The consortium headed by Saudi Arabia’s “ACWA Power” has secured the first place in the tender for the implementation of the desalination plant project to produce drinking water from seawater.
The efficient management of water resources, the expansion of potable water supplies, and integration of innovative technologies into this field are pivotal for fostering socio-economic development.
In alignment with these objectives, the first pilot project in the field of potable water production through seawater desalination is being implemented under the relevant Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The project is being executed within the framework of the public-private partnership (PPP), with the tender announced by the Ministry of Economy on February 8, 2024, which successfully concluded.
Following the rigorous technical and financial evaluation of the submitted proposals, the bid of the consortium led by “ACWA Power” bid was deemed superior, securing the consortium’s designation as the most successful bidder. Israel’s “IDE Water Assets Ltd” and the UAE’s “Metito Utilities Limited” companies took the 2nd and 3rd places, respectively.
The project includes the construction of the desalination plant at the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park with the daily production capacity of 300,000 m³, financed through investments provided by the consortium. The project timeline is set at 27,5 years with 2,5 years allocated for the construction phase of the desalination plant. Upon the completion of the operational term, the facility will be transferred to the management of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency.
This project is strategically designed to meet the increasing demand for potable water in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, diversify freshwater sources, foster the exchange of international expertise, encourage technology transfer, and attract foreign investment. These outcomes collectively mark a significant milestone in Azerbaijan’s socio-economic development trajectory.
It should be noted that the other member of the consortium led by “ACWA Power” is Türkiye’s “IC İçtaş İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.” company.
Note: Established in 2004, Saudi Arabia’s “ACWA Power” is one of the leading private companies in seawater desalination and green hydrogen production. The company operates in 13 countries, including the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, with a workforce of over 4,000 employees.
“ACWA Power”'s portfolio consists of 94 projects, encompassing operational, under-development, and under-construction projects, with a total investment value of $97 billion. The company demonstrates the capacity of producing 69 GW of energy and desalinating 8 million m³ of water daily.
Türkiye’s “IC İçtaş İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.,” a well-known company with more than 50 years of experience in large-scale projects, operates in industrial, infrastructure, investment, energy production and distribution, tourism, and other sectors with over 20,000 employees.
