EtihadWE Signs AED 1.046 Billion Deal for Fujairah I Desalination Plant

The development and investment arm of Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) has signed a major Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreement with NMDC Infra and Lantania Aguas for the Fujairah I Independent Water Producer (IWP) project. The desalination facility, valued at AED 1.046 billion, will have a production capacity of 60 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) using advanced seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) technology.

The agreement was formalised during the Make It In The Emirates exhibition in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of senior officials from all participating entities.

Strengthening Water Security Infrastructure

The Fujairah I IWP marks the second public-private partnership (PPP) desalination project undertaken by EtihadWE, following the larger Naqa’a IWP project. Strategically located at the Port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman, the plant will benefit from established maritime and land infrastructure, ensuring efficient operations and distribution.

Once operational, the facility will:

• Deliver a reliable supply of desalinated water to households and industries
• Support peak demand periods across Fujairah and surrounding regions
• Enhance the resilience and continuity of essential water infrastructure

The plant will also include water storage capacity equivalent to 18 hours of production, further reinforcing supply stability.

Project Timeline and Delivery

The project is expected to be completed within 30 months, covering:

• Civil construction works
• Installation of process systems
• Commissioning and testing phases

Initial operations will begin at partial capacity, with full-scale production of 60 MIGD to follow upon completion.

Driving Sustainable Development Goals

Speaking on the project, Eng. Mohammed Al Shehhi, CEO of EtihadWE’s development arm, emphasised that the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to building efficient, future-ready water infrastructure to meet growing demand.

Executives from NMDC Infra and Lantania Aguas highlighted the importance of combining marine construction expertise with specialised desalination technology, enabling the delivery of a high-efficiency, sustainable facility.

The collaboration also underscores the role of Lantania NMDC Water, a joint venture formed after NMDC Infra acquired a 51% stake in Lantania Aguas, strengthening capabilities in desalination and water treatment.

Supporting UAE’s Long-Term Water Strategy

The Fujairah I IWP project forms part of EtihadWE’s broader strategy to expand energy-efficient SWRO desalination capacity, aligning with the UAE’s long-term objectives for:

• Water security
• Sustainable infrastructure development
• Resource efficiency

With rising demand for water across the region, projects like Fujairah I are expected to play a crucial role in supporting economic growth and population needs while maintaining environmental sustainability.