The World Bank praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its recent report titled “Gulf Economic Update : Navigating the Water Challenge in the GCC - Paths to Sustainable Solutions” for its significant efforts in advancing the water sector, particularly in the field of desalination. The report affirmed that the Kingdom has become a leading model in enhancing efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

The report highlighted the Shuaiba-5 desalination plant—the latest and most advanced in the Kingdom—which has achieved a production capacity of 664,490 cubic meters per day. The plant recorded the lowest energy consumption rate ever, with only 2.34 kilowatt-hours per cubic meter, compared to the 4 to 5 kWh/m³ typically seen in conventional plants.

This remarkable improvement in operational efficiency is attributed to a set of advanced technical solutions. These include modern reverse osmosis membranes that reduce the need for high pressure and energy, energy recovery devices that capture and reuse the pressure generated during the desalination process, and improved pre-treatment systems that minimize fouling and extend membrane life. In addition, the integration of renewable energy sources—particularly solar energy—has further reduced reliance on traditional electricity.

The report emphasized that this transformation not only contributes to lowering operational costs but also represents a strategic step toward achieving environmental sustainability goals.

In this context, the Saudi Water Authority is working on implementing an ambitious plan aimed at reducing energy intensity in the water sector by 30% by the year 2030, compared to 2019 levels, through the use of advanced technologies and the application of sustainable policies.

The achievements at the Shuaiba-5 plant serve as a global model that can be leveraged in other regions suffering from water scarcity, reaffirming the Kingdom’s leadership in developing effective solutions for water challenges on the international stage.