We are no longer talking about climate change, rather, it is about the interference with the classic water cycle, which is redefining global water security for millions globally. The evolving climate exerts unprecedented stress on our planet's water cycles, fundamentally altering precipitation patterns, increasing drought frequencies, and exacerbating water scarcity. As traditional water sources become less reliable, communities worldwide increasingly turn to desalination, as we all understand the cost of not having water. Today, over 18,000 desalination plants operate globally, a number expected to grow in response to escalating needs.
But the future of desalination is not just about making saltwater drinkable, but doing it efficiently and sustainably. Current desalination technologies offer a critical solution to water scarcity, with a relatively low environmental footprint. Yet, we should ask ourselves what can be done better. Can we further minimise the environmental impact?
Desalination plants are energy-intensive; the process of reverse osmosis, the most common method of desalination, requires large amounts of energy to force water through semi-permeable membranes to remove the salts. In numbers, it translates to 3 to 4 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to produce a cubic meter (m³) of freshwater, which converts to carbon dioxide emissions.
Other concerns about environmental impact are the use of chemicals and their potential impact on the marine environment during project execution (some people have concerns about the brine emissions and their impact, but those are being proven wrong again and again in plants that follow the right engineering practices).
Energy recovery technologies have been pivotal in reducing the energy requirements of reverse osmosis systems by up to 40%
Advancements in sustainable practices
The desalination industry has recognised the urgency of adopting more sustainable practices, leading to significant innovations aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of desalination plants. One notable technological advancement is the integration of renewable energy sources — solar, wind, and even geothermal energy — into desalination processes. For example, several facilities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region (Saudi Arabia, Morocco, and the UAE) now operate partially or entirely on solar energy, demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale renewable energy integration.
Yet renewable energy has its limitations; energy is not generated consistently during the hours of the day and the seasons. Solar is available typically only 20-22% of the time, so buying "green energy" from the grid is either misleading or requires substantial storage that has its environmental impact.
Everything starts and ends with energy
At IDE, we believe that for desalination to be truly sustainable, the desalination plant and the energy source must be in direct synergy. When we aim to reduce CO2 emissions, we must either produce water using real 100% renewable energy or focus on minimising emissions and implementing carbon capture solutions.
30 years ago, energy recovery technologies transformed the landscape of desalination, making it economically feasible. Modern plants incorporate energy recovery devices that capture and reuse energy from the desalination process itself, significantly improving energy efficiency. This technology has been pivotal in reducing the energy requirements of reverse osmosis systems by up to 40%.
Now is the time to introduce newer technologies that will reduce the plant’s carbon footprint, making desalination more environmentally friendly.
What you don’t measure, you can’t improve
At IDE, we recognise that the first step in reducing the environmental footprint of desalination is acknowledging and quantifying it. That's why we've taken the lead by implementing the Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) model, becoming the first company to measure and quantify the carbon footprint of desalination plants. We see this as pivotal in setting the industry standard for sustainable desalination and advancing towards net-zero desalination. Upon implementing our LCA methodology in Sorek II, our latest desalination project, which began operating earlier this year, we found out that by implementing several sustainable technologies, we could cut down 30% of the carbon emissions. When you consider the quantities that this plant is going to produce, multiplied by the savings, you're talking about savings of over 150,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
Sorek II, the world's first steam-driven Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant is a living testament to IDE’s commitment to sustainable desalination and a living proof that environmental sustainability and economic efficiency can go hand in hand.
From an economic perspective, the argument that sustainable desalination practices are cost-prohibitive is increasingly being challenged
The plant, which boasts innovative steam-drive high-pressure pumps, in-house chemical production, an independent power station, advanced modular design, and a carbon capture system, delivers high-quality water at an exceptionally low cost.
Role of regulation and economics
Regulatory frameworks play a pivotal role in shaping the sustainability practices within the desalination industry. Governments and international bodies can drive the adoption of green technologies by setting stringent environmental standards and providing incentives for low-carbon technologies. For example, carbon pricing mechanisms can make the cost of carbon-intensive production processes reflect their environmental impact, thereby encouraging investment in cleaner alternatives. Additionally, regulations mandating the use of energy-efficient technologies can accelerate the shift towards more sustainable desalination methods.
In regions where water scarcity poses a significant challenge, policies that support the integration of renewable energy sources into desalination plants have proven effective. Subsidies for solar or wind-powered desalination projects, or regulations allowing easier integration of these technologies into the grid, can reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources and decrease the carbon footprint of new and existing facilities.
From an economic perspective, the argument that sustainable desalination practices are cost-prohibitive is increasingly being challenged. Initially, the capital expenditure for greener desalination technologies can be higher, but when viewed through the lens of long-term operational savings, the investment often proves economically viable. Energy-efficient systems lower the cost of energy consumption over the plant's lifetime, which is one of the most significant operational costs in traditional desalination processes.
Moreover, the economic implications of not pursuing sustainable practices can be severe. The environmental damage caused by traditional desalination can lead to costly mitigation efforts and loss of biodiversity, which can have cascading effects on local economies, especially in regions dependent on marine tourism. As such, integrating sustainable practices is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic strategy that can lead to greater resilience and sustainability of water resources.
In this evolving landscape, companies like IDE Water Technologies are demonstrating that investing in sustainable desalination technologies not only aligns with global regulatory trends but also makes sound economic sense.
Conclusion
Large desalination plants emit more than 150,000 tons of CO2 per year. The mega-sized ones can easily reach 300,000 tons and more. When considering these figures, the imperative for sustainable desalination is clear.
The same goes for the reduction of chemical usage, lower impact on the environment in project execution, and other elements. Focusing on the problems enables solutions.
However, transitioning to sustainable practices requires a collective effort from industry leaders, governments, and communities. Together, through innovative technologies and supportive policies, we can ensure a secure, sustainable water future for all.