Umm Al Quwain IWP

Umm Al Quwain IWP

Umm Al Quwain Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) Desalination Plant is located south of the Ras Al Khaimah border in Umm Al Quwain and the plant spans a total land area of 23.5 hectares adjacent to the E11 highway and features a marine intake and outfall system. With a production capacity of 681,900 cubic meters per day (150 MIGD), it ranks as the second largest SWRO desalination plant in the world.

The project was developed under the sponsorship of Etihad Water & Electricity, who also serves as the sole off taker under a 35-year Water Purchase Agreement (WPA). The project’s total investment of approximately AED 3.0 billion was financed by a consortium of both local and international lenders.

This landmark project reflects the UAE government’s commitment to sustainable water security, reducing reliance on limited groundwater, and investing in world-class water-efficient infrastructur

Key documents

  • ESIA Volume I Non-Technical Summary

  • ESIA Volume II Main Report

  • ESIA Volume III Environmental & Social Monitoring

  • ESIA Volume IV Appendices

  • Stakeholder Engagement Plan

  • Environmental Approval

  • ESIA Volume I Non-Technical Summary

  • Environmental Approval

Key facts

  • Location

    Umm Al Quwain, UAE

  • Offtaker

    Etihad Water & Electricity (Formerly Federal Electricity and Water Authority)

  • Technology

    Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) IWP

  • Capacity

    681,900m3/Day (150 MIGD)

  • Acwa share

    40%

  • Commercial operations date

    5 August 2022

  • Offtake contract

    BOO 35 year term

  • Project cost

    US$ 797 million

  • Other investors

    Etihad Water & Electricity 60%

  • Project company

    NAQA'A Desalination Plant LLC

  • Operations & maintenance company

    Acwa Operations Water Desalination Services LLC

  • Engineering, procurement & construction company

    Consortium of SIDEM and CGGC