Jordan has taken a significant step towards enhancing its water security with the signing of a USD 36 million agreement to rehabilitate and upgrade the Abu Al-Zighan desalination plant, located in Balqa Governorate. The project is part of the country’s broader efforts to modernize critical water infrastructure and address chronic water scarcity.
The agreement was signed by the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation, represented by Minister Raed Abu Al-Saud, in partnership with Desalia, alongside the local contractor Hussein Attieh & Partners. The project reflects a strong model of international cooperation, combining public leadership with private sector expertise.
Upgrading strategic desalination infrastructure
The rehabilitation works will focus on modernizing the existing desalination facilities, incorporating advanced reverse osmosis technology and upgrading mechanical, electrical, and control systems. Once completed, the plant’s production capacity is expected to reach approximately 27,000 cubic meters of potable water per day, significantly improving operational efficiency and reliability.
This increase in capacity will directly benefit 17 communities in the Deir Alla and Al-Karama areas, providing a more stable and sustainable water supply. According to official estimates, the upgraded facility will serve the needs of around 100,000 people up to 2050, supporting both domestic consumption and long-term regional development.
International financing and technical support
The project is partially financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), with additional engineering and technical support backed by the United States government. This financial structure underlines the strategic importance of the project at both national and international levels, as well as the growing role of desalination in addressing water stress in arid and semi-arid regions.
Supporting Jordan’s long-term water strategy
Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, facing increasing pressure from population growth, climate change, and limited natural water resources. The rehabilitation of the Abu Al-Zighan plant forms part of the Water Sector Strategy 2023–2040, which aims to diversify water sources, improve infrastructure resilience, and strengthen public-private partnerships.
Minister Abu Al-Saud highlighted that projects of this scale are essential to ensuring reliable water supplies while reducing dependence on overexploited groundwater resources.
Desalia’s role
Desalia’s participation in the Abu Al-Zighan project reinforces its commitment to delivering high-performance desalination solutions tailored to challenging environments. By applying proven technology and international expertise, the project contributes not only to improved water availability, but also to the sustainable management of resources in one of the world’s most water-stressed regions.
