The Plant Management System has been deployed by ACCIONA to advance the digitalisation of its desalination plants. This digital platform, commercialised by Schneider Electric, is based on AVEVA PI System technology. It centralises operational data to improve efficiency and decision-making across water assets.
ACCIONA is a global company focused on providing regenerative solutions for a decarbonised economy. Its business portfolio includes renewable energy, water treatment, water management, eco-efficient transport, mobility systems, and resilient infrastructures. Notably, the company has maintained carbon neutrality since 2016.
Data Integration and Operational Efficiency
The platform integrates information from plant operations, maintenance management systems, and process control systems. Consequently, this integration eliminates the need for manual calculations of key performance indicators and spreadsheet-based reporting. Operators can now access raw data and standardised performance indicators in real time.
The deployment of this technology is particularly relevant for water assets in the Middle East and Oceania. In these regions, efficient water treatment and desalination are critical for local communities. By centralising data, the company aims to enhance the reliability of its water supply infrastructure.
The Role of OCTOPUS in Data Capture
To support this platform, ACCIONA developed a digital operations management tool called OCTOPUS. This tool captures and structures manual operational data. Furthermore, integrating this information with maintenance and process control data provides a single source of operational information. This integration offers a real-time view of plant performance.
Advanced Analytics and the Plant Management System
The Plant Management System is designed as a scalable platform for continuous technological innovation. Its architecture enables the deployment of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence applications. Specifically, a seawater turbidity prediction model is already running within the platform to help operators anticipate changes in water quality.
“The platform combines our operational expertise with a powerful digital platform to transform plant data into actionable information, giving our teams a real-time, end-to-end view of performance and enabling better operational decisions.”
Guillermo Hijós, O&M Director at ACCIONA for the Water business in the Middle East and Oceania
Regional Deployment and Future Outlook
The company is progressively deploying the Plant Management System across additional projects following a successful development phase. This rollout supports the strategy to standardise digital operations across its water portfolio. ACCIONA recorded sales of 20.24 billion euros in 2025 and operates in more than 40 countries.