The growing global need for water is exacerbating the scarcity of freshwater sources, especially in arid/semi-arid regions affected by climate change. Desalination offers a solution to meet rising demand, but its energy-intensive nature, reliant on fossil fuels, poses sustainability challenges aggravated by volatile market prices and logistical constraints in remote and island communities.
According to IRENA, only 1% of desalinated water relies on renewable energy sources. However, as renewable technologies gain traction and costs decrease, they emerge as a feasible option. The environmental characteristics shared by the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council mean that there is an ever-growing dependence on seawater desalination to meet increasing regional demand for potable water. With key operations across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, ENGIE plays a critical role in meeting these growing needs.
ENGIE’s Desalination solution: Revolutionizing water sustainability
ENGIE is a committed partner to the GCC, striving to lead the transformation in the water landscape by providing high-quality, dependable, and cost-effective solutions. We have been supporting our Middle East partners for over 3 decades to achieve their ambitious national visions and plans towards low-carbon transition and sustainable growth. ENGIE leads the charge in addressing water scarcity across the Gulf Cooperation Council. Operating thirteen cutting-edge desalination plants in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, ENGIE produces a remarkable 5.8 million cubic meters of water daily. In the UAE, key facilities like Shuweihat 1 and 2, Fujairah F2, and Al Taweelah contribute 609MIGD, meeting the water needs of millions. In Saudi Arabia, our Marafiq facility delivers 176MIGD alongside a 2,744MW CCGT power plant. Qatar’s Ras Laffan B and C provide 123MIGD, while Barka and Sohar in Oman yield 120MIGD. ENGIE’s unwavering commitment extends to Bahrain, Kuwait, and beyond, ensuring water sustainability with capacities like 107MIGD at Az Zour North.
We empower our customers in their journey towards a carbon-neutral economy by offering solutions that reduce energy consumption and prioritize environmental sustainability. With our commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2045, we prioritize delivering low-carbon desalination solutions tailored to meet their needs with emphasis on:
- Reverse Osmosis technology which uses pressure rather than a thermal process to produce the potable water
- Decarbonizing the energy supply through the integration of renewable energy generation asset
- Reducing power consumption with innovative desalination processes
- Targeting operational excellence while using ENGIE’s plants under operation
