ISRAEL – The European Investment Bank (EIB), last month announced that it had signed a $169 million finance contract with SMS IDE Ltd, in a bid to design, finance, construct and operate the Sorek 2 desalination plant. In a press release the EIB stated the decision to invest in the new desalination plant was based on the goal of improving water supply infrastructure in the region. The development of Sorek 2 is part of the Neighbouring Financing Facility (NFF) 2014-2020 project and EU/Israel Action Plan, which aims to raise greater international and regional cooperation. (The Jerusalem Post))
LIBYA – The Presidential Council member Ahmet Mitig, last month in a meeting with the Head of General Authority of Water Resources, called for swift measure to start building two desalination plants in east Tripoli and Misrata. During the meeting water desalination projects and sewage systems were addressed and repair plans for a number of plants and systems were reviewed. Specifically, Mitig called for the repair of Zuwara, Al-Zawiya and Zlitin water desalination plants in the next three months. (The Libya Observer)
The QuenchSea portable desalination device developed by Hydro Wind Energy Credit: QuenchSea
U.K. – Hydro Wind Energy has developed a portable desalination device, the QuenchSea, that can be carried in a backpack and weighs 700 grams. According to Hydro Wind Energy, the QuenchSea can on average produce 0.048 m3/d of fresh water, rising to 0.072 m3/d under optimal conditions. The unit uses one $10 reverse osmosis membrane that can filter up to 18 m3 of water before needing to be replaced. The water produced by the device is said to meet World Health Organization standards. The planned retail price for the QuenchSea is £55 ($69). (New Atlas)