Desalination plants in the UAE are renowned as the second largest in the world. Due to its arid climate, the UAE faces a shortage of natural potable water. To fulfill this shortage, it has put extensive research and innovation and built some of the largest desalination plants not only in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region but also in the world. Over the years, these desalination plants evolved as the backbone for water security in the UAE. 

The desalination plants in the UAE convert seawater into fresh drinking water for millions of people. UAE has seen unprecedented growth both in economy as well as population. Millions of people have flocked to the UAE to be a part of the economic boom in the Emirates. To ensure water security for the growing population, the UAE has increased its desalination capacity. Therefore, even after having some of the largest desal plants, the UAE has plans to build more desalination plants. 

UAE’s geographical location near the Persian Gulf is considered dry with limited natural resources and less rainfall. This increased the dependence on desalination plants for a reliable source of water supply. UAE invested in research & innovation and built its first desalination plant in the 1970s. 

An Overview of the Desalination Industry in UAE

The UAE’s arid climate and water shortages led to an increase in desalination plants. These plants helped transform seawater into desalinated drinking water. Overcoming several obstacles, the UAE emerged as a leader in desalination research and innovation. It includes shifting energy-intensive desalination plants to solar power-based plants. Additionally, it is focusing on reusable energy and reduced operational costs. 

The desalination plant strategy in the UAE includes building a solar-based plant in Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with DEWA. It is expected to be built in Ras AL Khaimah and produce 22 MIGD of water per day with only 20 Megawatts of power. 

Top Largest Desalination Plants In UAE (Based on Project Cost) 

Over the years, UAE (United Arab Emirates) built plants with huge desalination capacity across several parts of UAE. It includes Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, and many more. Below is the list of the largest desalination plants in UAE:

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Jebel Ali Desalination Plant  

The Jebel Ali Desalination plant in Dubai is one of the largest water desalination facilities in the world. It is built by Acciona and Besix construction companies. It is currently owned and operated by DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority). 

This plant produces 490 (MIGD) Million Imperial Gallons of desalinated water per day. It is located 40 km southwest of the Palm Islands. This desalination complex is built in line with Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. It is considered one of the renowned desalination plants in Dubai. 

The desalination process used here is reverse osmosis. The Jebel Ali desalination complex is the world's largest single-site desalination facility. It is designed to produce electricity and desalinated water. This plant can produce an overall of 9,547 Megawatts of power.

AI Taweelah Desalination Plant

The Taweelah Desalination Plant is a benchmark for efficiency and reduced cost. It is one of the renowned RO (Reverse Osmosis) desalination plants in the UAE. This desalination plant produces 200 MIGD of drinking water per day. It equals 909,200 cubic meters of water per day. 

The Taweelah desalination plant was built by a joint partnership. TAQA (Abu Dhabi National Energy) Mubadala Investment Company, and ACWA Power. The plant construction was completed by 2022 and began its operations by 2023.

It is currently operated and managed by NOMAC (National Operation and Maintenance Company). The EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company) is the off-taker of this RO plant in UAE. The Taweelah desalination plant is one of the best in Abu Dhabi’s desalination plants. 

Also Read: Astronergy Bags Contract to Supply Solar PV Modules for UAE's Largest Solar Project

Umm Al Quwain Desalination Plant

The Umm Al Quwain Desalination Plant is located along the border of the Emirate of Ras AL Khaimah. It is built by the ACWA Power consortium of SIDEM, CGGC (China Gezhouba Group Co. Ltd). It is to be operated by FEWA (Federal Electricity and Water Authority) after the completion of the agreement.

Its construction began in 2022 and is expected to fulfill the water requirements of UAE’s Notherthen Emirates. This plant will produce 150 MGID of desalinated water per day. It equals 681,900 cubic meters of desalinated water per day. The desalination technology used here is RO. 

Fujairah F1 Desalination Plant

The Fujairah F1 Desalination Plant is located 300 kilometers Northeast of Abu Dhabi. It is a power and water combined plant designed to produce desalinated power and electricity. This hybrid desalination plant has five MSF desalination units each. Each unit produces 12.5 MIGD of water per day. 

This plant was the first hybrid desalination plant in the Middle East. The TAQA and Sembcorp own and built the Fujairah desalination plant. The desalination technology used is hybrid and consists of 2 processes. It includes the MSF(Multi-Stage Flash) and reverse osmosis technology.

