SENEGAL – ACWA Power, a Saudi Arabian utility developer, has secured an $800 million agreement with Senegal for a desalination project. The contract involves building a 400,000 m3/d desalination plant in Dakar, Senegal, in partnership with the country's Ministry of Water and Sanitation and Société Nationale des Eaux du Senegal (SONES). ACWA will handle the development, financing, construction, and operation of the seawater desalination plant and its associated infrastructure, with construction planned in two phases. The contract spans 32 years, with financial impacts expected after the first phase becomes operational by the first quarter of 2028, according to ACWA's announcement on the Saudi Tadawul stock exchange. (ZAWYA)
ALGERIA – Algeria's Tighremt desalination plant, with a capacity of 300,000 cubic meters per day, is currently 44% complete and is anticipated to be finished by the fourth quarter of 2024. Commissioned by Sonatrach, construction began in June 2022 despite challenges like adverse weather and difficult terrain. Site preparation involved extensive work on a mountainous area spanning over five hectares. Equipment orders have been placed and are expected to arrive soon. Once operational, the plant will serve 52 municipalities in Bejaia province and support irrigation in the Soummam and Aïn Sefra regions. (ZAWYA)
SPAIN – A joint venture between GS Inima and Sacyr has been awarded the operation and maintenance contract for the Alicante Desalination Plant by the Mancomunidad de los Canales del Taibilla. The contract is valued at $12.5 million euros and spans an initial duration of two years with the possibility of extension for another two years. GS Inima and Sacyr will assume responsibility for overseeing the operation and maintenance of the Alicante Desalination Plant under the terms of this agreement. This partnership represents a significant milestone in managing the water resources of the Alicante region efficiently and sustainably. (XM)
U.S.A. – The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approved the first of two permits needed for Corpus Christi's desalination plant off La Quinta Channel, allowing diversion of up to 628,378 m3/d. The proposed plant aims to produce 151,416 m3/d to address water scarcity concerns. Supporters argue the plant is crucial for commercial and population growth, especially amid historical and ongoing drought conditions. Critics express concerns about potential environmental impacts, while city officials emphasize the importance of securing a drought-proof water supply. Plans for a similar plant at Inner Harbor are underway, with a draft water discharge permit set for public review soon. (Caller Times)
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO – The Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) plans to invest $1 billion in constructing wells and two small desalination plants to serve underserved communities. The project will be funded through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) upgrade program initiated by the government two years ago. Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales revealed this information following a visit to the Acono Water Treatment Plant in St Joseph. Major projects, including drilling 20 wells and constructing two new water treatment plants in Santa Cruz and Goldsborough, Tobago, are set to begin through tender awards, adhering to protocols and the IDB process. Additionally, plans are underway to address water deficits in areas like Moruga and Charlotteville through the construction of small desalination plants, with WASA currently paying premium rates for water from private suppliers like Desalcott and Seven Seas Water Corporation. (Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)
Minister of Public Utilities Marvin Gonzales visits the Acono Water Treatment Plant in St Joseph. Credit: SHALIZA HASSANALI
NAMIBIA – The Namibian government plans to construct a desalination plant for the northern regions, with the project currently in the feasibility stage. Minister Emma Theofelus informed Cabinet about this initiative, highlighting the need for a feasibility study to guide decision-making, funded by an African Development Bank grant. Cabinet has also prioritized the long-term water supply solutions like the Okavango-Link project, with a capacity of 87,671 m3/d. Additionally, measures are being taken to notify the Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission about Namibia's plans. (MSN)
SAUDI ARABIA – East Pipes, a Saudi Arabian steel pipes manufacturer, has secured a $61.3 million contract with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), spanning 30 months. The contract entails the manufacture and supply of steel pipes for SWCC's desalinated water operations. SWCC, known for its extensive capacity, is the world's largest producer of desalinated water, with a daily capacity of 11.5 million cubic meters. SWCC, an independent government entity, operates numerous desalination plants and purification facilities across Saudi Arabia, ensuring water supply throughout the kingdom. (ZAWYA)
INDIA – Chennai faces depleting water levels in its reservoirs due to soaring temperatures, prompting concerns about meeting the city's drinking water needs during summer. The Water Resources Department (WRD) has plans to address this through desalination plants. Currently, the reservoirs are at 60.85% of their total capacity, significantly lower than last year's levels. Despite receiving minimal water from Andhra Pradesh, surplus rainfall in Tamil Nadu during the recent monsoon has alleviated some pressure. The Chennai Metro Water has managed the situation by utilizing water from new desalination plants, which are providing 126,000 m3 water. Additionally desalination plants in Minjur and Nemmeli ensure a consistent supply for the future, mitigating any potential shortages. (The New Indian Express)
SCIENCE – TTX Environmental successfully resolved an electroplating facility's wastewater treatment and reuse issue by implementing an electro-ceramic desalination process. Facing the challenge of wastewater disposal without access to a drainage system, TTX Environmental collaborated with Membrion to develop a solution. The electro-ceramic desalination process, employing alternating cationic and anionic selective membranes, effectively removed contaminants from the wastewater. Bench-scale testing demonstrated an 89% reduction in conductivity and a 93% recovery of feed water. Following successful pilot testing at the electroplater's facility, an operation-scale system was implemented, expected to produce water with quality below 900 µS/cm at a recovery rate of approximately 94%. (PFonline)
MISCELLANEOUS – Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize water desalination, offering a sustainable solution to global water scarcity. Leveraging quantum machine learning (QML), researchers at the University of Cambridge have reduced energy needs by up to 40% and costs by 20% in reverse osmosis systems. AI not only enhances existing desalination processes but also pioneers new methods, promising greater efficiency and accessibility to clean water. The Middle East exemplifies AI's potential to significantly expand access to water resources through AI-powered desalination. However, challenges such as data collection and cybersecurity must be addressed to ensure the success and longevity of AI-driven desalination technologies. (YTECH)