Acwa Power, a renowned renewables giant, is embarking on a groundbreaking endeavor in Sub-Saharan Africa with the establishment of the region's largest desalination plant in Dakar, Senegal. The initiative, backed by a SAR 3 billion (approximately USD 800 million) water purchase agreement, marks a significant milestone in the country's quest for sustainable water solutions. In a recent disclosure to Tadawul, Acwa Power unveiled its strategic partnership with Senegal's Water and Sanitation Ministry and the Senegalese National Water Company (Sones) to materialize this ambitious project.

Under the terms of the 32-year contract, Acwa Power assumes responsibility for the financing, development, operation, and maintenance of the desalination plant in Grande Côte. Additionally, the company will oversee the design and construction of essential infrastructure integral to the project's success. Utilizing cutting-edge reverse osmosis technology, the plant will boast a formidable combined production capacity of 400,000 cubic meters per day, a testament to its pioneering status in the realm of water desalination.

The project is structured to unfold in two distinct phases, with the commercial operation of the first phase slated for the first quarter of 2028, in line with Acwa Power's projected timeline. Notably, this endeavor builds upon the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Acwa Power and Sones in 2022, laying the groundwork for the development of the Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant.

Representing a pioneering initiative in public-private partnership, this venture stands as a pivotal milestone in Sub-Saharan Africa's pursuit of innovative desalination solutions. Initially conceptualized with a production capacity of 300,000 cubic meters per day, the plant's scope has since expanded to meet the region's burgeoning water needs.