Dubai’s Hassyan Power Plant on Track to Commence Commercial Operation

The UAE-based 2,400-megawatt Hassyan Power Plant is on track to start commercial operations thanks to a certificate issued by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority. Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power announced that it had received the Plant Commercial Operation certificate for the power complex from DEWA, according to a statement. With this move, the last 600 MW power unit will join the three preceding 600 MW power units that have already entered into commercial operation in earlier stages. Considered the world’s largest project of its kind, it is DEWA’s first endeavor under the independent water producer model, spanning an area of 252,300 sq. meters. Hassyan IWP is part of DEWA’s initiative to raise its water desalination capacity to 730 million imperial gallons per day by 2030. The financial impact of achieving the total capacity is expected to roll out from the final quarter of 2023 onwards. In August, DEWA selected ACWA Power as the preferred bidder for the first phase of the project, with a SR3.35 billion (US$914 million) investment. ACWA Power currently owns a net stake of 26.95% in Hassyan Energy Phase 1.

In October, DEWA signed a 30-year water purchase agreement with ACWA Power for developing the first phase of the seawater reverse osmosis plant at Hassyan. The completion of this initial phase is projected to boost DEWA’s water desalination capacity to 670 million imperial gallons per day by 2027, up from the current 490 MIGD, as stated in a statement released at the time. Mohammad Abunayyan, founder and chairman of ACWA Power, said at the time: “The Hassyan IWP will be the largest plant of its kind in the world, and we have set a new record for the lowest levelized water tariff. The plant will be highly efficient, desalinating water through reverse osmosis powered by solar energy.” He added: “With this project, we are reaffirming our commitment with our partners toward achieving the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.” ACWA Power’s vision is to ensure the ingenuity and entrepreneurship of the private sector and make available electricity and desalinated water in a reliable as well as responsible manner to support the social development and economic growth of nations. To achieve this, the firm’s mission is to reliably and responsibly deliver power and desalinated water at low cost.