10:23 am - September 2, 2025
Dubai’s Hassyan SWRO project, the world’s largest under the IWP model, is now around 78% complete with a 2027 finish targeted, underpinning a push to lift capacity to 735 MIGD by 2030 and power desalination with a clean-energy mix.
Dubai’s push to strengthen water security while trimming energy use is playing out at the Hassyan complex, where the first phase of the 180 MIGD seawater desalination plant is taking shape under the Independent Water Producer (IWP) model. DEWA says the project is now about 78% complete and remains on track for a first-quarter 2027 finish, underscoring Dubai’s aim to lift desalination capacity to 735 MIGD by 2030 and to run desalination on a clean-energy mix by the same year. The Hassyan facility is one of the world’s largest SWRO plants and marks DEWA’s inaugural IWP venture, backed by around AED 3.377 billion in investment. Speaking during an on-site tour, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, framed the work as a tangible realization of Dubai’s accelerated infrastructure strategy to meet rising electricity and water demand while pursuing sustainability goals. He stressed that Hassyan sits at the heart of the emirate’s Integrated Water Resources Management Strategy 2030 and fits into the broader push toward 100% clean-energy-powered desalination by 2030. Honestly, that’s a pretty tall order, isn’t it?
Progress is being tracked through a phased programme that mirrors Dubai’s longer-term water-security plan. In December 2024, DEWA said the 180 MIGD phase was roughly 40.6% complete and expected to be finished in 2027, noting Hassyan as the world’s largest SWRO project to be delivered under the IWP framework. By mid-2025, DEWA’s briefings pointed to ongoing construction and integration across plant sections, energy infrastructure, and water-network interfaces, highlighting the project’s importance to Dubai’s desalination capacity targets and its energy mix. The latest update, issued in August 2025, shows completion around 78%, with active commissioning and systems integration moving ahead toward the 2027 deadline. You see, progress has been steady, more or less.
The Hassyan project’s background and rationale are anchored in a sequence of milestones that set the scheme up as a flagship for Dubai’s water strategy. In April 2024, DEWA and ACWA Power announced the financial close for the 180 MIGD Hassyan SWRO IWP, marking the formal securing of project funding and aligning with the emirate’s plans to broaden water security and accelerate the shift to cleaner energy in its utilities mix. The arrangement framed Hassyan as the world’s largest SWRO project under the IWP model and highlighted a tariff framework intended to underpin long-term Dubai water security. The investment figure for the phase has consistently been cited around AED 3.357–AED 3.377 billion, mirroring the scale of the plant and its pivotal role in the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. At the same time, project documents and partner statements stressed that Hassyan would be powered, at least in part, by solar energy to advance sustainability targets. The tariff and financing story have been central to the project’s narrative.
A key highlight from the bid process was Hassyan’s water tariff, which was set as a world-record low when ACWA Power won the bid, with figures publicly cited at 0.36536 USD per cubic metre for the 180 MIGD option. This pricing helped establish the IWP model as a compelling path for large-scale regional desalination, where solar power is embedded to improve energy efficiency and cut carbon intensity. The tariff record was repeatedly reaffirmed in subsequent DEWA and ACWA communications as the project moved into financing and construction.
Beyond its scale and tariff profile, Hassyan is positioned as a testbed for Dubai’s broader energy–water nexus. Veolia’s SIDEM unit has been contracted to engineer key desalination technologies for the plant, whose 818,000 m3/d capacity (the 180 MIGD figure) ranks it among the largest globally and makes it the largest SWRO facility powered by solar energy. Veolia emphasizes GreenUp-driven energy efficiency, aiming for an energy intensity closer to 2.9 kWh per cubic metre of desalinated water—a crucial lever for Dubai’s ambition to push 100% desalination from a clean-energy mix by 2030. The collaboration complements the IWP framework and supports the emirate’s climate and water-security objectives.
Industry recognition for Hassyan has grown with the project’s advancement. In mid-2024, the project was named the Middle East and Africa Deal of the Year for 2024 by Project Finance International (PFI), acknowledging its scale, financing, and strategic importance as Dubai’s largest desalination facility delivered under the IWP model. The award’s timing and framing reflect the project’s significance not only for Dubai but as a reference point for desalination finance and energy integration across the region.
