"Largest of its kind in the world": New desalination plant will provide 40% of drinking water

The special tender committee for seawater desalination at the Accountant General's office has published the pre-qualification documents for the international tender for the planning, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of a seawater desalination plant in the Emek Hefer industrial zone. The facility is planned to operate with a production capacity of 400 million cubic meters of desalinated water per year, and upon its completion, it is expected to be one of the largest of its kind in the world.

The facility's output is equal to about 40% of the annual fresh water consumption of households and industry in Israel. Beyond strengthening the local water economy and preparing for climate change and population growth, the construction of the facility will support the promotion of the Prosperity Blue project, which may allow for the expansion of cooperation between Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and contribute to regional stability.

Project highlights and tender conditions

• Location and area: About 200 dunams in the Emek Hefer industrial zone, in accordance with the National Infrastructure Plan (TATL 143).

• Operating model: A PPP (Public-Private Partnership) franchise for a period of 25 years.

• Energy infrastructure: The tender documents may include the option to build a conventional power plant fueled by natural gas with a capacity of up to 300 megawatts, for the purpose of self-generating the electricity required to operate the facility.

• Environmental and technological requirements: Compliance with standards of energy efficiency, water quality, environmental protection, and innovation throughout the construction and operation periods.

As part of the pre-qualification stage, the professional, engineering, and financial capabilities of groups from Israel and around the world will be examined. The project is being promoted under the leadership of Eyal Zamir, head of the Infrastructure and PPP Projects unit at the Accountant General's office, and by a committee composed of representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Water Authority, the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and the Inbal company.

Accountant General, CPA Michal Abadi-Boiangiu stated:

"The tender for the construction of the desalination plant in Emek Hefer, which is expected to be the largest of its kind in the world, is another significant step in a series of desalination plants promoted by the Accountant General's office using the PPP method in recent years, which have brought about a real revolution in the water economy. In an era of climate change and in a reality of decreasing precipitation and growing demand, the construction of the desalination plant in Emek Hefer is a key pillar in the long-term policy of the Accountant General's office and the Water Authority to ensure a continuous and reliable water supply for all residents of the State of Israel."

Director of the Water Authority, Yehezkel Lifshitz, noted: "The Emek Hefer desalination plant project is great news for the water economy and the citizens of Israel. The construction of the desalination plant, one of the largest and most advanced in the world, will allow us to provide a forward-looking response to the needs of the population, agriculture, and industry, while maintaining first-rate environmental and technological standards."

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Response of the Emek Hefer Regional Council

The Emek Hefer Council expressed surprise at the state's decision to rush the publication of the tender before the National Infrastructure Committee has published its position regarding a long series of objections submitted by the council and other parties. The council argues that this constitutes improper conduct that deviates from standard administrative planning procedures.

Council Head Galit Shaul stated:

"We demand to freeze the tender until the completion of the planning process, including providing answers to the objections submitted. Doubling the desalination plant to 400 million cubic meters in its current format is a disaster for agricultural and open lands in Emek Hefer and will be a tragedy for generations. Behind it hides an intention to build a power plant with a capacity of 300 megawatts without any need, in addition to 7 other power plants in the valley area."

Shaul emphasized that the council will examine legal avenues to respond to the publication of the tender.