U.A.E. – Veolia, a prominent water, waste, and energy technologies company, has been commissioned by the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and ENGIE to lead a consortium for the Mirfa 2 desalination project in the UAE. This project, employing reverse osmosis desalination, aims to be the third-largest desalination facility in the country. The plant is set to produce 550,000 m3/d, catering to about 210,000 households. Veolia's role involves overseeing the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) aspects of the project, emphasizing increased efficiency and a reduced environmental footprint in the desalination process. (Construction Week)
U.A.E. – Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) has acquired SWS Holding in a $459 million deal, marking a significant consolidation in the emirate's utility services. SWS Holding, established in May 2023, had taken ownership of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Water Solutions Company (ADSWS), responsible for wastewater collection, treatment, and reuse in the emirate. TAQA will purchase all outstanding shares of SWS Holding, with 50% of the consideration to be paid upon completion and the remaining portion a year later. An additional payment in 2024 will be tied to net profits generated during 2023. The acquisition adds approximately $4.32 billion to TAQA’s existing regulated asset value of about $20.25 billion and extends its reach into wastewater networks and treatment, reinforcing stable long-term earnings. The transaction is expected to be completed this year. TAQA is predominantly owned by Abu Dhabi Power Corporation (ADPower) and Multiply Group. (Gulfnews)
CYPRUS – Over the past six years, Cyprus has spent $561.2 million on desalinated water, reflecting the country's heavy reliance on desalination to meet water demand. Despite having five desalination plants contributing up to 280,000 cubic meters of water per day, the cost indicates the significant financial investment in ensuring water security. In 2022, the cost of desalinated water amounted to $108.21 million plus VAT, covering a total of 53 million cubic meters of water, with desalination contributing 53.6% to the water supply. While the total production and costs for desalinated water were lower in 2022 compared to 2021, the contribution remained similar at 52.2%. The expenditure includes costs for both produced and non-produced water. (Philenews)
EGYPT – Veolia Water Technologies Egypt has played a crucial role in securing water production for Ezz Steel, a major steel producer in the Middle East and Africa. Facing water scarcity in Egypt, Ezz Steel sought to reduce water consumption, leading them to switch their cooling water supply from the Nile River to desalinated seawater. Veolia provided seven brackish water reverse osmosis mobile water treatment units in two phases, ensuring a rapid response. Within two months, an initial capacity of 8,000 m3/d was provided, later doubled to 16,000 m3/d in April 2023. The mobile units have enabled Ezz Steel to secure 100% of their water production, reducing chloride and total dissolved solids rates, and resulting in a 75% reduction in water and chemical consumption. (Water Technology)
Veolia Water Technologies secures water production for Ezz Steel, saving freshwater from the Nile river, Egypt. Credit: Water Technology
INDIA – The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has established a dedicated panel to deliberate on the construction of a desalination plant. The project, initially spanning 1,100 hectares, faced a halt under the MVA government, citing environmental concerns. A meeting is scheduled for next week to make decisions on moving forward with the construction. Civic officials report that 98% of pre-tendering work for the project has been completed, and the BMC is concurrently addressing the Gargai Dam project. The desalination initiative is a key focus for the BMC, with the meeting expected to provide clarity on the project's future. (The Indian Express)
CANADA – H2O Innovation Inc. announces receiving two large coupling orders and making significant progress in the Israeli desalination market. Piedmont, a subsidiary of H2O Innovation, secured couplings purchase orders for two 600,000 m3/day seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plants in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Each order includes approximately 25,000 couplings manufactured from various materials. The company achieved a breakthrough in the Israeli market by selling its super-concentrated membrane antiscalant, leading to successful implementations in desalination plants. Over the past fiscal year, nine new mega SWRO desalination plants adopted this technology, resulting in substantial seawater treatment and a notable reduction in CO2 emissions. (Businesswire)
SCIENCE – Vanderbilt researchers, including Associate Professor Shihong Lin, have developed an innovative method, featured in the June 2023 issue of Nature Water, to enhance the energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of desalinating hypersaline industrial wastewater. While reverse osmosis has improved seawater desalination, it struggles with saline wastewater from industries such as mining and oil and gas. The current disposal methods, injection into geological formations or transfer to evaporation ponds, face regulatory challenges. Lin's team proposes electrodialytic crystallization (EDC), a technology similar to electrodialysis, to induce salt crystallization without costly evaporation. EDC coupled with reverse osmosis shows potential for significantly lower energy consumption than current methods. (Vanderbilt)