Project Overview

The Fujairah desalination plant located in Abu Dhabi has two desalination plants called the Fujairah 1 desalination plant and the Fujairah 2 desalination plant. It is considered one of the top 5 desalination plants in the UAE. Together, these two desalination plants produce 263 MIGD (Million Imperial Gallons of water per day). Being a dual-facility the Fujairah F1 & Fujairah F2 desalination plants generate 2.96 GW (Gigawatts) power alongside the desalination process.  

Built in different timelines both the Fujairah desalination plants are unique and different with advanced and innovative desalination technology applied. Both the Fujairah desalination plants contribute significantly to the UAE’s water supply needs.

With increased demand and supply needs the Fujairah plant sees a development of Fujairah F3 is being built as the largest independent thermal power plant in the UAE. It will serve as a stable source of power supply crucial for the development of the emirate of Fujairah. 

Project Background

The Fujairah port desalination plant was driven by various factors such as water scarcity. The UAE (United Arab Emirates) is a dry land with a climate with low rainfall and limited water resources. Thus, leading to the Fujairah desalination plant. 

The Fujairah F1 desalination plant & Fujairah F2 desalination plants aim to serve the water and electricity needs in the Northern Emirates of Fujairah known for its immense population and economic development. 

The Fujairah F1 desalination plant built in 2002 was the first hybrid desalination plant in the Middle East combining power and desalinated water generation. Commissioned in 2004, it is a combined-cycle natural gas-fired power plant. It functions on the MSF (Multi-stage flash) and RO. 

The Fujairah F2 desalination plant is designed to produce 136,500 cubic meters of potable water per day. This plant uses multi-effect distillation desalination technology. Additionally, its heat recovery steam generators help to improve overall energy efficiency.

Project Timeline

Project Cost

The Fujairah F1 desalination plant (IWPP) began its construction in 2002 and was built in multiple phases with major investors such as TAQA and Sembcorp industries. The overall project cost is estimated to be around USD 650-700 Million. 

Similarly, the Fujairah F2 desalination plant began its construction in 2007 and was built in multiple phases with major investors such as TAQA, ENGINE, and Marubeni. The overall project cost is USD 2.17 Billion. 

Project Scope

The Fujairah desalination plant is a SWRO (Seawater Reverse Osmosis) plant and includes the Fujairah F1 (IWPP) and Fujairah F2 (IWPP) desalination plants built as a dual facility to produce electricity and desalinated water. The Fujairah F1 & Fujairah F2 IWPP were commissioned in 2004 and 2011. Both these desalination plants produce 263 MIGD of fresh water sufficient to meet the drinking water production needs of millions of people.

Currently, the Fujairah seawater desalination plant produces 2.96 Gigawatts of power with the addition of Fujairah F3, 2.4 Gigawatts of additional power will be generated sufficient to provide electricity for 380,000 households.

The desalination technology used in Fujairah f1 iwpp (Independent Water and Power Plant) and Fujairah f2 iwpp desalination plants is MSF, RO, and MED (Multi-Effect Distillation) respectively. 

Project Partners 

Contractors

The major contractors in the Fujairah F1 desalination plant are TAQA (Abu Dhabi National Energy Company) and Sembcorp. 

The Fujairah F2 desalination plant is TAQA while the subcontractors are ENGIE and Marubeni. The Danway EME was one of the leading electrical & Instrumentation contractors for the Fujairah F2 desalination plant. The Fujairah F2 IWPP is operated by FAPCO (Fujairah Asia Power Company) an electricity company.

Suppliers 

Investors

Future Expansion

The Fujairah F3 power plant is a CCGT (Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine) plant with a desalination capacity to produce 2.4 gigawatts of electricity. It is the largest independent thermal power plant in the UAE. The power generated in the Fujairah F3 power plant is expected to be sufficient for up to 380,000 households.

Its advanced JAC-class turbine technology ensures efficient use of combined cycle technology. TAQA and Mubadala in a consortium own 60% of the Fujairah F3 power plant whereas Marubeni Corporation holds 40% of the plant. The power purchase agreement & shareholder agreement for the Fujairah F3 power plant were signed by EWEC, TAQA, and Marubeni Corporation in February 2020.

Conclusion

The Fujairah desalination plant in the UAE is one of the largest sea water desalination plants in the UAE. Other notable desalination plants in the Middle East include the Umm Al Quwain Desalination Plant and Ras AL Khaimah desalination plant. The Fujairah F1 (IWPP) and Fujairah F2 desalination plants secure vital water resources in the UAE. 

The Fujairah F1 (IWPP) uses the hybrid technology of power generation and desalination. Likewise, the Fujairah F2 has a larger capacity to generate power and desalinated water sufficient to fulfill the water and electricity needs of millions of people. Additionally, its steam generators ensure reduced energy consumption. The desalination technology used in Fujairah F1 (IWPP) is an RO plant along with MSF. Similarly, the Fujairah F2 uses the MED desalination technology.

Currently, the Fujairah F1 (IWPP) and Fujairah F2 together are producing 263 MIGD of water and 2.96 Gigawatts of power. The Fujairah F3 power plant is built to generate 2.4 Gigawatts of power sufficient for 380,000 households. Thus, the Fujairah desalination plants ensure water security and consistent power supply in the Middle East for millions of people. By utilizing advanced desalination technologies such as reverse osmosis, these facilities efficiently convert seawater into potable water thus, securing the water and power needs through Fujairah 1 IWPP and Fujairah 2 IWPP. 

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