Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC), a leading player in water and electricity provision in the UAE, has announced the receipt of four proposals for the Saadiyat Island Reverse Osmosis (RO) Independent Water Project (IWP).
The bidders include Acciona Agua, Engie, GS Inima Environmental, and a consortium of FCC Aqualia and Orascom Construction Industries.
Low-Carbon Desalination Technology Takes Center Stage
The Saadiyat Island RO project will be EWEC’s seventh reverse osmosis water desalination project, featuring a state-of-the-art, low-carbon-intensive RO plant.
This cutting-edge facility, located on Saadiyat Island, will desalinate around 60 million imperial gallons of seawater daily (equivalent to nearly 273,000 m3/day).
EWEC’s Vision for a Sustainable Future
Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, emphasized the company’s commitment to transitioning to a reverse osmosis-based infrastructure.
He stated, “With this key project, we move closer to achieving our strategic goal of producing 90% of water through reverse osmosis capacity by 2030, and ensuring nearly carbon-free water production by 2031.
Our mission aligns with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 and contributes to the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative.”
Low-Carbon RO Technology: A Major Step Toward Sustainability
Low-carbon-intensive RO technology offers an impressive reduction of over 85% in emissions compared to traditional thermal desalination methods.
EWEC aims to reduce carbon emissions associated with water desalination in Abu Dhabi to less than one kilogram per cubic meter by 2031.
Competitive Bidding and Project Timeline
The Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued to qualified bidders who passed the initial expression of interest (EOI) stage. From an initial pool of 41 companies and consortiums, 19 qualified for the RFP stage.
The submitted proposals will undergo a rigorous technical and commercial evaluation to select the winning bid.
The awarding announcement and the signing of the Water Purchase Agreement are expected in Q4 2024, with commercial operations projected to begin in Q3 2027.
About Emirates Water and Electricity Company
EWEC is the sole procurer and supplier of water and electricity in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, responsible for planning, forecasting, purchasing, and dispatching.
The company plays a crucial role in supporting the UAE’s goals of achieving 60% clean energy by 2035 and reaching net zero emissions by 2050.