Africazine:
Egypt is advancing its water security strategy through a significant investment in desalination infrastructure.
UAE-based AMEA Power is in advanced negotiations with the Egyptian government to develop three seawater desalination plants, with a total production capacity of approximately 300,000 cubic metres per day. This capacity is expected to supply potable water for around one million people, depending on consumption patterns.
AMEA Power’s Major Investment in Egypt
The proposed investment includes two plants on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast and a third on the Red Sea. These projects will be implemented under an Independent Water Producer (IWP) model, allowing AMEA Power to finance, build, and operate the facilities through long-term concession agreements. The company will supply desalinated water under contractual arrangements.
This initiative aligns with Egypt’s strategy to enhance private-sector participation in critical water infrastructure, addressing the growing demand for water amid rising population and climate-related pressures.
Egypt’s National Seawater Desalination Strategy
Egypt is pursuing one of the largest desalination expansion programmes in the Middle East and North Africa. The country currently operates more than 120 desalination plants, with additional facilities under construction. The government aims to reduce dependence on the Nile while ensuring reliable water supplies for its expanding coastal cities and industrial developments.
Through public-private partnerships, Egypt is working to significantly expand its national production capacity over the coming decades. This strategy is crucial for meeting the increasing industrial and urban demand for water.
Next Steps in the Desalination Projects
- Finalization of negotiations between AMEA Power and the Egyptian government.
- Implementation of the desalination plants under the IWP model.
- Expansion of Egypt’s desalination capacity through additional projects.
Egypt is taking decisive steps to secure its water future through innovative desalination projects.
