UAE to Build Dh1 Billion Desalination Plant in Fujairah

Etihad Water and Electricity has signed an agreement to develop a new desalination plant in Fujairah with a total investment of over Dh1 billion, marking a major step toward strengthening the country’s water security.

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the Fujairah I Independent Water Producer project was awarded to NMDC Infra and Lantania Aguas on the sidelines of Make it in the Emirates 2026.

The facility, to be located at the Port of Fujairah along the Gulf of Oman, will have a production capacity of 60 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) using seawater reverse osmosis technology. It will also include water storage capacity equivalent to 18 hours of production.

Construction is expected to take approximately 30 months, covering civil works, system installation, and commissioning phases. The plant will begin operations at partial capacity before reaching full output.

Once completed, the desalination facility will supply water to residential, commercial, and industrial users in Fujairah and across EtihadWE’s service network, particularly during periods of peak demand.

The project is EtihadWE’s second initiative under a public-private partnership model, following the Naqa’a IWP project. It forms part of the utility’s broader strategy to expand sustainable water production through energy-efficient technologies, supporting long-term resource management in the UAE.

The project will be delivered through a joint venture combining NMDC Infra’s marine construction expertise with Lantania Aguas’ advanced desalination capabilities, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to investing in critical infrastructure and future-ready utilities.