ISRAEL – Israel is planning to construct the largest water desalination plant by renovating and expanding the Ashkelon desalination facility. With the current facility treating 301,369 m3/d, the new arrangement aims to double its desalinated water output. After 25 years of operation, the facility is undergoing a new concession bid for operations, including a significant expansion to about 602,739 m3/d. Upon completion, the expanded facility, along with other desalination plants in Israel, is expected to supply almost the entire volume of water consumption for homes and industries annually. The project emphasizes advanced technologies and sustainable practices to enhance water resources and strengthen Israel's resilience against future water shortages, according to Yehezkel Lipshitz, Director of the Water Authority. (NEWSX)
U.S.A. – Bechtel has announced the successful sustained pilot operations of its Low Energy Ejector Desalination System (LEEDS) in Texas, offering a solution to water scarcity in the Permian Basin. LEEDS efficiently converts produced water from oil and gas fields into usable products, reducing stress on freshwater resources. By transforming a costly byproduct into a valuable resource, LEEDS helps alleviate water scarcity while providing economic advantages for customers and communities. The system, consistently treating 400 barrels per day, meets all performance specifications for recovery, energy efficiency, and water quality. Bechtel anticipates further application opportunities and aims to scale up LEEDS to address water treatment needs across the Permian Basin. (Chemical Engineering)
SAUDI ARABIA – Bahri Desalination, a unit of the National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri), has set a Guinness World Record with the largest mobile desalination plant, demonstrating its commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's water security. The floating desalination plant, celebrated at an event in Riyadh, measures 123 meters in length and produces 50,000 m3/d. This achievement, recognized by Guinness World Records, underscores Bahri's pioneering role in engineering large-capacity, mobile seawater desalination solutions. Bahri collaborated with SWCC and Metito Saudi Limited to build three state-of-the-art desalination units installed on customized barges. (ZAWYA)
SPAIN – The Catalonia region, facing its worst drought in a century, plans to invest nearly $541 million in EU funds to enhance water resilience, including building two new desalination plants by the end of the decade. This initiative primarily benefits the Barcelona metropolitan area and nearby towns connected to the water grid, leaving over 500 towns reliant on aquifers with little hope for improvement. The severe drought has prompted a state of emergency, leading to water consumption restrictions and infrastructure plans to mitigate future droughts. However, challenges persist in rural areas like Cabrera d’Anoia, where water scarcity has led to significant hardships for residents and strained municipal resources. Despite investments in desalination, concerns remain about over-exploitation of water resources and the long-term sustainability of solutions to address the water crisis in the region. (EURACTIV)
SPAIN – German multinational Boreal Light offers portable desalination solutions to address the extreme drought in Malaga province, particularly along the Costa del Sol. Despite the historic low levels of reservoirs, there's been little interest from local town halls in the offered solutions. Boreal Light claims its plants can produce up to 2,400 m3/d using solar energy, with units available within a month. The company suggests installing around 80 portable desalination plants along the coastline, estimating a cost of approximately $81 million. While Boreal Light seeks to engage local authorities, they've faced challenges in arranging meetings, despite interest shown by regional agricultural representatives. (SUR in English)
Boreal Light workers building a portable desalination unit. Credit: SUR
EGYPT – Egypt's Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) is preparing to tender a water desalination project soon, with the first phase expected to have a capacity of 250,000 m3/day. SCZONE's chief, Waleid Gamal El-Dien, announced that preparations are underway in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for this initiative. The EBRD has been involved in digitizing investor services and improving over 60 services since February 2023, with plans to make them available by the second half of the year. The desalination plant project aims to enhance water resources in the region through an international tender process. (ZAWYA)
AZERBAIJAN – Azerbaijan has initiated its first desalination project, according to Zaur Mikayilov, Chairman of the State Water Resources Agency, speaking at a public hearing in the Parliament of Azerbaijan. The initiative began 10 days ago, with 14 foreign companies already involved in the project. Technical regulations were developed following a decree from the head of state, facilitating the participation of foreign companies in the desalination process. The hearings, organized by parliamentary committees, are attended by representatives from state entities, NGOs, industry professionals, and other stakeholders interested in water management issues. (Trend news agency)
INDIA – The 100,000 m3/d Nemmeli desalination plant in Chennai is currently operating at only 60,000-65,000 m3/d due to issues with old spare parts, poor maintenance, and lack of upgrades. Residents in affected areas such as Besant Nagar, Adyar, and Taramani have been receiving salty water for over seven years due to high total dissolved solids (TDS). The 11 year old plant’s inefficiency in removing salinity indicates clogged reverse osmosis membranes, which should be replaced every three to five years but have not been replaced for seven years by Metrowater. The water board has initiated tender calls to replace the old membranes and maintain the plant, with expectations to restore full capacity within three months. However, prolonged neglect of maintenance has caused significant inconvenience and expenses for residents dealing with the salinity issue. (The Times of India)
AUSTRALIA – The South Australian government has allocated $65 million for a feasibility study to assess the viability of constructing a desalination plant on Eyre Peninsula, with additional funding of $50 million from BHP. Premier Peter Malinauskas views this project as the largest infrastructure investment in the state's history, essential for the state's economic benefit. The proposed desalination facility at Cape Hardy, along with a pipeline network, aims to provide a sustainable water supply crucial for industrial operations. BHP's involvement aligns with its growth aspirations, with potential benefits extending to catalyzing South Australia's hydrogen industry and generating significant economic activity and royalties. (Proactive)