The Federal Electricity & Water Authority (FEWA) in the UAE announced on 22 April 2009 the construction of a new 10 MIGD (45,460 m³/d) seawater desalination plant in Ras Al Khaimah, only days before tenders are due in for another reverse-osmosis desalination plant in Ajman.
Tenders are due into FEWA on 30 April 2009 for a 7 MIGD (31,800 m³/d) plant in Zawra, Ajman and the transfer of a 3 MIGD (13,600 m³/d) plant to Zawra from Fujeirah. Together with another 10 MIGD plant at Zawra opening this year, this will provide 30 MIGD to the northern emirates.
Mohammad Mohammad Saleh, FEWA’s director general, said that the Ras Al Khaimah plant will be operational during 2011, and the new Ajman plant will be ready and operational by the beginning of 2011.
The 13,650 m³/d Ghalileh desalination plant in Ras Al Khaimah has been unable to run continuously since it was hit by an algal bloom red tide in October.