Veolia is significantly enhancing its desalination initiatives in the Middle East as part of an ambitious growth plan aiming for a 50% increase in regional operations by 2030.
Having been active in the Middle East for over five decades, the company generated €1.1 billion in revenue in 2023 and views the region as a pivotal hub for its GreenUp 24-27 strategy.
Desalination plays a crucial role in Veolia’s mission to tackle the escalating water scarcity in the Middle East, a situation worsened by climate change. The company is applying its expertise in advanced reverse osmosis technologies to facilitate large-scale desalination projects essential for ensuring water security in the area.
A flagship project is the Hassyan desalination plant in the United Arab Emirates, the world’s second-largest, which provides water to 2 million residents while setting new standards for energy efficiency.
Other significant projects include the Hamriyah plant in the UAE, which supplies drinking water to 1.4 million individuals, and the Mirfa 2 plant, which benefits 210,000 households. In Oman, Veolia’s technologies are vital at the Sur plant, and in Saudi Arabia, the Sadara-Marafiq plant has been operational since 2016, delivering industrial water to the Jubail petrochemical complex.
As water scarcity becomes increasingly severe in the region, desalination emerges as a critical market, with potential investments projected at $97 billion from 2024 to 2028. Veolia aims to surpass market growth by accelerating its expansion in this sector through innovative solutions designed for the specific challenges of the Middle East.
“The Middle East is a crucial area for Veolia, prompting us to designate it as a geographical growth catalyst for our GreenUp 24-27 strategic plan. Given the acute scarcity of water resources in the region, the stakes are high. As a global leader in water technologies, we play a significant role in assisting Middle Eastern nations in implementing solutions to combat and adapt to climate change. Desalination, a rapidly growing market, presents a major opportunity, with growth expected to continue in the coming years,” stated Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia.
Veolia’s emphasis on desalination complements its broader ecological transformation strategy, which encompasses water reuse, waste treatment, and the decarbonization of local energy production. These comprehensive efforts position the company as a vital partner in addressing the region’s environmental challenges while promoting sustainable economic development.
Source :Veolia
