Saudi authorities are expected to call for new tenders from specialized companies to establish the proposed USD 9 billion Independent water and power production project in Ras Azzour. Investments worth more than USD 50 billion for desalination projects during the next 10 years are required. Mr Tarik Al-Tamimi chairman of Tamimi Group described investments in the Kingdom’s water sector as the most feasible as the Kingdom depends mainly on desalinated water for the consumption of its growing population and to meet industrial requirements. The new plant, which may receive the financial support of the state run Public Investment FundPublic Investment Fund is likely to use natural gas instead of oil for its energy requirements.