In a move reflecting the rapid development of the water sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Water Authority has achieved an exceptional and unprecedented operational milestone: increasing the production capacity of the Shu'aiba 5 desalination plant by 11%. Production rose from 600,000 cubic meters to 665,000 cubic meters per day without incurring any additional financial costs to the project budget, highlighting the efficiency of the national workforce in planning and operation.
A quantum leap in energy efficiency and sustainability
This achievement was not limited to increasing production volumes; it also culminated in the project receiving a Guinness World Record certificate for achieving the lowest energy consumption rate globally in the field of reverse osmosis desalination. The plant recorded a consumption of 1.7 kilowatt-hours per cubic meter of desalinated water, a figure that reflects the Kingdom's commitment to the highest standards of operational efficiency and resource conservation.
The state-of-the-art system also won the 2025 Asian Water Awards, achieving the difficult feat of reaching zero carbon emissions. This technological excellence reinforces the Kingdom's position as an international leader in the design and operation of highly efficient and environmentally friendly seawater desalination plants, surpassing many developed countries in this field.
Strategic importance and water supply security
This achievement is of paramount strategic importance given its location and timing; this record performance directly impacts the security of water supplies for the Makkah region and the Holy Sites. This increase ensures sustainable and reliable water flows, especially during peak seasons such as Ramadan and Hajj, thus contributing to efficiently meeting the growing demand of pilgrims and providing a comprehensive hospitality experience befitting the Kingdom's stature.
In line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
The success of Shu'aiba 5 is a practical manifestation of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes environmental sustainability and efficient spending. The Saudi Water Authority is working diligently to reduce carbon emissions by more than 2 million tons annually and is adopting green technologies that enhance the sustainability of natural resources for future generations.
International praise for the Saudi experience
These successive successes have strengthened the Kingdom's global standing in the water sector, amid official praise from the World Bank for the advanced Saudi experience. The Bank considered the Shu'aiba 5 project a pioneering and inspiring model for improving energy efficiency in the global desalination sector, opening new horizons for exporting Saudi engineering and operational expertise to the world.
