SWCC targets production capacity of 14M m3/d by 2025: Official

Abdullah Al-Abdulkarim, Governor of Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC)

Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) has the world's highest production capacity in desalinating sea or groundwater, as its current production capacity reaches 11.5 million cubic meters per day (m³/day), Governor Abdullah Al-Abdulkarim told Argaam on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum.

He added that SWCC seeks to increase this capacity to 14 million m³/day by 2025 and 2026.

The private sector in the desalination industry is well advanced and seeks to boost its efficiency, Al-Abdulkarim said. He indicated that lower energy consumption in desalinations and mineral extractions in the Kingdom helped the private sector sign additional agreements with SWCC to extract desalinated water and extract minerals.

SWCC achieved distinguished results in its research in the field of extracting minerals from seawater to transform them into commercial investments, the governor said. He added that the authority intends to sign two agreements with two private companies to begin commercial investment in extracting precious metals from desalinated seawater and bromine.

Pyrene contains good concentrations of minerals that could be used in several industries, Al-Abdulkarim said, pointing to the possibility of conducting an economic feasibility study on extracting lithium from seawater in the future.

The global market needs for sodium chloride will rise from $44 billion in 2023 to $67-70 billion in 2030.

The extracted basic minerals such as sodium chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and bromine witness a strong demand, rising at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5%, the official said. He added that this is very stimulating to increase the opportunities for extraction from seawater, as very high concentrations have been reached.

The authority looks forward to boosting this percentage in the future, which will raise the economic feasibility of extracting minerals.

Al-Abdulkarim said that the authority aims to reduce the cost of fresh water through extracting minerals that will be used in several industries with the possibility of export.

Touching on SWCC's plans to list its subsidiary in the Saudi market, Al-Abdulkarim said the authority has been in a state of transformation in recent years, indicating that a private state-owned water transport company was launched.

The authority's production elements were transferred to Water Solutions Co., and once the company transforms from a semi-government to commercial entity, which is expected in 2024, the public offering will be a national target for all companies that have promising returns, such as those operating in desalination and extraction of precious metals .