In May 2017, Water. Desalination + reuse (Faversham House), citing Reuters, reported that the Saudi Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) had brought in China's Sepco III Electric Power and Construction Corp to finish phase three of the Yanbu power and water scheme. Works had been suspended since January after a dispute between SWCC and Samsung Engineering over changes to the scheme. Around 60 per cent of construction was complete. The complex was planned to deliver 550,000 m³/day of drinking water and 2,500 MW of power, using GE Water technology.
The report showed that even large SWCC projects could change main contractor midway through construction, with a Chinese builder stepping in to take over completion.