INDIA –  The state of Odisha is developing its first desalination plant in Paradip. Last week, the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Chennai. The plant will have a capacity of 10,000 m³/d and be built at an estimated cost of $16.4 million. It is expected be operational by 2021.^[1] 

EGYPT – The government of Egypt is contemplating the construction of desalination projects with private sector participation. Each facility would have a capacity of 150,000 m³/d. Government sources have reported to Daily News Egypt that multiple companies, including Aqualia, Schneider Electric, AquaSwiss and Metito, have submitted proposals for joint water desalination projects. Negotiations between the Egyptian government and interested companies will commence next month.

The Egyptian government’s goal is to add 1.7 million m³/d of water to the country’s existing total desalination capacity by 2020. To reach this target, 19 desalination plants with a total capacity of 626,000 m³/d are planned in North Sinai, South Sinai, Matrouh, Port Said and Red Sea governorates. Egypt’s Holding Company for Water and Wastewater (HCWW) is planning to establish a further 16 plants with a total capacity of 671,000 m³/d in Sinai, Red Sea, Matrouh and Ismailia governorates.^[2]

^{The town of Arguineguin on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain Credit: taxiboatcanarias.com}

SPAIN – IDE Technologies recently supplied a chemical free desalination plant to Aguas De Arguineguin, a water utility in the Canary Islands. The 2,000m³/d uses IDE’s proprietary PROGREEN technology, which periodically reverses flow across RO membranes for chemical-free cleaning.

The plant produces water for the local population of Arguineguin, one of the most populous towns on the island of Gran Canaria, the largest island of the Canary Islands.^[3] 

SAUDI ARABIA – Six water projects developed jointly by the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), the National Water Company (NWC), and the Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) were launched in Saudi Arabia last week. With a combined cost of $826 million, the projects will serve Umrah and Hajj pilgrims in Mecca.

One $233.3 million project consisted of the construction of a pipeline from the Shuaibah Water Desalination Plant to Mecca and associated holy sites. Another project involved the Phase 2 development of the Shuaibah Water desalination plant which will have a capacity of 250,000 m³/d. 

In addition, water service projects involving establishment of water networks, household connections, strategic water reservoirs, sewage networks, and household connections were implemented in Mecca and other holy sites at a cost of $160 million.^[4]