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Salalah Independent Water Project (IWP)

Dhofar, Oman

2018 - 2021

Blue InfrastructureClimate ChangeWater

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Project Description

Approach Words: Environment Preservation, Sustainability, Urban Livability

Public Policy Instruments: Infrastructure, Planning

The Salalah Independent Water Project (IWP) is a reverse-osmosis desalination facility located in the Dhofar Governorate.¹ It was developed to enhance water security in southern Oman and support the country’s long-term resource resilience strategy. The project was initiated in 2018 and reached commercial operation in March 2021,² ³with successful Plant Acceptance Tests.⁴

Its vision is “to deliver sustainable and reliable potable water to Dhofar’s growing population and industries”.⁵ It aims to produce 25 million gallons per day (≈113,650 m³/day) of desalinated water, support municipal and industrial demand, and reduce reliance on groundwater sources.⁶ ⁷

To achieve these goals, the Salalah IWP includes:⁸ ⁹

A Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant with a peak capacity of 120,000 m³/day,
Intake and outfall systems designed for minimal marine impact,
Integration with Dhofar’s water-distribution network.

The project applies sustainability principles through energy-efficient membrane technology and brine-discharge management. It also features automated control systems and modular design for future expansion. Beneficiaries include Dhofar residents, industrial users, and tourism-related developments in the region.

Owner/Developer (Public)

Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP)¹⁷

Owner/Developer

ACWA Power ¹⁸

Owner/Developer (Public)

Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP)¹⁷

Owner/Developer

ACWA Power ¹⁸

With a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) Procurement model,ix Salalah IWP was owned by Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) and developed and operated by ACWA Power under a 20-year Water Purchase Agreement (WPA).¹⁰ ¹¹ The project was implemented on time and is currently fully operational. It serves as a model for sustainable water infrastructure in arid regions.

The project was initiated in 2018 and reached commercial operation in March 2021,¹² ¹³ with successful Plant Acceptance Tests.¹⁴

Salalah IWP was awarded on 7 December 2017 to a consortium led by ACWA Power (with Veolia & DIDIC).¹⁵ ¹⁶

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

N.A.

Endnotes

N.A.

References

ACWA Power. (n.d.). Salalah IWP – Project page. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.acwapower.com/en/projects/salalah-iwp/>
ACWA Power. (n.d.). Salalah IWP – Project page. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.acwapower.com/en/projects/salalah-iwp/>
Zawya. (2021, March/April). France’s Egis completes supervisory contract with OPWP for Salalah Independent Water Project in Oman. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/projects-frances-egis-completes-supervisory-contract-with-opwp-for-salalah-independent-water-project-in-oman-w8tuokoh>
ACWA Power. (n.d.). Salalah IWP – Project page. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.acwapower.com/en/projects/salalah-iwp/>
ACWA Power. (2017, December 11). ACWA Power-led consortium with Veolia and DIDIC awarded Salalah IWP Project. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://acwapower.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/latest-news/acwa-power-led-consortium-with-veolia-and-didic-awarded-salalah-iwp-project/>
Facilities Management Middle East. (2021, June). Egis successfully completes Salalah Independent Water Project. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.fm-middleeast.com/business/78778-egis-successfully-completes-salalah-independent-water-project>
ACWA Power. (n.d.). Salalah IWP – Project page. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.acwapower.com/en/projects/salalah-iwp/>
Zawya. (2021, March/April). France’s Egis completes supervisory contract with OPWP for Salalah Independent Water Project in Oman. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/projects-frances-egis-completes-supervisory-contract-with-opwp-for-salalah-independent-water-project-in-oman-w8tuokoh>
Facilities Management Middle East. (2021, June). Egis successfully completes Salalah Independent Water Project. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.fm-middleeast.com/business/78778-egis-successfully-completes-salalah-independent-water-project>
ACWA Power. (n.d.). Salalah IWP – Project page. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.acwapower.com/en/projects/salalah-iwp/>
Zawya. (2021, March/April). France’s Egis completes supervisory contract with OPWP for Salalah Independent Water Project in Oman. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/projects-frances-egis-completes-supervisory-contract-with-opwp-for-salalah-independent-water-project-in-oman-w8tuokoh>
ACWA Power. (n.d.). Salalah IWP – Project page. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.acwapower.com/en/projects/salalah-iwp/>
Veolia Middle East. (2018, April 19). Salalah Independent Water Project – Press Release. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.near-middle-east.veolia.com/sites/g/files/dvc2506/files/document/2018/04/Press_Release_-_Salalah_Independent_Water_Project_-_Salalah_April_19_2018_ENG_0.pdf>
Facilities Management Middle East. (2021, June). Egis successfully completes Salalah Independent Water Project. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.fm-middleeast.com/business/78778-egis-successfully-completes-salalah-independent-water-project>
ACWA Power. (2017, December 11). ACWA Power-led consortium with Veolia and DIDIC awarded Salalah IWP Project. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://acwapower.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/latest-news/acwa-power-led-consortium-with-veolia-and-didic-awarded-salalah-iwp-project/>
Zawya. (2021, March/April). France’s Egis completes supervisory contract with OPWP for Salalah Independent Water Project in Oman. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.zawya.com/en/projects/projects-frances-egis-completes-supervisory-contract-with-opwp-for-salalah-independent-water-project-in-oman-w8tuokoh>
ACWA Power. (n.d.). Salalah IWP – Project page. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.acwapower.com/en/projects/salalah-iwp/>
ACWA Power. (n.d.). Salalah IWP – Project page. Retrieved November 12, 2025, from <https://www.acwapower.com/en/projects/salalah-iwp/>

Salalah Independent Water Project (IWP)

Dhofar, Oman

2018 - 2021

Project Description

Project Link, Endnotes and References

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