(Yicai Global) Nov. 18 -- A subsidiary of China Gezhouba Group and a unit of Aubervilliers-headquartered Veolia Environnement will construct one of the world's top five desalination projects in the United Arab Emirates.

A joint venture between China Gezhouba Group International Engineering and Sidem penned a contract with ACWA Power regarding the project that will be located in Umm Al Quwain, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The plant will employ an advanced reverse osmosis technology, which uses 20 percent less electricity than traditional desalination methods. It aims to provide 682,000 tons of clean drinking water per day.

China Gezhouba expects to further cooperate with the Riyadh-headquartered power and desalination company regarding new energy and combined-cycle power stations, said Chen Xiaohua, the Wuhan-based civil engineering firm's chairman.

Editor: Emmi Laine