Abu Dhabi has shortlisted 25 bidders, including Japanese and French firms, to build its first independent water desalination plant, according to the emirate’s department of energy (DoE). Abu Dhabi’s current water production capacity stands at around 960mn gallons per day from 10 water desalination plants, enough to meet demand. It is building more plants to ensure security of supply to meet future demand. The capital of the United Arab Emirates has traditionally built water and power generation plants side by side, but is building the 200mn gallons per day (GPD) project independent of a power plant. Construction is scheduled for 2020-21 and commercial operations are due to start in 2022.