Abu Dhabi looks at new uses for desalinated water as it rides the membrane boom

摘要

Abu Dhabi's main desalination body is looking beyond satisfying immediate water demand towards replacing existing sources of water like groundwater, as it plans for a new wave of membrane desalination capacity. The Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) - the planner, procurer and offtaker for the privately financed desalination plants that serve the emirate - is currently in the early stages of procuring two new SWRO plants, following the award of the record-breaking Taweelah project in 2019. EWEC forecasting and planning director Bruce Smith told GWI, however, that the emirate is planning to significantly ramp up its membrane desalination portfolio over the next decade, even though levels of demand are only expected to see a modest rise, and are well within peak water production limits at present.