Consulting services for development of the Ghubrah Independent Water Project (IWP) in Oman are understood to have been won by KPMG, according to the Oman Daily Observer on 30 March 2011.
With a capacity of around 42 MIGD (191,000 m³/d), the Ghubrah IWP will be largest greenfield seawater desalination project to be developed in Oman with an estimate project cost of US$ 350 million.
Sited at the existing Al Gubrah Power Generation and Water Desalination Plant in Muscat, the new plant has been conceived on the lines of the Sultanate’s first IWP at Sur, which was successfully concluded in 2007. The state-owned Oman Power & Water Procurement Company (OPWP) competitive basis, will oversee the procurement of the Ghubrah IWP on behalf of the Public Authority for Electricity & Water.
The project will be implemented in phases. Phase 1, with a capacity of 30 MIGD (136,000 m³/d), is proposed to come into operation by May 2013, with the balance to be in operation under Phase 2 by April 2014. Water from the Ghubrah IWP will be purchased by OPWP under a long-term agreement.
KPMG will define the project, assign risk and develop the competition process, as well as managing tendering. The consultant will also undertake a feasibility review, site studies and preliminary environmental impact assessment.