In Abu Dhabi, Masdar will present the technical results of a pilot program that may seeks to advance environmentally-friendly desalination in the commercial sector.[1] The program began last year with four small-scale plants that tested renewable energies; and concluded with five plants. French engineering company Mascara added the final plant to the program this past October.[2]
Last month, Prince Charles visited Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Institute of Science and Technology during his state visit.[3] Ms. Al Mazrui, the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, convened a discussion about green issues with the Prince and several students. Mazrui explained that the UAE was following the example of the Prince’s Trust by harnessing the potential of the nation’s youth.[4] Mazrui discussed the possibility and promise of creating an environmentally-focused programme that would help young people acquire jobs, education, and training.
Chennai Metrowater’s existing desalination facility in Nemmeli Credit: Chennai Metrowater
In the city of Chennai, Metrowater has progressed with plans for a third desalination plant.[5] The company now seeks bidders to provide consultancy services, and to design and build the plant, which will have a daily capacity of 150,000 cubic metres. The new plant will receive funding from the state and central governments, as well as KfW, the state-owned German Development Bank. The northern and southern districts of Chennai already receive a combined total of 200,000 cubic metres of water per day from the city’s desalination plants in Minjur and Nemmeli.[6]
In Jamnagar, the state government will build a new desalination plant through a private-public partnership agreement. The plant will be located in Jodiya, and produce a daily water supply of 10,000 cubic metres.
This water will replace the supply from Narmada, which is mostly transferred through a 2,700 kilometre pipeline. The facility’s desalinated water will be transferred to a sump via a 55 kilometre pipeline, from where municipal corporations will distribute water to several neighboring communities.[7] It is expected that the project will be completed within 30 months.
[1] “Masdar to Present Desalination Results,” The National, December 17, 2016, <http://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/masdar-to-present-desalination-results> accessed December 19, 2016.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Nick Webster, “Charles Visits Masdar to Talk to Students About Sustainability,” The National, November 7, 2016, <http://www.thenational.ae/uae/prince-charles-visits-masdar-to-talk-to-students-about-sustainability> accessed December 19, 2016.
[4] For the past 40 years, the Prince’s charity has helped thousands of young people (13-30) to acquire jobs, education, and training across the UK.
[5] “Metrowater Calls for Tenders for Third Desalination Plant,” The Hindu, November 14, 2016, <http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Metrowater-calls-for-tenders-for-third-desalination-plant/article16444695.ece> accessed December 20, 2016.
[6] Ibid.
[7] “Nod to Desalination Plant in Jamnagar,” Times of India, November 26, 2016, <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ city/ahmedabad/Nod-to-desalination-plant-in-Jamnagar/articleshow/55630221.cms?null> accessed December 20, 2016.