RIYADH: Saudi utility developer ACWA Power will develop Sharjah’s first independent water plant with a capacity of 410,000 cubic meters per day. The Saudi-listed firm has signed an agreement worth SR2.56 billion ($680 million) with Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority for the project, according to a press statement. The Hamriyah IWP will use seawater reverse osmosis technology, with partial operations expected to commence in the second quarter of 2027, initially producing 272,000 cubic meters per day. Upon full completion in the third quarter of 2028, the plant will produce 410,000 cubic meters per day of desalinated water. This contract follows ACWA Power’s recent recognition as the world’s largest water project developer outside China. In February, Global Water Intelligence ranked the company as a leading global developer in the water sector, with 6.8 million cubic meters per day of gross capacity. Marco Arcelli, CEO of ACWA Power, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with SEWA on this landmark project, bringing our total portfolio in the UAE to eight projects in both power and water.” He added: “This project reinforces ACWA Power’s indisputable global leadership in water desalination, and we look forward to bringing our extensive experience in low-carbon intensive RO desalination to the emirate of Sharjah, providing an end-to-end solution to meet growing demand for clean and affordable water.” The contract includes development, design, and financing. It also covers engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning, as well as completion, testing, and ownership, along with operation, maintenance, and insurance of the IWP. “The signing of the agreement to establish a water desalination plant in Al Hamriyah with one of the largest specialist companies in this field aligns with the plan to develop the water sector system in Sharjah,” said Abdullah Abdul Rahman Al-Shamsi, director general of SEWA. He said that it is considered one of the largest investments in water at the emirate level, utilizing the latest technologies. The new plant will operate using the reverse osmosis system for water desalination and will incorporate the latest post-treatment, filtration, and disinfection technologies. “The project will increase water production capacity, adding a storage capacity of 90 million gallons, in addition to consuming no more than 3.2 kilowatts per hour to produce one cubic meter of water,” Al-Shamsi added. The Hamriyah IWP aligns with Sharjah’s water strategy, which aims to enhance water security, support comprehensive development, and ensure sustainable access to clean water for the Emirate’s residents.