POSITIVE IMPACT
The first series of these events at the Spanish Embassy in Riyadh highlights reverse osmosis desalination, the solution for water sustainability in the Kingdom.
RIYADH, APRIL 30, 2024. ACCIONA, a global company and a leader in providing regenerative solutions for a decarbonized economy, held its first-panel discussion in its series of Talks designed to promote regenerative and sustainable solutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The event took place at the Spanish Embassy in Riyadh last Sunday, April 28th, and brought together a range of leading figures from across the water field, government, and business to showcase the importance of reverse osmosis technology in the water cycle.
The Riyadh event follows an inaugural panel discussion of its series entitled The Saudi solution for water sustainability: reverse osmosis desalination. It explored the winning formula for achieving water sustainability in the Kingdom thanks to the reverse osmosis technology.
The panelists who participated in the event included Mr. Khaled Al Qourashi (SWPC CEO), Mr. Khalid Al Habib (Chief Investment Officer WTTCO), Mr. Mohammed Alhajjaj (ENGIE KSA CEO), and Manuel Manjon, CEO of ACCIONA’s Water business line. Julio de la Rosa, Middle East Business Development Director for the Water Business of ACCIONA, moderated the talk.
The participants shared their experiences in the water field. They explained the importance of managing water resources efficiently to meet the needs of the growing population and expanding the economy without compromising future generations’ ability to access clean water. Also, given its arid climate and limited freshwater resources, Saudi Arabia relies heavily on desalination plants to meet its water needs.
The speakers also emphasized the importance of investing in desalination technology, such as reverse osmosis and expanding the capacity of existing desalination plants to ensure a reliable supply of freshwater for domestic, industrial, and agricultural use.
Javier Nieto, KSA Director for the Water business of ACCIONA, who participated as the keynote speaker, said, “ACCIONA’s expertise is directly relevant to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programs and goals. We see ourselves as partners that can enable the Kingdom to realize its vision of creating a vibrant, diversified, and more sustainable economy and society. For example, the seven desalination and wastewater treatment plants we are building –and the two desalination plants we have recently completed– will improve the water security of 8.3 million people and make the country more resilient to climate shocks”.
REVERSE OSMOSIS IN KSA
Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s largest producers of desalinated water, with numerous desalination plants along its coastline. Reverse osmosis technology is vital in addressing water scarcity challenges in the Kingdom by providing a sustainable and reliable source of clean water for different sectors and applications. It contributes to the country’s economic development, environmental sustainability, and social well-being.
According to the latest ACCIONA Sustainability Report, total desalinated water production in the Middle East will be 13 times higher in 2040 than in 2014. In a region with acute water scarcity, climate change and population growth drive demand for desalinated water. Saudi Arabia, with a population of about 33.4 million, is the world’s third largest per capita consumer of water after the United States and Canada.
ACCIONA desalinates water using the most efficient reverse osmosis technology, which emits 6.5 times fewer greenhouse gases than thermal desalination technologies.