KARACHI, Sept 18: The work on setting up of DHA Co-generation project, consisting of a desalination plant with a capacity of three million imperial gallons per day and combined cycle power plant with a capacity of 94MW, has been initiated and is expected to be fully functional by the end of 2006.

Natural gas would be used as fuel at the plant for which gas supply agreement has already been signed with the Sui Southern Gas Company.

The Defence Housing Authority has also concluded water purchase agreement with the Clifton Cantonment Board and power purchase agreement with the KESC.

The seawater intake of the plant will be approximately 47 million gallons per day, the intake point will be about 50 meters and the depth of intake of water will be around 12-14 meters into the sea.

The desalinated water from the plant would be stored in an underground tank at the site before being pumped into the distribution network.

The financial close for the establishment of power and desalination project has been achieved, the design, engineering work of desalination and power plant units by Alpha Laval and Siemens AG in Sweden and Germany respectively is under way and the work of installation of the plant, including the civil works, has been initiated.—PPI