The Red Sea–Dead Sea desalination project at Aqaba

Abstract

The Red Sea–Dead Sea desalination project is a joint initiative to promote regional cooperation among Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority. As a result of such cooperation, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on9 December 2013 at the World Bank in Washington DC in which all parties agreed to start the implementation of phase 1 of the project. The MoU has been followed by signing of a project bi-lateral agreement between Jordan and Israel on 26 February 2015 in which both parties have agreed on the modalities of their cooperation in all stages of the project and on management and procedures. The project aims to extract 190–300 million cubic meters per year (mcm/y) of seawater from the Red Sea and convey them via pipelines to a desalination plant north of Aqaba airport in Jordan to produce about 65–85 mcm/y of desalinated fresh water of which 35–50 mcm/y are to be supplied to Israel in the south. In exchange, Israel will supply about 30 mcm/y to the northern governorates in Jordan at a previously agreed price. Also, 30 mcm/y will be supplied to the Aqaba region, and the brine and seawater of about 110–220 mcm/y are to be discharged to the Dead Sea. Phase II comprises increase in the amount of desalinated water by construction of a second treatment plant south of the Dead Sea with a water transmission system to deliver additional fresh water to Amman. The additional quantities are yet to be defined. Ultimately, the project aims to augment Jordan’s water resources and replenish, or at least maintain, the level of the Dead Sea water, hence preserving its environment and economic benefits. To implement the RSDS regional project based on a BOT scheme, the Government of Jordan is seeking private sector participation and partnership with a capacity to build, operate and transfer of a desalination plant, water and brine pipelines, booster pump stations and provide technology and knowledge transfer to Jordanian counterparts. The capital cost of the project is expected to be approximately USD 950 million to provide 65–85 mcm of desalinated water annually.