Fujairah F2 Desalination Plant 

The Fujairah F2 Desalination Plant was built to produce desalinated water and gas. This power plant uses gas turbines and supplementary fired heat recovery steam generators. The Fujairah F2 uses multi-effect distillation technology for water treatment. 

The F2 desalination project is built by a consortium of TAQA, ENGIE, and Marubeni. The project cost is estimated to be USD 2.8 Million. The future developments for this project include a CCGT (Cycle Gas Turbine) making it the largest independent thermal power plant in the UAE. 

AL Layyah Desalination Plant 

The AL Layyah Desalination Plant is located in Sharjah city. It was built by MHPS (Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems) and Elsewedy. This plant can produce 51 MIGD per day. 

This is a power and water plant. The AI Layyah desalination plant can generate 896 Megawatts of power. The recent expansion of the project led to increased power generation. It is expected to produce 20% of Sharjah’s electricity supply. 

The project is equated to be USD 558 Million. SEWA (Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority) has implemented this project. Over the years, it has been one of the reliable sources of clean drinking water and power for the people of the UAE. 

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Driving Forces Behind Desalination Plants in UAE

UAE is known for its architecture across the world. However, its desert climate and limited natural and fresh water resources led to drought and water scarcity. UAE invested in research and resources to produce desalinated water in the UAE. 

Due to extreme heat waves and less rainfall, fresh water has become a reliable source of drinking water. However, with the rise in population desalination plants became the next alternative for potable water. 

Over the years several water desalination plants have been built in the UAE. A few notable desalination plants are the Jebel Ali desalination plant, Umm AL Quwain desalination plant, and AL Layyah desalination plants.  

Also Read: DEWA and Masdar Reach Financial Closing on the Sixth Phase of the Largest Single-Site Solar Park in the World

Through advanced technology and innovation existing desalination plants are upgraded to fulfill water demand. Saudi Arabia’s largest desalination plants are already using advanced desalination technology to reduce carbon emissions and enhance the quality of water. Similarly, new desalination plants in the UAE are built with sustainable desalination technology to reduce environmental impact. This includes a shift towards solar-based desalination to reduce power consumption and maintain plant efficiency.

Challenges for the Desalination Industry in UAE

Renewable energy Integration: Desalination plants are energy intensive. It consumes high energy and can lead to increased carbon emissions. 

More Desalination, More Brine: Large desalination plants help meet the water demand of the UAE. However, increased brine disposal from the desalination process can negatively impact the environment. 

Increase Operational Expenses: Regular replacement of RO membranes helps in maintaining clean water quality. However, it leads to increased operation costs for the plant. 

Alternative for Desalinated Water: depending solely on the desalination process can influence sustainability negatively. Hence, alternatives such as water conservation and reuse must be focused on to improve water sustainability in the UAE. 

Conclusion

Desalination plants in the UAE serve as a backbone for its people. These plants are fulfilling the water demands and overcoming water shortages. The desalination plants in the UAE are providing fresh drinking water to millions of people every day.

Regular advancements and innovation are expanding the desalination industry in the UAE leading to leadership globally. It includes improving efficiency, lowering operational costs, switching to solar based desalination plants, and many more.

Israel's leading desalination plants are using eco-friendly technology that safeguards the environment while efficiently meeting water needs. Likewise, the UAE is leaping to secure the future of its people through sustainable desalination technology. 

FAQ’s

Which is the UAE’s largest power and desalination facility?

The Jebel Ali desalination and power plant is considered to be the largest in the UAE. It produces 490 MIGD of water and 12,900 Megawatts of power per day. 

Why does the UAE desalinate water?

UAE’s geographical location and its climatic conditions led to limited freshwater resources. It led to shifting to desalination plants to fulfill their water demand. 

How many desalination plants are there in the UAE?

The UAE emerged as a global leader in the desalination industry. About 70 major desalination plants are spread across the UAE, contributing about 14% of the world's total desalinated water. 

Which country has the best desalination plants?

Countries like Saudi Arabia, Israel, and UAE(United Arab Emirates) are notable for having the best desalination plants in the world. They emerged as global leaders in the desalination industry.

How does the UAE get fresh water?

The UAE gets its desalinated water from seawater and groundwater. Majorly, drinking water is produced through desalination of seawater. 

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