Saudi private sector to drive water industry growth as Kingdom ups desalination capacity 

Saudi private sector to drive water industry growth as Kingdom ups desalination capacity 

RIYADH: Saud Arabia has been recognized as a water sector growth hotspot on the back of its considerable private sector opportunities, according to a report released ahead of the World Future Energy Summit, to be held from Jan. 16-18 in Abu Dhabi. With a focus on the Kingdom, the business event for future energy and sustainability is set to discuss desalination, wastewater treatment and digitization as key growth opportunities for the Middle East’s water sector. As Saudi Arabia is addressing the increasing water demand caused by economic diversification, population growth and urbanization, the report highlights the Kingdom’s potential to drive private sector growth in the water sector. The Kingdom is investing greatly in wastewater treatment infrastructure to allow the recycling and reuse of water. Desalination capacity is expected to increase to 7.5 million cubic meters per day by 2027 in the Kingdom, up from its current capacity of just over 3 million cubic meters daily. The Saudi government is also investing in 147 sewage treatment plants all around the country, as well as almost 15,000 km of wastewater collection networks. The World Future Energy Summit report also highlighted the UAE and Türkiye for effectively reusing water. The report identifies the