Saudi-listed Acwa Power has signed an agreement with Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (Sewa) to develop Sharjah’s first Independent Water Project (IWP) that will help meet the increasing demand for potable water in the emirate.

The Hamriyah IWP will be developed using seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) technology. The plant will generate nearly 272,000 cu m per day of desalinated water by Q2 of 2027. Upon reaching full operations in Q3 2028, the plant’s capacity will reach 410,000 cu m/day of desalinated water that will result in potable water sufficient for 1.4 million people.

Acwa Power’s scope for the project includes the design, build, own, operations and maintenance of the plant. The site has existing shared intake and outfall facilities. Acwa Power is the largest private operator of water desalination plants in the world, with a portfolio of 19 projects.