EtihadWE secures AED 1.046 billion agreement for Fujairah seawater desalination facility

Etihad Water and Electricity has finalized an AED 1.046 billion engineering agreement with a consortium led by NMDC Infra to develop the Fujairah I desalination plant. Utilizing reverse osmosis technology, the project aims to enhance water security and industrial capacity in the Northern Emirates through a strategic public-private partnership.

A consortium comprising NMDC Infra and Lantania Aguas has been commissioned to execute the engineering, procurement, and construction of the Fujairah I Independent Water Producer facility. According to official disclosures, the project represents a capital commitment of AED 1.046 billion.

The seawater reverse osmosis plant, situated within the Port of Fujairah, is designed to produce 60 million imperial gallons of water daily and includes integrated storage capacity equivalent to 18 hours of production. This initiative marks the second major project developed by Etihad Water and Electricity, the utility provider responsible for water and power distribution across the UAE's Northern Emirates, under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework.

The project is scheduled for delivery over a 30-month period. By leveraging energy-efficient reverse osmosis technology, the facility is designed to mitigate supply risks and address peak demand requirements for residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. The development underscores a structural shift in regional utility procurement toward decentralized, privately-funded infrastructure.

For investors and stakeholders in the water and power sectors, this expansion signifies a long-term commitment to national water security and sustainable resource management. Furthermore, the strategic placement of the facility within the Port of Fujairah optimizes its integration into existing land and maritime logistics networks, supporting the region’s broader economic resilience and industrial growth objectives.