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Oman: Tender for Sur power project by year end
29 Aug 10, Times of Oman
Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) is expected to float an initial tender linked to the development of the planned 1,500MW independent power project in Sur before the end of this year.
Saudi National Water to sign partnership contracts with private sector
28 Aug 10, AME Info
Saudi Arabia's National Water is to sign a SR173.75m ($46.3m) partnership contract with private firms to manage and operate water and wastewater sectors in Makkah and Taif, SPA has reported.
Syria, Lebanon in joint venture to build north river dam reports
28 Aug 10, The Daily Star
A joint dam construction project between Syria and Lebanon along the Nahr al-Kabir river may be in the pipeline, a string of news reports have suggested this week.
Disi project construction in full force
24 Aug 10, Jordan Times
The first three wells of the Disi Water Conveyance Project have been completed, according to project officials. The mega-project, which entails supplying Amman with 107 million cubic metres of water annually by 2013, is 28 per cent complete and going according to schedule, with the remaining 61 wells expected to be completed in early 2012, they said.
Private power projects set to expand in region
23 Aug 10, Gulf News
The concept of Independent Water and Power Projects (IWPP) is finally taking off in our region after almost a decade of its launch. This will help enable and encourage the private sector to invest in the expanding and capital -intensive water and electricity industry.
Jordan: Ministerial team checks on water situation in the north
23 Aug 10, Jordan Times
A ministerial team, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Nayef Qadi, on Monday checked on the water situation in the northern governorates of Ajloun, Jerash and Irbid. Citizens, particularly Ajloun and Jerash residents, have complained of repeated water disruptions over the last month, many having to buy water by the gallon to meet their daily requirements.
UAE nominal economy to rise 8% in 2010
21 Aug 10, Emirates Business 24/7
Higher oil prices will boost the UAE economy by around eight per cent in current prices this year after it plunged by more than 11 per cent in 2009 because of a sharp fall in crude prices, according to a Saudi investment firm.
Plan to set up 4 dams in Iraq
19 Aug 10, Aswat al-Iraq
The Water Resources Ministry said on Wednesday that its 2010 plan includes the establishment of four dams and preparing special studies on more than nine other dams.
Iraq: New irrigation project in western Karbala
17 Aug 10, Aswat al-Iraq
Work has been started to execute an irrigation project in western Karbala, to minimize water losses in the province.
$294m tourism project planned for Yanbu seafront
15 Aug 10, Arabian Business
The basic infrastructure designs for five projects to develop the Yanbu seafront in Saudi Arabia have been completed, according to KSA’s Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu. The projects, worth more than SR1.1bn (US$294m), are set to be developed along the 11km seafront as part of the country’s wider strategy to expand its tourism market and diversify its economy. Construction works for the projects, which is aimed to drive more visitors, will include installation of a sewage system, water tanks, an electricity network and the lighting of roads in 13 separate areas.
UAE spends Dh11.8 billion on desalination
08 Aug 10, Emirates Business 24/7
The UAE spends nearly Dh11.8 billion per year on the production of desalinated water to ensure its fast growing needs of drinking water and offset its dwindling reserves, the semi official Arabic language daily Alittihad reported on Sunday.
First phase of Ras Laffan power plant complete
02 Aug 2010, AME Info
Qatar's Ras Girtas Power Co (RGPC) has announced the completion of the first phase of the Ras Laffan C power and water project, Gulf Times has reported.
Qatar: Capacity rises with water demand
27 Jul 10, The Peninsula
Qatar's water desalination capacity is set to rise to 1.4m cubic metres a day by next year. The country's power generating capacity would also touch 9 gigawatts during this period.
UAE's non-oil trade surges to Dh59.6b
26 Jul 10, Gulf News
The primary statistical data of the Federal Customs Authority confirmed the growth of the UAE's non-oil trade volume by a rate of 14 per cent by the end of May 2010 compared with the same period in 2009, as the total trade rose from Dh52.08 billion to Dh59.6 billion.
Waste water treatment can save energy
24 Jul 10, The National
Scientists are examining a new, energy-saving way to treat waste water using bacteria. The project at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology uses microbial fuel cells to manipulate bacteria in the water, effectively cleaning it.
Oman: PDO opens two water treatment plants in Dhofar
24 Jul 10, Times of Oman
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) recently opened two PDO-funded reverse-osmosis water treatment plants at Dahboon and Barbazom in Dhofar region.
Bahrain: 16 new substations to be built
22 Jul 10, Bahrain Tribune
The Kingdom yesterday signed three contracts worth almost BD14.6 million for the building of 16 substations and the enhancing of the water network.
Disi project on track - Najjar
21 Jul 10, Jordan Times
The Disi Water Conveyance Project is on pace and GAMA, the implementing company, said there will be no delay, Minister of Water and Irrigation Mohammad Najjar said on Tuesday.