Looking ahead, Hassyan is expected to be a central pillar of Dubai’s plan to expand desalination capacity and diversify its energy inputs. By 2030, DEWA aims to lift total desalination capacity to 735 MIGD, with SWRO contributing 240 MIGD of that total. The long-term objective is to produce 100% of desalinated water from a mix of clean energy and waste heat, aligning with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. In practice, Hassyan’s 180 MIGD capacity, together with other projects in the portfolio, should help create a more resilient water system that can weather climate-driven stress while advancing sustainability targets.
In the broader context of Dubai’s water infrastructure, Hassyan sits alongside other notable ventures and partnerships signaling a shift toward energy-efficient, low-carbon desalination. Near-term milestones, including ongoing construction and subsequent commissioning, will be watched closely for how they harvest solar energy, optimize energy use, and integrate with the emirate’s energy network. With progress updates showing a climb from roughly 40.6% in late 2024 to 78% in mid-2025, the project’s trajectory suggests Dubai is moving from planning and financing into tangible delivery that could inform future IWP-led desalination schemes in the region.
Source Panel
- Emirates247 (2025). Dubai expands water supply with one of the world’s largest desalination plants. Published August 18, 2025.
- DEWA (2024). DEWA and ACWA Power reach financial close of the 180 MIGD Hassyan Seawater Reverse Osmosis Independent Water Producer Project. Published April 17, 2024.
- DEWA (2023). DEWA selects preferred bidder for Hassyan Phase 1 180 MIGD SWRO IWP. Published August 2023.
- Zawya (2024–2025). DEWA’s Hassyan IWP project reaches 78% completion. Published August 2025. Also coverage of completion milestones in December 2024.
- Project Finance International / Zawya (2025). DEWA wins Middle East and Africa Deal of the Year 2024 award for Hassyan desalination plant project. Published July 2025.
- Veolia (2024). Veolia contract for Hassyan seawater desalination plant. Press release highlighting SIDEM engagement and energy-efficiency focus.
- ACWA Power (2023). DEWA and ACWA Power Sign Water Purchase Agreement and Shareholder Agreement for Phase 1 of the World’s Largest Renewable Energy-Powered Desalination Plant. Published October 3, 2023.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.emirates247.com/business/corporate/dubai-expands-water-supply-with-one-of-the-world-s-largest-desalination-plants-2025-08-18-1.740706 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2024/04/dewa-and-acwa-power-reach-financial-close – DEWA announced ACWA Power as preferred bidder for Hassyan Phase 1 180 MIGD SWRO IWP. The project, with an investment of AED 3.357 billion, set a world-record low tariff of 0.36536 USD per cubic metre of desalinated water. It will be the largest SWRO desalination plant built under an Independent Water Producer model and will be powered by solar energy to support Dubai’s growth. The agreement complements the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and aligns with broader sustainability targets, including increased water security and the transition to cleaner energy in the emirate. It will deliver long-term benefits globally for Dubai.
- https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2023/08/dewa-selects-preferred – DEWA announced ACWA Power as preferred bidder for Hassyan Phase 1 180 MIGD SWRO IWP. The project, with an investment of AED 3.357 billion, set a world-record low tariff of 0.36536 USD per cubic metre of desalinated water. It will be the largest SWRO desalination plant built under an Independent Water Producer model and will be powered by solar energy to support Dubai’s growth. The agreement complements the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and aligns with broader sustainability targets, including increased water security and the transition to cleaner energy in the emirate. It will deliver long-term benefits globally for Dubai.
- https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/utilities/dewas-hassyan-iwp-project-reaches-78-completion-vrmwddos – DEWA’s Hassyan IWP project, the first Independent Water Producer venture in the Hassyan complex, has reached 78% completion, according to a DEWA press statement. The 3.377 billion dirhams scheme will deliver 180 MIGD of desalinated water and is due for full completion in Q1 2027. The project forms a central pillar of Dubai’s drive to raise desalination capacity to 735 MIGD by 2030, of which SWRO accounts for 240 MIGD. DEWA aims to produce 100% of desalinated water from a mix of clean energy and waste heat by 2030, reinforcing Dubai’s sustainable development ambitions. Supporting resilience against climate driven water stress globally.
