MOROCCO – Sand To Green, a Franco-Moroccan company, has installed a solar-powered desalination unit in Morocco's Guelmim-Oued Noun region to support its regenerative agriculture project. The unit, provided by the French start-up Osmosun through the Osmosun Maroc joint venture, produces 140 m3 of fresh water daily to irrigate a 38-hectare ecological plantation. This initiative aims to reverse soil degradation in the desert, making the land fertile for fig, pomegranate, carob, geranium, and rosemary plants. The low-carbon desalination system uses brackish groundwater and solar mini-grids, with brine management tested through halophyte plantings. This is Osmosun's first installation in Morocco, part of its broader efforts to address water stress in East and Southern Africa. (Afrik21)
OMAN – Construction of Oman's Ghubrah-3 Desalination Plant has begun, led by the Omani contracting firm Douglas OHI, with the plant expected to be operational by early 2027. The plant, designed by GS Inima, will cover 70,400 m3 and include a 45,000 cubic meter potable water reservoir. It aims to produce 300,000 m3/d, expandable to 315,000 m3/d during peak demand, serving as a crucial water source for Muscat's 2.5 million residents. The project, costing $325 million, is significant for Oman's water security and infrastructure development and is part of Oman's '2040 Vision' to secure water resources in its arid climate. Douglas OHI's Managing Director, Aaron Hennessy, emphasized their commitment and successful track record in the power and water sectors, ensuring confidence in their partnership with GS Inima for this project. (ZAWYA)
LG Chem will supply 23,000 reverse osmosis (RO) membranes for Oman's Ghubrah-3 Desalination Plant, which will be the largest in the country when it begins operations. These RO membranes, which have a high salt removal rate of 99.89 percent and require less energy, will account for over half of Oman's total desalination capacity. LG Chem's involvement in Ghubrah-3 marks its fourth major desalination project in Oman since 2016. (AJU Press)
U.K. – South West Water (SWW) is hosting a series of public events in Cornwall to gather feedback on a proposed desalination plant at Par. The events include in-person sessions in Par, Lostwithiel, and St Blazey, as well as online sessions on 23 and 25 July. The plant, consisting of five container-sized units, aims to produce between 2,500 m3/d and 5,000 m3/d of drinking water. SWW plans to initially deliver a smaller plant this year and develop a larger one later, to increase water resources in Cornwall and Devon by 2025. Campaigners have raised concerns about potential harm to marine life from test drilling in St Austell Bay. (AJU Press)
U.S.A. – The Southmost Regional Water Authority (SRWA) plans to double the capacity of its desalination plant in Brownsville, Texas, from 37,854 m3/d to 75,708 m3/d, costing $213 million. Brownsville Mayor John Cowen sought funding from the Bureau of Reclamation during a visit to Washington, D.C. The expansion details were discussed at a roundtable on drought conditions, hosted by the Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB), and are expected to be completed by November 2030. The roundtable featured discussions on water resources, current drought conditions, and strategies for a sustainable water supply, with participation from local officials and BPUB staff. (Rio Grande Guardian)
The Southmost Regional Water Authority (SRWA) plans to double the capacity the Brownsville desalination plant in Texas, U.S.A. Credit: Rio Grande Guardian
SAINT KITTS and NEVIS – The government of St. Kitts and Nevis has begun constructing a desalination plant at the C.A. Paul Southwell Industrial Site in Basseterre to address water scarcity caused by declining rainfall and climate change. The plant will produce 9,092 m3/d of water daily and is expected to be completed by June 2025, with testing and commissioning planned for July 2025. Government officials, including Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew and Water Services Minister Konris Maynard, emphasized the project’s importance for ensuring a reliable 24-hour potable water supply. The project, costing $18.5 million and undertaken by Royal Utilities, aligns with the government’s Water Resilience Plan and includes environmental safeguards. Additionally, a solar-powered desalination plant at Canada Estate, set to produce 288 m3/d, is nearing completion. (Winnmediaskn)
SAUDI ARABIA – China Energy Investment Corporation and JSG Saudi Arabia have partnered to launch a comprehensive brine processing project in Saudi Arabia, aiming to address brine discharge pollution with advanced green desalination technology. This initiative will meet both daily and industrial water needs, aligning with environmental goals. The project marks a significant step in China-Saudi cooperation, supporting the Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Vision 2030. Representatives from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, SIRC, and Shuangliang Group attended the signing ceremony, highlighting strong support. JSG Saudi Company, having secured the project concession, further strengthened the initiative by signing a Joint Development Agreement with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation. (Smart Water Magazine)
PHILIPPINES – The island sitio of Danao-danao in Barangay Polopiña, Iloilo, has received a solar-powered desalination system through a $219,871 grant from the World Bank under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP). The project, with additional funding from the Philippine government and local government unit, was formally handed over to the residents, benefiting around 230 households. The system, managed by the Danao-Danao Power Potable Water Association, is the province's first desalination system, capable of producing 11 m3/d water daily, powered by 36 solar panels and a backup generator. (Philippine News Agency)