An Omani desalination project has received US$105mn in financing from Japanese institutions.

The loan has been co-financed by the Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and the Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU).

The Al Gubrah seawater project, conducted by Muscat City Desalination Company (a joint venture between Sumitomo Corporation [Japan], Malakoff Corporation [Malaysia] and Cadagua[Spain]), will sell desalinated water to Oman Power and Water Procurement Company, the state-owned water provider.

Upon completion, the plant will provide drinkable water to 800,000 households in Oman and is designed to keep up with population growth (5% a year until 2019).