The World Bank praises Saudi Arabia’s leadership in developing low-energy “water desalination” technologies and water management efforts.

The World Bank has praised the efforts of the Kingdom in the development of the water sector, especially in water desalination, stating that the Kingdom has become an advanced model in increasing efficiency and reducing energy consumption. The report highlighted the Shuaibah 5 plant, the latest among desalination plants in the Kingdom, with a production capacity of 664,490 cubic meters per day, achieving the lowest energy consumption rates ever recorded. This improvement in operational efficiency is attributed to a package of advanced technological solutions, including modern reverse osmosis membranes that reduce the need for high pressure and energy, energy recovery devices that capture and reuse pressure from desalination processes, improved pretreatment systems that reduce pollution and extend membrane life, as well as integrating renewable energy sources, especially solar energy, to reduce reliance on traditional electricity. The report emphasized that this transformation not only contributes to reducing operating costs but also represents a strategic step towards achieving environmental sustainability goals. The Saudi Water Authority is implementing an ambitious plan to reduce energy consumption density in the water sector by 30% by 2030, compared to 2019 levels, through the deployment of modern technologies and the application of sustainable policies. The achievements at the Shuaibah 5 plant serve as a global model that can be utilized in other regions facing water resource shortages, highlighting the Kingdom’s leadership in developing effective solutions to water challenges on an international level.