HSL Constructor to design and build Singapore's third desalination plant in Tuas

NATIONAL water agency PUB has selected HSL Constructor Pte Ltd as the contractor for the construction of Singapore's third desalination plant in Tuas, at a tender price of S$217 million.

The plant is expected to commence operations in 2017 and will add another 30 million gallons, or 136,000 cubic metres, of water per day (mgd) to Singapore's water supply.

It will be owned and operated by PUB.

The open tender had attracted bids from eight companies.

PUB on Monday said HSL Constructor had offered the most competitive price for the design and construction of the plant.

Singapore now has two desalination plants - the 30 mgd SingSpring desalination plant, and the 70 mgd Tuaspring desalination plant.

PUB said it has also awarded a consultancy services tender for a fourth desalination plant, which will be built in Marina East.

Desalinated water is one of PUB's Four National Taps, a long term water supply strategy to ensure a robust and sustainable supply of water for Singapore.

The other three sources are water from local catchments, imported water from Johor and Newater.

Currently, desalinated water meets 25 per cent of Singapore's water demand.

With water demand expected to increase, PUB said it intends to increase desalinated water capacity in order to continue to meet 25 per cent of future water demand in 2060.