Demand for water in the emirate of Abu Dhabi will grow by 43 percent in the next five years, while the demand for electricity will almost double in this period, according to projections made by the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA). In the absence of adequate resources of ground water or flowing rivers, the emirate depends largely on desalination of the sea water for sanitation. Desalinated water constitutes the major source for drinking water, agricultural and industrial needs. ADWEA has evolved a five-year strategy to produce 969 million gallons of water per day, virtually doubling the present capacity of a number of desalination plants scattered across the emirate. Currently the Umm Al-Nar desalination plant produces 165mn gallons, the Taweelah plant 231 gallons, Al-Marfa plant 39mn gallons, Al-Shuweihat plant 101mn gallons and Al Fujeirah plant 90 million gallons per day. The Abu Dhabi Distribution Company is the distribution arm responsible for water and power supply in the emirate. The two entities have forged a strong partnership to cope up with the growing demands in the light of the economic revival in the emirate. It is constantly upgrading its networks to keep pace with the ongoing expansion of townships in the emirate. During the past few years, the Company has completed distribution networks in forty various projects, which included new townships, development of islands, workers' residential complexes and industrial sites.
