The Largest Pumping Station in the World in Abu Dhabi

By Magazine Team Last updated Jun 23, 2025 411 0

Contents

1 What about the project of largest pumping station in the world ?

2 STEP ‘ s goals

2.1 Move water from crowded cities to treatment plants in more tranquil locations.

2.2 Water surcharge reduction

3 Mott MacDonald works world’s largest pump station

4 GE Power Convertion as a partner

5 Conclusion

6 References

Following Singapore’s concept, Abu Dhabi was constructing a deep-level sewage interceptor tunnel. Abu Dhabi was utilizing the tunneling technique for the first time.

These large-diameter pipes , which were usually located 20–100 meters underground, employ gravity to move wastewater from crowded cities to treatment facilities in more sedate locations. The pipes required massive pumping stations to raise the flow back to the level of the treatment works, but they were deep enough to avoid other subterranean utility services.

The Strategic Tunnel Enhancement Program (STEP), a 40-kilometer wastewater tunnel designed to meet the rapidly increasing demands for the collection and transportation of used water produced by Abu Dhabi’s expansion, includes this pumping station project. It was a crucial component of the government’s effort to give local farmers better access to high-quality water.

What about the project of largest pumping station in the world ?

When MEED announced that the prequalification process had started in August of 2008, the project was first made public. Earth pressure balance (EPB) equipment has been used to dig more than 12,000 meters of the new sewer tunnel so far. Abu Dhabi was utilizing the technology for the first time. Now, all six of the scheme’s significant contracts have been given out. “Design and build had never been tried by the government when the first tender documents went out at the end of 2008,” explained Shahzad Orakzai, manager of the program management department of Abu Dhabi Sewerage Service Company (ADSSC)

So far the decision has proved a success. “Design and build has worked very well,” said ADSSC managing director Alan Thomson. “It allows freedom for the contractors and consultants to bring their expertise to the table.”

The organisation also decided to adopt the programme management approach used by Singapore for the construction of a $3.65bn, 48km deep-tunnelled sewer system in 2008. US consultant CH2M Hill was appointed to the Abu Dhabi project management role in February 2009.

STEP ‘ s goals

Move water from crowded cities to treatment plants in more tranquil locations.

Although the idea of wastewater transfer was not new, utility tunnels usually have a diameter of less than three meters. An enormous quantity of water storage capacity could be achieved by the new type of interceptor tunnel, which could be double this size. This served as a sewage transfer conduit and was helpful for cities like Jeddah where flash floods was a problem.

Water surcharge reduction

There were numerous benefits to removing wastewater at such a deep level and large capacity, such as a decrease in odor and a decreased likelihood of the system overcharging and flooding the streets. Abu Dhabi’s choiced to carry out its $1.6 billion Strategic Tunnel Enhancement Programme (Step) was heavily influenced by these factors.

Mott MacDonald works world’s largest pump station

Mott MacDonald provided engineering consultancy services, including design, project management, and technical expertise to ensure the pump station operates efficiently and effectively.
A deep 41-kilometer tunnel sewer and multiple connecting sewer networks were the main objectives of ADSSC’s Strategic Tunnel Enhancement Programme (STEP). For further treatment at the Al Wathba Independent Sewage Treatment Plants (ISPTs), they would gather and transfer wastewater to a primary pumping station.

Upstream of the current pumping stations, link sewers would divert the flows from the mainland and Abu Dhabi Island’s existing gravity sewers. Gravity woud direct these flows into the deep tube.
An underground pumping station would be erected in the AI Wathba area at the downstream end of the deep tunnel to raise the sewage to the surface and into recently built ISTPs.
At one end of the tunnel, a sizable, deep building would house the pumping station. A flow distribution facility, operations and maintenance facilities, standby power fuel storage and pumping, and electrical and power generation facilities would also be housed in the site.

GE Power Convertion as a partner

“STEP has chosen a proven GE technology, which already has a solid track record in the hydro segment,” said Keiran Coulton, industry vertical leader, GE’s Power Conversion business. “This unusual project required that the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor work closely with the suppliers of the pumps and drived to provide an optimal overall resolution. The piping arrangement in this project created an impressive series of vertical water columns, and the motor has been designed to manage the large amounts of water that might flow backward through the system when the pumps are shut down.”

Together with pump process automation, GE would supply eight pump drive trains (motors, variable-speed drives, and transformers) totaling 6.38 megawatts in power, as well as design studies. The first pieces of equipment for product validation would be delivered by GE in the second half of 2013.
In order to assist the customer with the overall plant grid analysis, GE also supplied an initial harmonic research. The purpose of its integrated automation system is to improve pump and motor control. According to Coulton, “the overall solution was highly energy efficient,”

GE was awarded the contract for multiple reasons. “The company is very well positioned both from a technical and commercial point of view,” noted Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd. “GE’s Power Conversion business provided deep domain expertise and technical support to Hitachi and the EPC contractor from the start of discussions right through to the signing of the contract. GE showed its flexibility as a global leader in rotating machines by producing motor designs not available as standard in the marketplace.”
In September 2011, Power Conversion (formerly Converteam) was purchased by GE. GE’s Power Conversion division uses power conversion equipment and science to propel the global energy infrastructure’s electric revolution. Serving specialized industries like energy, maritime, industry, and all associated services, it designs and delivers cutting-edge motor, drive, and control technologies that transform current industrial processes for a cleaner, more productive future.

Conclusion

The construction of the largest pumping station in the world as part of Abu Dhabi’s Strategic Tunnel Enhancement Programme (STEP) represents a significant advancement in wastewater management. By utilizing innovative engineering techniques and deep-level sewage interceptor tunnels, this project aims to efficiently transport wastewater from densely populated areas to treatment facilities. With the collaboration of Mott MacDonald and GE Power Conversion, the pumping station not only enhances the region’s infrastructure but also contributes to sustainable water management practices, ensuring a cleaner and more resilient future for Abu Dhabi.

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