The proposed reverse osmosis (RO) plant will have initial capacity of 200,000 cubic metres a day (cm/d). The client, Algerian Energy Company (AEC), says that the capacity may be raised to 400,000 cm/d at a later date. The proposed plant replaces plans first tendered in March for a similar desalination plant, which was also due to be located in the Hamma suburb. The capacity of the earlier plant had originally been set at 130,000-150,000 cm/d, but was later raised to 200,000 cm/d (MEED 15:3:02).

As with the previous project, the selected investor will form a project company with AEC and Algerienne des Eaux (ADE). The joint venture will design, finance, construct, operate, own and maintain the desalination plant. The water produced will be sold to ADE.