7:53 pm - February 14, 2026
Dubai: The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s Hassyan seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant, the world’s largest under the independent water producer model, has scooped the 2024 Middle East and Africa Deal of the Year award for its record-low tariff and pioneering green water production.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has been honoured with the ‘Middle East and Africa Deal of the Year 2024’ award by Project Finance International (PFI) for its pioneering Hassyan seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination project. This project, boasting a capacity of 180 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD), is the largest of its kind globally utilising RO technology under the independent water producer (IWP) model. With an investment valued at approximately AED 3.377 billion, the Hassyan plant marks a significant milestone in water desalination innovation.
The project plays a central role in Dubai’s strategic goal to produce 100% of its desalinated water through a combination of clean energy sources and waste heat by 2030, in alignment with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. These initiatives aim for the emirate to generate all its energy from renewable sources by mid-century. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, DEWA’s Managing Director and CEO, emphasised that this project underpins Dubai’s commitment to sustainable water resource management and energy efficiency, aiming to boost the city’s desalination capacity to 735 MIGD using advanced, environmentally friendly technologies.
A key feature enhancing the project’s significance is the IWP model, which DEWA implemented in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power. This approach has elevated Dubai’s global competitiveness by enabling the achievement of a record-low desalinated water tariff of USD 0.36536 per cubic metre. The project was developed with strong financial backing, including a 30-year water purchase agreement supported by a diverse consortium of local, regional, and international lenders. The financial close of the project was recently announced, confirming an investment of AED 3.377 billion and reinforcing alignment with the UAE’s Water Security Strategy 2036 and Dubai’s Integrated Water Resources Management Strategy 2030, which aim to secure sustainable and uninterrupted water supply even in emergencies.
ACWA Power, the largest private water desalination company worldwide, will also expand its overall water capacity to 7.6 million cubic metres per day upon completion of the Hassyan plant. The plant’s phased commissioning will see the first 60 million gallons per day operational by April 2026, with full completion anticipated by February 2027. This development coincides with Dubai’s broader efforts to meet the escalated water demand from residential, commercial, and industrial sectors and supports its economic growth trajectory.
The project’s successful tendering, groundbreaking low tariff, and scale underscore a transformative step in water desalination technology and financing models in the region. It highlights DEWA’s leadership in sustainable water and energy solutions and Dubai’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions while addressing essential resource needs. The award from PFI not only recognises the financial and operational excellence of the Hassyan project but also its critical role in advancing sustainable infrastructure within the Middle East and Africa region.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/dewa-wins-middle-east-and-africa-deal-of-the-year-2024-award-for-hassyan-desalination-plant-project-lzkyqn8v – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/dewa-wins-middle-east-and-africa-deal-of-the-year-2024-award-for-hassyan-desalination-plant-project-lzkyqn8v – Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has been awarded the ‘Middle East and Africa Deal of the Year 2024’ by Project Finance International (PFI) for its 180 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination project in Hassyan. This project is the largest of its kind globally, employing RO technology under the independent water producer (IWP) model, with an investment of AED 3.377 billion. The project aims to produce 100% of desalinated water using clean energy and waste heat by 2030, supporting Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. Implementing the IWP model has enhanced Dubai’s global competitiveness, securing the world’s lowest tariff for desalinated water at USD 0.36536 per cubic metre. The project was developed in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power.
- https://www.pfie.com/story/5009326/middle-east-africa-awards-6y0v9b9ndx – The Hassyan Independent Water Project (IWP) in Dubai, awarded the ‘Middle East & Africa Deal of the Year 2024’ by Project Finance International (PFI), is a US$937 million, 180 million gallon per day seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination project. It is the world’s largest of its kind, achieving a record-low water levelised tariff of US$0.365 per cubic metre. The project is backed by a 30-year water purchase agreement and financed by a diverse pool of local, regional, and international lenders. The first 60 million gallons per day is due online in April 2026, with the entire project expected to be operational by February 2027.
- https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2024/04/dewa-and-acwa-power-reach-financial-close – Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power have announced the financial closing of the 180 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination project in Hassyan. This project is the world’s largest of its kind using RO technology under the Independent Water Producer (IWP) model, with an investment of AED 3.377 billion. The project supports Dubai’s Integrated Water Resources Management Strategy 2030 and aligns with the UAE’s Water Security Strategy 2036, aiming to ensure sustainable and continuous access to water during natural and emergency conditions.
- https://www.acwapower.com/news/acwa-power-increases-its-water-capacity-to-7-6-mil-m3-day-after-winning-dubais-hassyan-seawater-iwp-bid/ – ACWA Power, a Saudi-listed company and the world’s largest private water desalination company, has been declared the ‘Preferred Bidder’ for the Hassyan Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). This project will increase ACWA Power’s overall water capacity to 7.6 million cubic metres per day. The plant is an integral part of DEWA’s strategy to scale up Dubai’s water desalination capacity and to produce 100% desalinated water from a mix of clean energy and waste heat by 2030. The project is expected to be completed in 2026.
- https://acwapower.com/en/projects/hassyan-iwp/ – ACWA Power has been selected as the preferred bidder for the Hassyan Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). The project, with an investment of AED 3.357 billion (USD 914 million), aims to produce 180 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) of desalinated water. This project is part of DEWA’s efforts to increase its water desalination capacity to 730 MIGD by 2030, from 490 MIGD at present. The project aligns with Dubai’s economic growth and addresses the increasing demand for water in domestic, commercial, and other consumer sectors.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative was published on 30 July 2025. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 4 October 2023, when DEWA signed a 30-year water purchase agreement with ACWA Power for the Hassyan desalination plant. ([arabnews.com](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2385186/business-economy?utm_source=openai)) The report includes updated data, such as the award received by DEWA, which justifies a higher freshness score. However, the core information about the project has been previously reported, indicating some recycled content. The narrative appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative does not appear to be republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. No earlier versions show different figures, dates, or quotes. The update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA. The earliest known usage of these quotes is in the press release dated 4 October 2023, when DEWA signed a 30-year water purchase agreement with ACWA Power for the Hassyan desalination plant. ([arabnews.com](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2385186/business-economy?utm_source=openai)) The wording of the quotes matches the earlier publication, indicating potential reuse of content. No variations in quote wording were found. No online matches were found for the quotes in other sources, suggesting they may be original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from Zawya, a reputable news outlet. However, the content appears to be a press release, which may not have undergone the same editorial scrutiny as independently reported news. The press release is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide tax, legal, or investment advice. ([zawya.com](https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/government-news/dewa-wins-middle-east-and-africa-deal-of-the-year-2024-award-for-hassyan-desalination-plant-project-ycsxs4ee?utm_source=openai)) The reliance on a press release warrants caution, as it may not have been independently verified.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports that DEWA has been honoured with the ‘Middle East and Africa Deal of the Year 2024’ award by Project Finance International (PFI) for its Hassyan seawater reverse osmosis desalination project. This claim is plausible and aligns with DEWA’s ongoing efforts in desalination projects. The report includes specific details, such as the award received, the capacity of the plant, and the investment value, which are consistent with previous reports. The language and tone are consistent with official corporate communications. No excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim is present. The tone is formal and appropriate for a corporate announcement.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative reports on DEWA’s recent award for the Hassyan desalination project. While the core information has been previously reported, the inclusion of the award and updated data justifies a higher freshness score. The reliance on a press release and the reuse of quotes from earlier publications warrant caution. The plausibility of the claims is supported by consistent details and appropriate tone. Given the reliance on a press release and potential reuse of content, further verification from independent sources is recommended.
