Reverse Linkage

104 REVERSE LINKAGE a decisive role, renewable energies are considered attractive because they offer a sustainable and secure method. There is great potential for developing solar desalination tech- nologies, especially in the MENA region where the solar source is abundant and the installed photovoltaic (PV) costs are declining. Until recently, only small desalination plants in remote areas with no grid electricity and no skilled manpower used RE, but as research and development have intensified, several pilot desalination plants in the MENA region have been operating successfully using mainly solar energy. There are several ambitious projects in Saudi Arabia and the UAE to develop large solar desalination plants, includ- ing a project in the area of Al-Khafji on Saudi Arabia’s eastern coast and one in the area of Ras Al-Khaima in the UAE. Both plants are set to become operational by 2020 and will be among the largest in the world – the initial phase of Al-Khafji solar desalination plant will produce 30,000m 3 / day, a capacity that will double in the next few years. The Al-Khafji one will be a disassociated RO and PV system. RO will take energy from the grid and PV will be injected into the grid, compensating for the energy load. A similar principle is behind a desalination plant that was announced in 2017 by the Moroccan authorities in Agadir. The benefits of the principle are clear – not only does it cut costs, but it also reduces carbon dioxide emissions and fossil fuel dependency. Several successful solar desalination projects have been implemented in the MENA region, but on a small scale. In Oman, solar energy has been a key area for the Research Council, Sultan Qaboos University and MEDRC. The recommendations are to: • Develop a comprehensive regulatory framework related to desalination and provide incentives to reduce the carbon footprint as well as the environmental impact • Support the existing technology centres and science parks in the MENA region • Expand and support technical and vocational training programmes in desalination, including e-learning • Set up extensive educational specialisations and social partnerships in desalination and water treatment • Increase regional research and development cooperation to ensure that the MENA region becomes an innovation hub in desalination technology. In the context of boosting South-South Cooperation (SSC) MEDRC teamed up with the Islamic development Bank Reverse osmosis pilot plant at MEDRC facilities, North Al-Hail, Oman Image: MEDRC