Saline Water Conversion Corporation, Water in Al-Madina launch barge and inspect second barge

H.E. then went on to inspected the second floating water desalination barge which also has a production capacity of 25,000 cubic meters per day. In addition H.E. inspected the site to follow up on the progress of anchoring and full operation of the barges. During the visit H.E. Mr. Al-Shareef witnessed the completion of all required work in record time with a high degree of quality ensuring the safety of the barges and their installed equipment during operation after the barges had been transferred from Shuqaiq in the southwest to Yanbu. The visit included a site inspection of the suitability of the location, running operations, site facilities, the barges workforce and the SWCC barges management team from the Yanbu Desalination Plants.

The barges were first put into operation in 2008 to support the season increased requirement in the western region and were anchored on the coast of Shuaibah. In 2009 the barges moved to the shores of Shuqaiq city in record time and with minimal resources, making mobility one of the most important features of the barges. The transfer of the barges includes site preparation and arrangements for mooring and the purchase and installation of 1500 meters of water transportation pipeline to deliver the produced potable water and a 1200 meter fuel pipeline. In spite of the many challenges the barges successfully were able to deliver safe drinking water in record time to the Asir region during the summer.

The water desalination barges are owned by International Barges Company for Water Desalination Ltd. which was established in partnership between ACWA Power International with 65% ownership and the remain 35% stake owned by Rakaa Saudi Water and Power Limited. These barges are the largest floating water desalination plants in the world which were built and constructed based on the directions of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to meet high seasonal demand for potable water in any region. Saudi Arabia is a dry area with relatively high per capita consumption; this led to the need for such a large project. The project was completed and put into full operation through the efforts of the executives and employees from SWCC, the developing companies and operators of this unique project.

Each of the two barges has a production capacity of 25,000 cubic meters per day of desalinated water. They are independent of each other as each barge contains all the necessary required equipment and facilities for the desalination process such as electric generators, laboratories, control rooms and living quarters for the staff. Currently SWCC is the sole client with an obligation to buy the entire production as per a signed agreement.

H.E. Mr. Al-Shareef commented, “These two barges will contribute to meeting the increased demand for potable water in Al-Madina and Yanbu.” He went on to say that he was pleased with the progress of the completed work on the barges which led to making use of the their production in a fast and rapid manner.

H.E. Mr. Al-Shareef assured, “SWCC is keen on insuring that demand for desalinated water Saudi Arabia is met and that SWCC has put forth strategic plans to meet this demand. The success of the two barges in Shuaibah and Shuqaiq led SWCC to make use of their production capacity in Al-Madina area.”

Eng. Abdullah A. Bajunaid, the Executive Managing Officer (EMO) of Bowarege, said, “This project, which was constructed at a total cost of more than SR370m, has succeeded in achieving its primary objectives of focusing on supplying desalinated water for the seasonal growing demand in the coastal areas as they have been moved from two previous sites to Yanbu with the lowest cost and in minimum time.”

Eng. Bajunaid added, “We are proud that in the Kingdom we have the two largest floating water desalination barges in the world. They can be rapidly transferred at any time to areas that suffer from a lack of potable water. I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holly Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz and the Saudi Government, and especially to H.E. Mr. Al-Shareef, the Governor of SWCC, for the continued support we received to accomplish this project and bring it to successful full operation.”