Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has launched a new solar desalination facility in collaboration with partners Desolenator, a startup from The Netherlands.
Desolenator BV is a start-up company that has built the world’s first sustainable solar thermal water purification technology system.
DEWA hopes the new plant will further support Dubai’s realisation of net-zero sustainable desalination and water provisioning.
The formation of the public-private partnership (PPP) was initiated under the Dubai Future Accelerator (DFA) program launched in 2016.
The DFA facilitates partnerships between entrepreneurs, private sector organisations and government entities to co-create solutions and thus strengthen Dubai’s position as a hub for innovative technologies and entrepreneurship.
Under the partnership, a flagship pilot plant was installed at DEWA’s primary desalination facility in Jebel Ali. This community size plant is envisaged to produce up to 20,000 litres/day of drinking water from sea water.
Its success would be a testament to the challenge of technically validating Net-Zero Carbon Emission desalination technology, which would have significant implications for the region and beyond.
After the successful completion of this project, Desolenator and DEWA intend to establish a joint venture company with the aim of commercialising this technology.
Engineer Catriona explaining Desolenator’s technology to DEWA’s CEO
His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said: “At Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, we work in line with the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and the Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050 to provide 100% of the energy production capacity from clean energy sources by 2050.
“According to our plans, 100% of desalinated water will be produced by a mix of clean energy that uses both renewable energy and waste heat by 2030. We are pleased to collaborate with Desolenator to pioneer this innovative approach to desalination, as part of our Public-Private Partnerships under the Dubai Future Accelerator Program.”
William Janssen, CEO of Desolenator added: “At Desolenator we are working to forward thinking businesses and communities by helping to make them waterproof today. We are delighted to have built a fruitful relationship with DEWA who has been a fantastic partner in supporting the deployment of this plant.
“To address the global water and climate crisis, we need new forms of collaboration between innovators and organisations and DEWA have shown a vision and support that stands as a great example for the world”
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