Abengoa selected by Masdar to develop innovative RD desalination project

The pilot plant project, with a budget of 7.9 million USD, will use a membrane distillation technology designed by Abengoa which will optimize the desalination process

Abengoa (MCE: ABG.B/P SM /NASDAQ: ABGB), the international company that applies innovative technology solutions for sustainability in the energy and environment sectors, has been selected to develop the pilot plant for a cutting edge desalination project that will employ a more sustainable, energy-efficient process.

Abengoa will be responsible for the engineering, construction, assembly, testing, decommissioning and co-financing of the pilot plant. It will be located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in a town called Ghantoot near the border of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The plant will employ advanced reserve osmosis technology and innovative membrane distillation technology designed to optimize the traditional reverse osmosis process.

Manuel Sanchez Ortega, CEO of Abengoa, states, “Like Abengoa, Masdar shares a deep commitment to the development of sustainable technological solutions and we are honored to have the chance to work together again in such an innovative, forward-thinking project.”

Abengoa has been present in the United Arab Emirates since 2005, the country which produces 50% of the world’s desalinated water. The company has developed other projects with Masdar, most notably one of the world’s largest parabolic trough plants, Shams, which has been in operation since last September.

“Water security is one of the most pressing issues around the world,” added Dr. Al Jaber, Minister of State of UAE and Chairman of Masdar, “and with the Gulf region’s climate we have limited natural options. Combining best-in-class desalination technologies with our abundant solar resources is a logical step toward securing our country’s water supplies in the most energy efficient way possible.”

The project reaffirms Abengoa’s commitment to R&D and providing technological solutions for global issues such as water scarcity and promoting overall development worldwide. The company currently has activity in the water sector in Latin America, USA, Algeria, Ghana, China, India and Spain.

About Abengoa

Abengoa (MCE: ABG.B/P SM /NASDAQ: ABGB) applies innovative technology solutions for sustainability in the energy and environment sectors, generating electricity from renewable resources, converting biomass into biofuels and producing drinking water from sea water.

Source: Abengoa