Across the globe, urban populations are rapidly expanding, with projections indicating that 66% of people will reside in cities by 2050, as per the United Nations. However, Saudi Arabia is poised to experience an even more dramatic increase, with estimates suggesting that 90% of its population will be concentrated in urban areas within the next three decades.

The concentration of urban populations necessitates the corresponding concentration of resources, particularly water and energy, along with the infrastructure required for their reliable delivery. Despite being home to one-fifth of the world’s oil reserves, Saudi Arabia faces severe water resource limitations and has long relied on energy-intensive desalination plants to convert saltwater into freshwater.

Currently, desalination plants in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries consume around 50% of the primary energy supply. As urban populations continue to surge, future projections indicate a fivefold increase in desalination capacities, prompting regional governments to seek sustainable solutions to meet the escalating demand for freshwater, essential for sustaining their economies.

In line with this imperative, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has prioritized the production of freshwater through renewable energy sources, aiming to create an environmentally friendly system while reducing dependency on fossil fuels for fulfilling daily freshwater requirements. State officials are collaborating with local and international engineers to develop water management and treatment facilities that minimize energy waste and utilize closed-loop systems for recycling scarce water resources.

The quest for sustainable freshwater production has led to the exploration of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic solar panels, solar thermal technology, wind turbines, and geothermal energy harnessed from the Earth’s heat. These renewable sources are being harnessed to power water systems that not only generate clean drinking water but also facilitate the operation of municipal sewage treatment facilities.

Khaled bin Zwaid Al-Quershi, CEO of the Saudi Water and Electricity Co., highlights the potential benefits, stating, “We expect USD 1.7 million to be saved per year with renewables in sewage treatment plants. Renewables offer attractive features because you avoid volatile fuel prices, and it is more stable compared to different energy supplies. These are areas we need to focus on.”

The adoption of renewable energy-based water infrastructure not only reduces Saudi Arabia’s reliance on fossil fuels but also tackles critical water scarcity issues prevalent in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where nearly half the population experiences “water stress,” consuming more water than local sources can provide. By integrating renewable energy into critical infrastructure, the government aims to elevate the role of green technology in both existing and newly developed urban areas. It is worth noting that desalination plants worldwide emit an estimated 76 million tons of CO2 annually, a figure that will only rise if current systems are not upgraded.

In pursuit of these objectives, the co-location of desalination plants and renewable energy facilities is being proposed in Saudi Arabia’s largest urban centers. This integrated approach could play a pivotal role in NEOM, a visionary city being built from scratch on the Red Sea coast, designed as a cutting-edge tourism and financial hub.

Furthermore, state officials are collaborating with the private sector to construct sewage treatment plants powered by renewable energy in the cities of Taif, Jubail, and Yanbu. These plans aim to generate 1.45 million cubic meters of water through zero-emission systems that employ closed-loop technology to minimize evaporation and freshwater loss.

Leon Awerbuch, president of Leading Edge Technologies, a US-based firm working alongside Saudi officials, emphasizes their commitment to a low-carbon future in clean water production. He asserts, “A transformation in the energy and water sectors has begun, and fossil fuel domination will fade for desalination.”

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious water management initiatives, centered on renewable energy integration, signal a proactive approach to address the challenges of burgeoning urban populations, water scarcity, and environmental impact. By harnessing renewable energy sources to power water systems and sewage treatment facilities, the Kingdom aims to secure a sustainable future, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and pave the way for a low-carbon, water-abundant society.