In January 2018, Abu Dhabi invited international firms to express interest in building one of the world's largest desalination plants. As Middle East Construction News reported, citing Reuters, the plant was to deliver 200 million gallons per day and cost 600 million to 1.2 billion US dollars. According to Adil al-Saeedi of the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA), prequalification was due by the second quarter of 2018 and developer selection by the third. The developer was to hold up to 40 percent of the project company.
The report showed the Gulf model of the time: private developers built and financed large plants as minority partners, while the state authority remained majority owner and long-term buyer of the water.
Source: Middle East Construction News