MOROCCO – Morocco's Oriental region plans to build eight new desalination plants to address severe droughts and stabilize drinking water supply. These plants will desalinate brackish water and seawater, targeting five provinces: Driouech, Figuig, Guercif, Jerada, and Nador. An agreement for these plants was adopted on April 17, 2024, and a budget of $10.73 million has been allocated for the project, including the connection of three existing plants to the water and electricity networks. The desalination project aims to boost drinking water supply but faces challenges such as high costs and environmental impacts from brine and energy consumption. Authorities may consider using renewable energy to power the desalination process. (Afrik21)
SPAIN – To address severe drought conditions, Catalonia, Spain, will introduce mobile and floating desalination plants to ensure a reliable water supply. Twelve small mobile desalination plants in Costa Brava will collectively produce 1,000 m³/d, covering 35% of the water needs for several municipalities, while a large floating desalination plant in Barcelona will generate 40,000 m³/d, meeting 6% of the city's demand. These measures are part of a broader strategy to avoid severe water restrictions and to support ongoing projects aimed at reducing dependence on reservoir water by 2030. The floating plant will be operational by October, and the mobile plants will cost around $10.86 million. These desalination solutions are seen as more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable compared to transporting water by ship. (Smart Water Magazine)
The Spanish government has acknowledged significant delays in the construction of the Axarquia desalination plant, admitting that it has yet to assign Acuamed the task of preparing the necessary technical documents. Despite earlier announcements and a commitment of approximately $108.6 million for the plant, which is intended to produce 54,794 m3/d of water, no progress has been made. The delay is attributed to the lack of a technical document and coordination between various bodies. Meetings have been held to discuss land use and environmental processes, but the project remains stalled. The government has yet to provide a revised timeline for the plant’s development. (EuroWeekly)
Andalucía's regional government is planning a new large-scale desalination plant for the western Costa del Sol, potentially located in Mijas or Fuengirola, in addition to existing and planned facilities in Marbella and Axarquía. The plan includes accelerating the approval of a Gibralmedina dam, designed to capture water from the Guadiaro River and supply both irrigation and drinking water to the Costa del Sol and Campo de Gibraltar. Another project under consideration is the Cerro Blanco reservoir, with an initial capacity of 45 hm³, which faced opposition but is now being reviewed for alternatives. The new desalination plant aims to support economic and demographic growth in the region and provide a stable water supply. (SUR in English)
SAUDI ARABIA – Neom’s utility subsidiary, Enowa, has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to construct a new reverse osmosis desalination plant with a capacity of 150,000 m3/d. The project, formerly known as the Moonlight desalination plant, will be located next to an existing 125,000 m3/d plant at Duba on the Red Sea coast. Proposals are due by May 22, though this deadline may be extended, with the project expected to take 12 months to complete. The scope includes various components like offshore intake towers, reverse osmosis systems, and waste treatment units, with the plant needing to meet Neom’s cybersecurity standards. This project is smaller than the zero liquid discharge (ZLD) desalination plant being developed by Itochu and Veolia at Neom’s Oxagon city, which will have a capacity of 500,000 m3/d and is expected to be powered entirely by renewable energy. (MEED)
AUSTRALIA – Jacobs has been chosen by Water Corporation to design, construct, operate, and maintain the Alkimos seawater desalination plant in Perth, Western Australia, as part of a collaboration with ACCIONA. The plant, which is part of a broader $1.83 billion program, will initially produce 136,986 m3/d, with the potential to scale up to 273,972 m3/d in the future. This project includes the construction of a 4.1-kilometer offshore outfall tunnel and a 2.6-kilometer seawater intake tunnel, both being built beneath the seabed using tunnel boring machines. Jacobs, known for its expertise in desalination, has previously worked on major projects like the Sydney and Gold Coast desalination plants. (Jacobs)
Jacobs has been chosen by Water Corporation to design, construct, operate, and maintain the Alkimos Seawater desalination plant in Perth, Western Australia. Credit Water Corporation
AUSTRALIA – A significant milestone has been achieved for Kangaroo Island's new desalination project with the successful installation of three large underwater pipelines off Penneshaw. The new desalination plant, which will produce 2,000 m3/d, is designed to enhance the island’s drinking water supply, supplementing the existing Middle River Reservoir and nearby facility. The plant, using reverse osmosis technology will work in conjunction with current facilities to secure future water needs for the island. The underwater infrastructure was installed with meticulous planning and effort, including a 200-meter-long submerged pipeline system for seawater intake and brine discharge. Once operational, the plant and its connecting pipeline will significantly contribute to the island's water supply, covering up to 80% of its current requirements. (Glam Adelaide)
U.S.A. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $75 million in funding for the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI) to advance desalination and water reuse technologies over the next five years. The initiative aims to modernize America’s water infrastructure, improve access to clean water, and support the country's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. NAWI’s efforts will focus on developing technologies to treat alternative water sources like brackish groundwater and wastewater, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and reducing emissions. (Smart Water Magazine)