Bahrain Dur plant begins testing in April

Khalid Burashid, deputy chief of executive of planning and projects at Bahrain's Electricity and Water Authority has said the kingdom will begin initial testing of its 1,240 megawatts Al Dur power and water plant in April, local Arabic daily Al-Watan has reported. The first commercial operations are expected to start in June 2011, he said, adding that Al Dur plant will contribute 30% to the country's total electricity production capacity, as well as desalinating 218,000 cubic metres of sea water per day. "The initial testing will include two gas turbines with a total capacity of up to 400 megawatts," Burashid told the newspaper.