GDF SUEZ wins power and desalination project in Bahrain

Al Dur 1 is a greenfield, natural gas-fired installation that will deliver 1,234 MW of electricity and 218,000 m³ of water/day.

Completion of the Al Dur 1 plant is scheduled for 2011.

GDF SUEZ Energy International and Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) each hold 50% in the bidding consortium.

The Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) is the sole off-taker of the plant output as stipulated in the 20-year Power and Water Purchase Agreement (PWPA).

Al Dur 1 will utilize Reverse Osmosis (RO) as its water desalination technology.

Degrémont, a subsidiary of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT which specializes in water treatment and desalination, will provide the RO technology, which is a highly flexible, efficient, and environmentally friendly desalination technology where Degrémont is one of the world leaders.

The Al Dur plant will be located in the south of Bahrain, approximately 40 km from Al Ezzel, another power generation plant in which GDF SUEZ has a 45% stake. Apart from Al Ezzel, GDF SUEZ is also a shareholder in the Al Hidd power and water plant, which delivers 938 MW of electricity and 136,000 m³/day of water.

Bahrain plans to develop three more power and water plants at the Al Dur site in the coming twenty years.

The second phase, Al Dur 2, at a similar size to the first phase is expected to be launched latest in 2009 to cope with the country's increasing energy and water needs.

Earlier this year, GDF SUEZ Energy International also secured as lead developer Shuweihat 2 (1,500 MW and 454,610 m³ water/day) in Abu Dhabi and Ras Laffan C (2,750 MW and 286,000 m³ water/day) in Qatar.

SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT is involved in several projects in water treatment and desalination in the Middle East, such as in Dubai or Qatar ; the company recently won the contract to manage drinking water and wastewater services for the city of Jeddah and just inaugurated the As Samra new wastewater treatment plant for the Grand Amman in Jordan.

"The fact that GDF Suez is involved in each of the three I(W)PP projects in Bahrain demonstrates the company's commitment to investing in the Kingdom of Bahrain. 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.

Mr Hisham Al-Razzuqi, CEO of GIC stated: "GIC is a co-developer of five power and water projects in the GCC with a total asset base of approximately $9bn." Mr Al-Razzuqi further added: "Wining Al Dur IWPP project reinforces GIC role in supporting private sector participation in the development of the GCC economies."