Veolia extends Sharqiyah deal as plant hits 100 millionth cubic metre

Veolia has extended its build own operate (BOO) contract for the Sharqiyah desalination plant in the Oman which recently produced its 100 millionth cubic metre of potable water.

The expansion project will be developed on a BOO basis at a site next to the existing rplant at Sur to benefit from synergies. Veolia holds a 35.75% stake in the project with Oman’s National Power and Water Company holding 29.25%. The remaining equity is floated in the Muscat Securities Exchange.

Oman’s Veolia-led Sharqiyah Desalination Company has signed an agreement to expand the 80,000 m³/d Sur seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant 160 km south west of Muscat. Under the amended water purchase agreement with the state-owned Oman Power and Water Procurement Company the company will add 51,000 m³/d to what is already the country’s largest independent water project.

The Sur desalination plant serves 350,000 inhabitants of the Sharqiyah region. It was built by a consortium of Veolia subsidiary, OTV, and Bahwan Engineering Company in 2007 and is currently operated by Bahwan Veolia – a joint venture between Bahwan and Veolia.