Desalination Industry Experiences Expansion Worldwide, Excluding France
In the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, it's not a casual stroll: that's a peculiar saying for an Omani resident. This sultanate relies heavily on desalination, turning seawater into fresh drinking water, thanks to a network of 15 desalination plants along its coastlines. The largest one, Barka IV, just 50 kilometers west of Muscat, is overseen by Veolia, acquiring a portion of Suez's assets. Veolia also deftly handles a cutting-edge facility in Sur—a two-hour drive east of Muscat—supplying drinkable water to roughly half a million inhabitants. A solar farm, powered by TotalEnergies, provides the entire site's daytime electricity consumption.
Let's explore the booming landscape of seawater desalination technology in the Middle East, particularly in countries like Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This surge is predominantly fueled by water scarcity and burgeoning populations, pushing the region to rely on desalination to meet its water needs.
Oman, for one, hosts a range of Veolia's innovations. Innovations like the The Barrel™ technology, which promises reductions in costs of 3% to 5%, energy savings, and a smaller environmental footprint compared to conventional systems. Veolia plays a pivotal role in Oman's desalination infrastructure.
Seawater desalination is essential for Oman's water supply. Across the Middle East, countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are also embracing advanced desalination technologies, with Veolia spearheading numerous membrane-based systems in the UAE and Saudi Arabia for heightened sustainability. This commitment to modern desalination illustrates the region's dedication to eco-friendly water solutions.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region even leads the world in desalination capacity, with countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE establishing themselves as leaders in the field[3]. Latest developments include projects like the one awarded to French infrastructure fund Meridiam in Jordan in August 2024[1].
Modern desalination systems predominantly utilize membrane technologies, such as Reverse Osmosis (RO), due to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional thermal methods like distillation. Embracing sustainability, advancements like solar-powered facilities and AI-optimized membrane systems are growing in popularity[5]. Energy efficiency has seen significant improvements, with power consumption dropping substantially since the early 2000s[5].
Stay tuned for more insights on seawater desalination technology in the Middle East, as the region continues to adapt and innovate in the quest for sustainable water solutions.
- Veolia, which has taken a portion of Suez's assets, is overseeing the largest desalination plant in Oman, Barka IV.
- Oman is host to Veolia's innovative desalination technology, including the Barrel™ technology, known for significant cost reductions, energy savings, and a smaller environmental footprint.
- Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are among Middle Eastern countries embracing advanced desalination technologies to address water scarcity and growing populations.
- In August 2024, a desalination project awarded to French infrastructure fund Meridiam will contribute to Jordan's water supply, further showcasing the MENA region's leadership in desalination capacity.
- Modern desalination systems in the Middle East primarily utilize membrane technologies like Reverse Osmosis (RO) because of their efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional methods, and recent advancements include solar-powered facilities and AI-optimized membrane systems for improved energy efficiency.
