One of the POWERCHINA's overseas desalination projects.
POWERCHINA, as the world's largest desalination EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) general contractor, has supported international water resource development by undertaking 10 large-scale desalination projects in countries such as Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, with a daily water production capacity exceeding 4 million cubic meters.
POWERCHINA has signed multiple projects in Saudi Arabia, including the Rabigh Phase III desalination plant, Jubail Phase II desalination project, Jubail 3A and Jubail 3B desalination projects, and the country's fifth large-scale desalination project, the Rabigh Phase IV desalination project.
The Rabigh Phase III desalination plant has supplied fresh water to over 2 million households in cities, including Jeddah and Mecca. It is the first large desalination project undertaken by a Chinese enterprise overseas and the largest single desalination project in the world, setting a Guinness World Record for single-unit water production capacity of 600,000 cu m per day.
Additionally, it won numerous awards, including the 2022 Global Water Intelligence Desalination Plant of the Year and the 2021 Economic Excellence Award in the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia. It is also the first desalination project to win the Muse Design Award.
The plant came into operation in December, 2021, two months ahead of schedule.
During construction, more than 3,500 jobs were provided locally, contributing approximately $200 million to the local GDP and driving economic growth in Saudi Arabia.
During the construction process, POWERCHINA has been committed to reducing energy consumption. The Jubail 3A desalination project is the first of its kind to utilize photovoltaic solar power generation as a supplementary power source. This has led to an annual reduction of 60,000 metric tons of carbon emissions, earning high praise from the Saudi government and the project's owners.
In the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi Taweelah desalination project, also being built by POWERCHINA, is currently the largest reverse osmosis desalination project under construction in the world. It won the Global Water Award for the Desalination Plant of the Year 2023.
The technology employed in the project not only effectively reduces energy consumption but also significantly optimizes the local water production structure. At the same time, it ensures environmental friendliness and achieves zero-pollution emissions. Under full load, the plant can meet the water needs of nearly one million local households.
In addition to creating jobs for the local community, POWERCHINA has conducted "Silk Road Libraries" activities to promote cultural exchange. It has also provided a warm and comfortable living environment for both Chinese and foreign employees whenever possible. The campsite for the UAE Abu Dhabi Taweelah seawater desalination project and the Saudi Red Sea Utilities Infrastructure project made the list of 2022 Top China Overseas Engineering Campsite.
