Desalination industry expanded across the globe with innovations and advancements in the field. While Saudi Arabia leads the desalination industry in terms of capacity, UAE, Israel and other Middle Eastern Countries closely trail behind. 

As per Blackridge Research’s Global Desalination Market Outlook, output capacity of desalination plants in the GCC region is expected to double from its current level. The global water desalination market in 2023 was recorded as USD 20.32 Billion, and  it is expected to reach up to USD 44.57 Billion in 2032. Further, the CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) for the period 2024-32 is forecasted to be 9.12%.

This blog post outlines the top 10 desalination plants in the world based on their capacities. 

List of Largest Desalination Plants in the World (Based on Capacity)

Ras AL Khair Desalination Plant

The Ras AL Khair Desalination Plant is one of the largest desalination plants in the world. It was commissioned in April 2014 and produces 228 MIGD (Million Imperial Gallons per day) or 2,998,000 cubic meters/day. This large desalination plant is built and owned by SWCC (Saline Water Conversion Corporation of Saudi Arabia) at a project cost of  USD 7.2 Billion and is mentioned in Guinness world record.

It is located on the eastern coast of Ras AL Khair Industrial City and performs both MSF (Multi-flash filtration) and RO (Reverse Osmosis). It supplies clean drinking water to Riyadh and Hafr AL-Batin, the largest cities in Saudi Arabia, thus one of the largest desalination plants in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it includes a power generation plant with a capacity of 2400 MW. 

Jebel Ali Desalination Plant

The Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Plant is one the largest single-site desalination facility in the world. It is also known as one of the largest desalination plants in the UAE and Middle East with a capacity of 490 MIGD (2,228,000 cubic meters per day). Located in the Southwest Palm Islands, it is one of the most renowned desalination plants in Dubai built at an estimated project cost of USD 3 Billion. 

It uses Reverse osmosis technology and is considered one of the biggest desalination plant in the world. The Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Plant has a power plant with a capacity to produce 9,547 MW. The desalination plant was built by Acciona and BESIX Group and is currently operated by DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority).

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Fujairah Desalination Plant 

The Fujairah desalination plant is one of the largest desalination plants in Abu Dhabi. It is a hybrid desalination plant that provides water security through large scale desalination and electricity. The Fujairah F1 Desalination plant was built at an estimated project cost of USD 650-700 Million and the Fujairah F2 Desalination plant was built at a project cost of USD 2.17 Billion. The total capacity of the desalination plant is 230 MIGD. 

The 1,045,361 cubic meters of Abu Dhabi water per day is reducing water shortage through consistent water supply in Abu Dhabi. 

On 18th February 2025, ​Etihad Water & Electricity UAE issued tenders for the development of an Independent Water Project (IWP) in Fujairah, one of the northern emirates. The bid submission deadlines are set for February 17 and 18, 2025. Complete details of the project are not yet disclosed.

Taweelah Desalination Plant

 The AI Taweelah Desalination Plant is one of the largest desalination plants in the UAE after Jebel Ali. Using the RO desalination technology, it provides 200 MIGD of drinking water per day. This equals 909,200 cubic meters of fresh water per day. It is built at a project cost of USD 874 Million. 

Located in Abu Dhabi, it was built by a joint partnership TAQA (Abu Dhabi National Energy), Mubadala Investment Company and ACWA Power. It was commissioned in 2023, and is maintained by NOMAC (National Operation and Maintenance Company) and the off-taker for this RO desalination plant is EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company).

Jubail Water and Power Company 

The  JWAP (Jubail Water and Power Company) is one of the biggest desalination plants in the world. It was commissioned in 2010 and is located in Jubail. The Jubail desalination plant was built under a joint venture between Marafiq and Saudi Electricity Company. It produces 800,000 cubic meters of clean water per day and functions on MED (Multi-Effect Distillation) technology. 

It is one of the dual-purpose desalination plants in Saudi Arabia with 27 desalination units. The salt water desalination plant produces desalinated water along with electricity. The estimated project cost is USD 800-1000 Million and was funded by PIF (Public Investment Fund), Marafiq consortium. Other major investors are ENGIE, GIC (Gulf Investment Corporation) and ACWA Power. 

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Umm AL Quwain Desalination Plant

The Umm AL Quwain is one of the IWP (Independent Water Project) located on the border of the Emirate of Ras AL Khaimah. This desalination plant produces 150 MIGD (or) 6,81,900 cubic meters per day. The UmmAI Quawain uses the RO desalination technology and was commissioned in 2023. The desalination plant was built under a BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) at a project cost of USD 797 Million. 

