SAUDI ARABIA – Saudi Arabia's National Water Company (NWC) has initiated 12 major desalination projects valued at over $1.3 billion in strategic areas such as Dammam, Al Khobar, Jubail, Al Ahsa, and Qatif. The projects include the construction of 40 water tanks with a total capacity of 1.6 million cubic meters, pumping stations, and 493 kilometers of strategic pipeline networks. The gradual implementation aims to ensure uninterrupted 24/7 water supply to residents. NWC has completed work on 11 tanks in Dammam, with eight additional tanks planned for Al Khobar. Projects in Al Qatif, Jubail, and Al-Ahsa involve the construction of reservoirs and pumping stations. (Oil&Gas Middle East)
U.A.E. – Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has selected ACWA Power to operate the Hassyan seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant in Dubai, one of the world’s largest. The Saudi-based firm secured the bid with a record-low water levelised tariff of $0.365 per cubic meter, marking the first Independent Water Producer project to break the $0.4/m3 barrier for a sea water reverse osmosis plant of this scale. The plant, with a capacity of 818,280 m3/day, will contribute to DEWA's strategy to increase Dubai's water desalination capacity and produce 100% of water from clean energy and waste heat by 2030. ACWA Power's overall water capacity will reach 7.6 million m3/day. (ARAB NEWS)
INDIA – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin initiated the construction of Southeast Asia's largest desalination plant, a located at Perur, costing $597 million. The joint venture led by Va Tech WABAG, Metito Overseas Ltd, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is set to produce 400,000 m3/d. The plant is expected to be completed before December 2026. Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) will distribute the water to South Chennai residents. The project includes design, build, operate (DBO), with WABAG responsible for 20 years of operation and maintenance. (The Hindu Businessline)
AUSTRALIA – SA Water is progressing with investigations for the design and construction of a desalination plant for Eyre Peninsula at Billy Lights Point, along with a connecting pipeline. Preliminary land and marine-based investigations are ongoing to minimize environmental impact and support the development application. Surveys were recently conducted along the proposed pipeline route in Port Lincoln, involving "potholing" to assess soil conditions and locate existing underground services. Marine science studies include modeling saline discharge dispersion and water quality monitoring in Boston and Proper Bays. SA Water is engaging with the community through a Project Reference Group, and an Expression of Interest for construction planning has received a positive response from the market. (Utility Magazine)
The proposed desalination plant for the Seven Mile Beach corridor, Cayman Islands. Credit: Department of Environment Cayman Islands
CAYMAN ISLANDS – Cayman Water Company has proposed plans to the Central Planning Authority to build a new reverse osmosis desalination plant on the Seven Mile Beach corridor. The $2.5 million facility will be located on a nine-acre plot off Jasmine Blossom Way. If approval is granted the project will be the company’s fourth on the west side of Grand Cayman. (Cayman Compass)
U.S.A. – Bechtel Energy and Five Point Energy have announced a pilot program to test desalination technology in the Permian Basin, located in Western Texas, for produced water outside the oil industry. The agreement allows Five Point to utilize Bechtel's proprietary Low Energy Ejector Desalination System (LEEDS) technology. The exclusive relationship covers marketing, development, and sale of plants using LEEDS technology for produced water in the Permian Basin. Deep Blue Holdings, a Five Point portfolio company, will operate Bechtel's pilot unit near Midland to support technology development. LEEDS treats produced water to a quality suitable for reintroduction into the ecosystem or other commercial applications, using less energy than traditional thermal evaporation processes. (MRT)