Bahrain's Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) said the Phase Two of the Al Dur 2 Independent Water and Power Project will start operations by early June in 2020, reported BNA.

The project, which is being developed in co-operation with the kingdom's private sector, reflects the government’s commitment to delivering comprehensive economic development in line with the principles of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, stated the report, citing a senior minister.

"With the launch of the Al Dur 1, the total production capacity has reached 3921 MW and 179 million imperial gallons per day, representing a 45.9 per cent uplift in electricity production and a 36.6 per cent increase in water production," stated Minister of Electricity and Water Affairs Dr. Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza.

Dr Mirza highlighted HM the King and HRH the Prime Minister’s continuous support for the project, which reflects the government’s commitment to delivering comprehensive economic development in line with the principles of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.

The Minister went on to underline that under the leadership of HRH the Crown Prince, the Government Executive Committee has been instrumental in the delivery of the project’s second phase, noting that the project represents an important initiative to further strengthen the kingdom’s energy sector and enhance investment.

According to him, the initial phase would have a generation capacity of 800 MW, expanding to a total of 1,500 MW upon completion in June 2022, and a desalination capacity of 25 million gallons per day.

Dr Mirza said in 2008 EWA had awarded a $2.2 billion contract to a consortium led by Suez Energy International to own and operate the Phase One of the project, which produces 1234-megawatts of power within the 48 million gallon per day plant.

Furthermore, in February 2012, Mott MacDonald was granted a $1 million contract to oversee the technical implementation of the project, said the report.

Once the Phase Two becomes operational, the total production capacity will hit 5421 MW and 229 million imperial gallons per day, representing a 38.2 per cent uplift in current electricity production capacity and a 27.9 per cent increase in current water production capacity, it added.