Jun. 1—TUNIS — Saudi-listed ACWA Power, the world’s largest private water desalination company and a leader in energy transition, has signed an agreement with the Tunisian government for a project that will produce up to 600,000 tons per year of green hydrogen in three phases, for export to Europe.
Chilean miner Antofagasta Minerals on Thursday inaugurated a more than $2 billion desalination plant for its flagship copper mine in Chile, Los Pelambres, aimed at relieving the effects of severe drought that has hit production.
Barcelona already relies on Europe’s largest desalination plant for domestic use to compensate over three years of below average rainfall that have led to a historic drought made worse by climate change. In February, Catalonia’s regional government declared a drought emergency for much of the surrounding region.
Lupiáñez emphasised that this infrastructure will enhance water conditions in the local and surrounding areas by rendering well water suitable for irrigation. Collaborating with the Málaga Provincial Council and the Andalucian Regional Government, Vélez-Málaga strives to enhance water quality in the middle of a drought. A €15 million investment partnership between these institutions is set to expedite the installation of the desalination plant in wells.
The station is currently in the testing phase and it will be operational very soon, providing an important lever for the drinking water sector in the south-eastern region, he said.
“I am thrilled that our region will receive this critical funding to support our water infrastructure,” said Levin, a Democrat wo represents the 49th District. “In the face of threats from climate change, these projects are essential for ensuring a sustainable and resilient water supply for our communities.”
Veolia will engineer and supply key water technology for the plant that is based on the reverse osmosis process under a contract awarded by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority and Saudi Arabia-based ACWA Power. The latter was selected by the authority in August 2023 as preferred bidder for plant construction and operation under a $914-million project.
The two companies vowed to commence the construction of the production facility in 2026 to meet increasing local demand for the reverse osmosis (RO) membrane, the device for desalinating water in the Middle East region.
A non-profit organisation, XPRIZE designs and hosts public competitions intended to encourage technological development. With US$119m in the prize pot, competing teams have been tasked to develop new desalination methods and materials that can produce clean water more sustainably and affordably.
Chilean miner Antofagasta Minerals on Thursday inaugurated a more than $2 billion desalination plant for its flagship copper mine in Chile, Los Pelambres, aimed at relieving the effects of severe drought that has hit production.