ACWA Power signs water purchase deal for Abu Dhabi desalination plant

ACWA Power and The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) have signed the water purchase agreement for the world’s largest sea water reverse osmosis desalination plant to be constructed at Al Taweelah Power and Water Complex in Abu Dhabi.

As the first stand-alone independent water project (IWP) in Abu Dhabi, EWEC had awarded the Al Taweelah project to ACWA Power in January 2019.

The project, when constructed, will also set another world record by utilizing the lowest amount of energy per gallon of desalinated water produced, the Saudi-based utilities provider said in a statement.

“Through Al Taweelah IWP and the enabling environment provided by Abu Dhabi, we expect to set new global benchmarks in both the cost of desalinated water and the energy consumed in producing that water,” President & CEO, Paddy Padmanathan, said.

Following the final award, construction of the project has started with the completion expected in October 2022.

The plant is expected to deliver 909,200 cubic meters of water per day to support the industries and the community at Al Taweelah and the surrounding areas.

The plant will also play a role in catering to Abu Dhabi’s peak water demand, which is expected to rise by 11 percent between 2017 and 2024.

“This is an especially significant project, not only because of its scale but also in its role in securing cost-effective and energy efficient potable water supply for Abu Dhabi,” Chief Investment Officer, Rajit Nanda, said.

The plant will be developed on a build, own and operate basis, whereas the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the power plant shall be undertaken by a joint venture of Abengoa and PowerChina.

ACWA Power will own a 40 percent stake in a project company that will be formed to be responsible for Al Taweelah IWP. The remaining stake will belong to Abu Dhabi Power Corporation and its affiliates.

EWEC will be the off-taker for the project.