Qatar is making significant advancements in the sustainability of its desalination sector by integrating advanced technologies and renewable energy sources. Guillermo Hijós, the Desalination Director for the Middle East and Oceania at Acciona’s Water business, stated that these initiatives are designed to reduce energy consumption and minimize environmental impacts, ensuring a reliable and eco-friendly water supply for the nation.

As part of this effort, Acciona has implemented its Maestro AI platform at Qatar’s Umm Al Houl plant, which has a capacity of over 500 000 cubic meters per day. The Ras Abu Fontas 3 plant, another facility operated by Acciona for the Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa), supplies 165 000 cubic meters per day. Both plants together can provide drinking water for 2.9 million people and have achieved the ISO 50001 energy management system certification, marking a crucial step towards operational efficiency.

Hijós emphasized that these efforts represent a significant move towards a more sustainable and efficient desalination sector in Qatar, balancing water needs with environmental stewardship. He noted that this certification is the company’s first international acknowledgment of its energy efficiency initiatives, showcasing its commitment to sustainable practices in desalination operations.

In addition, Qatar is investing in solar energy to power certain parts of its desalination operations. The projects under the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030) aim to integrate solar photovoltaic systems with desalination units, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Furthermore, the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) has developed a Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) pilot plant in Dukhan, which demonstrates higher efficiency than traditional methods. This innovative technology consumes only 4.5 kWh per cubic meter, significantly lower than the 12 kWh per cubic meter required by conventional thermal desalination processes, thereby reducing energy usage and operational costs.

Hijós added that obtaining the internationally recognized ISO 50001 certification validates Acciona’s energy efficiency policies and its ongoing efforts to achieve the highest standards in operational management. This achievement reinforces the company’s leadership in Qatar’s water sector and supports the transition towards a low-CO2 economy.