EMIRATES Water and Electricity Company (Ewec), a leading company in the integrated coordination of planning, purchasing and supplying of water and electricity across the UAE, has invited expressions of interest (EoIs) for the development of the Shuweihat S4 Reverse Osmosis (RO) water project in Abu Dhabi.

 The 70-million-gallons-per-day water project will come up adjacent to the existing Shuweihat S3 IPP Project, within the Shuweihat power and water complex, approximately 250 km west of Abu Dhabi city.

 Ewec said a private sector developer/developer consortium will be selected for the project following a competitive tender process which will be responsible for the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance and ownership of a standalone greenfield RO seawater desalination plant along with associated infrastructure.

 The Shuweihat S4 RO project will help boost the security of potable water supply predominantly in the Al Dhafra Region.

 CEO Othman Al Ali said: “RO seawater desalination is a key strategic pillar in our ongoing plans to decouple water and electricity generation, and reduce the overall cost of production by increasing the reserve margin of installed desalination capacity. In addition, the extremely low energy-intensive technology of RO can significantly contribute to enhancing the diversification of energy sources while supporting the nation’s carbon reduction targets.”

 Following the bidding process, the winning developer/developer consortium will own up to 40 per cent of the entity while the remaining equity will primarily be held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi government.

 The Emirati utility company is aiming for a financial close by the end of next year with target project commercial operations date by the middle of 2025.  The last date for submitting bids is November 4.