Sharjah Plans AED 5.2 Billion Infrastructure Investment in Water and Electricity Expansion
A major desalination facility targeting daily production of 410,000 cubic metres is among SEWA's planned developments, alongside expanded water storage and advanced electricity network improvements
Sharjah is preparing to strengthen its essential infrastructure through a series of large-scale water and electricity developments valued at more than AED 5.2 billion ($1.42 billion). The investment programme is intended to support rising demand, improve the reliability of public utilities and prepare the emirate's networks for future expansion.
The projects were presented by Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (SEWA) during the second Sharjah: Future Station forum, hosted at Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK). Held under the theme "From Lab to Market", the event focused on bringing technological research into practical applications across infrastructure and other economic sectors.
The announced programme covers additional water production capacity, expanded storage facilities, improvements to distribution networks and the introduction of smarter systems to manage electricity and water supplies.
New Desalination Facility to Strengthen Sharjah's Water Supply
One of the largest developments within the programme is a planned independent reverse osmosis desalination facility, which will become Sharjah's first plant of this type.
The project is designed to produce up to 410,000 cubic metres of desalinated water every day. Once completed, the facility is expected to provide water supplies for approximately 1.4 million people, with operations targeted to begin by the fourth quarter of 2028.
The development forms part of SEWA's wider response to increasing water consumption and the need for a dependable long-term supply.
Alongside new production capacity, the authority is working on improvements to existing water transmission infrastructure. Planned upgrades include pumping stations, distribution networks and reservoirs, with an additional 270 million gallons of water storage capacity expected from the programme.
Another part of the strategy involves developing underground facilities for storing water reserves. These measures are intended to improve supply management and strengthen the emirate's ability to respond to changing demand.
Artificial Intelligence to Improve Water Network Management
SEWA is also incorporating advanced digital technologies into its water infrastructure operations.
Artificial intelligence and geographic information systems are being introduced to help monitor distribution networks, identify potential problems and reduce water losses.
The authority is also planning to use a dedicated control room to oversee the water network more effectively. Improved monitoring capabilities are expected to provide better visibility of system performance and help operational teams respond to issues more efficiently.
These technology-driven improvements are designed to make water distribution more reliable while supporting the efficient use of available resources.
Sharjah Modernises Electricity Transmission Networks
Alongside its water investments, SEWA is advancing several electricity infrastructure upgrades to improve network performance and prepare for the integration of cleaner energy sources.
According to Hamad Al Tunaiji, Director of the Power Transmission Department at SEWA, the authority has introduced a range of advanced systems across its electricity transmission infrastructure.
The programme includes reactive power management, smart high-voltage networks and upgraded substations.
SEWA reported that the technologies introduced so far have helped reduce electricity network losses by 25% and system faults by 40%. The improvements are intended to support more stable electricity distribution under varying demand conditions.
A further development involves changing the configuration of high-voltage electricity networks from a traditional ring arrangement to a meshed structure.
This approach is expected to improve connections between different parts of the network, strengthen operational reliability and allow faster responses when technical issues arise.
Smart substation technologies are also being implemented to improve the management of electricity transmission and distribution.
Investment Supports the UAE's Long-Term Water Security Goals
Sharjah's infrastructure programme is aligned with the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036, which aims to improve resource efficiency and ensure dependable water availability over the long term.
The national strategy includes a target to reduce water demand by 21% while increasing water productivity to $110 per cubic metre.
Other objectives include lowering the water scarcity index by three points, reusing 95% of treated water and maintaining emergency water reserves equivalent to two days of consumption.
The programme also aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 100 million tonnes.
By expanding desalination capacity, increasing storage and improving the management of distribution networks, Sharjah's planned investments will contribute to the wider national effort to strengthen water security.
Infrastructure Expansion Prepares Sharjah for Future Growth
The AED 5.2 billion programme reflects Sharjah's focus on developing essential utility services alongside its wider economic and urban development plans.
Reliable electricity and water supplies are fundamental to the expansion of residential neighbourhoods, commercial facilities and industrial activities. Strengthening these networks can therefore help provide the infrastructure needed to accommodate future development across the emirate.
With new desalination capacity, additional water reserves and smarter electricity systems in the pipeline, SEWA's investment programme represents an important step towards improving Sharjah's long-term infrastructure readiness.
The planned developments will be implemented as part of the authority's broader efforts to modernise essential services and support sustainable growth.
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