HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), recently reviewed the progress of the first phase of the Hassyan desalination plant project. The plant, which utilizes seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) technology, has a production capacity of 180 million gallons per day (MIGD) and is expected to be completed by 2027. Currently, the project is 40.6% complete.
The AED 3.377 billion initiative is the world’s largest desalination project based on SWRO technology and marks DEWA’s first use of the Independent Water Producer (IWP) model. It is designed to support DEWA’s strategy to increase Dubai’s desalinated water production capacity and ensure sustainable water resources for the city.
In a statement, Al Tayer highlighted that the project aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aiming to provide a world-class infrastructure for energy and water to meet Dubai’s growing demand. “The project supports the Dubai Integrated Water Resource Management Strategy 2030, which focuses on enhancing water resources and employing innovative technologies,” he added.
The desalination plant is part of Dubai’s broader efforts to meet the goals of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050, which aims to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050. Al Tayer emphasized that the desalination process, based on SWRO technology, is more energy-efficient than traditional multi-stage distillation plants, making it a sustainable solution for water production.
DEWA plans to ensure that 100% of its desalinated water will be produced using a clean energy mix, including renewable energy and waste heat, by 2030.
Al Tayer was joined by Waleed Bin Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence, and other senior officials and engineers from DEWA.