The offtaker of the desalination plant is FEWA (Federal Electricity and Water Authority under a WPA (Water Purchase Agreement) for a term of 35 years. The desalination plant is contracted by ACWA Power to a consortium of SIDEM y CGGC -China Gezhouba Group Co. Ltd. 

Sorek Desalination Plant

Sorek Desalination plant is one the largest desalination plants in Israel and is listed among biggest desalination plants in the world. This reverse osmosis desalination plant contributes to 20% of Israel's water demand. Located in Tel Aviv, it produces 150 Million cubic meters annually and 6,40,000 cubic meters everyday. 

The Sorek Desalination Plant was built at a cost of USD 489 Million (including interest). It is built, operated and managed by IDE Technologies and Hutchison Water. The large-scale desalination plant was commissioned in 2013 and is one of the major sources of potable water in Israel.

Shuaiba 3 Desalination Plant

The Shuaiba 3 Desalination Plant is one of the biggest desalination plants in the world with a capacity of 600,000 cubic meters per day. This project is currently under construction and is built at a cost of USD 821 Million. The plant is likely to be commissioned in May 2025. 

It is built by ACWA and WHEC(Water and Electricity Holding Company) PIF. The Shuaiba 3 will be using SWRO (Sea water Reverse Osmosis) desalination technology to provide potable drinking water. The power for the desalination plant is met through Grid-SEC and Captive Solar PV.

​The Shuaiba 3 Desalination Plant in Saudi Arabia is set for commercial operation in May 2025. It was built by Doosan Enerbility, with an investment of SAR 3.07 billion (USD 821 million). It will be producing 600,000 cubic meters of water per day. ​ 

Carlsbad Desalination Plant

The Carlsbad Desalination plant in San Diego County, California is one of the biggest desalination plants in the western hemisphere. It is built at a project cost of USD 922 Million, by Poseidon Resources Corporation. The desalination plant produces 50 MIGD equals to 1,89,000 cubic meters per day.

The desalinated seawater from the Carlsbad plant fulfills 10% of the total drinking water supply of San Diego and 2,440 cubic feet of water a year sufficient for 300,000 people. The water from Carlsbad Desalination plant is purchased by Carlsbad agencies and is supplied to San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA).

Minjur Desalination Plant

The Minjur Desalination Plant is one of the first largest desalination plants in India with a capacity of 100 MGD (100,000 cubic meters per day). It is built in Tamil Nadu, a state in India by CWDL (Chennai Water Desalination) for CMWSSB (Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board) under DBOOT Contract (Design, Build, Own, Operate, Transfer). 

The seawater desalination plant was commissioned in 2010 and was built at a project cost of INR 5.15 Billion (USD 62 Million). Using RO desalination technology, the Minjur Desalination plant provides potable water to 500,000 people in Chennai. It is one of the largest water resources for the people of Chennai. 

Desalination Plants and its Future

According to the Economic World Forum, by 2030, there could be a global shortfall of fresh water source by 40% with an increase in overall population from 8 billion in 2024 to 9.7 billion by 2050. Likewise, Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to see a 163% increase in water demand over the coming years. 

Desalination technologies like reverse osmosis, thermal desalination and multi-flash, are serving as a useful tool in the seawater desalination process. However, with the increased demand and supply predicted new desalination technology - Wave powered desalination is innovated. In this, specialized devices float over the ocean water surface capturing the waves to produce electricity which is used to power RO Desalination technology. The Wave powered desalination is highly advantageous for floating-based desalination plants that can improve energy efficiency by reducing the emissions occurring through traditional use of fossil fuels. 

The use of Solar power to run the RO plants is a boost available at a reduced cost of 20% compared to traditional desalination methods and can be implied in countries abundant with sunlight. Additionally, this helps reduce the use of harmful chemicals used during the desalination process. Thus, the desalination sector continues to evolve with growing advancements in the field.

Conclusion

Desalination plants with innovations continue to serve as a reliable source of drinking water for billions across the globe. Desalination plants like Ras al Khair, Shuaiba 3, Jebel ali desalination plant, Tampa bay seawater desalination plant are providing potable water for millions of people everyday. Several countries are investing into the development of the desalination industry, thus desalination plants promise to be a major water lifeline for the future. 

FAQ’s

Where is the world's largest desalination plant?

Ras AL Khair, Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest desalination plant with a capacity of 2,998,000 m3/day. It is also recorded in Guinesses World Records.

Which country is the largest producer of desalinated water?

Saudi Arabia is the largest producer of desalinated water in the world. 

Which country uses desalination the most?

Saudi Arabia is one the largest producers and users of desalinated water with major desalination plants like Ras al Khair, JWAP, and Shuaiba 3.

Which is the largest desalination plant in India?

The Minjur Desalination Plant is the first and largest desalination plant in India with a capacity of 100,000 m3/day.

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