Veolia is ramping up its desalination efforts in the Middle East as part of an ambitious growth strategy targeting a 50% increase in regional operations by 2030. The company, which has operated in the Middle East for over 50 years, generated €1.1 billion in revenue in 2023 and sees the region as a strategic hub for its GreenUp 24-27 plan.
Desalination is central to Veolia’s efforts to address the Middle East’s growing water scarcity, a challenge exacerbated by climate change. The company is leveraging its expertise in advanced reverse osmosis technologies to support large-scale desalination projects that are pivotal to ensuring water security in the region. Among its key projects is the Hassyan desalination plant in the United Arab Emirates, the second largest in the world, which supplies water to 2 million people while setting benchmarks for energy efficiency.
Other major projects include the Hamriyah plant in the UAE, which provides drinking water to 1.4 million people, and the Mirfa 2 plant, which supports 210,000 households. In Oman, Veolia’s technologies are instrumental at the Sur plant, while in Saudi Arabia, the Sadara-Marafiq plant has been operational since 2016, supplying industrial water to the Jubail petrochemical complex.
Desalination is central to Veolia’s efforts to address the Middle East’s growing water scarcity, a challenge exacerbated by climate change
As water scarcity intensifies in the region, desalination represents a vital market, with potential investments estimated at $97 billion between 2024 and 2028. Veolia aims to outpace market growth, doubling its rate of expansion in the sector by introducing innovative solutions tailored to the unique challenges of the Middle East.
"The Middle East is a key region for Veolia, to the point that we have decided to make it a geographical growth booster for our GreenUp 24-27 strategic plan. Faced with the scarcity of water resources, which is particularly intense in the region, the stakes are immense. As a world leader in water technologies, we have a major role in supporting Middle Eastern countries in the implementation of solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Desalination, a booming market, represents a major opportunity whose growth is set to continue in the coming years", said Estelle Brachlianoff, Veolia's Chief Executive Officer.
Veolia’s focus on desalination aligns with its broader ecological transformation strategy, which also includes water reuse, waste treatment, and decarbonizing local energy production. These integrated efforts position the company as a critical partner in addressing the region’s environmental challenges while driving sustainable economic growth.
