Will meet demographic and economic growth in Northern Emirates

TAQA, the Abu Dhabi-based energy and water company, has announced signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Federal Electricity & Water Authority (FEWA) to develop a standalone seawater desalination plant in Al Zawra in Ajman.

The agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi by HE Mohammed Mohammed Saleh, Director General of FEWA, and Carl Sheldon, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA) in the presence of HE Suhail Mohammed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Chairman of Federal Electricity & Water Authority (FEWA) and HE Hamad Al-Hurr Al-Suwaidi, Chairman of TAQA, the announcement added.

According to the development plan, the project would be owned by FEWA and TAQA, underpinned by a long-term water purchase agreement with FEWA and funded with project finance. Construction is expected to start in early 2015 and the plant would begin commercial operations in 2017, the announcement revealed.

Giving further details, TAQA said that Al Zawra independent water project (IWP) would have a capacity of 30 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) – enough to supply 250,000 people in the Northern Emirates with clean drinking water. The Ajman facility will reportedly use the reverse osmosis process.

On the occasion, HE Al Mazrouei, said, “The Al Zawra project demonstrates the UAE’s determination to develop and apply new technologies that will protect the security of water supply, while actively working towards greater energy efficiency.”

HE Al-Suwaidi, added, “At a time of strong demographic and economic growth across the UAE, and particularly in the Northern Emirates, this project will ensure that sufficient water infrastructure is in place to meet increasing demand.”

HE Mohammed Saleh, seconding this view revealed: “FEWA has allocated significant funds for developing water and electricity projects there over the coming three years. Al Zawra is a crucial element in that strategy.”