Partnership to help Qatar achieve water security initiatives

Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) recently entered into a deal with Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) to develop programs and conduct pilot tests for desalination facilities to achieve water security in the country.

QEWC will provide QEERI access to its Dukhan coast site, along with skilled labor and the utilities needed to conduct desalination pilot tests.

While desalinated seawater accounts for almost all of Qatar's municipal water supply, current desalination methods use a lot of energy and are costly.

"This agreement with QEWC is crucial to test some of the processes developed by QEERI that can radically reduce the cost and energy use of current desalination methods," QEERI Acting Executive Director Khalid Al-Subai said. "We highly appreciate QEWC's offer."

The reverse osmosis pilot test would help make sure that desalination facilities can operate reliability, while the goal of the Multi Effect Distillation pilot test is to help enhance energy efficiency and decrease energy consumption.

The deal with QEWC is part of the research institute's commitment to Qatar in obtaining water security through increased access to water that is sustainable, affordable, adequate and of high-quality.