Jebel Ali Power And Desalination Plant

 

Project Overview

The Jebel Ali power and desalination plant is the largest single-site desalination facility in the world with a capacity to produce 490 MIGD (Million Imperial Gallons per day). It is equivalent to producing 2,227,587 cubic meters of water per day. It holds two Guinness book world records for the world’s largest gas power station and largest single-site desalination plant. This complex can generate 9,547 Megawatts of power. 

 

 

This project has been built in multiple stages since Q2 of 2010 and was commissioned/ completed in 2019. During 2019, the project scope was further expanded to meet the peak water demand and power requirements of its growing population and demand. 

 

Project Background

The Jebel Ali power and desalination plant is one of the largest desalination plants in the UAE. Located in Dubai, it has been supplying fresh drinking water and power supply to millions of people over the years. 

 

This project was built as a dual-mode desalination plant that uses SWRO (Seawater Reverse osmosis technology) and MSF plant (Multi-stage flash distillation) technology to desalinate seawater and produce potable drinking water. It is one of the fastest desalination process compared to traditional thermal desalination.

 

The Jebel Ali desalination plant was built in multiple stages and is undergoing expansion to enhance production capacity and fulfill the growing demand in the UAE. 

 

The Jebel Ali power and desalination complex has been upgraded with large turbines, enhanced boilers, and oil storage tanks over the years making it one of the world’s largest single-site desalination and power plant.

 

Currently, the Jebel Ali desalination plant is producing 490 MIGD. 

 

Project Timeline

 

 

Project Scope

The Jebel Ali power and desalination plant is a key pillar in providing electricity and water resources to the people of Dubai. This project comprises two main plants for power generation and water desalination. Plant 1 consists of stations D,E, and G and produces 2,761 MW of power. Plant 2 consists of K,L,M and produces 6,786 MW of power. 

 

 

The project was expanded in 2015 by additionally adding six gas turbines, two dual-fuel-fired auxiliary boilers of 390 tons, and 16 fuel oil storage tanks. Each storage tank is of 20,000 cubic meters capacity with a total fuel oil storage capacity of 320,000 cubic meters. 

 

This enhanced infrastructure helped to improve thermal efficiency by 82.4%.To enhance the Jebel Ali power plant additional two heat recovery steam boilers and two dual-fuel gas turbine generators were installed. This led to 82.4% to 85.8% of the plant's thermal efficiency. Thus, making it the world's highest thermal efficient plant.  

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Project Cost 

 

The major investor of this project is the DEWA (Dubai Electricity & Water Authority) which built the entire power and desalination complex focusing on sustainable and clean energy as a part of Dubai’s strategy of clean energy 2050. 

 

Contractors Involved 

Contractors like Siemens, Korea Electrical Contractors Association, and Cortec were a few key contractors in this project. Siemens supplied major equipment for the project. Similarly, Fisia Italimpianti, Gruppo Impregilo, and Doosan Heavy Industries were general contractors during the Jebel Ali power plant commission in 2013. 

 

 

Korea Electrical Contractors Association served as an electrical contractor along with Hyosung Power & Industrial Systems. They provided  16 high-voltage motors for this project. 

 

Torishima supplied a brine recirculation pump, while a double-suction volute pump was given by Kubota company. Sejong Corporation, and Lianyungang Zhongfu Lianzhong were other contractors in building and expanding the Jebel Ali power and desalination plant. 

 

Benefits of this Project

The Jebel Ali power and desalination plant is the largest power production and desalination plant in the UAE. This plant project is considered highly reliable and efficient with a current total capacity of 2,185 MW of electricity and 490 MIGD. Through this desalination plant, DEWA is securing the electricity and water supply to millions. 

 

Largest Source of Drinking Water

The Jebel Ali desalination plant is one of the largest desalination plants in the UAE serving potable drinking water for millions of homes. Additionally, its power plant’s capacity is sufficient to supply electricity to a million homes in Dubai. 

 

Reduced Carbon Emissions

This project aims to increase the use of renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions during the desalination and power generation processes. Shifting to different operations as a part of Dubai clean energy strategy helps reduce 1500 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. This reduced carbon emissions by 31% annually. Thus, more clean energy. 

 

Improved Energy Efficiency

Through the latest innovative technologies, this project improved energy efficiency in thermal units by 33.41% in 2020 compared to 2006. Largest desalination plants in Israel are already in use of energy-efficient desalinatioj technology. 

 

Shift towards Solar Energy

The Jebel Ali power and desalination plant is one of the largest single-rooftop in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region that generates electricity from solar energy. It aims to encourage a green economy and achieve sustainable development. 

 

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Upcoming Developments In This Project

DEWA designed three pillars of water production using solar energy that consumes less energy while desalinating seawater. In case of overproduction, this desalinated water will be stored in underground basins. This water is later pumped back and utilized when required. 

 

This model is designed to secure a water supply of 6,000 MIGD that will serve as emergency potable water storage. It is expected to be completed by 2025. This methodology, once commissioned, can supply 50 MIGD for 90 days in an emergency and ensure safe water. It will serve as a strategic reserve for the people of the Emirates. 

 

DEWA aims to increase the desalination of salt water from 13% to 42% by 2030. This will equate to  730 MIGD of desalinated water production capacity. 

 

Conclusion 

The Jebel Ali power and desalination plant is one of the key sources of electricity and water supply in Dubai. It is the world’s largest single-site natural gas power generation facility. It aims at sustainable water development, and a green economy ensures secure power and water supply for the future. 

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