ACCIONA is known for its innovative approach to water solutions. Can you elaborate on the key technologies—particularly reverse osmosis—that are being implemented in Saudi Arabia to meet growing water demands?
At ACCIONA, we work to help create a better planet through the mechanisms which make us leaders and pioneers in the sustainable desalination sector. We only carry out water desalination by reverse osmosis — the best desalination technology for providing fresh water in water stressed areas and for promoting a decarbonised economy.
In fact, using reverse osmosis involves 6.5 times less CO₂ emissions than conventional desalination technologies in the Middle East and Africa. And as this technology evolves and optimises the efficiency and performance of desalination plants, more and more people have fresh water. In Saudi Arabia, we have built desalination plants capable of treating about 2.4 million m³/day, sufficient to supply a population of around 10 million people.
We are continue exploring innovative solutions and applying the latest technologies in water treatment in parallel with the drive to digitize the sector, which it considers essential to bring about more efficient and sustainable water treatment processes. Our different water solutions to create a positive impact goes from the treatment and reuse to make water last longer and promoting circular economy, to desalination by reverse osmosis, integral water cycle or guarantying the supply of high quality of water to the population and the irrigation associations through deploying innovative and sustainable technologies.
Well-planned and executed water infrastructure projects through the right technique have the potential to create a positive and lasting impact at the local level by improving environmental sustainability, enhancing socio-economic conditions, and fostering community resilience.
Sustainability is at the core of many international projects today. What steps is ACCIONA taking to minimize the environmental impact of desalination in the Middle East, especially with the shift to renewable energy sources?
We desalinate water only using reverse osmosis technology, which is not only the most economical solution, but also the most sustainable and the better to couple with any kind of renewable energy, just some interesting ratios to think about:
A five-litre bottle in the supermarket costs the same as desalinating 1,000 litres of water.
And desalinating 1,000 litres of water uses the same amount of energy as an air conditioning system in a house for one hour.
Reverse osmosis also produces 6.5 times fewer CO₂ emissions than conventional desalination technology.
Sustainability is key at each stage in the desalination process and in that manner in considered in ACCIONA from the design until the operation of the plant. During pre-treatment, VETRA technology is used to treat the wastewater produced from water washing operations, achieving a much lower volume of waste and reusing the filtered water.
How do renewable energy integrations contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of desalination in Saudi Arabia?
Our projects are not only about reducing the carbon footprint. We need to go beyond that and leave a positive impact with all of them. The challenge we face, as well as the solutions, require an integrated approach that allows us to connect to develop additional positive impact on each project.
The use of renewable energy in desalination is vital for creating a sustainable, climate-resilient, and low-impact freshwater supply. It reduces the carbon footprint of desalination, ensures energy and water security, and lowers operational costs. As renewable technologies continue to advance and become more affordable, they will play an increasingly central role in making desalination both environmentally and economically sustainable; affordable battery storage technologies will be a breakthrough for desalination using reverse osmosis technology.
To give you an example of how we are using renewable energy, we have included a 61 Megawatt-peak (MWp) capacity photovoltaic solar facility (the largest in-house solar capability for a desalination plant in KSA), to reduce the power consumption from the grid in one of the reverse osmosis desalination plants that we are building here in the Kingdom.
ACCIONA manages five major desalination plants in Saudi Arabia. Could you discuss the operational challenges and how technological advancements have helped overcome them, particularly in dry regions?
Building and operating reverse osmosis desalination plants in dry regions comes with numerous operational challenges, from energy supply issues and high costs to environmental concerns and limited infrastructure. However, many of these challenges can be mitigated with technological advancements (which have made reverse osmosis desalination more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly, essential in dry regions where water scarcity and high energy costs are significant challenges), better pre-treatment methods, energy recovery devices, new technologies implementation and renewable energy integration. Despite these obstacles, desalination remains a critical solution for ensuring water security in water-scarce areas.
The Al Khobar 2 desalination plant, designed and built by ACCIONA, is one of the largest in Saudi Arabia, with a capacity of 630,000 m³ per day. How does this project compare to others in the region, and what makes it unique in terms of technology and scale?
