Qatar has embarked on plans to build a 10 billion Qatari riyal (US$2.75 billion) mega-reservoir capable of holding seven days worth of fresh water to avert a potential crisis should its giant desalination plants that supply 99 per cent of the Gulf states water fail.
A huge project is nearing completion next year to serve Algerias second largest city.
The recent Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit held in Abu Dhabi laid out an action plan for Gulf countries to combat water scarcity and diversify energy resource.
Saudi Arabia announced that it had signed contracts amounting to US$4.2bn for the construction of the Ras Az Zawr power and water plant, reported Saudi media.
Saudi state-owned Saline Water Conversion Corp (SWCC) has awarded a US$2.44 billion power plant contract to a group led by Chinas Sepco III Electric Power Construction Corp, an industry source has been reported as saying. The group, which includes Saudi Arabias Al Arrab Contracting Co, will build a 2,400 MW plant that will be integrated with a water desalination facility in Ras Azzour, on Saudi Arabias Gulf coast. Sepco III and Al Arrabs bid was the lowest.
