The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is undergoing a major transformation in water infrastructure, with a surge in green desalination projects aimed at tackling water scarcity while reducing carbon emissions. As of mid-2025, nearly 69 large-scale desalination projects worth $65 billion are under construction, with over 100 more in early development stages.
This revolution is driven by two key trends:
- Energy-efficient reverse osmosis (RO) technology, now accounting for 85% of global desalination capacity and 91% of new builds, thanks to lower energy demands, advanced membranes, and modular designs.
- Integration of solar power and battery storage, enabling near-zero carbon water production.
Flagship projects include:
- Jubail 3A in Saudi Arabia, combining RO with 45MW of solar PV.
- Taweelah in Abu Dhabi, which merges renewables with next-gen membrane tech.
- Shuaibah 3, the world’s largest solar-powered RO plant.
- Ar Rayis IWP, showcasing scalable, cost-effective desalination.
The environmental stakes are high: desalination currently emits 76 million tonnes of CO₂ annually, a figure projected to triple by 2040 without intervention. To counter this, the sector is embracing AI-driven optimization, digital twins, and transparent procurement to improve efficiency and broaden developer participation.
Saudi Arabia leads the charge, having awarded $20 billion in water contracts in 2024, and plans to procure an additional 3.5 million cubic meters per day by 2028. With billions in tenders on the horizon, the region presents unmatched opportunities for sustainable water investment
(Source: Utillities me)