NEOM to build first-ever solar dome desalination plants

NEOM signed an agreement with UK-based Solar Water Plc. to build the first-ever solar dome desalination plants, in northwest Saudi Arabia, according to an official statement.

Work on the first solar dome will begin in February and is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
 

At an estimated $0.34/m3, the cost of producing water via the solar dome technology will be significantly lower than desalination plants using reverse osmosis methods.
 

The technology will also significantly reduce the impact on the environment by producing more concentrated brine, a potentially harmful byproduct of the water extraction process.
 

NEOM, the flagship project of Saudi Arabia’s post-oil diversification plan, is being built on a 26,500 km2 area in northwestern Saudi Arabia. It offers unique investment opportunities in economic sectors and real-estate development, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.