The project will be developed on a build-own-operate basis under a 10-year concession.

The contract covers the construction of a 10,000-cubic-metre-a-day reverse osmosis desalination plant, a pumping station and a 10,000 cubic metre steel holding tank.

The client, Emaar the Economic City, can opt to increase the capacity of the desalination plant to 20,000 cm/d after the first two years of operation.

KAEC is a $26.6bn project, which will include a port, industrial, financial and education zones as well as resorts and a residential area.

Emaar the Economic City is the local arm of UAE-based developer Emaar Properties.