ACWA Power Research Chair for Water & Power committee narrows research

Mr. Mohammad Abunayyan, Chairman of ACWA Power Projects (APP) had signed agreement with His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al-Othman, Rector of King Saud University (KSU) to establish and sponsor a chair focused on research in water and power, two strategic commodities in Saudi Arabia.

The supervising committee's meeting was attended by representatives from APP and KSU's College of Engineering. Both sides have agreed on the following action points: Firstly, development of membranes used in reverse osmosis. Secondly, development of anti-scaling chemicals used in thermal desalination plant. Thirdly, selection of an internationally-renowned researcher--to be announced at a later date--to direct the chair. Fourthly, launching of Chair activities by mid-November, allowing for sufficient preparation time.

ACWA Power Projects corporate social responsibility focuses on sustainable development sponsoring programs and initiatives such as Wafeer, an initiative launched by Tamkeen designed to reduce the consumption of water in industry. Wafeer was launched with the backing of the Saudi Ministry of Water and Electricity, itself an advocate of reduction of consumption.

ACWA Power Projects is an owner and developer of infrastructure assets delivering water and power to cater for the rapidly increasing demand fueled by social and economic growth of nations. ACWA Power Project is an investor in Shuaibah IWPP and its expansion, Rabigh IWSPP, Shuqaiq IWPP, Marafiq IWPP, and Barge IWP, all of which are multibillion-dollar projects currently under construction. While each of these six projects is in a various stage of construction and shall achieve commercial operation between 2008 and 2010, once completed, they will produce a total output of 4,850 MW of power and 2.23 million m3/day of desalinated water.