Qatar seen leading GCC infrastructure push to 2014
21 Jul 10, Arabian Business
Qatar is on course to lead the region in terms of infrastructure projects in the short term despite a near-22 percent slump in its construction sector last year, a news report has said. BMI added that large infrastructure projects include the $9bn New Doha International Airport, the $7bn New Doha Port Projects, the $13bn Qatar-Bahrain Causeway, the $17bn development of a national rail network and a handful of power and water plants, including the largest power and water plant in the region.
Saudi Arabia: Minister of Water and Electricity Signs Contracts for Water and Sewage Projects
20 Jul 10, Saudi Press Agency
Minister of water and electricity Eng. Abdullah al-Hossein has recently signed a number of contracts for implementing projects of water and sewage at a total cost of more than SR 300 million.
Oman Power, water company to initiate energy plant at Sur
19 Jul 10, Gulf News
Following a reassessment of a proposed independent power and water project at the Al Ghubrah site, the Oman Power and Water Company (OPWP) is preparing to initiate a competition for a major, 1,500 megawatt independent power project on the industrial estate at Sur.
Water essential to UAE security
18 Jul 10, The National
An adequate supply of clean, fresh water is vital to the security of the UAE and the entire MENA region, according to the director of the Abu Dhabi-based Arab Water Academy.
Qatar: Kahramaa replacing old water pipelines
18 Jul 10, The Peninsula
Public utility Kahramaa (Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation) is replacing water pipeline networks in the old localities. Pipelines that were installed before 1990 have already been replaced and the remaining will be replaced over the next three years.
Saudi Arabia: Misk Lake projects handed over to National Water Co
18 Jul 10, Saudi Gazette
In implementation of the King's directive, Jeddah Mayoralty has handed over to the National Water Company (NWC) the pipeline project for transferring sewage water from Misk Lake to the Water Treatment Plant at the airport and carrying the treated sewage water from the Water Treatment Plant to the rainwater network.
Water is more valuable than oil in this region
16 Jul 10, Gulf News
The water challenges in the Arab world are well known, well studied and well researched. Water security is disappearing. About half of people already live under conditions of water stress and with the population expected to grow from about 300 million today to about 500 million in 2025, per capita water availability is expected to be cut in half by 2050. Increasing affluence, economic growth and diversification will also place new demands on water.
Lebanon: Water shortages hit southern coast and northern villages
16 Jul 10, The Daily Star
With authorities warning of a possible heat wave this season, some people might be in a worse situation than others, as certain regions are suffering from scarce water supplies. In the southern coastal city of Sidon and in the northern villages of Dinnieh and Bsharri, water has been limited throughout July, not only threatening the people’s daily routines but also their livelihood.
Several sectors benefiting from Jordanian-French ties
14 Jul 10, Jordan Times
The Kingdom’s transport and water sectors have benefited from closer ties between France and Jordan over the last year, the French Ambassador in Amman said on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia: Projects Worth SR700million In Northern Borders Province
13 Jul 10, Saudi Press Agency
The Director General of Water Department in the Northern Borders Province Eng. Afat Bin Hamdan Al-Sharari has said that water and drainage projects for this fiscal year amounted to more than SR 700 million for cities, governorates and villages of the Province.
Qatar eyes water desalination plant expansion
11 Jul 10, Arabian Business
Qatar is aiming to build up its water reserves so they can meet the country's needs for a week in an emergency. Existing desalinated water reserves can last only one-and-a-half days in an emergency, officials have said.
Saudi Arabia: Floating desalination plant launched in Yanbu
08 Jul 10, Arab News
A water-desalination barge with a production capacity of 25,000 cubic meters per day was launched on Wednesday in Yanbu.
Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority to showcase efficiency and sustainability at Power Generation and Middle East Water show
06 Jul 10, AME Info
Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) has agreed to support the Power Generation and Middle East Water show. The capital's utility provider is using the leading industry event as a platform to highlight their strategy for a efficient and sustainable power and water supply aligned with the Urban Planning Council's (UPC) 2030 vision.
Yemen to launch first desalination project
05 Jul 10, Yemen Times
Several cities in Yemen are threatened with water shortage. Taiz city is one of the cities suffering from severe water problems especially since the city is one of the most populated areas in Yemen with over two and half million inhabitants. However, since modern technology has helped reduce the cost of desalination, Hayel Saeed Group of Companies has just constructed the first desalination unit in Al-Makha coast to supply their factories and companies with clean water.
Arab countries approve roadmap on water security
05 Jul 10, Bahrain Times
Arab countries have agreed upon a draft collective strategy to promote water security in the region.
