DEWA’s Hassyan desalination plant wins IG Global award for Best Water Deal in MENA
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority’s Hassyan desalination plant recognized as Best Water Deal in MENA by IG Global, highlighting the project’s role in Dubai’s water security.
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has won the IG Global award for “Best Water Deal — Desalination” in the Middle East and North Africa for the Hassyan desalination plant. The Hassyan desalination plant, DEWA’s first Independent Water Producer (IWP) project using reverse osmosis, has a production capacity of 180 million imperial gallons per day and is central to Dubai’s strategy to bolster water security. The accolade follows earlier recognition for the same project from Project Finance International, underscoring Hassyan’s rising profile in regional water infrastructure.
Award recognition and significance
DEWA received the IG Global award in recognition of the Hassyan desalination project’s financing, technical approach and contribution to sustainable water supply. The award highlights the project’s innovative procurement under the IWP model and its integration with renewable energy ambitions. Industry observers said the prize reaffirms DEWA’s capacity to deliver complex, large-scale water infrastructure under competitive commercial terms.
Hassyan plant capacity and contribution to supply
The Hassyan desalination plant’s Phase I is designed to deliver 180 million imperial gallons per day, significantly increasing Dubai’s desalinated water output. DEWA expects the plant to be a critical element in raising the emirate’s total desalination capability to about 735 million imperial gallons per day by 2030. As demand grows with population and economic expansion, the Hassyan facility will help stabilize supply and provide redundancy across the network.
Technology choice and energy efficiency
Hassyan employs seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO), a technology chosen for its higher energy efficiency compared with traditional multi-stage flash distillation. The plant is part of a broader shift toward lower-energy desalination methods that reduce operational costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions. DEWA and its partners have emphasized coupling SWRO with clean energy sources to further cut lifecycle emissions and improve sustainability metrics.
Strategic alignment with national and Dubai targets
DEWA framed the award within the UAE’s Water Security Strategy 2036 and Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050, positioning Hassyan as a flagship of policy alignment. The authority has stated that investments in the project support long-term objectives for resource integration and climate neutrality. DEWA’s leadership has highlighted the need to integrate water and energy planning to achieve efficiencies and meet both environmental and service-delivery goals.
Leadership statements and project partners
DEWA’s managing director and CEO reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and cost reduction in desalination technologies. Executives described Hassyan as a cornerstone project that leverages international partnerships and the IWP procurement model to secure financing and technical expertise. The project’s development has involved DEWA, ACWA Power and other stakeholders working under long-term water purchase and shareholder agreements.
Previous awards and sector impact
Hassyan had already been recognized by Project Finance International as the “Best Deal in the Middle East and Africa” for 2024, reflecting its strong financing and contractual structure. The successive awards underline market confidence in the IWP approach and in Dubai’s capacity to attract competitive bids for large-scale utilities. Observers believe such recognition can catalyze further investment in low-carbon desalination across the region.
Implementation timeline and next steps
DEWA has advanced the project through financial close and phased construction, with milestones set for staged commissioning and eventual full integration into Dubai’s distribution network. The authority plans to continue rolling out reverse osmosis capacity and to explore further synergies with renewable energy and waste-heat recovery. Project stakeholders are focusing on timely delivery, operational readiness and ensuring the plant meets efficiency and environmental performance targets.
The IG Global award for the Hassyan desalination plant underscores Dubai’s drive to modernize water infrastructure while reducing emissions and costs. As the plant moves toward commercial operation and expanded output, it will play an increasingly important role in securing a sustainable water future for the emirate.