KUWAIT – The Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (KAPP) is finalizing the contract for transaction advisory services for its Az Zour North desalination plant, part of the Az Zour North Independent Water Power Plant Phase 2-and-3 project. The shortlisted bidders for the transaction services contract are Ernst & Young, KPMG International and Rodl Middle East. The project involves the construction of a 750,104 m3/d desalination plant, valued at around $950 million, and is scheduled to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025. (Zawya)
ISRAEL – Generation Capital Ltd. and Global Environmental Solutions Ltd. have signed an agreement to acquire the Palmachim desalination plant with the Migdal Group from Israel Infrastructure Fund. GKH advised Generation Capital Ltd. And Global Environmental Solutions Ltd. on the deal. (Global Legal Chronicle)
SAUDI ARABIA – The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) has launched operations at its Haql desalination plant. The plant has a production capacity of 17,000 m3/d while consuming less than 3 kW/m3. Despite the pandemic the facility has come online three months ahead of schedule. (Construction Week)
SCIENCE – Scientists from the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission conducted an analysis on the competitiveness of water desalination, using the Chtouka Ait Baha desalination project in Morocco as a case study. The researchers compared photovoltaics (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP) and desalination powered by a (predominantly fossil fuel) grid. The study concluded that PV without storage is the most cost-competitive way to power desalination and is expected to remain so until at least 2030. (PV magazine)