Saudi Arabia is about to start building a new “solar dome” for a desalination water treatment plant in a new smart-city called Neom that is currently being developed along the northern Red Sea Coast.
The new solar dome is to be built by UK business Solar Water PLC and it is said that it will produce zero carbon emissions, along with creating less brine than current facilities that use conventional reverse osmosis technology.
Solar Water PLC aims to help the world’s water shortage problem by using solar power in an environmentally friendly way, rather than dirty fossil fuels.
The Neom facility will be designed to pump ocean water into the “solar dome” made of glass and steel. The water will then be heated to evaporation and then precipitates as freshwater.
The desalination process will also produce drinking water more affordably than conventional plants, at the cost of 34 cents per cubic meter. New technology will be used that will greatly reduce the environmental impact. One of the issues with normal desalination is it produces a lot of saline solution that can harm our natural ecosystems.
David Reavley, CEO of Solar Water PLC spoke about the new project:
Currently, thousands of desalination plants around the world rely heavily on burning fossil fuels for water extraction, and we have the technology to desalinate water in a way that is completely sustainable and 100% carbon neutral. We are happy to partner with Neom, which has a strong vision of what the new future looks like in harmony and integration with nature.
Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM also commented:
Easy access to abundant seawater and fully renewable energy resources means NEOM is perfectly placed to produce low cost, sustainable freshwater through solar desalination. This type of technology is a powerful reminder of our commitment to supporting innovation, championing environmental conservation and delivering exceptional livability. Working together with the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture we can expand the implementation of this technology beyond NEOM.
Together Neom and Solar Water PLC are wasting no time and construction is set to begin in February, with the plan to have the plant operational by the end of the year. This can help serve as a model for countries and cities around the world to provide fresh drinking water in an eco-friendly manner.
Gavin van Tonder, Head of Water at Neom spoke about the positive implications this project can have on the planet:
We’re really excited by the prospect of bringing Solar Water Plc’s cutting-edge water technology and fresh industry thinking to NEOM. By using their solar dome desalination techniques, we can build a highly effective, efficient water utility that is both future-oriented and environmentally responsible.