Dh35m water supply project completed
04 Jul 10, Gulf News
Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) has completed a project for water transfer and distribution. The Dh35-million project entails the distribution of water from Al Layyah and Al Mamzar, which is fed directly from the water desalination and electricity generation station at Al Layaah in Sharjah, through a 32-inch, 10km-long pipeline.
Saudi awards $16m Ras Azzour contract
03 Jul 10, Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia awarded a 59.9 million riyal ($16 million) engineering contract to a consortium led by consultancy WS Atkins International on the Gulf coast in Ras Azzour, where a giant power plant will be built. The giant power and water project, estimated to cost $ billion, is expected to be the world’s largest when completed by the end of 2013.
KFAED inaugurates water irrigation project N Lebanon
02 Jul 10, Kuwait News Agency
Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and Lebanese officials inaugurated on Friday irrigation water channels for villages and towns in Bsharri district in northern Lebanon.
$5bn power plant on way in Bahrain
01 Jul 10, Trade Arabia
A massive new power and water plant is now in the final stages of commissioning in Bahrain. Al Dur Power and Water Company chief executive Pierre Depauw said it would be up and running at some stage this summer and is being commissioned in co-ordination with the Electricity & Water Authority (EWA).
Saudi awards $334m of water contracts
29 Jun 10, AME Info
Saudi Arabia's National Water Co (NWC) has awarded nine contracts worth SR1.255bn ($334m) for projects in the first phase of a strategic water plan in Riyadh, Saudi press agency has reported.
ADWEA deal to lead to desalination expansion for the north
28 Jun 10, The National
The Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) and a foreign partner agreed yesterday to boost the water output of a desalination plant in Fujairah by 30 per cent to meet growing demand in the Northern Emirates. The expansion is expected to come online in 2013.
Saudi Arabia: Water Contracts Worth SR1.255 Billion Awarded
28 Jun 10, Saudi Press Agency
The National Water Company has awarded 9 contracts worth SR 1.255 billion for projects in the first phase of Strategic Water Plan in Riyadh for making full use of Ras Al-Zour Water Desalination Station of Saline Water Conversion Corporation, expected to pump nearly 800,000 cubic meters of water per day.
Kuwait govt discusses electricity, water consumption
27 Jun 10, Kuwait News Agency
The council of ministers discussed Sunday short-term measures taken by Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) to facing emergency increase in electricity consumption, as well as rationalizing of electricity and water consumption in industrial and commercial sectors, government buildings and private residences.
Lebanon: IFAD launches $16.64 million program to fight water scarcity
25 Jun 10, The Daily Star
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has launched a $16.64 million rural development program in Lebanon to combat water scarcity
Saudi Arabia rated worst in GCC for water security
24 Jun 10, Arabian Business
Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries have performed badly in a new index that rates the supply of fresh clean water to societies and businesses.
Oman's Galfar wins $31.17m water project contract
23 Jun 10, Arabian Business
Oman's Galfar Construction & Engineering Co has won a contract worth 12 million Omani rials ($31.17 million) to build a water distribution network in northwest of Oman, a tender board official said on Wednesday.
Oman plans fog-harvesting project to ease water shortage
23 Jun 10, Gulf News
Muscat Oman will become the first country in the region to tap into fog-harvesting technology to make stored water available for nearly 300 days, according to Ali Bin Amor Al Kiyumi, director general of nature conservation at the Environment and Climate Affairs Ministry.
Water waste in Amman decreases by 35pc
22 Jun 10, Trade Arabia
The percentage of water waste in Amman in the last few years has decreased by 35 per cent, stated Minister of Water and Irrigation, Mohammad al-Najjar.
Jordan among region's water poorest countries - report
21 Jun 10, Jordan Times
Jordan is among the region’s water poorest countries as it is dependent on water from the Jordan River, limited rainfall and groundwater, according to a report to be released next week.
Oman: OPWP study projects 13% growth in annual desalinated water demand
20 Jun 10, Oman Daily Observer
Demand for desalinated water is projected to more than double over the next seven years from 132.9 million cubic metres (m2) per year in 2009 to 320.6 million m3 by 2016, according to a study by the state-owned Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP).
Abu Dhabi awards $24.5m power, water deals
17 Jun 10, Arabian Business
UK firm Mott MacDonald has been awarded power and water contracts worth AED90m ($24.5m) by Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC). The deals will cover consultancy work for power in both the Central and Western regions and for water in the Eastern region, according to a company statement released on Thursday.
US grants Lebanon $27.5m to improve water sector
16 Jun 10, The Daily Star
The US government and the Lebanese Energy and Water Ministry signed two memoranda of understanding valued at $27.5 million on Tuesday to provide in-kind assistance and capacity building support for Lebanon’s water sector.
Iraq: Water Resources Ministry starts water management project in Karbala
15 Jun 10, Aswat al-Iraq
The Iraqi Water Resources Ministry on Tuesday began work to execute a water management project in Karbala province.
