TUNISIA – The town of Zarat in Tunisia now hosts a new seawater desalination plant, built by the Indian company Va Tech Wabag, which will supply drinking water to around 1 million people across three governorates. Inaugurated on July 7, the plant has an initial capacity of 50,000 m3/d, with plans to expand to 100,000 m3/d by 2027. The facility includes a pumping station, storage tanks, and a brine discharge system to manage waste. This project aims to reduce groundwater overexploitation, which has been exacerbated by drought. Funded with $105 million from the Tunisian government and the German development agency KfW, the plant is set to become operational by the end of July 2024. (Afrik21)
BONAIRE – Aquastill has successfully implemented a sustainable seawater desalination project using modular membrane distillation technology on the island of Bonaire. The system, powered by waste heat from generators, produces up to 15 m3/d and has been operational for 14 months. This innovative approach has achieved over 50% lower fuel consumption and an 80% reduction in carbon footprint. The project was developed for Buddy Dive Resort Bonaire, focusing on enhancing social and environmental sustainability by providing a reliable water source while reducing electricity usage and emissions. Aquastill's success demonstrates the potential for sustainable desalination solutions in preserving natural environments like Bonaire. (Smart Water Magazine)
SENEGAL – Senegal's government has decided to cancel a $757.5 million desalination project contract with Saudi-based ACWA Power, reflecting a review of foreign projects under the new President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The contract, signed in the final days of former President Macky Sall's term, involved constructing a desalination plant in Dakar with a planned capacity of 200,000 m3/d in two phases. The decision was influenced by concerns over high water costs and the lack of required environmental studies. President Faye, who campaigned on reviewing deals from his predecessor, is also examining other foreign agreements in key sectors. (Forbes Middle East)
PORTUGAL – The Portuguese Minister for Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, has acknowledged that desalination should be a last resort solution for water scarcity in the Algarve, admitting its environmental impact and high cost. Despite this, the construction of a $98 million desalination plant in Albufeira will continue due to the lengthy planning process and ongoing water shortage issues. Carvalho emphasized that efforts should first focus on water conservation, reducing leaks, and improving infrastructure before resorting to desalination. The plant is set to be completed by the end of 2026 and will initially produce 43,835 m3/d of drinking water. Local opposition persists, with concerns about environmental damage and delays in the project’s progress. (Portugal Resident)
PALESTINE – The UAE has established a network of desalination plants in December to deliver clean water to the Gaza Strip, providing over 590,991 m3 to date. Located on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border, these six plants produce around 7,274 m3/d and can serve up to 600,000 Palestinians. The plants are part of a UAE relief operation aimed at addressing the severe water scarcity exacerbated by ongoing conflict. The network includes a 3,200-meter pipeline and four filling points for water tankers to aid Gaza. Amidst widespread damage to Gaza's water infrastructure and severe shortages, this initiative helps provide a crucial lifeline to affected civilians. (The National)
SPAIN – A joint venture of Sacyr and Ferrovial has been awarded a $97.4 million contract by Spain’s Acuamed to upgrade the Torrevieja desalination plant. The project aims to increase the plant’s desalinated water output by 50%, from 220,000 m3/d to 329,000 m3/d. The contract covers the expansion, operation, and maintenance of the facility over four years. Key upgrades include constructing a 5,000 m3 warehouse for new reverse osmosis equipment, enhancing seawater catchment systems, increasing seawater pumping capacity, and modifying the CO2 dosing system. The expanded facility will improve water supply for the Mancomunidad de Canales del Taibilla and support agricultural irrigation in Campo de Cartagena. (Smart Water Magazine)
Sacyr and Ferrovial have been awarded a $97.4 million contract to upgrade the Torrevieja desalination plant, Spain. Credit: Sulzer
SAUDI ARABIA – Fluence Corporation has been awarded a $3.6 million contract to supply an ultra-pure water treatment and demineralization system for the Rabigh Power Plant in Saudi Arabia. This project marks Fluence's third collaboration in the past year with El Sewedy Electric PSP, with work expected to begin immediately and system startup planned for May 2025. The contract involves providing a containerized Nirobox treatment system as part of the power plant’s first phase, which includes a gas-fired, combined cycle power plant with a capacity of up to 1,200 MW. (Filtsep)
LIBYA – Libya's Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah held a high-level meeting to tackle significant issues in the country's desalination sector. Key figures from various water-related institutions reviewed the poor operational status of several desalination plants, with the Tobruk plant at 20% capacity, Derna at 50%, Susah at 25%, and the Zliten plants non-operational. Dbeibah emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to improve plant efficiency and restart suspended water supply projects, particularly in underserved areas. He directed the Man-made River Authority and the General Water and Sanitation Company to work with the General Company for Water Desalination on a comprehensive strategy for water supply. The goal is to address Libya's critical water needs and ensure sustainable management across the country. (The Libya Observer)