[ News listing ](/en/newsroom/news " News listing") 15 May. 2024 **With over 50 years' experience in the field, Veolia is a major player in** [**seawater desalination**](/en/solutions/seawater-desalination "Seawater desalination") **worldwide. The Group has revolutionized this technology to make it ever more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.** Leading provider of low-carbon solutions, Veolia recently announced a [$320 million contract](/en/our-media/press-releases/veolia-contract-most-energy-efficient-desalination-plant-uae "Veolia wins $320 million water technology contract for world’s most energy-efficient desalination plant, enhancing water security in UAE") to design the **Hassyan desalination plant in Dubai**, which will be the largest solar-powered desalination plant in the world. Thanks to the latest-generation reverse osmosis technology, this ultra-efficient plant will boast record consumption of 2.9 kWh/m3, 35% less than the average over the last 10 years. A product of the Veolia group's expertise, this plant [will supply drinking water](/en/solutions/treating-and-distributing-drinking-water "Treating and distributing drinking water") to **2 million people.** This technological feat is fully in line with Veolia's ambition to offer sustainable, low-carbon solutions through its [**strategic GreenUp program**](/en/veolia-group/veolia-2024-2027-strategic-program-green-up "Veolia's strategic program for 2024-2027"). The Group is thus confirming its leadership in desalination, a key sector for guaranteeing access to water in arid regions threatened by climate change and the scarcity of freshwater resources. ## Cutting-edge references worldwide With Veolia's world-renowned expertise in [desalination](/en/blog/water-stress-coastal-areas-solution-water-desalination "Water stress in coastal areas: the solution of water desalination"), the Group already operates several of the world's largest plants, including **Ras Al Khair in Saudi Arabia** (1.07 million m3/day) and **Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates** (636,000 m3/day). The Group also won a contract to design and build the **Mirfa 2 desalination project**, the third largest [seawater desalination plant in the United Arab Emirates](/en/our-media/newsroom/press-releases/veolia-will-design-and-deliver-one-worlds-largest-energy-efficient-desalination-plants "Veolia will design and deliver one of the world's largest energy-efficient desalination plants in Abu Dhabi"), located in Abu Dhabi. In Australia, Veolia also designed the Sydney desalination plant, with a capacity of 250,000 m3/day, which supplies **15% of the city's drinking water needs**. ## Ever more efficient technologies Solution [How is sea water desalinated? ](/en/solutions/seawater-desalination "How is sea water desalinated? ") [Read more](/en/solutions/seawater-desalination "How is sea water desalinated? ") To achieve unrivalled levels of energy efficiency, Veolia relies on innovation and the deployment of cutting-edge technologies such as **ultra-high-pressure reverse osmosis**. The Group also optimizes pre- and post-treatment stages to reduce energy requirements. At the same time, Veolia is developing solutions to minimize the environmental impact of desalination, such as the rejection of brine or the consumption of fresh water for membrane cleaning. In Dubai, for example, draconian measures have been taken to protect sea turtle nesting areas. Our technological innovations have made it possible to produce desalinated water on a large scale with a very low carbon footprint. This new reference in Dubai reinforces our global leadership in sustainable water technologies. **Estelle Brachlianoff,** [**Veolia's CEO**](/en/veolia-group/governance/executive-committee/estelle-brachlianoff-biography#biography-estelle-brachlianoff "Estelle Brachlianoff, Chief Executive Officer") ![Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia](/sites/g/files/dvc4206/files/styles/media/public/image/2022/12/Estelle-Brachlianoff-veolia-comex-292x300.jpg.webp?itok=XgZP7Wf9) ## Discover seawater desalination process