SAUDI ARABIA – The 45.5-megawatt solar photovoltaic (PV) station at the Jubail 3A Independent Water Plant has been successfully integrated into the grid. Supplied by China's Trina Solar, the solar power plant, featuring Vertex N 700W+ series modules, was connected to the grid by contractor SEPCOIII. This solar PV station is designed to meet 20 percent of the desalination plant's daily power needs and is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 60,000 tonnes annually. The Jubail 3A Independent Water Plant, with a capacity of 600,000 m3/d, is a $658 million investment led by a consortium including ACWA Power, Gulf Investment Corporation, and Al Bawani Water & Power Company. The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract was awarded to a consortium consisting of Power China, SEPCO-III, and Abengoa, with full operations commencing in June 2023. (ZAWYA)
INDIA – India has announced plans to build Asia's largest desalination plant in response to the challenges posed by saline groundwater intrusion. The project, inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, will be located in Perur and is funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with an estimated cost of $570 million. The desalination plant, slated for completion by December 2026, will contribute 400,000 m3/d to Chennai's water supply. It will utilize state-of-the-art technology, including gravity dual media filters for efficient solids and organic carbon reduction. The plant is expected to benefit over 22 million individuals in Chennai and neighboring areas. (Envirotech)
INDIA – The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to establish seawater desalination plants in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts to address the imminent drinking water shortage. The region faces a rainfall deficit of up to 40%, impacting livelihoods and overall welfare. Water scarcity is a critical issue, affecting agriculture, domestic supply, and socio-economic stability. The KCCI president, M. Ganesh Kamath, highlighted the necessity of desalination plants, citing the success of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited's (MRPL) plant, costing $92 million with a production capacity of 30,000 m3/d. (The Hindu)
INDIA – A desalination plant set up by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for the Border Security Force (BSF) in the creek region of Kutch was inaugurated on Friday. The desalination plant built at a cost of $213,333 will provide clean drinking water to forward-deployed troops and the population along borders. (The Indian Express)
KAZAKHSTAN – The akim (Governor) of Mangystau Region, Nurlan Nogayev, and Magzum Mirzagaliyev, Chairman of KazMunayGas (KMG), have initiated the construction of a new desalination plant in the Tokymak area of the Karakiya district. The plant, developed by KMG’s subsidiary, Ozenmunaygas, has a daily capacity of 50,000 cubic meters. Once completed, the plant is expected to fully meet the drinking water needs of Zhanaozen city, currently relying on the Astrakhan-Mangyshlak water conduit. The construction is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024, with the plant reaching full capacity by spring 2025. (The Astana Times)
Construction of the new plant in the Karakiya district of Kazakhstan is scheduled for completion by the end of 2024. Credit: The Astana Times
PHILIPPINES – The Bangsamoro Government has initiated the construction of a water desalination facility in the municipality of Hadji Muhtamad in Basilan province, aiming to provide potable water to around 5,000 residents. Inaugurated on August 6, the project involves the installation of a 10K Hydra Sea Water Desalination Plant System, capable of serving 5,000 people daily, with a total cost of $300,000. The town, described as a 'waterless municipality,' is in need of intervention to ensure easy access to potable water. (Newsline)
TRINIDAD – The Point Lisas Desalination plant in Trinidad, which supplies water to the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), faced a shutdown due to an electrical problem, impacting dozens of schools in Central and South Trinidad. The Desalination Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Desalcott) was working to fix the problem to resume water supply while public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales was collaborating with Education Minister Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly to ensure water access for schools. The shutdown follows a previous disruption at the Caroni Water Treatment plant. (Trinidad Express)