In August 2016, Water. Desalination + reuse (Faversham House) reported, citing Qatari newspaper Al Sharq, that Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation intended to tender a QAR 11 billion (US$ 3 billion) desalination plant in 2018, site not yet chosen. Before that, the Umm Al Houl plant for power and desalination, being built south of Doha, was due in Q2 2018. Reported to cost US$ 2.75 billion, it was to supply 618,000 m³/day (136 MIGD), or 30% of national demand. Drivers were the 2022 World Cup and Vision 2030.
The report showed how Qatar met its water demand with very large combined power and desalination plants and timed new capacity to major construction programmes.