INDIA – The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) plans to address the impending expiration of the world's largest seawater hybrid desalination plant, attached to the Kalpakkam nuclear power station, within the next four to five years. BARC aims to add two new desalination plants in Kalpakkam to meet local demands and those of the nuclear plant.
One plant will generate 9,092 m3/day through reverse osmosis at the Nuclear Desalination Demonstration Plant (NDDP), while the other will produce 9,092 m3/day through multi-effect distillation at the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS). BARC has sought clearance from the Tamil Nadu State Coastal Zone Management Authority (TNSCZMA) for the two projects, which are estimated to cost $33.6 million.
The existing desalination plant, using multi-stage flash (MSF) technology and reverse osmosis, was designed to demonstrate safe and economical nuclear desalination of seawater and serve as a demo project to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Due to increased demand for freshwater and the existing plant's age, BARC's proposed projects have been recommended by an expert committee. It involves no modification to existing pipelines and wouldn’t require any work to be carried out along the seashore or offshore areas. (The New Indian Express)
MOROCCO – The Canada-African Development Bank Climate Fund (CACF) has approved an $18 million loan for the construction of seawater desalination plants in the provinces of El Jadida and Safi in Morocco. The funding aims to enhance the supply of drinking water, particularly in the face of drought. The loan is part of a $36.3 million package allocated by CACF on November 7, 2023, for two climate resilience projects, including the desalination initiative and the rehabilitation of the Autonomous Port of Cotonou in Benin.
The OCP Group, responsible for building the desalination plants, will establish a desalination capacity of 75 million m3 of seawater per year to supply the provinces. The drinking water will be sold to the Autonomous inter-municipal authority for water and electricity distribution and management of the liquid sewage network in the provinces of El Jadida and Sidi Bennour (RADEEJ), and to the Safi autonomous intermunicipal water and electricity distribution company (RADEES).
OCP will produce 10 million m3 for RADEES and 30 million m3 for RADEEJ before the end of 2023. Between 2024 and 2025, the volume destined for RADEES will reach 15 million m3 per year and 32 million m3 per year for RADEEJ. From 2026, these volumes will rise to 30 million m3 per year for RADEES and 45 million m3 per year for RADEEJ. The Group was awarded this concession on 5 July 2023. OCP Green Water, a subsidiary, will handle the desalination process as part of OCP's broader "Green Investment Programme," focusing on water, renewable energies, and agro-ecology to minimize the environmental impact of OCP's mining sites in Morocco. (Afrik21)
PORTUGAL – The Algarve water company, Águas do Algarve, has opened public consultation until December 19 for a proposed desalination plant in Albufeira municipality. The proposed desalination plant, located near various landmarks and beaches, involves several infrastructures, including seawater capture circuits, a desalination station, and a brine discharge circuit.
The project acknowledges potential negative impacts, such as brine discharge at sea, geologic and socioeconomic consequences during construction, and noise pollution, with outlined goals to mitigate these effects and enhance positive outcomes. The region has been grappling with prolonged drought cycles, and the project aims to address structural water scarcity by enhancing water production capacity through seawater desalination. (Portugal Resident)
U.K. – Sizewell C, a nuclear power station project in Suffolk, announced the construction of a temporary desalination plant, which will provide the project with the water it needs until a permanent water main is established in the early 2030s. The temporary water desalination plant will be powered with the zero-carbon electricity from the neighboring Sizewell B facility. This move aims to enhance the environmental sustainability of the construction process and reduce carbon emissions. The project is 50-50 owned by the UK government and EDF Energy. Sizewell C is also exploring other measures, including a fleet of hydrogen buses and a Direct Air Capture facility in Lowestoft, to further reduce carbon emissions during and after construction, positioning itself as one of the largest Net Zero projects in the UK. (Envirotec)
AUSTRALIA – The Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant (ASDP) in Perth has received environmental approval from state and federal regulators, a significant step toward securing drinking water for over 2.5 million Western Australians. The Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water has approved the 273,973 m3/day plant, with conditions set by the Western Australia Environmental Protection Authority and Environment Minister Reece Whitby.
The conditions focus on sustainable operation, including achieving net zero scope one and two greenhouse gas emissions through measures like procuring renewable energy. The ASDP, costing $2.1 billion in state budgets, is designed to ensure water security and is expected to be operational in two 136,987 m3/day stages by 2028. (Utility magazine)
CANADA – Canada-based startup Oneka Technologies has introduced an environmentally friendly desalination technology that harnesses wave power at sea, offering a sustainable solution to address water needs without contributing to climate impact. Traditional desalination processes, whether thermal or membrane-based, are energy-intensive and often not powered by renewable sources. Oneka's innovation involves buoyant machines anchored to the seabed, using a wave-powered membrane system. This technology operates without electricity, with machines available in three sizes, the largest measuring 8 meters by 16 meters and is capable of producing 49 m3/day. Besides its low environmental impact, the system is marine life-friendly and plans to be commercially available next year. (Interesting Engineering)
An Oneka wave-powered desalination system. Credit: Oneka
MISCELLANEOUS – Metito, a leading global provider of water solutions, has received recognition as the world's top desalination plant supplier by capacity for the second consecutive year by Global Water Intelligence (GWI). This acknowledgment recognizes Metito's commitment to addressing water scarcity through innovative desalination projects.
Talal Ghandour, Co-CEO of Metito, emphasizes the company's dedication to enabling climate-resistant and sustainable water initiatives to bridge the gap between water supply and demand. Metito's focus on diversifying water sources, particularly in arid regions, aims to create a more reliable and resilient water supply. The company's upcoming session at COP28, titled "Making Water Mobile in Times of Crisis: Dispatchable Desalination Barges," reflects its ongoing efforts to showcase new solutions for existing water challenges. (Zawya)