SR652m projects for E. Jeddah
14 Jun 10, Saudi Gazette
The Emir of Makkah, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, has announced a range of new development projects for eastern Jeddah which includes bridges, drainage networks, a land discount initiative and homes and services for low income citizens.
Jordan: Experts say Red Dead concerns can be addressed
14 Jun 10, Jordan Times
The final feasibility report of the Red Sea-Dead Sea Water Conveyance Study Programme will be ready in May next year, while the Environmental and Social Assessment is expected in October 2011, consultants said on Monday.
UAE economy to grow 4% in 2010, 2011 - top official
14 Jun 10, Arabian Business
The UAE economy will grow at a pace of around 4 percent in 2010 and 2011 on the back of big infrastructure projects, its central bank chief said on Monday.
Kuwait: MEW may be compelled to introduce water rationing
13 Jun 10, Arab Times
The Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) will be forced to introduce water rationing if the existing level of consumption continues throughout the summer, especially since it has already started using 9 million imperial gallons of water from the strategic reserves of the country daily, reports Al-Seyassah daily.
Jordan: Consultants to brief public on progress to date
13 Jun 10, Jordan Times
The Ministry of Water and Irrigation will hold an open meeting today to brief the public about progress made in the Red-Dead Water Conveyance Project.
Saudi Arabia: Eight Contracts for Water and Sewage Projects Signed
12 Jun 10, Saudi Press Agency
Minister of Water and Electricity Eng. Abdullah Al-Hussein has recently signed with a number of national companies eight contracts for implementing a number of water and sewage projects in the eastern province at a total cost of SR122,034,409
UAE trade surplus set to rise 15% in 2010 - official
12 Jun 10, Arabian Business
The UAE's trade surplus for 2010 is expected to rise 15 percent from 2009, a foreign trade official said on Friday. The country's surplus stood at $16.1 billion last year.
Qatar plans $100b in development projects
11 Jun 10, Gulf News
The Qatari government and state-owned companies plan to spend as much as $100 billion (Dh367 billion) on infrastructure projects within the next four years, Finance Minister Yousuf Hussain Kamal said Saturday. "The main projects are roads, sewage treatment, water treatment, and infrastructure like ports and airports," he said at a Turkish-Arab economic conference in Istanbul.
Jordan: Aqaba Water Company to manage Maan's water sector
11 Jun 10, Jordan Times
The Aqaba Water Company will manage wastewater services in Maan Governorate in a bid to improve the weak performance in the south and reduce the high water loss, officials said on Thursday. Under an agreement signed by the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) and the Aqaba Water Company, the latter will manage water and wastewater services in Maan for five years to improve water operations and increase the private sector’s participation in the water sector.
Amman to receive slight increase in summer water supply
09 Jun 10, Jordan Times
The Jordan Water Company (Miyahuna) has allocated 135 million cubic metres (mcm) of water for the capital this summer, a 3.8 per cent increase from last year, according to officials. The company said it increased water allocations from 130mcm in 2009 to 135mcm this year in response to population growth and to ensure "smooth water distribution" during summer.
Saudi Arabia: Call to expedite water and sewage projects
05 Jun 10, Arab News
The Municipal Council of Jeddah has asked the municipality to expedite approved water and sewage projects. In a session held on Thursday under Chairman Hussain ibn Alawi Baaqeel, council members called for intensification of efforts to provide potable water to the residents.
Private players eye UAE water market
03 Jun 10, Gulf News
Private utilities companies and environmental analysts, thirsting to tap into the water market, are calling for greater privatisation of water provision services in the UAE.
Firms to guarantee quality of wastewater
02 Jun 10, Emirates Business 24/7
Sewerage service companies in Abu Dhabi will now be required to guarantee the quality of wastewater delivered to users after the Regulation and Supervision Bureau (RSB) of Abu Dhabi, the independent regulatory body for the emirate’s water, wastewater and electricity sector, announced two new regulations that came into effect yesterday.
Iraq: Extending 2 sewage networks project completed in Karbala
01 Jun 10, Aswat al-Iraq
Extending two sewage networks project has been completed in Karbala at a cost of 32 billion Iraqi dinars, head of the reconstruction and strategic planning committee said on Tuesday
Abu Dhabi launches region's first comprehensive framework for wastewater regulation
01 Jun 10, Press Release
The Regulation and Supervision Bureau (RSB), the independent regulatory body for the water, wastewater and electricity sector of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, announces the launch of two important new regulations coming into effect today. This concludes a three-year consultation process across the wastewater sector.
Major Oman water project started
01 Jun 10, Khaleej Times
One of the biggest water schemes to be carried out in Oman -- costing RO90 million and which will supply 25 million gallons of water daily to the districts of the interior Dhakhliya region -- has been commissioned.