EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company), a leading company in the integrated coordination of planning, purchasing and supply of water and electricity across the UAE, has issued Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to companies and consortia that had expressed interest in developing the Shuweihat S4 Reverse Osmosis (RO) Independent Water Project (IWP).

The Shuweihat S4 Project will desalinate seawater using RO desalination technology, a low carbon-intensive process, to produce up to 70 million gallons per day (MIGD) of potable water, sufficient to meet the water demand for approximately 125,000 households. Shuweihat S4 continues EWEC’s strategic investment in innovative RO seawater desalination technology, with EWEC also recently issuing Request for Proposals for the 80 MIGD Mirfa 2 (M2) RO IWP. Combined, these two new projects will provide 150 MIGD of new RO seawater desalination capacity, improving the security of water supply and playing a key role in the ongoing cost reduction initiatives in the sector by decoupling power and water generation capacity in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The RFQ is being issued to selected bidders that submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI). Once the qualification process has been completed, the companies or consortia that qualify will be invited to respond to a detailed Request for Proposal that will be launched by EWEC. A total of 35 companies and consortiums submitted EOIs.

Othman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of EWEC, said: “Increased reverse osmosis desalination capacity is a strategic focus for EWEC. These new low-carbon seawater desalination projects are the key to decoupling power and water production, which will allow us to make significant changes to our water and electricity production portfolio with a focus on decarbonising the energy sector. Reverse Osmosis technology is cost and carbon efficient, reducing carbon emissions from water desalination by up to 95 percent, in addition to enhancing the water security of Abu Dhabi. We look forward to completing the RFQ process and moving to the Request for Proposal stage as quickly as possible.”

The Shuweihat S4 RO project will be located adjacent to the existing Shuweihat S3 IPP Project, within the Shuweihat power and water complex, approximately 250km west of the city of Abu Dhabi. It will involve the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and ownership of a standalone greenfield RO seawater desalination plant with a capacity of 70 MGD of water output, together with associated infrastructure. EWEC aims to achieve financial close by the end of 2022 with a target project commercial operations date by Q3 2025.

The successful developer or developer consortium will own up to 40 percent of the entity while the remaining equity will be primarily held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi Government.

EWEC would like to invite successful developers and developer consortiums to submit the RFQ by the deadline of 31 December 2021 at 12:00 p.m. Gulf Standard Time (GST) via electronic copy to: ewec.S4RO@ewec.ae.  

Following review of the RFQs, EWEC will send pre-qualified companies or consortia a detailed Request for Proposal.

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About Emirates Water and Electricity Company

Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) drives the planning, forecasting, purchase and supply of water and electricity in Abu Dhabi and beyond. EWEC performs its role as the sole procurer of water and electricity from independent producers, ensuring the short- and long-term balancing of bulk supply and demand for distribution companies. EWEC is part of ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy. For more information please visit: www.ewec.ae.

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