Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has received Bidder Proposals for the development of the Saadiyat Island Reverse Osmosis (RO) Independent Water Project (IWP).

The following are the firms that submitted the proposals:

• Acciona Agua;
• Engie;
• GS Inima Environmental; and
• A consortium comprised of FCC Aqualia and Orascom Construction Industries.

The Saadiyat Island RO project consists of a greenfield RO seawater desalination plant strategically situated on Saadiyat Island. The standalone plant will desalinate approximately 60 million imperial gallons per day of seawater, equivalent to nearly 273,000 m3/day. Saadiyat Island RO will be the seventh RO water desalination project in EWEC’s portfolio.

The RFP was issued to bidders who passed the qualification process following the expressions of interest (EOI) stage. A total of 41 companies and consortiums submitted EOIs, while 19 companies and consortiums qualified for the RFP stage after submitting statements of qualification. The awarding announcement and the execution of the Water Purchase Agreement are expected to take place in Q4 2024. The expected date for commercial operations is Q3 2027.