Even as King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, launched multi-billion-riyal development projects in Yanbu, Tuesday, word came of his approval for a SR14 billion water desalination and electrical power plant for the Madina region. Abdullah Al-Hussayyen, Minister of Water and Electricity, announced the King's approval for setting up the plant to produce 550,000 cubic meters of water and 1,700 megawatts of electricity daily. The new plant will meet the water and power needs of the holy city of Madina and cities and villages in the region. Additionally, the plant will also supply water and electricity to Murafiq company and the Saudi Electricity Company. Al-Hussayyen said that 400,000 cubic meters of the water produced would go to Madina and 150,000 cubic meters of water and 1,700 megawatts of electricity to Murafiq and the Saudi Electricity Company per day. The minister said it was important for the water and electricity needs of the projects launched by the King on Tuesday to be met together – instead of making separate utility connection – as that would reduce water and electricity production costs and “exploit fuel to its utmost.” King Abdullah laid the foundation stones for the Royal Commission of Yanbu and Jubail projects, including the Yanbu 2 works as well as those for bridges and roads and health and education projects. The foundation stones were also laid for residential and seafront development schemes. King Abdullah also launched the National Industrial Gases Company plant (Gas 2) and laid the stones for expansion to the Ibn Rusd company and the Murafiq electric power station. In addition, the King inaugurated a number of private company projects. As part of Yanbu's welcome program, the King was given a painting from a group of children.
