The development and investment arm of Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE) has signed a major Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) agreement with NMDC Infra and Lantania Aguas for the Fujairah I Independent Water Producer (IWP) project.
The seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant will have a production capacity of 60 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD), backed by a total investment of $285 million (AED1.046 billion).
The agreement was formalized during the Make It In the Emirates exhibition to enhance industrial capability and infrastructure resilience through strategic partnerships.
The Fujairah I IWP marks the second desalination project procured by EtihadWE under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, following the larger Naqa’a IWP project with a capacity of 150 MIGD.
Located within the Port of Fujairah along the Gulf of Oman, the facility will benefit from established maritime and logistics infrastructure.
In addition to its 60 MIGD production capacity, the plant will feature water storage equivalent to 18 hours of output, ensuring operational stability during peak demand periods.
Once operational, the plant will deliver a reliable supply of desalinated water to households, commercial users, and strategic industries across Fujairah and EtihadWE’s wider service network.
The project is expected to strengthen water infrastructure resilience and ensure continuity of supply, particularly during seasonal demand surges.
Construction is projected to take approximately 30 months, encompassing civil works, installation of process systems, and commissioning. Initial operations will begin at partial capacity before ramping up to full production.
Mohammed Al Shehhi, CEO of EtihadWE’s development and investment arm, said that, “This project marks an important step in EtihadWE’s journey as a group to develop SWRO capacity across its network. It reflects our commitment to developing reliable, efficient, and future-ready water assets that can meet growing demand and support long-term water security for our clients.”
Haris Giatsos, Chief Executive Officer of NMDC Infra, noted that, “We are proud to partner with the development arm of EtihadWE on the Fujairah I IWP project, as it reflects our commitment to delivering critical infrastructure that supports the UAE’s long-term development priorities.”
Pedro Almagro, Chief Executive Officer of Lantania Aguas, highlighted that, “The Fujairah I IWP desalination plant is our first project in the UAE and for Etihad Water and Electricity, a country and a client that are priorities in Lantania Aguas’ strategy. This partnership reflects the value of combining complementary capabilities to deliver large-scale strategic infrastructure.”
The collaboration is supported by Lantania NMDC Water, established after NMDC Infra acquired a 51 percent stake in Lantania Aguas.
This partnership enhances capabilities across desalination, water treatment, and wastewater infrastructure, positioning the joint venture to deliver complex, large-scale projects.
