NEOM’s ENOWA signs MoU to build first 100% renewable energy-powered desalination plant

ENOWA, the energy, water, and hydrogen subsidiary of NEOM, signed a MoU with Japan's ITOCHU, and France's Veolia to build the first 100% renewable energy-powered desalination plant in OXAGON. It will begin production in 2024.

The desalination plant with a 500,000 cubic metres per day capacity, will meet almost 30% of NEOM’s forecasted total water demand upon the project completion in 2025, according to a statement.

The plant will use high-recovery reverse osmosis process to produce separate, highly concentrated, brine streams in addition to desalinated water. The brine would be treated by ENOWA to feed industries utilising high purity industrial salt, bromine, boron, potassium, gypsum, magnesium and rare metal feedstocks.

The project will redefine the business model for desalination facilities of the future through the reclassification of brine as a product, rather than waste, while achieving Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) in alignment with NEOM's commitment to developing a circular economy.