The Saudi National Shipping Company (Bahri) announced the start of the trial operations of the first floating desalination plant near Al Shuqaiq port, on the western coast of Saudi Arabia. This is based on a previous agreement signed with the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC). Metito, the leading global provider of water and alternative energy management solutions, has developed this project on a fast-track basis and covering the design, engineering, construction, operation trials, and the provision of floating barges to sail the desalination plant, complete with the power generation system, to its current location in the Kingdom.
Bahri and Metito Saudi signed a contract for the development of ‘floating water desalination plants with a total capacity of 150,000m3 per day. This project is aimed at contributing sustainably and consistently to the supply of high-quality potable water in compliance with all applicable international and local codes and standards and using the most advanced treatment technology, Integrated Ultra Filtration. The project falls under the third independent phase of the Kingdom’s Privatization Program and aims to ensure a sustainable supply of water to enhance water security.
The Saline Water Conversion Corporation is the end-user for this innovative project
Metito won this pioneering project after winning a competitive tender and having a portfolio of iconic projects across global markets and in the Kingdom.
Commenting on the news announced by Bahri, Fady Juez, Metito Managing Director, said: “Winning this innovative project is a true testament of the Kingdom’s progressive vision to achieving national water security targets through sustainable projects and highlights the Government’s efforts to further engage the private sector with mega infrastructural projects”.
The project has a total capacity of 150,000m3 per day
Metito specifically designed the plant taking into consideration the mobility and flexibility of sailing the barges to different locations, according to changing water needs. Juez also emphasized the possibility of using solar energy to power the barges.
Metito was the first company to introduce the Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology for desalination outside the USA in 1972. To date, the company continues to develop iconic desalination projects, integrating the latest technologies and ensuring environmental sustainability at the core of its high-value engineering. Metito is also the first company to pioneer concession contracts through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the Middle East and Africa.