Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) in the UAE has issued the Request for Proposals (RFP) to qualified companies for the new Shuweihat S4 Reverse Osmosis (RO) Independent Water Project (IWP). 

The PPP project will desalinate seawater using RO, a low carbon-intensity technology, and supply up to 318,225 cubic metres per day (70 million imperial gallons [MIGD]) of potable water in the Al Dhafra region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The RFP is being issued to bidders that had passed the qualification process following the Expression of Interest (EOI) stage that took place in October 2021. From 35 companies and consortiums that submitted EOIs, 18 companies and consortiums have been qualified for the RFP stage after submitting Statements of Qualification. 

The successful developer or developer consortium will own up to 40% of the entity while the remaining equity will be primarily held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi Government. Responses to the RFP are expected by July 2022.