UAE – Mubasher: Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has received four proposals for its Saadiyat Island reverse osmosis desalination project in Abu Dhabi. 

Bids were submitted by Acciona Agua, Engie, GS Inima Environmental, and a consortium of FCC Aqualia and Orascom Construction.

The 273,000 cubic-meter-per-day plant will use low-carbon RO technology, cutting emissions by over 85% versus thermal desalination.

By 2031 EWEC aims to reduce desalination emissions in Abu Dhabi to under one kilogram per cubic meter.

Some 19 companies qualified for the RFP stage out of 41 initially expressing interest. Technical and commercial evaluations will select the best proposal.  

The water-purchase agreement award is expected in the fourth quarter (Q4) 2024 with commercial operations starting in Q3-27.

Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC, said: “EWEC is focused on transitioning to a reverse osmosis-centred infrastructure, and with this key project we grow a step closer to achieving our strategic goal of producing 90% of water through reverse osmosis capacity by 2030.”

“We look forward to collaborating with the awarded partner to further strengthen Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s position as a leading hub for sustainable development,” Al Ali added.