OMAN – Veolia, in collaboration with partners, has launched a 17-megawatt peak (MWp) solar photovoltaic facility to power the Sharqiyah Desalination Plant in Sur, Oman, making it the largest solar system for a desalination plant in the country. The project, developed with TotalEnergies, generates over 32,000 megawatt-hours of clean electricity annually, meeting the desalination plant's energy needs during daylight hours. The facility, operational since April 16, 2023, reduces approximately 27,200 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The project aligns with Oman's National Energy Strategy, targeting 30% renewable energy by 2030, contributing to Oman Vision 2040. (Utilities Middle East)
INDIA – The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority has approved the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's seawater desalination plant at Manori, Mumbai. The plant, utilizing Israeli technology, aims to address water shortages caused by monsoon failures and climate change. With an initial capacity of 200,000 m3/d, expandable to 400,000 m3/d, the project has a budget provision of $2.8 million. The plant, supported by green energy, is expected to make water cuts in Mumbai a thing of the past. The approval comes after a feasibility study and detailed project report and the plant is seen as an alternative to the Gargai dam project, which was canceled due to potential adverse environmental impact. (The Hindustan Times)
U.S.A. – The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is providing $28.97 million in financial aid for 31 water reuse and desalination projects in states including California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. The funding will support feasibility studies, preliminary project design, and environmental compliance activities to supplement freshwater supplies in urban and agricultural areas in the Western United States.
The projects, with a cost-share contribution of $64.7 million, aim to develop potential new construction projects under the Desalination Construction Program, the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, and the Large-Scale Water Recycling Program. Among the projects receiving assistance are the City of Boise Recycled Water Program, Mesa Water District's Local Groundwater Supply Improvement Project, and Santa Clara Valley Water District's San Jose-Santa Clara Purified Water Program and South County Water Reuse Program Feasibility Studies. (WaterWorld)
U.S.A. – Colorado State University researchers are launching two projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Alliance for Water Innovation, aiming to reduce the energy cost of water desalination and purification. One project will explore energy conservation and management opportunities between filtration desalination plants and power grids, seeking to integrate water treatment plants with modern electric grids efficiently. The second project focuses on reducing the cost and energy needed to achieve zero-liquid discharge in desalination, particularly addressing the energy-intensive brine crystallization step. The research aims to develop more sustainable and energy-efficient desalination technologies with the goal of achieving 'pipe parity'—making processed water comparable in quality and cost to springtime snow melt. (Colorado State University)
A seawater desalination plant. Credit: Pumps Africa
MOROCCO – The National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) in Morocco has initiated the construction of a seawater desalination plant at the Guerguarat border post in the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region. The project, part of ONEE's strategic initiatives in the region, involves building a new well, a seawater desalination plant with a daily capacity of 432 cubic meters, an elevated reservoir with a 200 cubic meters capacity, and a 5-kilometer distribution network. The $2.9 million project is jointly financed by ONEE and the Agency for the Promotion and Socioeconomic Development of the Southern Provinces (APDS). It aims to enhance drinking water supply and support local development in the southern provinces. (Morocco World News)
U.A.E. – International law firm Addleshaw Goddard (AG) provided legal advice to the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) on the 815,574 m3/d Hassyan Seawater Reverse Osmosis Project. The project, with ACWA Power Company as the successful bidder, was signed on October 3, 2023, marking commercial close on one of the world's largest seawater desalination projects. Upon completion in February 2027, the project will increase Dubai's installed water desalination capacity to 3,048,957 m3/d, aligning with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050. DEWA achieved a world record levelized cost of water (LCOW) of 0.36536 USD/m³. The project's efficiency was highlighted by reaching commercial close in less than 10 months from the release of the request for proposal. AG, along with Deloitte and WSP Middle East Limited, played a key role in the successful project development. (ZAWYA)