Israel Announces Tender for Major Desalination Plant in Emek Hefer
The Israeli Ministry of Finance initiated an international bidding process on August 26, 2026, for the construction of a new seawater desalination plant. Officials plan to locate the facility in the Emek Hefer industrial zone near Netanya on a 20-hectare site. The selected private operator will finance, build, and maintain the facility under a 25-year public-private partnership concession.
The proposed plant aims to produce 400 million cubic meters of potable water each year. This capacity accounts for approximately 40 percent of the current fresh water demand from Israeli households and industrial sectors. The project framework includes marine intake structures, purification systems, and integration into the national water grid. Developers also have the option to construct a 300-megawatt gas-fired power plant to meet the facility’s energy requirements.
Israel’s Water Authority is expanding desalination capabilities to counter climate change effects, declining rainfall, and population growth. The Emek Hefer project will boost water delivery to the central regions through the national supply network. Government documents indicate the increased capacity could also facilitate additional water exports to neighboring Jordan.