The Al Khobar 2 Desalination Plant is a standout project in the Middle East, particularly in terms of its scale, advanced technology, and energy efficiency. While it doesn’t hold the record for the largest desalination plant in the region, its exclusive focus on reverse osmosis, coupled with state-of-the-art energy recovery and water treatment systems, makes it one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly desalination plants in Saudi Arabia. It plays a crucial role in meeting the water needs of the Eastern Province and sets a benchmark for future desalination projects both in the Kingdom and beyond.
ACCIONA is known for collaborating with local partners in large-scale infrastructure projects. Could you share how governmental partnerships have contributed to the success of your projects in Saudi Arabia?
ACCIONA’s partnerships with governmental entities in Saudi Arabia have been fundamental to the success of its large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly in water desalination and renewable energy. These partnerships have facilitated financial backing, streamlined regulatory processes, and provided local expertise essential for project execution. Moreover, alignment with Vision 2030 and government-backed initiatives has enabled ACCIONA to contribute to sustainable development, enhance local capacity, and ensure long-term operational success in the Kingdom. These collaborations reflect the importance of government involvement in addressing critical infrastructure needs in Saudi Arabia, paving the way for ACCIONA’s continued success in the region.
Given that Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest consumers of water per capita, how are ACCIONA’s projects tackling the balance between increasing water supply and promoting responsible water consumption?
ACCIONA’s projects in Saudi Arabia tackle the balance between increasing water supply and promoting responsible water consumption through a holistic approach that integrates innovative desalination technologies, renewable energy, and sustainability-focused initiatives. By collaborating with the Saudi government on water conservation campaigns, infrastructure improvements, and public education, ACCIONA helps encourage more sustainable water practices while meeting the Kingdom’s growing water needs. Through these efforts, ACCIONA contributes to achieving Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of water security and environmental sustainability.
Desalination has historically been seen as a resource-intensive process. How does ACCIONA balance the need for large-scale desalination with environmental concerns, particularly regarding brine disposal and marine ecosystem impacts?
We balance the need for large-scale desalination with environmental concerns through a comprehensive approach that incorporates advanced technologies such as reverse osmosis technology used in all our desalination plants, sustainable practices, and proactive environmental stewardship. By focusing on energy efficiency, responsible brine disposal and mineral recovery technologies, and protecting marine ecosystems, ACCIONA ensures that its desalination projects not only meet water supply needs but do so in a way that minimizes environmental impact. Through ongoing innovation and strict adherence to environmental regulations, ACCIONA is contributing to the future of sustainable desalination in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Can you share some insights into ACCIONA’s long-term vision for water projects in the Kingdom and how these align with Saudi Arabia’s broader water conservation and sustainability goals by 2030?
ACCIONA’s long-term vision for water projects in Saudi Arabia focuses on advancing sustainable desalination through reverse osmosis technology, promoting renewable energy integration, and fostering efficient water management practices. By aligning its projects with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Water Strategy 2030, ACCIONA is helping the Kingdom address its water security challenges while promoting environmental stewardship and sustainable development. Through innovative technologies, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to responsible water use, ACCIONA is playing a key role in shaping the future of Saudi Arabia’s water sector.
Looking beyond the current projects in Saudi Arabia, what innovations in desalination technology do you foresee playing a pivotal role in addressing future water challenges on a global scale?
Innovations in desalination technology are essential for addressing the global water crisis and ensuring sustainable water supply solutions. In ACCIONA, we are putting our innovative and technical potential into action to create solutions to water scarcity, sanitation problems, access to this vital resource and increased demand. Water treatment for a sustainable future.By focusing on energy efficiency, integrating renewable energy, incorporation of AI and predictive models and adopting advanced materials and methodologies, the desalination industry can meet the growing demand for clean water while minimizing environmental impacts. These advancements will play a crucial role in promoting water security and sustainability, particularly in regions facing significant water scarcity challenges.