- 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 – DEWA has been named recipient of the Middle East and Africa Deal of the Year 2024 by Project Finance International for its Hassyan 180 MIGD SWRO IWP project. The award recognises the scale, financing and strategic importance of delivering Dubai’s largest desalination facility under the IWP model. The Hassyan scheme, with an investment of around AED 3.377 billion, is designed to help Dubai reach 735 MIGD of desalinated water by 2030, with SWRO contributing 240 MIGD and a goal to use a clean energy mix. The recognition underscores progress toward Dubai’s sustainable energy and water resilience objectives for the emirate.
- https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2024/12/he-saeed-al-tayer-reviews-progress-on-the-180 – HE Saeed Al Tayer reviewed the Hassyan project’s first phase in December 2024. The Hassyan SWRO project, with a capacity of 180 MIGD, is around 40.6% complete and slated for completion in 2027. The AED 3.377 billion scheme is described as the world’s largest SWRO project under the Independent Water Producer model, and aligns with Dubai’s sustainable development ambitions and water security strategy. During the visit, DEWA displayed progress across multiple plant sections and discussed integration with energy infrastructure, including plans to use clean energy and waste heat to power desalination, in line with the Integrated Water Resources Management Strategy 2030.
- https://www.veolia.com/en/our-media/press-releases/veolia-contract-most-energy-efficient-desalination-plant-uae – Veolia, through its SIDEM unit, will engineer and supply key technology for the Hassyan seawater desalination plant, commissioned by DEWA and ACWA Power. With a capacity of 818,000 cubic metres per day (180 MIGD), the plant will be the second largest RO desalination facility globally and the largest worldwide to be powered by solar energy. Veolia highlights GreenUp-driven energy efficiency and reduced energy intensity achieved across large-scale desalination, targeting about 2.9 kWh per cubic metre. The project is situated near the Jebel Ali Wetland Sanctuary and aligns with Dubai’s climate and sustainability objectives while supporting water security in the UAE.
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 contains new progress data (reported ~78% complete in August 2025) that is current and corroborated by multiple contemporaneous reports (DEWA/Zawya/Refinitiv/Reuters-style feeds). ([zawya.com](https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/utilities/dewas-hassyan-iwp-project-reaches-78-completion-vrmwddos/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [tradingview.com](https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com%2C2025-08-15%3Anewsml_Zawb1QwDH%3A0-projects-dewa-s-hassyan-iwp-project-reaches-78-completion/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) ‼️ However, core elements of the narrative are recycled from earlier reporting: the tender/bid and tariff record appeared in May–Aug 2023, the financial close and partner announcements in April 2024, and reservoir milestones in Dec 2024. ([meed.com](https://www.meed.com/acwa-power-outprices-taqa-for-hassyan-iwp?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240514684842/en/Veolia-Wins-320-Million-Water-Technology-Contract-for-World%E2%80%99s-Most-Energy-efficient-Desalination-Plant-Enhancing-Water-Security-in-UAE?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [dewa.gov.ae](https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2024/12/dewas-aed-290-million-reservoir-in-hassyan?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) 🕰️ Because similar content (project description, tariff figures, partners, timeline) has appeared repeatedly since 2023, the piece is partly recycled — but the August 2025 completion figure and 78% progress claim are fresh and independently reported, which justifies a reasonably high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
⚠️ Key quotations and attributions (for example remarks attributed to HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer and figures for investment, capacity and timeline) appear in prior official statements and press briefings from DEWA and partners; identical or near-identical phrasings have been used in earlier DEWA releases and trade reports. ([dewa.gov.ae](https://www.dewa.gov.ae/en/about-us/media-publications/latest-news/2024/12/dewas-aed-290-million-reservoir-in-hassyan?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [economymiddleeast.com](https://economymiddleeast.com/news/dewa-first-phase-hassyan-desalination-project-set-completion-q1-2027/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) ✅ No unique, unattributed exclusive quote was found that contradicts earlier records — suggesting reuse of official lines. ❗ If any quote in the narrative claims exclusivity, treat it cautiously because matching text appears in DEWA/press releases and trade outlets.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
