Saudi energy giant eyes Caspian Sea desalination project in Azerbaijan

Abid Malik, Regional Director for Central Asia at the Saudi Arabia-based energy company ACWA Power, has expressed strong interest in developing a significant desalination project for the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan.

The initiative aims to address the country's pressing water resource challenges and meet growing demand on the Absheron Peninsula, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Azerbaijan's State Water Reserves Agency and the Ministry of Economy have initiated the development of the Caspian Sea desalination project under a public-private partnership model. In February 2024, the Ministry and the State Water Reserves Agency requested information for setting up a seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant in Sumgayit Industrial Zone, which will have a daily capacity of 300,000 cubic meters. The deadline for project applications is November 2024.

Malik emphasized ACWA Power’s keen interest in the project, citing the company's extensive experience in desalination. "ACWA Power is the world's largest developer and operator of desalination plants," he said. "We have developed 19 desalination plants with a combined capacity of over 8 million cubic meters per day. Our track record includes reducing desalination electricity consumption by 45% over the past decade and achieving plant availability of 99% or more."

The company has been recognized as Desalination Company of the Year multiple times, including in 2023, for setting global standards in desalination plant efficiency. ACWA Power also operates the world’s largest reverse osmosis desalination plant in Tawil, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Malik expressed optimism about the potential collaboration, stating, “We look forward to utilizing our expertise to support Azerbaijan in meeting its water needs in an efficient and sustainable manner.”