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Executive overview
Key findings
US$3.4 billion: UAE water-sector contract awards in 2025, of which desalination was 12% (US$400 million), down from 35% in 2022 (MEED tally)
AED 80 billion (US$22 billion): Dubai Strategic Sewerage Tunnels PPP, including long-term operating costs; preferred bidders named June 2026, formal awards not yet announced
AED 30 billion: Dubai's Tasreef stormwater programme, of which about AED 6.94 billion has been awarded in three rounds to October 2026 (calculated)
180 MIGD + 60 MIGD: Hassyan reverse osmosis plant in Dubai, Phase 1 commissioning since Q1 2026, and an AED 1.76 billion expansion whose water purchase agreement ACWA Power disclosed on 28 October 2026
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Buyer relevance
Who the report is for
Tunnel, pipe-laying and civil contractors
Package values and dates for the DSST PPP, Tasreef award rounds, Mirfa–Liwa (bids due 5 January 2027) and the Al Hamriyah–Al Falaj transmission works.
Desalination developers and lenders
Which IWPs are signed, financially closed, awarded or still planned, from the Hassyan expansion to Saadiyat, Al Nouf and Ghalilah 1.
Wastewater operators and treatment suppliers
The Jebel Ali STP Phase 3 PPP (up to 1 million m³ a day), the Phases 1–2 upgrade and the Ras Al Khaimah BOOT plant.
Investors sizing the market
Why RC2's AED 16.2 billion and DEWA's AED 11.72 billion capex combine water with electricity, and how programme values differ from awards.
03
Decision scope
Questions answered
How much water infrastructure did the UAE award in 2025?
MEED counted US$3.4 billion of water-sector awards in 2025; desalination was 12% (US$400 million), against 35% in 2022.
Where are the largest open contracts?
In Dubai: the AED 80 billion Strategic Sewerage Tunnels PPP, with preferred bidders named in June 2026, and the AED 30 billion Tasreef programme, with about AED 6.94 billion awarded.
Which desalination plants are next?
The AED 1.76 billion Hassyan expansion (60 MIGD), Saadiyat (60 MIGD, letter of award to Acciona; reported in 2025 as at risk of cancellation), Fujairah I (AED 1.046 billion) and Al Nouf (up to 170 MIGD).
What happens to Abu Dhabi's network spending after 2026?
RC2, which projected AED 16.2 billion of network investment for 2023–2026, ends on 31 December 2026.
04
Inside the report
Inside the complete report
Executive Snapshot
1. Why This Matters Now in United Arab Emirates
2. Current Position
3. Key Programmes, Projects and Investment
4. Policy, Regulation and Institutions
5. Risks and Constraints
6. Strategic Implications
7. What to Watch
Source Register
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Public preview
What to watch next
1. Why This Matters Now in United Arab Emirates
MEED's 2026 award total and desalination share; whether the DSST packages are formally awarded before the end of 2026.
3. Key Programmes, Projects and Investment
Formal DSST awards and financial close; the next Tasreef award round; whether EWEC confirms or cancels Saadiyat; the Al Nouf tender; Fujairah I financial close.
4. Policy, Regulation and Institutions
Publication of an RC3 consultation or decision; any new EWEC statement of future capacity requirements naming the next RO plants.
5. Risks and Constraints
Shuweihat 4's commercial operation; DSST financial close; whether Al Hamriyah's Q2 2027 first-phase output is confirmed.
Key Programmes, Projects and Investment: owner, sponsors, value, capacity and stage for ten desalination projects from Hassyan to Mirfa 2, as of 10 November 2026.
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Included
What you receive
The complete PDF report: 12 pages, 9 sections, 10 tables and a register of 28 sources.
This edition
November 2026 edition.
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Evidence & method
Evidence and method
Built on MEED's 2022–2025 award tally and project reporting, offtaker and developer announcements (DEWA, EWEC, SEWA, EtihadWE, ACWA Power, TAQA), Dubai Municipality and Abu Dhabi Department of Energy releases and price-control documents, DEWA's FY2025 and Q1 2026 results, and Dubai and federal legislation.
Sources
28 sources, listed in the report's source register. Evidence current to 10 November 2026. Principal data periods: contract awards for 2022–2025 (MEED, April 2026); DEWA results for FY2025 and Q1 2026; Abu Dhabi's second price control (RC2), 2023–2026; project, procurement and contract status checked on 10 November 2026. Currency is UAE dirhams (AED), with US dollars (US$) and Saudi riyals (SAR) where the source states them..
Evidence boundaries
This report uses authoritative source material available at the stated research cutoff. It distinguishes published facts, calculated values and analytical interpretation. No independent modelling is performed. Forward-looking analysis reflects published plans, documented trends and stated uncertainties. It does not constitute legal, financial, investment or engineering advice.
08
Lead analyst
Robert C. Brears
Founder, Our Future Water Intelligence
Robert C. Brears is a water-security specialist and author whose work examines utility governance, infrastructure investment, climate resilience and long-term water-system change for executive and policy audiences.
- Decision-focused utility intelligence
- Published water-policy author
- Evidence-grounded system analysis
09
Buyer FAQs
Before you purchase
Who can use the report?
Licensed for internal use within one purchasing organization. The PDF and its contents may be shared with colleagues within that organization. External redistribution, resale and public publication are prohibited without permission.
How is the report delivered?
The PDF is available to download immediately after confirmed payment, through our secure delivery system.
Can my organization buy wider access?
Institutional purchasing: For invoice enquiries, multi-organization licensing or broader access requirements, contact Our Future Water Intelligence.
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Water Infrastructure Investment and Project Pipeline in United Arab Emirates
- Format
- Length
- 12 pages
- Edition
- November 2026 edition
- Price
- USD 249
11
Report details
Publication details
- Publisher
- Our Future Water Intelligence
- Report family
- Insight Brief
- Edition
- November 2026 edition
- Format
- Length
- 12 pages
- Reference
- OFW_EXT_WATER_INFRASTRUCTURE_INVESTMENT_AND_PROJECT_PIPELINE_IN_UNITED_ARAB_EMIRATES_f6e1383a704b
- Evidence current to
- 10 November 2026
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