Emirates plan four desalination plants

The Emirates’ Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa) is to build four desalination facilities over the next ten years at a cost of more than Dh 3 billion (US$ 750 million) to produce 600 Ml/d.

Fewa director general, Mohammed Saleh said expected water needs were to hit 1,000 Ml/d by 2030, “Fewa, to supply this amount, is to build four sea water desalination stations, worth Dh3.220 billion,” reported regional newspaper Khaleej Times.

“The first of these stations, worth Dh 950 million (US$ 260 million) is to be built in the emirate of Umm Al Quwain in the second half of this year and begin operation in 2020 with a daily capacity of 180 Ml.”

Saleh was reported to have said a second station, worth Dh 660 million (US$ 170 million) was planned in the emirate of Ajman in the first quarter of 2017 to start operation in 2020 with a daily capacity of 120 Ml. A third station, identical in size and cost to the second, was planned for Ras Al Khaimah in the first quarter of 2022 with operation starting in 2026.

“The fourth station, worth Dh 950 million, is to be built in the first quarter of 2019 and start operation in 2023 with a daily capacity of 180 Ml but the location of this station will be determined later as per need,” said Saleh.