In July 2018, Water. Desalination + reuse (Faversham House) reported that the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP) was inviting expressions of interest in two power and water public-private partnerships. Az-Zour North phase two, covering the Az-Zour North 2 and 3 projects, was planned with 165 MIGD (750,105 m³/day) of seawater desalination and 2,700 MW; Al Khairan phase one with 125 MIGD (568,261 m³/day) and 1,800 MW. Both were to use combined cycle gas turbines under design, build, finance, operate and transfer contracts. The deadline was 18 November 2018.
The report showed the scale at which Kuwait sought private capital for power and desalination, more than 1.3 million m³/day combined, with the stated aim of lowering costs and creating competition.