A rapidly growing population, on track to reach 39.1 million by 2030, and a staggeringly high consumption rate, at a total of nearly 1600 liters per capita per day, has motivated Saudi Arabia’s efforts to boost sustainable water production and curb skyrocketing demand. As part of this ongoing effort, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Water and Energy recently announced a 50% increase in water tariffs for government offices and commercial firms.
State-run Saudi Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) also plans to invest $ 80 billion by 2025 to boost desalinated water production to 8.5 million m3/day, according to industry reports. The SWCC now produces 3.6 million m3/day of desalinated water – a figure that will need to reach 8.5 million by the end of 2025 to keep up with growing demand, as reported by construction research firm Ventures Onsite.
The SWCC is also trying to double energy efficiency from the current level of about 26-27% to 54-55%, and is increasingly looking at renewables to achieve this target, as reported by Ventures Onsite.
As part of its unremitting efforts to work towards developing sustainable methods of potable water production, Saudi Arabia has announced a number of pioneering projects, including Al Khafji – the world’s first solar-powered desalination plant. Valued at $130 million and slated for 2017 completion, the photovoltaic plant – a joint venture between Advanced Water Techologies and Abengoa – will produce 60,000 m3 of water to supply Al Khafji City in North Eastern Saudi Arabia, ensuring a constant water supply throughout the year.
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