Bahrain-based utility Energy Central Co (ECC)announced on 4 March 2009 that a groundbreaking ceremony has taken place at the Durrat Al Bahrain development, where the company is building a seawater reverse-osmosis desalination plant with an ultimate capacity of 32,000 m³/d.
At the ceremony, the company announced the award of a Dh 3 million (US$ 8 million) contract to local company Nass Contracting for buildings to house the first 12,000 m³/d phase of the plant together with storage tanks, pipelines, offices and site works. Construction will commence immediately with key areas scheduled for early completion by September 2009 in order to permit installation of the desalination and electrical equipment.
ECC is providing the plant under a 25-year design, build and operate contract.