Hassyan RO Desalination Project Achieve Financial Closure

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power on Wednesday announced the financial closing of the 180 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination project in Hassyan.

This project is a key component of DEWA’s strategy to enhance Dubai’s water desalination capacity and it is the world’s largest project of its kind using RO technology under the Independent Water Producer (IWP) model, with an investment of $920 million.

DEWA’s Managing Director and CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said that DEWA was committed to developing an advanced and integrated energy and water infrastructure that aligns with Dubai’s progressive development and caters to the increasing demand for electricity and water services while meeting the requirements of comprehensive sustainable development plans and the Dubai Urban Plan 2040.

He said that as part of DEWA’s commitment to enhancing water security in Dubai through sustainable means, the company has successfully reached the financial close for the Hassyan Complex project. This initiative supports Dubai’s Integrated Water Resources Management Strategy 2030, which emphasises resource optimisation and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions.

Al Tayer explained that water security is a national priority as outlined in the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, which aims to ensure sustainable and continuous access to water during natural and emergency conditions. The use of renewable energy for seawater desalination is a national priority for the UAE organisations, underscoring the country’s leadership in embracing renewable and clean energy sources.

Protecting Environment

The project also supports the UAE’s Sustainability Year 2024 objectives to protect and preserve the environment for future generations. It is also in line with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of the energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050, he said.

“DEWA is building water production plants based on seawater reverse osmosis technology, which requires less energy than multi-stage distillation plants, making it a more sustainable option for desalination. By 2030, DEWA aims to produce 100% of desalinated water with clean energy and waste heat,” Al Tayer added.

Founder and Chairman of ACWA Power Mohammad Abunayyan said that they were proud to join forces with DEWA to finalise the financing of this ambitious project, which will play a crucial role in Dubai’s ambitious plan to produce 100% of its desalinated water by 2030 from a clean energy and waste heat mix.

“This partnership serves as a model for fruitful projects that we operate and manage in cooperation with DEWA, as part of our commitment to contributing to Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050. We have set a world record for the lowest tariff for desalinated water as well as the most energy-efficient reverse osmosis technology for the first plant in the world that is fully powered by renewable energy at the Hassyan Power and Water Complex in Dubai,” he added.