Basra Seawater Desalination Project

By Global Infrastructure Sherpa · Jan 14, 2026

Development Utilities announced Iraq Jan 14, 2026

EUR17.2M

Deal Value

300 MW

Capacity

development

Stage

Basra seawater desalination project

Project

China Power Construction International Engineering Co., Ltd. signed a contract with the government of Basra Province in Iraq for the Basra seawater desalination project, which includes a seawater desalination plant with a daily output of 1 million cubic meters and a 300MW power station.

Deal Analysis

China Power Construction International Engineering Co., Ltd. has secured a contract with the government of Basra Province in Iraq to develop a significant seawater desalination project. The project encompasses a desalination plant with a daily output of 1 million cubic meters and a 300MW power station. This development signifies a major investment in Iraq's utilities infrastructure and aims to address water scarcity issues in the Basra region. The involvement of China Power Construction Group (POWERCHINA) as the EPC contractor underscores the increasing role of Chinese firms in infrastructure development projects in the Middle East. The Basra seawater desalination project is notable for its scale, with a daily output of 1 million cubic meters, making it a substantial addition to Iraq's water infrastructure. The integration of a 300MW power station further enhances the project's self-sufficiency and operational efficiency. The deal highlights the strategic partnership between China Power Construction Group, a major player in the global construction industry, and the government of Basra Province, indicating a commitment to long-term infrastructure development in the region. The project's announcement in 2026 suggests a forward-looking approach to addressing water and power needs.

Large-scale desalination plant with a daily output of 1 million cubic meters.
Includes a 300MW power station, enhancing self-sufficiency.
Involves China Power Construction Group (POWERCHINA), a major global construction firm.
Strategic partnership between China and the government of Basra Province.

Market Context: The utilities sector in Iraq faces significant challenges, including aging infrastructure and growing demand for water and power. This project reflects a broader trend of investment in desalination and power generation to address these challenges, with increasing involvement from international players, particularly Chinese companies.

Source Intelligence

KEY DETAILS

The project duration is divided into a limited construction period of 6 months and a main construction period of 1350 days, with a defect liability period of 24 months. "The project duration is divided into a limited construction period of 6 months and a main construction period of 1350 days, with a defect liability period of 24 months."

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Deal Size

with a contract amount of approximately 17.193 billion yuan

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Capacity

We will also build a self owned power station with a total installed capacity of 300MW to provide power support for the entire system.

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Location

This project located in the Fa'ao area of Basra province

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Announcement

On January 14th, China Power Construction Corporation announced that its subsidiary, China Power Construction International Engineering Co., Ltd., signed a major contract with the government of Basra Province in Iraq for the Basra seawater desalination project

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Signing

PARTIES MENTIONED IN SOURCE

China Power Construction International Engineering Co., Ltd. developer

"China Power Construction International Engineering Co., Ltd., signed a major contract with the government of Basra Province in Iraq for the Basra seawater desalination project"

government of Basra Province buyer

"China Power Construction International Engineering Co., Ltd., signed a major contract with the government of Basra Province in Iraq for the Basra seawater desalination project"

medium quality Enriched Feb 19, 2026