Abu Dhabi: The Department of Energy in Abu Dhabi is moving ahead with the construction of a reverse osmosis independent water project at Taweelah that will become commercially operational by 2022, officials said on Monday.
The department shortlisted twenty-five companies in the initial phase, out of which one developer or a consortium of developers would be selected to begin construction of the plant, which is expected to start in 2020 or 2021.
The selected developer will have a stake of up to 40 per cent of the project’s share.
The plant would be built at Taweelah, about 45 kilometres north of Abu Dhabi and will have a water production capacity of 200 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) to cater to the water needs of the emirate, according to Mohammad Bin Jarsh Al Falasi, undersecretary of the department of energy.
Currently there are three water plants feeding Abu Dhabi with a production capacity of 127.5 million imperial gallons per day.
The plants are located in Delma Island, Mirfa and Fujairah.
“The project includes the development, financing, establishment, operation, maintenance and ownership of water desalination plant at a capacity of 200 million imperial gallons per day in addition to related infrastructure,” said Al Falasi during a media briefing in the capital.
The shortlisted firms include Acwa Power, Engie, Marubeni Corporation, Mitsubishi corporation and Sumitomo corporation, among others.
There are also local companies which are bidding for the project including PAL Group and Utico.
The cost of the project will be made public once the developer or consortium of developers is selected, officials added.
The Department of Energy was created earlier this year, with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) and Regulation and Supervision Bureau becoming part of it.
