Bahrain Al Dur power plant to begin ops next month

Bahrain’s US$5.3bn power and water plant Al Dur will begin commercial operations next month, it has been reported.

The plant is expected to ease the burden on the kingdom’s existing power plants and put an end to summer power cuts, the Gulf Daily News reported on Thursday.

The plant, located on Bahrain's southeast coast, will start producing 400 megawatts of electricity. Once the plant is fully operational by the summer of 2011, output will treble to 1,245 MW, according to the report.

It will also help meet rising demand for water with a maximum output of around 48 million gallons.

South Korean firm Hyundai Heavy Industries said construction on parts of the power project were ongoing.

"We are progressing according to the schedule and have not really had any problems, the plant should be fully operational and supplying Bahrain with electricity and water by June next year," said Ha Yong Man, Hyundai project control manager.