Project is expected to begin commercial operations by Q1, 2024

Developers/developer-consortiums have been invited to submit expressions of Interest (EoIs) by the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) for the Mirfa 2 (M2) independent water project (IWP) in Abu Dhabi.

According to a statement, the M2 desalination plant will use reverse osmosis (RO) to supply up to 150m imperial gallons per day of water, improving the security of water supply in Abu Dhabi. The project is also expected to play a key role in the ongoing cost reduction initiatives in the sector, through the procurement of competitive and efficient RO water desalination technology. This is said to be part of EWEC’s wider strategic initiative of decoupling power and water generation capacity.

“Reverse osmosis is a modern technology that desalinates water with high energy efficiency, and cost efficiency. In addition, reverse osmosis desalination technology helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and significantly reduce gas consumption by decoupling power and water production for the winter and summer seasons. M2 is a project we have developed to support these key strategic aims, and enhance clean and sustainable water supply in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi,” said Othman Al Ali, CEO of EWEC.

The project will take shape adjacent to the existing Mirfa IWPP, approximately 110km west of the UAE’s capital. It involves the development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance and ownership of a standalone, greenfield RO seawater desalination plant along with associated infrastructure. The expected date for starting commercial operations is Q1, 2024, the statement said.

The successful developer or developer consortium will own up to 40% of the entity, while the remaining equity will be primarily held indirectly by the Abu Dhabi Government, the statement noted.

EWEC has invited developers/developer-consortiums to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by the deadline of March 4, 2021 at 12:00 pm Gulf Standard Time (GST). Interested parties can submit their EOI via electronic copy to: ewec.m2RO@ewec.ae.