Rami Ghandour, CEO Metito Utilities, was featured in an exclusive interview on Kazakhstan’s national television channel, Khabar. In the segment, Ghandour shared insights into Metito’s investment strategies, highlighting the company’s commitment to sustainable growth and its role in advancing the global water agenda.
The interview, conducted in English and dubbed into Russian, showcases Metito’s approach to entering new markets with a forward-thinking and impact-driven vision.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 24 May 2023: A consortium of Orascom Construction and Metito will, together with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company PJSC (ADNOC) and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA), develop, own, and operate a large-scale seawater treatment and water transportation project worth up to $2.4 billion in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Orascom Construction is the consortium leader.
The greenfield project will be funded through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) on a build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) model for 30 years. ADNOC and TAQA will jointly hold a 51% stake in the SPV, and Orascom Construction and Metito will own 49% (24.5% each).
The mega project will comprise a greenfield seawater nanofiltration plant with a treatment capacity of more than 110 million imperial gallons per day (500,000 m3 /day) in addition to seawater intake and outfall facilities, pumping stations, a water transmission pipeline of approximately 75km, and an infield distribution network of more than 230km to support reservoir pressure maintenance in the Bab and Bu Hasa fields in Abu Dhabi.
The project will replace the current aquifer water injection systems used for maintaining reservoir pressure in ADNOC’s onshore oil fields, thereby ensuring sustainable water supply for ADNOC’s onshore operations while preserving the UAE’s natural aquifer resources. The project will also enhance energy efficiency by up to 30% and reduce ADNOC’s environmental footprint compared to the current injection system.
Osama Bishai, CEO of Orascom Construction, commented, “We are proud to partner with ADNOC and TAQA to deliver a project that is key to the sustainable development of the UAE’s oil and gas sector. We started our focus on important water projects over a decade ago and have since played a major role in undertaking some of the most complex projects in this sector. We are also very pleased to strengthen our presence in the UAE as we continue to target strategic projects in the region across sectors in which we have developed strong expertise. This project also plays a key role in our growth strategy to pursue infrastructure investments that provide both construction opportunities and longterm recurring income.”
Rami Ghandour, Metito Managing Director, emphasized, “The UAE established its name as the leader for knowledge-based, future-focused economic strategies and a leader in combating climate change and promoting water positivity. Being a global hub for innovations and sustainable practices, this mega project is testament of how capitalizing on technology can revolutionize industry norms and practices to best preserve valuable water resources and the environment. Over the years Metito has built a strategic project portfolio of mega concession projects and iconic world and industry firsts and we are confident this will be a landmark project and a global milestone. We are honoured to be part of this.”
Orascom Construction PLC is a leading global engineering and construction contractor primarily focused on infrastructure, industrial and high-end commercial projects in the Middle East, Africa, and the United States. The Group also develops and invests in infrastructure opportunities, owns 50% of BESIX Group, and holds a building materials, facility management and equipment services portfolio.
Orascom Construction has been executing its strategy to build, own and operate projects in the water and concessions sectors, and has been strengthening its leading position as a key player across the region.
Most recently, the Group completed some of the largest projects in the water treatment sector worldwide such as Bahr El Baqr Water Treatment Plant in Egypt, the largest in the world with a capacity of 5.6 million m3/day, and Abu Rawash Wastewater Treatment Plant in Egypt, one of the largest in the world to be executed in one phase with a capacity of 1.6 million m3/day.
In addition, the Group is the co-owner and co-developer of Egypt’s first PPP project, New Cairo Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Saudi Arabia’s first Independent Sewage Treatment Plant (ISTP) project, Dammam West ISTP. Orascom Construction is dual listed in the UAE and Egypt (Nasdaq Dubai: OC; EGX: ORAS).
The Namangan Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), the first of its kind in Uzbekistan’s water sector, has been awarded the prestigious “Best Utilities Project” at the London Partnership Awards. Developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model by Metito Utilities, this pioneering project marks a major milestone in the country’s sustainable water infrastructure journey.
Since 2017, Uzbekistan has been driving a bold economic reform agenda aimed at accelerating sustainable infrastructure development by engaging the private sector and attracting foreign direct investment. The Namangan WWTP stands as a flagship project under this agenda and has gained global recognition for its potential long-term impact.
Located 295 km from Tashkent, the Namangan WWTP is expected to significantly improve water and wastewater infrastructure in the region. The project plays a key role in encouraging more foreign investment in essential infrastructure, creating employment opportunities, and improving access to clean water and sanitation services.
This award reflects the success and importance of Uzbekistan’s PPP program, which government officials have described as a turning point in the country’s development.
