Israel Launches World’s Largest Desalination Plant to Supply 40% of Drinking Water

Israel has initiated an international tender for the design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of a new seawater desalination plant in the Emek Hefer industrial zone. The facility is planned to produce 400 million cubic meters of desalinated water annually, covering approximately 40% of Israel’s annual freshwater consumption for households and industry. This project is expected to be one of the largest desalination plants globally upon completion.

The plant will occupy around 200 dunams and operate under a 25-year public-private partnership (PPP) license. The tender documents include provisions for a conventional natural gas power station with up to 300 megawatts capacity to supply the plant’s electricity needs. The project emphasizes compliance with high standards of energy efficiency, water quality, environmental protection, and technological innovation throughout construction and operation.

This initiative supports Israel’s long-term water security strategy amid climate change and population growth. It also aligns with the Prosperity Blue project, which aims to enhance cooperation between Israel and Jordan, contributing to regional stability. The tender process is led by Gal Lando, head of the Infrastructure and PPP Projects Unit at the Accountant General’s Department, with oversight from a committee including representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Water Authority, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and Inbal company.

Michal Abadi-Boiangiu, the Accountant General, highlighted the project as a significant milestone in Israel’s water sector revolution, ensuring reliable water supply despite declining rainfall and increasing demand. Water Authority Director Yehezkel Lifshitz called the plant a major breakthrough for Israel’s water system, promising to meet future needs of the population, agriculture, and industry while maintaining top environmental and technological standards.