Sembcorp completes US$200m expansion to UAE power plant

It’s the largest of its kind in the Middle East.

The firm hopes to meet the increasing water demand in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as it announces the commencement of operations of the Fujairah 1 Independent Water and Power Plant (IWPP).

According to a press release by Sembcorp, with more than half of the plant’s desalinated water produced using reverse osmosis technology, the plant is now one of the largest reverse osmosis desalination facilities in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Sembcorp says the 30 MIGD water output from the expansion will be sold to the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Company (ADWEC) under a 20-year water purchase agreement.

“The expansion has the ability to use the plant’s uncontracted surplus power to produce the additional water at a highly competitive cost. It has also been configured for greater environmental efficiency and energy savings,” the report said.

“The Fujairah 1 IWPP is owned and operated by Emirates Sembcorp Water & Power Company, a joint venture that is 60% owned by ADWEA and the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), and 40% by Sembcorp. The Fujairah 1 IWPP holds a strong track record of high plant reliability and performance,” it added.