Egypt has announced that it has prequalified 17 consortia for the tendering process for the development of several sea water desalination plants in various locations across the country. The plants will be powered by renewable energy sources as part of the first phase of Egypt’s water desalination program, according to a statement released by the Sovereign Fund of Egypt on Monday.
The move is part of Egypt’s efforts to diversify its sources of fresh water, especially as it faces competition for Nile river water from the giant hydropower dam that Ethiopia is building upstream. The program aims to launch projects with a total capacity of 8.85 million cubic meters per day by 2050, with a first phase of 3.35 million cubic meters planned by 2025.
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“The prequalification of 17 consortia for the development of these desalination plants is a significant milestone for Egypt’s water desalination program,” said an official from the Sovereign Fund of Egypt. “We are pleased to see a wide range of local and foreign investors participating in this project, which will ultimately benefit the people of Egypt.”
The foreign and local investors will be responsible for developing, constructing, and operating the desalination plants, while also transferring technology to manufacture components locally. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation will help structure and implement the first batch of desalination projects in partnership with the private sector, according to the Sovereign Fund.
To ensure the quality of the desalination projects, the prequalified consortia will be classified into four categories based on their previous experience in desalination projects. “We want to make sure that only the best and most experienced companies are selected to develop and operate these desalination plants,” said the official.
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The water desalination program is a crucial step for Egypt in addressing its growing population’s demand for fresh water. The country’s leadership is committed to finding innovative solutions to this challenge, and the Sovereign Fund of Egypt’s statement shows that Egypt is taking bold steps towards achieving its goal.
