The project involves constructing a major facility that will turn seawater into drinking water.
Dubai: Plans for a new large-scale desalination plant at the Port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman are expected to significantly boost the UAE’s water supply capacity in the coming years, following its announcement on Tuesday.
The project will involve constructing a major facility at the Port of Fujairah that converts seawater into potable water for residential, commercial, and industrial use, using advanced desalination technology to help meet rising demand across the country.
What is being built?
The development and investment arm of Etihad Water & Electricity has signed an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract with NMDC Infra and Lantania Aguas for the Fujairah I Independent Water Producer (IWP) plant.
Key details of the Fujairah IWP desalination project
The Fujairah I Independent Water Producer (IWP) plant will significantly strengthen the UAE’s water infrastructure with the following key specifications:
- Investment value: Dh1.046 billion
- Capacity: 60 million imperial gallons per day
- Technology: Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO)
- Storage: Equivalent to 18 hours of production
- Timeline: Around 30 months for completion
The facility will draw seawater from the Gulf of Oman, remove salt and impurities using advanced reverse osmosis technology, and supply potable water for residential, commercial, and industrial use across the UAE.
How the process works
Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination works by pushing seawater through specialised membranes at high pressure. These membranes filter out salt and other impurities, leaving behind clean, drinkable water.
Compared with traditional thermal desalination methods, reverse osmosis generally requires less energy, which is why it has become the preferred technology for many new desalination projects in the UAE.
Why this matters
With arid climate conditions, rapid urban growth, and ongoing industrial expansion driving higher water consumption, there is a constant need to expand capacity to ensure a reliable and uninterrupted supply. Increasing desalination output is therefore considered crucial to maintaining long-term water security and stability.
Projects like Fujairah I are designed to help ensure that water supply keeps pace with rising demand, particularly during peak consumption periods. Its storage capacity is also important, allowing the plant to retain nearly a full day’s output, which helps maintain supply stability in case of demand surges or temporary operational disruptions.
How it is structured
The Fujairah I plant is being developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Under this arrangement:
- Private companies are responsible for construction and project delivery
- The utility secures long-term water supply agreements
This is the second such project for Etihad Water & Electricity, following the Naqa’a IWP, which has a capacity of 150 million imperial gallons per day.
Who is building it
The project will be delivered jointly by NMDC Infra and Lantania Aguas through their partnership, Lantania NMDC Water.
NMDC Infra brings expertise in large-scale infrastructure and marine works, while Lantania Aguas specialises in desalination technology and water treatment.
Together, the two companies will design, construct, and commission the facility.
What happens next
Construction will include civil works, installation of key systems, and final commissioning over an estimated 30-month period. The plant is expected to begin operations at partial capacity before gradually ramping up to its full output of 60 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD).
Once fully operational, the facility will supply desalinated water across Fujairah and Etihad Water & Electricity’s wider service areas, supporting residential users, businesses, and industrial demand.
