance the project using money loaned from the regional and local financing institutes.

ACWA Power Barka expects to start the construction work on the project in the third quarter of 2012 and complete it in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The company is planning to appoint ACWA Power International’s subsidiary Nomac Oman as the operations and maintenance provider for the expansion project.

Nomac Oman currently operates and maintains the existing desalination plant.

The company is expected to be developed in accordance with the environmental regulations of Oman.

ACWA Power Barka is planning to enter a usufruct agreement with the Ministry of Housing for the usage of the land on which the project will be developed, and a water connection agreement with Public Authority for Electricity and Water.

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Image: The project will address the growing need of fresh drinking water in Oman. Photo: Juhanson.