19 desalination plants are expected in 2019 – Al-Hiwar, Algeria

Sofiane Zameish, director of development at the Algerian Energy Company, branch of the Sonatrach complex, revealed todayTuesdayon raising the number of seawater desalination plants to 19 by 2024.

In media statements, Zameesh explained that, according to the first program, 11 desalination plants have been completed on the coastal strip, with a production capacity of 2.11 million cubic meters per day.

The spokesman confirmed that 3 desalination plants have been completed with a production capacity of 70,000 cubic meters per day, explaining that two (the wrecked ship and the dock) have been received, provided that the Gourso station will soon be ready to boost production with an additional 80,000 cubic meters.

The spokesman stated that 5 additional stations are being completed in the states of El Tarf, Bejaia, Boumerdes, Tipaza and Oran, which will ensure the production of 1.5 million cubic meters per day in the horizons of 2024.

The spokesman stressed that the desalination of sea water is a complex process that passes through five stages, stressing: “We take the necessary rigor before pumping desalinated water into the consumption network,” noting that the sea water desalination plant is 25 years old, which requires careful maintenance.

In exchange for highlighting the work to develop the Algerian side in equipment and engineering, Zameish instructed that desalinated water is subject to periodic analyzes at the level of stations, as the competent authorities are keen on a zero level of suspicion, as long as there is no room for error and adventure and putting the consumer in any danger.

He continued, “The desalinated water is more than good in terms of the mineral elements it contains,” adding that, by drawing up the supplementary program, the percentage of drinking water supply in Algeria will be reached by 42 percent, and betting is being made on reaching 60 percent in the medium term, to achieve water security in Algeria. Before switching to food security through optimal utilization of dams and groundwater.

Zameish pointed out that in the horizons of 2050, the rate of precipitation in Algeria and North Africa will decrease to 20 percent, which requires the development of an effective plan that allows avoiding any disaster related to providing citizens with drinking water, and as a proactive step, Algeria circulated a strategic plan to invest in seawater desalination at the level of the large coastal strip. Just as is the case in the world, which accommodates 21,000 seawater desalination plants.

Zameish focused on the fact that sea desalination plants are financially costly, as one cubic meter costs from 0.65 to 0.85 dollars (91 to 120 dinars) per cubic meter, which forced the Algerian Energy Company to use devices that guarantee a reduction in energy consumption in half, saying that the Algerian people are aware The value of preserving water resources, amid aspiration to achieve the challenges of achieving water security in the horizons of 2030, and access to Algeria’s acquisition of the necessary experience.