EGYPT – The government of Egypt has signed a partnership agreement with Russia to collaborate in the seawater desalination sector of Egypt. The agreement was recently signed between the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation, the Engineering Authority of the Egyptian Armed Forces, the University of Alexandria and RUSNANO group. The agreement specifically includes the construction of a plant to manufacture seawater desalination components in Egypt. (Construction Review Online)
SINGAPORE – Singapore’s water agency PUB and Keppel official opened the country’s first large-scale dual-mode desalination facility on February 4th. The Keppel Marina East desalination plant can treat both seawater as well as freshwater from the Marina Reservoir and is Singapore’s fourth desalination plant. With the plant’s treatment facilities contained underground, it has 20,000 square meter of open green rooftop space available for community activity and recreation. The plant which commenced operations in June last year is capable of producing 136,382 m3/d. (CNA)
A concrete dissolved air flotation unit inside the Keppel Marina East desalination plant, Singapore. Credit: Dutch Water Sector
U.S.A. – Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) recently announced that its B&W Thermal has won a $15 million contract for the design and supply of two package boilers and related equipment for a desalination plant. The high-temperature, high-pressure, natural gas fired boilers will be used to produce steam for a municipal facility serving local residents and businesses. (Businesswire)
INDIA – The Regional Empowered Committee of Union Environment Ministry has approved stage-1 clearance for the construction of a desalination plant inside the Koonimedu forest area in Villupuram district. Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD) will construct the plant in an area of 16 hectares and the facility will have a capacity of 72,060 m3/d. The plant will cater the water needs of 692 villages as well as the industries of nearby SIPCOT area. (The New Indian Express)