Abengoa starts producing water at the Taweelah desalination plant

December 23, 2021

• And it has done so in record time, three months ahead of schedule, a fact that has not occurred before in any project of these characteristics.
• This milestone is part of the plant's operational tests, which are currently in the commissioning phase.
• It is the largest reverse osmosis desalination plant in the world (909,000 m³/day) and the first to combine the production of drinking water with the generation of clean energy.

December 23, 2021 - Abengoa, an international company that applies innovative technology solutions for sustainable development in the infrastructure, energy and water sectors, in consortium with the engineering and construction company SEPCOIII, has successfully started producing water at the Taweelah desalination plant for the leading company in the development, investment, ownership and operation of power generation and desalinated water production plants, ACWA Power. This milestone, which is known as the first permeate, is part of the plant's commissioning phase. The project is located at the Taweelah power and water generation complex, 45 km north of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates).

Abengoa has started producing drinking water at the Taweelah desalination plant in record time, three months ahead of schedule. This has never been done before in any other project of this kind. Abengoa's scope has been extensive, including design, engineering, supply of the main equipment, supervision of assembly, commissioning, start-up of the reverse osmosis and post-treatment systems and advice on the pre-treatment processes carried out by third parties. All in all, the Taweelah desalination plant meets each and every one of the drinking water parameters required by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, including hardness, alkalinity, LSI (Langelier Saturation Index), SDI (Siltz density Index), pH and boron content.

With a capacity of 909,000 m³/day, the Taweelah desalination plant will guarantee supply to the city of Abu Dhabi for an entire year and will be the first large-scale desalination plant in the emirate to combine the production of drinking water with the generation of clean energy, thanks to the installation of a photovoltaic solar field with a capacity of more than 40 MWp. In this way, once in commercial operation, the desalination plant's energy demand will be reduced in a sustainable manner.

The Taweelah desalination plant is currently in the commissioning phase. The next step will be the start of commercial operation, scheduled for January 2022 in phase 1. Work is progressing on schedule, thanks to the effort, dedication, and professionalism of the project team, which has faced significant challenges during the execution period, in addition to those arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to this new milestone, Abengoa once again demonstrates its technical capacity, undertaking highly complex works, as well as adapting to adverse working conditions, in very diverse countries. It also consolidates its position as a leading company in the desalination sector worldwide, with an installed capacity of 1.8 million m³/day, which will be increased to 4.3 million m³/day when the portfolio under execution is also completed. Abengoa is also strengthening its presence in the Middle East, where it is currently executing, among others, the Dewa (600,000 m³/day) and Rabigh III (600,000 m³/day) desalination plants in Saudi Arabia; and Taweelah (909. 000 m³/day) and Dubal (47,750 m³/day), in the United Arab Emirates; and has built the Shuaibah III (250,000 m³/day), in Saudi Arabia, and Salalah (114,000 m³/day), in Oman.

This project, located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, is part of the plan developed by the government of the United Arab Emirates to encourage private participation in the development of the country's infrastructures. The desalination plant will have the capacity to supply approximately four and a half million people.

First potable water export ceremony at Taweelah desalination plant (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates).

Pulse aquí para descargar en alta resolución. 

The Taweelah desalination plant will guarantee supply to the city of Abu Dhabi for an entire year.

Pulse aquí para descargar en alta resolución. 

About Abengoa

Abengoa applies innovative technology solutions for sustainability in the infrastructure, energy and water sectors. (www.abengoa.com) 

Communication Department:

Marián Ariza

Tel: +34 954 93 71 11

E-mail: communication@abengoa.com

Investor Relations & Capital Markets:

Gonzalo Zubiría

Tel: +34 954 93 71 11

E-mail: ir@abengoa.com

And on our blog: http://www.theenergyofchange.com