Rami Ghandour, Managing Director of Metito, participated as a speaker in the panel discussion titled “Private Investment in Infrastructure Development” at the Tashkent International Investment Forum in Uzbekistan.
Held on the first day of the forum, the panel brought together leading voices from the public and private sectors, including: Peline Atamer, Head of Programme SIPA – Central Asia, OECD; Sarvar Khamidov, Deputy minister, Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade; Muneer Ferozie, IFC Manager for PPP, Middle East, Turkiye, Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan; Chahine Boutouila, Head of Veolia Central and Eastern Europe in Uzbekistan; John Hyman, Senior Investment Adviser, Uzum Market; and Baghdad Amreyev, President, Turkic Investment Fund.
Discussions focused on the critical role of infrastructure investment in driving GDP growth, creating enabling regulatory frameworks to attract private investment, and aligning infrastructure development with urbanization goals to ensure long-term investor confidence.
Metito’s participation in the panel reflects its ongoing work to support sustainable infrastructure development and collaborate on public-private initiatives across Central Asia.
Cairo – 12 March 2023: Metito Utilities Limited (MUL), a global investor and operator of water, wastewater, and alternative energy management solutions, and British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, announced the launch of their new company Africa Water Infrastructure Development “AWID”, a first-of-its-kind platform to develop climate-smart water projects at scale and to increase water security across Africa.
The official launch of AWID took place at the British Embassy in Cairo, and was hosted by the British Ambassador, Gareth Bayley; MD and Head of Africa for BII, Chris Chijiutomi and Metito MD, Rami Ghandour. The launch was attended by key business leaders in Egypt and from across Africa as well as leading government officials.
Water insecurity is a critical development challenge in Africa.[1] Climate change is expected to reduce water availability and increase the extent of water scarcity, exacerbating existing water-related vulnerabilities caused by other socio-economic factors.[2] Water quality deterioration is also a major threat among communities throughout Africa as most wastewater generated remains untreated. The significant gap in storage, supply, and access to clean water and sanitation services urgently calls for effective and efficient water management infrastructure.
Climate-induced changes in the water cycle is impacting the provision of water supply to health, economies and food, and increasing inequality of water access.2 COP27 recognised the interdependencies of the water-food-energy nexus, and the implications of climate change, calling for scaled-up investments in water solutions to mitigate, adapt, and increase resilience to the adverse effects of climate change in Africa.
The new platform, AWID, will finance water and wastewater management treatment plants as well as develop and construct world-class facilities that will help to increase access to sustainable, safe and reliable water with a clear focus on countries that are most vulnerable to the climate crisis.
AWID will demonstrate a viable commercial model for water infrastructure and provision in Africa, helping to mobilise long-term investment into the sector. Its investments will integrate green technologies and alternative energy components, which will help to reduce the environmental footprint of water infrastructure projects.
An operational bulk surface water treatment plant in Kigali-Rwanda forms the first asset under the new platform. The 40,000 cubic meters per day plant is currently providing over 25 per cent of the city’s potable water supply, meeting the needs of 500,000 domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers. The Kigali water treatment plant is a public-private partnership (PPP), which is the first of its type under this business model in sub-Saharan Africa (outside of South Africa).
Andrew Mitchell, UK Minister for Development and Africa said: “The climate emergency has made water insecurity a major development challenge in Africa. BII’s partnership with Metito to launch the AWID platform, signals the UK’s continuing commitment to increase development and climate partnerships and financing to help the most vulnerable people and countries impacted by climate change.”
Commenting on the new partnership, Rami Ghandour, Managing Director of Metito said: “As Africa undergoes rapid urbanisation, there is a pressing demand for water infrastructure. Such projects are particularly capital intensive. An increasing funding gap requires mobilising sustainable investments into the sector. Our partnership with BII will leverage our high-value engineering and use of innovative technologies with access to unrivalled financial resources and support.”
Chris Chijiutomi, MD and Head of Africa at BII added: “Our partnership with Metito is part of BII’s strategy to improve development outcomes by investing in water, sanitation and hygiene. AWID will demonstrate to other investors, governments and operators that private investment can deliver operationally efficient and high-impact water infrastructure projects at scale, that have the potential to drive transformative and sustainable impact in Africa.”
Commenting on the launch, Morgan Landy, Global Director for Infrastructure at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) said: “Investing in water infrastructure is a strategic priority for IFC in Africa and we are working with the private sector to close the funding gap in this critical sector. As a long-standing Metito shareholder, IFC is proud to witness the launch of this new Africa-focused platform that will invest in climate-smart water projects, further promoting economic growth and building a more water-secure Africa.”
