60m-Gallon Hidd Water Plant Planned

TDT | Manama | Email : online@newsofbahrain.com 

Acwa Power submitted the only bid under Bahrain’s Independent Water Producer programme

- Plant expected to begin operations in 2028

- SWRO technology will improve efficiency and reduce energy use

- Project will strengthen Bahrain's long-term water security

Bahrain is moving ahead with plans for a new drinking water plant in Hidd able to produce up to 60 million imperial gallons a day.

The scheme aims to raise the country’s water output as demand increases over the coming years.

Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power was the sole bidder for the Hidd Independent Water Project, Tender Board data showed.

The company offered BD0.276 for each cubic metre of water produced. That works out at about 276 fils for every 1,000 litres of desalinated water.

This sum is a water production tariff, not the full cost of building the plant, as the scheme is offered under the independent water producer model rather than as a standard building contract.

The plant’s net contracted capacity will be 11,364 cubic metres an hour, equal to about 272,000 cubic metres a day, or close to 60 million imperial gallons a day of potable water.

It will be built under a build-own-operate model. The developer will fund, build, own, run and maintain the plant, then sell the water at the agreed tariff once the bid is assessed and the award steps are completed.

The new plant will use seawater reverse osmosis, a desalination method designed to cut energy use compared with some older systems.

The scheme is part of the Electricity and Water Authority's plans to renew Bahrain’s water infrastructure and introduce plants with higher efficiency and lower running needs.

It is expected to enter full commercial operation in the second quarter of 2028.

Once running, it will add new capacity to Bahrain’s water network, serving homes, businesses and industry.

The Electricity and Water Authority had earlier issued an international tender after a pre-qualification stage involving local and overseas companies and consortiums. Acwa Power wlater named as the sole bidder when the tender envelopes were opened.