The contract for the design, construction, and operation of a new desalination plant in the Algarve region has been awarded to a consortium made up of GS Inima and Aquapor.
Set to be completed by 2026, this project will utilize reverse osmosis technology to initially generate 16 million cubic meters of drinking water per year, with the capability to expand production to 24 million cubic meters in the future.
Marta Verde, CEO of GS Inima, stated: “We are honored and proud to participate in this national initiative that will support the Algarve Regional Water Efficiency Plan by promoting seawater desalination within the framework of Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) Component. This recognition highlights our expertise and dedication to providing sustainable, high-quality water solutions globally, strengthening our role in the desalination industry and addressing the decline in annual rainfall to ensure a reliable public water supply for the region’s residents.”
António Cunha, CEO of Aquapor, remarked: “This project is crucial for our country, and we take pride in Aquapor’s role in implementing effective and innovative solutions for better water resource preservation.”
The announcement of the contract was made by Águas do Algarve, the public entity responsible for water supply and wastewater management in the region, coinciding with National Water Day.
The organization noted that the Algarve has been experiencing recurring droughts in recent years, resulting in persistent water shortages and decreased reserves in existing sources.
This situation, monitored by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), Águas de Portugal (AdP), and Águas do Algarve (AdA), has developed into a structural challenge for the region.
To tackle this ongoing problem, studies have identified seawater desalination as a vital strategy for enhancing water production. This method is part of a broader plan to improve water availability and reserves, as detailed in the Algarve’s Regional Water Efficiency Plan, according to Águas do Algarve.
Source:GS Inima