✅ The narrative is anchored in verifiable official communications and reputable industry reporting: DEWA (official statements/media office), Veolia press release, ACWA Power releases, and established trade/financial outlets (Zawya/Refinitiv, MEED, Utilities Middle East). ([mediaoffice.ae](https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2024/december/05-12/dewa-aed-290-million-reservoir?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240514684842/en/Veolia-Wins-320-Million-Water-Technology-Contract-for-World%E2%80%99s-Most-Energy-efficient-Desalination-Plant-Enhancing-Water-Security-in-UAE?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [marketscreener.com](https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/ACWA-POWER-COMPANY-128645070/news/ACWA-Power-increases-its-water-capacity-to-7-6-mil-m3-day-after-winning-Dubai-s-Hassyan-Seawater-44642522/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [zawya.com](https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/utilities/dewas-hassyan-iwp-project-reaches-78-completion-vrmwddos/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) ⚠️ A few secondary reposts exist (news aggregators/trade feeds) but primary authorities (DEWA, Veolia, ACWA Power) provide direct confirmation of the main claims and figures, reducing risk of fabrication.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
✅ Time‑sensitive claims (78% completion in Aug 2025, Q1 2027 full completion for Phase 1, 180 MIGD / 818,000 m3/d capacity, AED ~3.377bn investment, tariff ~USD 0.365–0.389 per m3 for proposals) are consistent across DEWA, Veolia and industry reporting. ([zawya.com](https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/utilities/dewas-hassyan-iwp-project-reaches-78-completion-vrmwddos/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240514684842/en/Veolia-Wins-320-Million-Water-Technology-Contract-for-World%E2%80%99s-Most-Energy-efficient-Desalination-Plant-Enhancing-Water-Security-in-UAE?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [smartwatermagazine.com](https://smartwatermagazine.com/news/dubai-electricity-and-water-authority-dewa/dewa-receives-lowest-water-levelized-tariff-cubic?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) ✅ Technical claims (SWRO, solar integration, energy intensity ~2.9 kWh/m3 cited by Veolia) are supported by Veolia’s press release. ([veolia.com](https://www.veolia.com/en/our-media/press-releases/veolia-contract-most-energy-efficient-desalination-plant-uae?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) ⚠️ Some timeline items and exact investment/tariff decimals have minor variants in earlier coverage (e.g. 0.365 vs 0.36536 USD/m3; AED 3.357bn–3.377bn), so numeric rounding or reporting variations should be noted when precision matters. ([marketscreener.com](https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/ACWA-POWER-COMPANY-128645070/news/ACWA-Power-increases-its-water-capacity-to-7-6-mil-m3-day-after-winning-Dubai-s-Hassyan-Seawater-44642522/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [idadesal.org](https://idadesal.org/dewa-receives-the-lowest-water-levelized-tariff-of-0-38923-us-dollars-per-cubic-meter-for-its-120migd-hassyan-sea-water-reverse-osmosis-iwp/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
✅ The narrative is largely accurate and corroborated by primary and reputable industry confirmations (DEWA, Veolia, ACWA Power, Zawya/Refinitiv-style reporting). ([mediaoffice.ae](https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2024/december/05-12/dewa-aed-290-million-reservoir?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240514684842/en/Veolia-Wins-320-Million-Water-Technology-Contract-for-World%E2%80%99s-Most-Energy-efficient-Desalination-Plant-Enhancing-Water-Security-in-UAE?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [marketscreener.com](https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/ACWA-POWER-COMPANY-128645070/news/ACWA-Power-increases-its-water-capacity-to-7-6-mil-m3-day-after-winning-Dubai-s-Hassyan-Seawater-44642522/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) ⚠️ Major risks: the piece reuses previously reported material (tenders, tariffs, partners) from 2023–2024, so it is partly recycled rather than wholly new — editors should flag reused passages and check quote attributions. ‼️ Numeric minutiae (small differences in tariff decimals and reported investment totals) appear across documents and should be standardised if precise figures are required. 🕰️ Because the article adds a fresh progress datapoint (78% complete, Aug 2025) that is independently reported, the overall credibility is high, but reviewers should note recycled content and minor numerical inconsistencies.
