ACWA Power has signed key agreements with the Government of Senegal to develop West Africa’s largest seawater desalination plant, a project that will deliver 400,000 cubic metres of potable water per day to Dakar and surrounding areas, entirely powered by renewable energy.
The Grande-Côte desalination project, valued at approximately $800 million, supports Senegal’s efforts to enhance water security and advance its sustainability agenda. The project is structured as a public-private partnership and is scheduled to reach financial close by 2026, with full commercial operations expected by 2031.
The agreements, which formalise both the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contract and the Government Support Agreement (GSA), were signed during a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Dakar. The event was attended by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, key government ministers, and executives from ACWA Power and Senegal’s national water asset company, SONES.
A Saudi delegation also participated in the signing, including senior representatives from the Saudi Water Authority, the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority, and the Ministry of Investment.
The project will be developed in two phases of 200,000 m³/day each, and will rely entirely on green electricity sourced from the Senegalese national grid under a dedicated agreement with state utility SENELEC.
Once operational, Grande-Côte will be among the first large-scale desalination facilities globally to operate solely on renewable energy.
“This is a transformative project that underscores our commitment to sustainable development and resilient infrastructure,” said Raad Al Saady, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of ACWA Power. “It sets a new global standard for environmentally responsible desalination.”
Senegal, a country grappling with rapid urbanization and rising water demand, sees the project as a cornerstone of its water and climate strategy. Dakar’s access to clean water is expected to expand substantially, reducing pressure on existing freshwater sources and improving resilience against droughts and climate variability.
ACWA Power, headquartered in Saudi Arabia, is the world’s largest private desalination developer and has been expanding its presence across Africa with a focus on renewables-powered infrastructure.
The Senegal deal adds to its growing portfolio in the region, reinforcing its strategic position as a key partner in the continent’s utility transformation.
