A 30 MIGD (136,400 m³/d) seawater desalination plant is to be built in Ajman, UAE, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding on 4 February 2014 between Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) and the Federal Electricity & Water Authority (FEWA).
The Al Zawra Independent Water Project will by sufficient to supply 250,000 people in the Northern Emirates with drinking water. The reverse osmosis facility would be owned by FEWA and TAQA, underpinned by a long-term water purchase agreement with FEWA and funded with project finance. Construction is expected to start in early 2015 and the plant would begin commercial operations in 2017.
TAQA is majority owner of eight power and water plants across the UAE, supplying 98% of Abu Dhabi’s power and water requirements. TAQA’s plants also supply the Emirates of Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Sharjah with clean water.
FEWA has reverse-osmosis desalination plants in the emirate of Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain with a total production capacity of 50 MIGD (227,300 m³/d).
Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE minister of energy and chairman of FEWA, said: “The Al Zawra project demonstrates the UAE’s determination to develop and apply new technologies that will protect the security of water supply while actively working towards greater energy efficiency.”