Qatar: MED/TVC desalination plant inaugurated

The Ras Laffan C power and desalination plant in Qatar was officially opened on 31 May 2011 in the presence of the emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and Gérard Mestrallet, chairman and CEO of GDF Suez. 

Built by Sidem for Mitsui Bahrain consortium, the 286,000 m³/d seawater desalination plant uses multi-effect distillation/thermal vapour compression and produced its first water in July 2010. 

Sidem was awarded a contract in June 2008 for the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of 10 desalination units, 28,640 m³/d each. The work included a potabilisation plant, CO₂ plant, sea water supply and reject lines, seawater booster pumping station and other ancillary equipment. 

With a 2,730 MW power station, Ras Laffan C is the largest power and water plant in Qatar. The consortium of GDF Suez, through International Power, Mitsui & Co, Chubu Electric Power Company and Shikoku Electric Power Company own 40% of the project while the State of Qatar holds the remainder. 

The electricity and water will be sold through a 25-year power and water purchase agreement with Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation.