TAQA Water Solutions Unveils AED 95 Million SCADA Project To Enhance Sustainability And Efficiency

TAQA Water Solutions has initiated a significant AED95 million project to establish an advanced Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. This initiative, revealed at the IDRA World Congress 2024, focuses on enhancing environmental sustainability, boosting operational efficiency, and increasing wastewater treatment capacity by about 20%. The project includes a centralised control facility to streamline operations.

The contract for this project was awarded to Electro Mechanical Company LLC, with TVA Engineering providing consultancy services. Siemens technology will be integral to the development of the SCADA system. This cutting-edge technology will allow real-time monitoring and control of TAQA's extensive network through over 2,000 sensors and instruments. The integration will cover 91% of TAQA's wastewater collection and treatment assets in Abu Dhabi.

The SCADA system aims to improve operational efficiency by analysing data from across the emirate. It enables trend identification, remote site monitoring, and real-time event notifications. This proactive approach supports predictive maintenance and anticipates potential issues, optimising operations. The data will guide infrastructure decisions, aligning them with operational needs while promoting sustainable practices.

TAQA's infrastructure spans over 13,000 kilometres with 43 treatment plants and 260 pumping stations. The new system ensures seamless management across this vast network. It is expected to reduce carbon emissions by up to 13%, equivalent to nearly 6,500 metric tonnes annually. Additionally, maintenance costs are projected to decrease by 12%, with energy consumption also lowered.

The Siemens SCADA upgrade introduces AI Smart monitoring for enhanced efficiency. The project aims for annual savings exceeding AED10 million through reduced maintenance costs and energy consumption. Security measures will be strengthened with advanced cybersecurity protocols and physical enhancements.

Ahmed Al Shamsi, CEO of TAQA Water Solutions, stated: "This landmark AI-driven, large-scale automation project will significantly enhance TAQA Water Solutions’ operational excellence and environmental sustainability across our water treatment facilities. This strategic project will boost energy efficiency and expand treatment capacity while reinforcing our commitment to public health and responsible resource management."

Collaboration for Regional Benchmarking

Mohamed Abdul Aziz Rubayea Al Mehairi, Chairman of Electro Mechanical Company, commented: "The new SCADA system will revolutionise TAQA Water Solutions' operations, enabling proactive wastewater management and optimised performance while boosting energy efficiency and ensuring full regulatory compliance." He emphasised that implementing the latest technology sets a regional benchmark.

Mohammed Khalifa from Siemens highlighted the importance of collaboration: "Collaboration is essential for tackling today’s water challenges, and we are excited to work alongside TAQA Water Solutions and Electro Mechanical Co. on this project." He noted that leveraging Siemens technology aims to enhance system efficiency and advance sustainability in the water industry.

This ambitious project not only enhances operational capabilities but also underscores TAQA's commitment to a sustainable future. By integrating advanced technologies into its infrastructure, TAQA is setting a precedent for efficient resource management in the region.

With inputs from WAM