Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) and Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power have commenced the operations of the first phase of the $874 million worth Al Taweelah Independent Water Plant (IWP) in Abu Dhabi.
ACWA Power said that the plant is now able to produce 454,600 cubic meters of desalinated water a day, which is 50 percent of its total capacity.
According to the statement, “Connected to the Abu Dhabi network in December 2021, Al Taweelah now provides 100 million gallons of desalinated water per day, and will eventually reach 200 million gallons per day, making it the world’s largest reverse osmosis (RO) facility with a capacity of 909,200 m³/day.”
The plant supports the industries and the community at Al Taweelah and the surrounding areas, and will additionally play a key role in catering to Abu Dhabi’s peak water demand, which is expected to rise by the fourth quarter of 2023.
Paddy Padmanathan President & CEO ACWA Power
“The start of operations for the first phase of water desalination at the Al Taweelah IWP in Abu Dhabi is a milestone moment for ACWA Power, the UAE, and the wider region. The potential emanating from water production through low carbon-intensive technologies is exponential and will ensure we continue to meet the water demands of Abu Dhabi and beyond, alongside our partners. We are proud to work hand in hand with EWEC as a reliable partner to operate the largest desalination project in the world, confirming our commitment to contribute to the UAE’s 2050 Energy Strategy aims as the nation decarbonizes the energy sector. We look forward to working towards the next step of operating the second phase with full 200 MIGD capacity.”
Al Taweelah IWP employs low carbon-intensive reverse osmosis (RO) technology and is partially powered by solar energy, which is expected to account for at least 30 percent of the project’s electricity capacity within eight years, with a target of raising this figure to 55 percent by the end of the first quarter-life of the project.
“The financial impact pertaining to the operation of the first phase of the project is expected from the second quarter of 2022 financial results onwards,” as per the statement.
