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Abu Dhabi’s TAQA, SUEZ and Siemens team up in desalination initiative

The initiative is a five-year global competition that aims to reimagine systems, methods, and materials to advance desalination technologies

by Gulf Business

September 25, 2024

TAQA, SUEZ, Siemens launch desalination initiative

Image credit: ERIC PIERMONT/ Getty Images

French utility firm SUEZ, Germany’s Siemens, and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, also known as TAQA, have signed an MoU to participate in the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, which aims to ensure sustainable and affordable access to water for communities in emerging countries.

The water initiative is a five-year global competition that aims to reimagine systems, methods, and materials and drive a step change in desalination technologies.

It will facilitate the widespread use of desalination in a way that promotes greater socio-economic equity and environmental sustainability.

“We must address the global water scarcity crisis by collaborating with companies and organisations and fast-tracking innovative solutions to address these issues faced by too many people and communities across the globe,” said Farid Al Awlaqi, CEO of Generation at TAQA.

“As the largest producer of desalinated water in the UAE, TAQA is committed to producing and delivering potable water that is as energy-efficient as possible by adopting innovative desalination technologies combined with cleaner energy sources.”

TAQA owns a stake in Taweelah Reverse Osmosis Independent Water Plant, one of the world’s largest reverse osmosis plants in operation with a capacity of 200 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD).

Under the deal, TAQA’s power and water generation business is combining with SUEZ and Siemens to form an international team with plans to develop and prove an innovative and cost-effective desalination technology.

The project aims to develop a cutting-edge step forward for a sustainable solution that optimises energy consumption while ensuring affordability, allowing more countries to benefit from desalination solutions.

SUEZ will provide its R&D expertise, while Siemens will deliver the technologies, expertise, and industry knowledge to revolutionise the water industry.