Abu Dhabi: The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has received four proposals for the development of the Saadiyat Island Reverse Osmosis (RO) Independent Water Project (IWP).
The proposals were received from Acciona Agua, Engie, GS Inima Environmental, and a consortium of FCC Aqualia and Orascom Construction Industries.
The Saadiyat Island RO project consists of a cutting-edge greenfield seawater desalination plant designed to process approximately 60 million imperial gallons per day (nearly 273,000 cubic meters/day). This plant, strategically located on Saadiyat Island, will utilize advanced, low-carbon-intensive RO technology. It will be the seventh RO desalination project within EWEC’s portfolio.
Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, emphasized that, “With this major project, we move closer to our strategic goal of producing 90 percent of our water through reverse osmosis by 2030 and achieving nearly carbon-free water production by 2031. This initiative aligns with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 and contributes to the UAE Net Zero by 2050 target. We eagerly anticipate partnering with the selected bidder to enhance Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s role in sustainable development.”
The implementation of low-carbon-intensive RO technology will reduce emissions by over 85 percent compared to traditional thermal desalination methods. EWEC aims to decrease carbon emissions from water desalination in Abu Dhabi to below one kilogram per cubic meter by 2031.
Following a qualification process, 41 companies and consortia submitted expressions of interest (EOI), with 19 qualifying for the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage. The submitted proposals will now undergo a comprehensive technical and commercial evaluation. The winning proposal will be announced in the fourth quarter of 2024, with commercial operations expected to begin by the third quarter of 2027.