The Government of Ras Al Khaimah, represented by the Public Services Department, has signed a long-term Sewage Treatment Agreement (STA) with a consortium comprising TAQA Water Solutions, Etihad Water and Electricity (EtihadWE), and Saur International.
The agreement marks Ras Al Khaimah’s first-ever public-private partnership (PPP) and sets a strong precedent for future collaboration in essential infrastructure.
At the heart of the partnership is the development of the Ras Al Khaimah Wastewater Treatment Plant, designed with a treatment capacity of 60,000 cubic metres per day, capable of serving a potential population of 300,000 upon completion.
The transformative PPP will significantly upgrade and expand the emirate’s wastewater infrastructure, reinforcing Ras Al Khaimah’s long-term vision for sustainable urban growth, environmental stewardship, and high-quality public services. The strong market response to this inaugural PPP highlights investor confidence in the emirate’s transparent governance model and its ability to attract long-term investment into resilient, sustainable assets.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Public Services Department, said the agreement reflects the emirate’s commitment to delivering vital projects that directly enhance people’s lives, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.
He emphasised that adopting advanced operating models and strengthening private-sector partnerships enables faster project delivery, improved efficiency, and long-term sustainability—while ensuring lasting value for society, the economy, and the environment.
The agreement was signed at the EtihadWE Museum, located within the Saud bin Saqr Energy and Innovation Complex in Al Barirat, Ras Al Khaimah. The signing was witnessed by senior leaders, including:
Jasim Hussain Thabet, Group CEO & Managing Director, TAQA Group
H.E. Eng. Khalid Fadl Al Ali, Director General, Ras Al Khaimah Public Services Department
Eng. Yousef Ahmed Al Ali, CEO, Etihad Water and Electricity
Eng. Ahmed Al Shamsi, CEO, TAQA Water Solutions
Christophe Tanguy, CEO, Saur Middle East
H.E. Eng. Khalid Fadl Al Ali described the project as a qualitative leap in modernising Ras Al Khaimah’s wastewater system. He noted that it will enhance treatment efficiency, improve operational reliability, and ensure infrastructure readiness to meet the demands of ongoing urban expansion—while supporting environmental protection and improved quality of life.
Eng. Yousef Ahmed Al Ali, CEO of EtihadWE, highlighted the project’s role in strengthening wastewater resilience and advancing long-term water security objectives. He underscored the value of combining public-sector leadership with private-sector expertise to deliver sustainable, high-performance infrastructure assets that support urban growth and community wellbeing.
Eng. Ahmed Al Shamsi, CEO of TAQA Water Solutions, said the project represents a major milestone for the company, marking its first large-scale initiative to manage the full recycled water value chain—from collection and treatment to distribution.
TAQA Water Solutions will collect wastewater via a 6.3-kilometre gravity pipeline and distribute recycled water through a network extending up to 26 kilometres, enabling the reuse of 100 per cent of treated wastewater for applications such as irrigation and cooling. The project aligns with the UAE 2030 Vision, Net Zero 2050 Strategy, and relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals, while supporting Ras Al Khaimah’s ambitions as a sustainable tourism destination and economic hub.
Christophe Tanguy, CEO of Saur International – Middle East, said the company is honoured to be part of the consortium delivering the project. He noted that the initiative aligns with Saur’s expertise in operating integrated wastewater systems where reliability, environmental performance, and regulatory compliance are paramount.
The project will be implemented under a Build–Own–Operate–Transfer (BOOT) model. The consortium’s project company will be responsible for the design, financing, construction, commissioning, ownership, operation, and maintenance of the plant and associated assets throughout the project lifecycle. At the end of the partnership term, ownership will be transferred to the Public Services Department in line with international PPP best practices.
Once completed, the Ras Al Khaimah Wastewater Treatment Plant is expected to play a critical role in supporting sustainable urban development, strengthening environmental infrastructure, and advancing public-sector objectives related to efficiency, service integration, and long-term value creation for the community.