Key Takeaways
- Energy Recovery (Nasdaq: ERII) will supply its PX Pressure Exchanger energy recovery devices to a new seawater desalination plant in Saudi Arabia under the Kingdom's Vision 2030 program.
- The plant is expected to deliver drought-proof water to approximately one million people across the Mecca, Al-Baha and Asir regions.
- Saudi Arabia relies on desalination for more than 70% of its potable water supply, as the country has no permanent rivers or lakes.
- Energy Recovery's PX devices can cut the energy needed for seawater desalination by up to 60%, with up to 99% efficiency and a 30-year design life.
- Rodney Clemente, Senior Vice President of Water at Energy Recovery, said the contract reflects the trust the region places in the company's technology.
Energy Recovery Wins Saudi Arabia Desalination Contract
Energy Recovery (Nasdaq: ERII), which makes energy-efficient technology for water treatment and emissions reduction, announced a contract to supply its PX Pressure Exchanger energy recovery devices to a new flagship seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 program. Once complete, the plant is expected to deliver affordable, drought-proof water to approximately one million people across the Kingdom's Mecca, Al-Baha and Asir regions.
Why Water Security Matters for Mecca and Beyond
Saudi Arabia relies on desalination for more than 70 percent of its potable water supply, since the country has no permanent rivers or lakes, making energy-efficient desalination capacity central to its water security. Mecca, one of the region's most strategically and culturally important cities, drew more than 1.5 million pilgrims for Hajj earlier this year, highlighting the importance of a reliable, affordable water supply for the surrounding area.
How Energy Recovery's PX Technology Works
Energy Recovery's PX devices will operate within the plant's reverse osmosis process, reducing the energy required to produce fresh water from seawater. The devices deliver up to 99 percent efficiency and can cut the energy consumption of seawater desalination by up to 60 percent. With a single moving part and a 30-year design life, the PX is already deployed across major desalination plants worldwide.
Executive Reaction to the Contract
“Saudi Arabia continues to advance an impressive portfolio of water infrastructure to meet rising demand, and this contract reflects the trust the region places in Energy Recovery's technology,” said Rodney Clemente, Senior Vice President of Water at Energy Recovery. “Timelines across the region are still shifting as customers adapt to today's environment, but the Kingdom is executing steadily against its Vision 2030 water security goals, and we're proud to be a long-term partner in that effort for a region as important as Mecca.”
