Aquatech lands $82 million UAE desal contract

The Aquatech - FEWA desalination project is valued at arounf $82 million. (GETTY IMAGES)

Aquatech and the UAE's Federal Electricity and Water Authority (FEWA) have signed a contract for Aquatech to provide a 15 MIGD seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) based desalination facility. The project, located at Ghalilah, will provide drinking water for the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

The project will be executed by Aquatech on a complete EPC basis including civil works, buildings, balance of plant, and electrical and mechanical installation. In addition to the core reverse osmosis plant, the scope of supply consists of the seawater intake, dissolved air flotation, ultrafiltration, and post treatment packages. A sophisticated DCS System for performance enhancement and data monitoring will also be supplied, ensuring that FEWA is equipped with the best technologies and a world-class facility.

There was significant competition for the high-profile project with more than 10 bidders submitting proposals. Although not the lowest bidder on a capital cost basis, Aquatech was awarded the project due to the most competitive overall lifecycle cost.

Story continues below

Advertisement

FEATURED COMMENT Please click here to comment on this article

"Aquatech has a track record in leveraging our deep technology portfolio to offer competitive solutions to the markets we serve. Whether it's making zero liquid discharge more affordable, or increasing the economic viability of oil and gas extraction through cost-effective produced water treatment, we are very focused on finding innovative ways to deliver the optimal lifecycle cost to our clients. The FEWA award is further validation of these efforts for the very important desalination marketplace," said Devesh Sharma, Chief Commercial Officer of Aquatech.

The project, valued at over $82 Million US Dollars, is scheduled to be operational in late 2013.

With this win, Aquatech bolsters its list of major projects in desalination and water reuse in the Middle East. Aquatech has thermal and membrane based desalination plants throughout the GCC including Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. It is also among the first companies in the region to work with the oil and gas industry to recycle and reuse wastewater. Aquatech has recently completed a landmark oil field water reuse project in Oman and is currently executing one of the region's first petrochemical wastewater reuse projects in Kuwait.