EWEC and ACWA Power sign water purchase agreement for world’s largest RO desal plant

The $900 million Taweelah desalination IWP is expected to produce 909,200 cubic meters of water a day.

The Emirates Water and Electricity Company and ACWA Power have signed the water purchase agreement, for the world’s largest sea water reverse osmosis desalination plant, to be constructed at Taweelah Power and Water Complex, 50 km north of Abu Dhabi. The Taweelah IWP will be the first stand-alone independent water project in Abu Dhabi. 

ACWA Power says the tariff it offered is the lowest achieved to date in the world for desalinated water., and that it will set another world record by utilizing the lowest amount of energy per gallon of desalinated water produced.

Construction of the project has started and is expected to be completed 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% between 2017 and 2024.

The plant is being developed on a build, own and operate basis. The engineering, procurement, and construction contract for the power plant will be undertaken by a joint venture of Abengoa and PowerChina. ACWA Power will own a 40 per cent stake in a project company that will be formed to be responsible for the Taweelah IWP. The remaining stake will belong to Abu Dhabi Power Corporation and its affiliates. Emirates Water and Electricity Company will be the off-taker for the project.