Parsons Brinckerhoff appointed owner's engineer for Qatar's biggest power and desalination plant

It is the third owner's engineer contract to be secured by PB in Qatar in the last 18 months, with similar services already being provided for the Mesaieed IPP and Ras Abu Fontas A1 IWP.

Ras Laffan C is being developed on a fast-track basis to help meet the growth in demand for electricity in Qatar, which is increasing at a rate of around 17% per annum.

Ras Laffan C will be able to produce some 2,730 MW of power from 2011 and will provide 63 million gallons per day of desalinated water, making it Qatar's biggest new-build power and desalination facility to date.

It will be located in Ras Laffan Industrial City, 80 km northeast of Doha.

The $3.7bn IWPP will be implemented on a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis by a new joint venture company, Ras Girtas Power Company.

QEWC is the major shareholder with 45%, Qatar Petroleum owns 15% and the balance of 40% is owned by a consortium consisting of Suez Energy International (SEI) and Mitsui.

PB had successfully provided SEI and Mitsui with developer's engineer services up to bid award; as owner's engineer, the company will assist with project management, design review, supervision and coordination through the engineering, construction, inspection, testing and commissioning phases of the whole project.

PB's scope of work also includes related facilities to interconnect the plant with the existing fuel supply network, water supply network, and electrical network.

Qatar's need to generate more power to meet the growing demand for electricity is caused by rapid industrial and urban development coupled with population growth.

In turn this will attract many international companies, foreign investments, expertise and modern technology.

Ras Laffan C IWPP will contribute significantly to the local economy by presenting opportunities for the Qatari public and private sectors.

Dr John Richardson, PB's director of generation for the Middle East, said: "The Middle East has been a significant market for us since our first project here five decades ago, and the workload continues to grow. During this time we have developed a clear understanding of the region's evolving needs, enabling us to work closely with clients to achieve their aims. Qatar is an important market for PB within the Middle East, and we look forward to supporting QEWC and other market partners on other major Qatari projects."