Exploring the Top 5 SWRO Desalination Plants in the World(2025)

Overview

In the face of escalating global water scarcity, desalination has emerged as a crucial solution for augmenting freshwater supplies. The two primary technologies in desalination are thermal desalination and seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO).

Thermal Desalination

Thermal Desalination involves heating seawater to produce steam and then condensing it to obtain freshwater. It’s energy-intensive and typically used in regions where energy costs are low or waste heat from power plants is available.

Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO)

Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO), on the other hand, uses semi-permeable membranes to separate water molecules from salts. SWRO has gained popularity due to its lower energy consumption and reduced environmental footprint compared to thermal methods.

Top 5 Operational SWRO Desalination Plants

Explore the world’s leading operational SWRO desalination plants known for their capacity, technology, and innovation.

1. Taweelah RO Desalination IWP, UAE

• Capacity: 909,201 m³/day
• Commercial Operational Date: Q1 2024
• Cost: USD 874 Million
• EPC Contractor: SEPCOIII(China)  & Abengoa Agua S.A.
• Location: Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, UAE

As the largest SWRO plant globally, Taweelah is designed to meet Abu Dhabi’s growing water needs with advanced engineering solutions. The plant is 44% bigger than the world’s current largest RO plant in term of capacity. The Taweelah plant set new benchmarks for efficiency and cost of water produced with the adoption of RO technology instead of thermal desalination.

2. Umm Al Quwain IWP, UAE

• Capacity: 681,900 m³/day
• Commercial Operational Date: Q3 2022
• Cost: USD 797 Million
• EPC Contractor: Consortium of SIDEM and CGGC(China Gezhouba Group Co. Ltd.)
• Location: Umm Al Quwain, UAE

Umm Al Quwain Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) Desalination Plant is located south of the Ras Al Khaimah border in Umm Al Quwain and the plant spans a total land area of 23.5 hectares adjacent to the E11 highway and features a marine intake and outfall system. With a production capacity of 681,900 cubic meters per day (150 MIGD), it ranks as the second largest SWRO desalination plant in the world.

The project was developed under the sponsorship of Etihad Water & Electricity, who also serves as the sole off taker under a 35-year Water Purchase Agreement (WPA). The project’s total investment of approximately AED 3.0 billion was financed by a consortium of both local and international lenders.

This landmark project reflects the UAE government’s commitment to sustainable water security, reducing reliance on limited groundwater, and investing in world-class water-efficient infrastructure.

3. Sorek Desalination Plant, Israel

• Capacity: 640,000 m³/day
• Commercial Operational Date: 2013
• Cost: USD 489 Million
• EPC Contractor: IDE Technologies
• Location: Israel

Sorek stands as a model of cost-effective and efficient desalination, reflecting Israel’s leadership in innovative water strategies.

4. Rabigh 3 IWP, KSA

• Capacity: 600,000 m³/day
• Commercial Operational Date: Q4 2021
• Cost: USD 750 Million
• EPC Contractor: Consortium of SEPCOIII(China), SIDEM, and Abengoa (SEPCOIII is the lead)
• Location: Rabigh, KSA

The Rabigh Phase III Desalination Plant in Saudi Arabia utilizes the world’s most advanced reverse osmosis desalination technology and has a daily water production capacity of 600,000 cubic meters, making it one of the largest individual seawater desalination projects in the world.

It consists of modules such as a booster station, marine water intake and discharge, seawater pretreatment, and a reverse osmosis system. Construction on the plant began in December 2018 and was completed in December 2021.

It can provide essential drinking water to over 2 million residents and pilgrims in major Saudi cities such as Jeddah and Mecca every day.

5. Jubail 3A IWP, KSA

• Capacity: 600,000 m³/day
• Commercial Operational Date: 2023
• Cost: USD 650 Million
• EPC Contractor: Consortium of Power China, Sepco III, Lantania, and Abengoa
• Location: Jubail, KSA

Jazlah Water Desalination Company is a leading entity in the water desalination sector, significantly contributing to meeting the demand for desalinated water in Saudi Arabia. The company owns the Jubail Desalination Plant 3A, located in Jubail, which produces 600,000 cubic meters of desalinated water daily.

Jazlah employs Reverse Osmosis Seawater (SWRO) technology, one of the most advanced methods used in water desalination. The plant relies on electricity from the national grid (SEC) and utilizes 20% of the total power requirement from photovoltaic solar energy, ensuring the sustainability of the process.

Jazlah Water Desalination Company aims to achieve further advancements in water desalination and enhance the sustainability of water resources in the Kingdom.

Jazlah encompasses a 45.5 MW solar PV power generation facility, which will account for 20% of the plant’s energy consumption and will deliver clean water to over three million people at a record-breaking tariff of 0.41 USD/m3, using reverse osmosis technology.

Conclusion

These operational SWRO plants are integral to meeting the increasing demand for fresh water globally. They showcase the technological prowess and potential of SWRO solutions for sustainable water management.

Future Outlook

With advancements in desalination technology, will an SWRO plant with a daily capacity exceeding 1 million m³ soon become reality? As the global need for efficient water solutions grows, such breakthroughs may be just ahead, enhancing global water security.