RPT-Acciona, U. Utilities bid for Australian contract

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MADRID, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Spanish construction company Acciona (ANA.MC) said on Friday its Australian unit and its partner United Utilities Australia have qualified as joint bidders to build and run a desalination plant in Perth.

The 300 to 400 million euro ($590 million) project includes designing and operating the plant, aimed to provide water to as many as 400,000 people for 25 years, Acciona said.

Acciona and Britain's United Utilities (UU.L) agreed in July to develop projects in Australia. (Reporting by Carlos Ruano; Translating by Elena Moya; Editing by Quentin Bryar)