In a groundbreaking development, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has officially inked 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. This project, utilizing solar power and adopting the Independent Water Producer (IWP) model, is set to become the world’s largest solar-powered desalination plant.

World Record-Breaking Efficiency

According to DEWA’s statement, the Hassyan IWP is not only set to be the largest of its kind globally but has also achieved a world record by securing the lowest bid per cubic meter of desalinated water. The plant’s design leverages the highly efficient Sea Water Reverse Osmosis process, powered by solar energy, underscoring the commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly desalination practices.

Project Hassyan: A Milestone for Dubai

Project Hassyan is a crucial component of DEWA’s ambitious plan to increase water desalination capacity to 730 million Imperial Gallons per Day (MIGD) by 2030, up from the present 490 MIGD. Aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, this expansion caters to the growing demand for water in various sectors, including domestic, commercial, and consumer segments.

Commitment to Clean Energy Strategy 2050

The signing ceremony, attended by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, and Mohammad Abunayyan, Founder and Chairman of ACWA Power, solidifies the commitment to the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. ACWA Power’s Chairman emphasized that the Hassyan IWP represents a significant milestone, setting a new record for the lowest levelized water tariff and highlighting the efficiency achieved through solar-powered reverse osmosis.

Financial and Operational Scale

Last August, DEWA selected ACWA Power as the ‘Preferred Bidder’ for the project with an investment of AED 3.357 billion ($914 million). The desalination plant, covering an area of 252,300 square meters, aims to produce 180 million Imperial Gallons per Day (MIGD) of desalinated water. DEWA achieved an unprecedented low bid of 0.36536 USD/m³ for desalinated water, setting a benchmark for efficiency in the industry.

Sustainable Desalination Technology

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer highlighted DEWA’s commitment to adopting the SWRO technology for water production, emphasizing its energy efficiency compared to Multi-Stage Flash distillation (MSF) plants. This move aligns with DEWA’s goal to produce 100% of desalinated water by 2030 through a combination of clean energy and waste heat.

As the largest solar-powered desalination plant in the world takes shape, it exemplifies the commitment of DEWA and ACWA Power to sustainable development, setting new standards for efficiency and innovation in the field of water desalination.