Doha – Mubasher: Works on Umm Al Houl Power Plant, a subsidiary of Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) had been completed by 88%, the plant’s CEO Jamal Al Khalaf has said.

The plant will be opened in the first half of 2018 instead the second half, according to QEWC’s statement to the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Monday.

Earlier in January, the top official revealed that the plant was 77% complete at a total cost of QAR 11 billion ($3 billion).

With a capacity of 20 million gallons of water per day, the second phase of the plant has been completed, the CEO revealed, noting that the water will be pumped through the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation’s “KAHRAMAA” grid by the end of May.

Meanwhile, the first phase of the plant's electricity production will be in July after the experimental operation of the first gas turbine in the plant was conducted in cooperation with the German company Siemens, the top official explained.

The plant’s current water production capacity is 60 million gallons, which have been introduced through KAHRAMAA’s grid using the reverse osmosis technology, Al Khalaf continued.

Production via Umm Al Houl strengthens Qatar’s water security and supports the Qatari economy, the CEO pointed out.

The plant gives the priority of participation in the project to Qatari companies as it is a chance to support and develop these national companies to be able to compete in the market in the future, he added.

QEWC commenced the establishment of the Umm Al Houl plant in August 2015. By June 2016, 40% of the plant was completed, and by September the same year, 62% of the project was finished.

QEWC owns a 60% stake in Umm Al Houl Power Plant, while Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Qatar Foundation each owns a 5% stake and the remaining 30% of the plant is owned by Mitsubishi Corporation.

QEWC’s stock closed Monday’s trading session up 0.34% to QAR 208.94.