AWID will help to contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Goals (SDG 3) on Good Health and Well-being, (SDG5) on Gender Equality, (SDG 6) on Clean Water and Sanitation and (SG13) on Climate Action.
[1] UNU-INWEH (2022), State of Water Security in Africa A Preliminary Assessment v5-Final
[2] Trisos, C.H. et al (2022), Africa. In: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Public Private Partnerships Taking the Gulf Region by Storm
Public Works Authority “Ashghal” Awards the Consortium “Metito”, “Al Attiyah Motors & Trading Company”, and “Gulf Investment Corporation”, Qatar’s First Sewage Treatment PPP Project – With a Total Project Cost of appx. 5.4 billion Qatari Riyals
Qatar Public Works Authority – “Ashghal”, awarded the consortium Metito, Al Attiyah Motors & Trading Company, and Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC), the contract for the development, design, build, finance, and procurement of a 150,000 m3/day sewage treatment works (STW) project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement. The 5.4 billion Qatari Riyals project, located in the areas of Al Wakrah and Al Wukair, marks the country’s first sewage treatment PPP project.
In an official signing ceremony held in Qatar yesterday, his Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Interior graced the signing ceremony for this historic project. His Excellency stated that the initiative of signing the contract of Al Wakrah and Al Wukair STW project is a culmination of the State’s efforts to consolidate the partnership between the public and private sectors, on the one hand, and attract and stimulate local and foreign investments on the other. This step also reflects the confidence that the State ties to the ability of the private sector to work side by side with the government sector to complete significant development projects in various fields, including infrastructure and water treatment projects.
Commenting on the contract award, Mutaz Ghandour, Chairman and CEO Metito, said, ” For decades, we have witnessed Qatar investing heavily to improve economic, social, human, and environmental outcomes for the country and this project is yet another milestone in this progressive journey. Metito has been closely working with its Qatari stakeholders, developing projects since 1987, and being awarded this contract alongside our partners is a great honor and a testament of our commitment to play a leading role in enabling Qatar to achieve its ambitious water agenda”.
The Al Wakrah and Al Wukair STW project will contribute to the achievement of Qatar’s 2030 Vision to streamline water consumption and encourage the use of unconventional water resources. The consortium’s scope will involve the design, construction, and delivery of KAHRAMAA facilities, including a primary substation, initial commissioning, performance acceptance testing, and 25 years of operations and maintenance.
On this occasion, Abdul Aziz Al Attiya, Chairman of Al Attiyah Motors & Trading Company, said: “We are the largest shareholder in this consortium, which means providing an effective contribution to the capital, in addition to our decades-long experience working within Qatar. We are proud to be awarded this contract under a public-private partnership for the next 25 years, with the local and global expertise that our consortium has.”
Rami Ghandour, Managing Director Metito, added,” We are delighted to work in partnership with the Qatari government and our partners on this historic project. Impact investment is a key principle for Metito and its an honor to lead on a project that supports Qatar’s efforts to develop and implement a sustainable drainage infrastructure across the country.”
“Metito & partners will be investing the equity required, and Metito will be integrating the latest technologies as we invest close to 1 billion dollars. Through our experts, access to global resources, and extensive knowledge of the local Qatari requirements and specifications, we are confident we are absolutely the right partner to develop this strategic project”, concluded Rami Ghandour.
Meshary Al-Judaimi, Group Head – Principal Investment at GIC stated, “In line with its strategy to focus on sectors with high added value to the economies of the region, GIC has chosen the development of utilities and infrastructure projects as one of the most important sectors. There is no doubt that the state of Qatar, through the Public Works Authority, has demonstrated its ability to attract international, regional, and local private enterprises for the development of this important project.”
Walid Oraby, Metito Qatar Executive Director, added, ” With a local workforce of over 2200 employees and extensive operations in Qatar, we are very familiar with the local water sector and its challenges. Our understanding of local requirements backed by our strong engineering capabilities, and innovative technologies, will enable us to deliver a world-class project fitting of Qatar. We have worked extensively with Ashghal before, and we are excited for the opportunity to design and deliver this long-term sustainable project along with our partners.”
The following article is an interview conducted and published by Global Water Intelligence (GWI). It explores how Metito has successfully developed public-private partnership (PPP) projects in emerging and often underserved markets, with a spotlight on recent milestones in Serbia and beyond. We are pleased to share the article here in full, as originally published.
The company this month added another plant to a list that has seen it invest in projects where others fear to tread. How does it make the sums add up?
