United Arab Emirates Water Report Q4 2012

BMI View: Abu Dhabi did not let water policy drift over the traditionally quiet summer months, and the confirmation of the plans for a new independent water and power project (IWPP) at Mirfa is a tonic for the sector and for international developers looking for project opportunities in the UAE. It remains to be seen what approach Dubai will adopt over our five-year forecast period; the emirate’s economy is starting to revive after a troubled three years, following the Dubai World debt crisis. Water demand should start to regain its historic trend, and the emirate’s authorities will need to find a solution to how it wants to finance the necessary investment.

Get your copy of this report @ http://www.rnrmarketresearch.com/united-arab-emirates-water-report-q4-2012-market-report.html

Key themes to highlight for UAE’s water sector:

After some mixed news for privately financed power and water projects in the UAE – headed by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority’s (DEWA’s) controversial cancellation of an independent power project (IPP) early in 2012 – the announcement of a new independent water and power project in Abu Dhabi will restore some confidence among private water developers.
The new IWPP at Mirfa, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA),
will have a 53mn gallons-a-day (g/d) water desalination capacity, as well as 1,500 megawatts
(MW) of electricity generation. A 40% stake will be offered to the successful foreign bidder,
with a plant completion deadline set for 2016.

ADWEA is refinancing the debt on the Suweihat II IWPP, with plans to issue an US$800bn
bond, which would be used to repay some of the bank loans ahead of schedule, and then secure new loans at lower interest rates. Some lenders are expected to accept repayment terms rather than commit to lower interest rates.

In summer 2012, the UK’s Mott MacDonald won an estimated AED2bn consultancy contract
for services on building a pumping station as part of ADSSC’s Strategic Tunnels Enhancement
Programme (Step). The pumping station will have a 3.3mn m3/d capacity, which will assist
 
ADSSC complete the upgrade of the emirate’s sewage system.

Dubai invited bids for an extended 26 August deadline on a contract to build water reservoirs
with a 120mn gallon capacity at Lusaily. Bidders are mainly Gulf and Indian firms. Another
120mn gallon reservoir at Ghafat is due for completion in 2012.

We have scaled back the amount of water we believe the UAE will produce over our five-year
forecast period to 2016. Though demand remains robust (Dubai apart) across the federation, we no longer expect production to break the 200,000mn gallon level by the end of our forecast
period in 2016. With the Mirfa IWPP due onstream that year, adding 53mn g/d of capacity to the Abu Dhabi water system, there will be an increase in capacity. However, this is some 7mn g/d short of the original target level, and leads us to revise down our production outlook. We still
United Arab Emirates Water Report Q4 2012 © Business Monitor International Ltd Page 6
expect the UAE’s focus on private water development to ensure that supply will keep pace with
demand, but much will depend on ADWEA’s ability to push through planned increases. So far,
its strategy is holding up well, giving us confidence in the future of the emirate’s water sector.

Report Details:

Published: Oct 2012

No. of pages: 60

Price: Single User License: US $1175