Home / Environment / GCC: 60% of Global Desalination Powerhouse
GCC: 60% of Global Desalination Powerhouse
8 Mar
Summary
- GCC nations control 60% of global desalination capacity.
- Over 400 plants in GCC produce nearly 40% of global desalinated water.
- Saudi Arabia aims for 8.5 million cubic meters daily by 2025.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states dominate global desalination, holding approximately 60% of the world's capacity. These nations operate over 400 plants, collectively producing close to 40% of the global supply of desalinated water.
Water security in the region is heavily reliant on these operations. For instance, desalination provides about 42% of the UAE's drinking water, a figure that reaches 90% in Kuwait, 86% in Oman, and 70% in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is currently the world's foremost producer and is projected to expand its capacity significantly.
Further investments underscore this trend, with Saudi Arabia planning to achieve a daily output of 8.5 million cubic meters by 2025. This expansion is backed by an estimated $80 billion allocated for new projects, highlighting the strategic importance of desalination for the region's future water supply.
