BOO Seawater Desalination Plant - Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Introduction

Nabq Bay has been undergoing development since 1998, with 5-star rated hotels and resorts established along its coast. These resorts emphasize environmental conservation, cultural preservation, architectural creativity, and a diverse range of entertainment and leisure experiences.

To sustainably meet the water demand of this growing area, the establishment of the Nabq Bay Desalination Plant was required as the ultimate solution.

The Nabq plant is strategically located at the entrance of Aqaba Gulf (Red Sea), 10 km north of Sharm El Sheikh International Airport and 5 km south of the borders of the Nabq International Protectorate, an area where mangrove trees thrive.

The plant is a seawater reverse osmosis desalination facility with a total capacity of 18,000 m³/day. It is owned by International Utilities Company, a subsidiary of MetiPro Utilities.

Scope of Work

MetiPro held overall responsibility for executing:

  • Feasibility study

  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

  • Plant construction

  • Plant operation for 25 years (automatically renewable for 99 years in accordance with the usufruct law for lands)

Project Phases

  • Phase 1: Commissioned in 2002 with a capacity of 1,500 m³/day

  • Expansion: Gradually increased to 18,000 m³/day

  • Final Phase: Completed in 2009

Included Systems and Equipment

  • Beach well intake pumps

  • Filter feed and backwash pumps

  • Dual-media pressure filters and cartridge filters

  • High-pressure pumps with energy recovery units

  • Reverse osmosis units (skid-mounted, complete with instrumentation and control)

  • Chemical injection systems for disinfection, scale control, and pH adjustment

  • Brine deep-well injection pumps

Key Benefits

  • Secure and stable supply of high-grade water quality

  • Saving valuable prime land within the resort

  • No capital investment required

  • Flexibility to increase water supply as demand grows

  • Elimination of tanker transportation and associated maintenance costs

  • Elimination of potential contamination caused by road tankers

  • Reduction of electrical load at each individual hotel or resort

  • Reduction of power load at the plant itself through the use of pressure exchangers

  • Environmentally friendly project that helps preserve marine life in the surrounding environment

Key Data

Location Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Plant Type Seawater Desalination
Capacity 18,000 m³/day
Ultimate Capacity 40,000 m³/day
Use Municipal
Client New Sharm El-Sheikh Development Company
End User New Sharm El-Sheikh Development Company
Contract Type BOO – 25 Years