SPAIN – The Spanish government has announced plans to construct a desalination plant in the Axarquía region, which is facing severe drought conditions. The project, part of an $881 million aid package to combat drought effects, will be declared a matter of general state interest. The government aims to invest $226 million in the desalination plant, with a potential completion date by 2026 or 2027. The move comes in response to requests from regional authorities, as extreme drought conditions have disrupted water access in the area. The overall aid package includes measures to address drought and increase water resources, with an emphasis on desalination plants, reuse of water, and reducing fees for affected farms. (SUR in English)
U.K. – South West Water (SWW) is considering the rapid construction of desalination plants at Polkerris and Par Beach in Cornwall to address the effects of drought on the region's water supply. SWW is assessing the sites and collaborating with local authorities and the Environment Agency to advance the projects quickly. The potential desalination schemes are noted in SWW's Water Resource Management Plan, aiming to provide significant water volumes for the recharge of Colliford Reservoir. The proposed desalination plants could have a capacity of 60,000 m3/d, over a third of Cornwall's requirements. (Cornish Times)
MOROCCO – China's Envision Energy has secured a deal to supply 60 megawatts (MW) wind turbines for Morocco's inaugural wind-powered desalination project. The wind farm, situated in Dakhla, is a collaboration between Moroccan firm Nareva and French energy company ENGIE. Envision will provide its EN171-5MW turbines to support the project, which aims to power a significant desalination facility under Morocco's government. The Dakhla desalination plant is projected to have a capacity of 113,000 cubic meters per day, coupled with a 72 MW wind farm. Envision is also set to launch a green hydrogen net-zero industrial park in Inner Mongolia later this year. (ZAWYA)
A GivePower solar-powered desalination facility. Credit: GivePower
KENYA – GivePower, a provider of solar-powered desalination technology, is set to receive $3 million from American tech company ServiceNow. The funds will be used to bring GivePower's solar water farm technology to four undisclosed counties in Kenya. The initiative aims to provide a sustainable solution to water scarcity in the region. GivePower has already implemented solar desalination projects in Likoni, Kenya, in collaboration with its solar water company, Max. The nonprofit organization has been instrumental in providing clean water access to over 35,000 people in Kenya through its solar-powered desalination farms. (PUMPS AFRICA)
PHILIPPINES – The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is launching a $1.97 million pipe-laying project in preparation for an additional 75,000 cubic meters of water supply from desalination plants. The project involves a 3,440-meter transmission and distribution pipeline along Barangay Agus and Mactan Circumferential Road in Lapu-Lapu City. Desalination plants in Cordova town, Marigondon, and Canjulao in Lapu-Lapu City will contribute to the water supply. The Cordova project aims to deliver at least 20,000 cubic meters of desalinated seawater daily, with completion expected next year. Philkonstrak Development Corp. is the contractor for the pipeline project, with 265 working days to complete it. (Sunstar)
SAUDI ARABIA – ACWA Power reported a consolidated net profit of $72.9 million in Q1 2023, reflecting a 78% increase compared to the same period last year. Operating income before impairment loss and other expenses reached $151 million, marking a 7% increase. ACWA Power achieved various milestones, including the completion of a Sukuk issuance, signing power purchase agreements in Uzbekistan, and achieving financial closes for key projects. (Utilities Middle East)
SCIENCE – Researchers from Hebei University of Technology in China have developed a hydrogel solar evaporator that addresses the challenges of efficient desalination. Traditional hydrogel materials often lack the necessary properties for high evaporation rates, salt resistance, and mechanical durability. The researchers enhanced the salt resistance of hydrogels by introducing hydrophobic fumed nano-silica aerogel (SA) into the production process, forming a Janus structure. This structure balances increased heat loss caused by high salt resistance and is further improved by incorporating agar (AG) to regulate the hydrogel's pore structure. The Janus dual-network sponge-like hydrogel solar evaporator is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and shows potential for practical applications in interfacial solar evaporation. (PHYS ORG)