DEWA & ACWA sign agreements for largest solar powered desal plant

According to a statement by DEWA, the plant is highly efficient and will utilize Sea Water Reverse Osmosis and they achieved a world record by receiving the lowest bid per cubic metre of desalinated water.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced this week that it has signed a 30-year Water Purchase Agreement (WPA) and a Shareholder Agreement with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power for the first phase of the Hassyan Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) desalination project using solar power based on the Independent Water Producer (IWP) model.

The company says it is will be the world’s largest solar-powered desalination plant.

Project Hassyan

The project is part of DEWA’s efforts to increase its water desalination capacity to 730 MIGD by 2030, from 490 MIGD at present. This complements the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and meets the steadily increasing demand for water in domestic, commercial, and other consumer sectors, according to a company statement.

The agreement was signed by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA; and Mohammad Abunayyan, Founder and Chairman of ACWA Power.

“The Hassyan IWP will be the largest plant of its kind in the world, and we have set a new record for the lowest levelised water tariff.

The plant will be highly efficient, desalinating water through reverse osmosis powered by solar energy,” said Mr. Abunayyan.

With this project, we are reaffirming our commitment with our partners towards achieving the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.”

Hassyan by the numbers

Last August, DEWA announced ACWA Power as the 'Preferred Bidder' for the construction and operation of the 180 million Imperial Gallon per Day (MIGD) sea water reverse osmosis Hassyan Phase 1 Independent Water Producer (IWP) project, with an investment of AED 3.357 billion ($914 million). The allocated land area for the project is 252,300 square metres.

According to a statement by DEWA, they achieved a world record by receiving the lowest bid of 0.36536 USD/m³ of desalinated water.

This project is the largest of its kind in the world for water production based on SWRO technology using solar energy.  It is DEWA’s first Independent Water Producer (IWP) model project. The water desalination capacity in Dubai is currently 490 MIGD. This capacity will increase to 670 MIGD in 2027 with the completion of this project.

2030 checkpoint

“We are building water production plants based on SWRO technology which require less energy than Multi-Stage Flash distillation (MSF) plants, making it a more sustainable choice for water desalination.

“By 2030, DEWA aims to produce 100% of desalinated water by a mix of clean energy and waste heat,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

Energy & Utilities had reported on ACWA being selected by DEWA as the preferred bidder for the Hassyan Phase 1 IWP.

According to another report by E&U, DEWA recently commissioned a water reservoir in Lusaily.

David Haziri contributed reporting

Photo credit: DEWA