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Abu Dhabi-based Taqa Water Solutions has allocated AED10bn ($2.72bn) for some 80 water infrastructure-related projects in Abu Dhabi, both greenfield and brownfield. The first batch of these projects is due to be tendered starting next year.

"Over the next five years, we are expanding our capital portfolio with a total of 80 new projects requiring up to AED10bn. The first batch of these projects is coming to market starting next year," Nader Assad Bin Taher, chief operating officer of Taqa Water Solutions, told MEED.

Formerly Abu Dhabi Sustainable Water Solutions, the company has rebranded following its acquisition by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa).

According to Bin Taher, roughly 45% of the planned capital expense will be allocated to new projects, 40% to the rehabilitation of existing assets, another 10% to interconnections or pipelines, and the rest to regulatory compliance by installing flow metering or Scada systems, among others.

Bin Taher also said Taqa Water Solutions is reviewing a previous plan to procure an advanced treated sewage effluent (TSE) plant with an initial design capacity of 750,000 cubic metres a day (cm/d).

He said that the process is under way to finalise the way forward for the project, which might eventually have a bigger capacity than initially planned.

MEED understands that the final procurement model for the project is also being discussed.

MEED reported in February 2023 that five companies and consortiums had submitted bids for the engineering, procurement and construction contract.

Among those that submitted proposals for the contract on 23 January were Spain's Acciona, UAE-based Tecton Engineering, and a team comprising Spanish contractor Abengoa and local contracting company Emarat Aloula.

It is understood that the project has been put on hold following the expiry of bid bonds.

The initial plan entailed a TSE plant expected to have a design capacity of 700,000 cm/d, with the potential to expand this capacity to 950,000 cm/d in a subsequent phase, as MEED reported.

The TSE facility will produce water for higher-end applications compared to TSE produced in a standard sewage treatment plant.

Taqa Water Solutions is the sole entity responsible for wastewater collection and treatment and the production of recycled water in Abu Dhabi.

Taqa announced the rebranding of the company as Taqa Water Solutions in mid-September.