International water and wastewater specialist Metito this month added another new project to its booming utilities business, as the company continues to develop its reputation as the standard-bearer for PPPs in unexplored markets.
Managing director Rami Ghandour, speaking from the company’s main office in Dubai, told GWI that the Metito Utilities (concessions) wing is the fastest growing part of the business, despite the string of projects built by the company’s construction team, and the global crunch facing infrastructure investors.
Earlier this month, Metito signed an agreement with the City of Zrenjanin and the Public Water Company in Serbia to finance and develop the upgrade, expansion, and rehabilitation of a 30,240m3/d water treatment plant serving the city.
News of the 25-year, €18 million privately financed project came just over a year after the company first established a beachhead in Serbia, securing the €32 million contract to finance, build and operate a 25,000m3/d wastewater treatment plant in Zrenjanin.
The pair of Zrenjanin plants are the first reference for privately financed water/wastewater in Serbia, as well as the first major investment opportunities secured by Metito in Europe. And they have added to the company’s reputation for developing public-private partnerships for water in places that international water companies have traditionally been reluctant to look at. Although the company does not have the largest privately financed water project portfolio in the world, it has dug out and delivered projects in places like Serbia, Uzbekistan, and Rwanda that have seen the company deploy capital where others have feared to tread.
The company has secured ongoing projects through BOT-type contracts in a host of new markets.
| Project | Capacity (m3/d) | Type | Metito stake | Country |
| Dammam West | 200,000 (initial) | WWTP | 40% | Saudi Arabia |
| Wakra-Wukair* | 150,000 | WWTP | Undisclosed | Qatar |
| Namangan | 100,000 | WWTP | 100% | Uzbekistan |
| Kigali Bulk Water Supply | 40,000 | WTP | 100% | Rwanda |
| Dubai Investment Park | 56,000 | WWTP | 100% | UAE |
| Zrenjanin | 30,240 | WTP | 100% | Serbia |
| Zrenjanin | 25,000 | WWTP | 100% | Serbia |
| Marriott Golden, Sharm El Sheikh | 600 (SWRO), 500 (WWTP) | Desal/WWTP | 100% | Egypt |
Source: * Not formally concluded yet
Ghandour said the securing of the second contract in Serbia was no coincidence, with repeat orders forming a key part of the strategy to further build the Metito Utilities part of the business.
“Our philosophy is to invest into the countries we’re operating in and with a lot of those countries we see the investments to be the first of a series,” he said. “Over the years, we’ve developed, I believe, the first PPP in water or wastewater in seven countries, and we hope soon to be expanding that list to other countries.
“We want to have that long-term commitment to the countries that we’re in. The Kigali project was the first in the [sub-Saharan Africa] region and the objective there was to set an example, whether it’s in that country or surrounding ones, to build out that long-term presence. That’s very much the same whether it’s Serbia, Rwanda, Uzbekistan, or here in the Gulf.”
The company’s approach to PPPs has been as notable for the number of major contracts it has turned down, as much as for those it has secured. Despite an extremely active role in the desalination construction business, it has not taken on any of the wave of large Gulf desal BOTs that have come to market in recent years.
Ghandour said the company’s approach to PPPs is based on a refusal to compromise on its return on investment targets. “We need to make sure that the projects meet our investment return thresholds, and those vary by geography, by country risk, by project risk, and by client type. So we do have our thresholds, but we also need to look at the overall affordability of the project for the people that we are serving. Quite often we do need to turn things down if it’s not something we believe is sustainable. Even if you sign a contract, if the project is not affordable and giving significant benefit to the communities that it’s serving, it’s not going to stand the test of time.”
He added that taking on a PPP in a new market can also come with its own benefits, compared to contracts in more developed markets that might be larger or more risk-free.
“Typically, in markets like the [Gulf], I think your return expectation will be lower than in more emerging markets,” he said. “The flip side is that they will tend to be more secure and lower risk. However, you have to go in with committed finance, and there are a lot more development costs incurred before you build the project (or not) compared to a more developing market. This means that smaller projects are not necessarily viable in markets such as the GCC. In developing markets, you can go in with non-committed finance, so a lot of the cost is not incurred until after you’ve been awarded a project.”
Ghandour acknowledged the ongoing supply chain crisis and its effect on the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) market means that the company as an investor has had to be far more active on the design side of the concessions business, whether working through the company’s construction wing as a partner, or with an outside EPC contractor.
“I’d love to say we can offload the risk, but that’s not going to happen,” he said. “So we’ve got to get involved in that directly. But we believe that these projects really have to make sense standing alone in the long term. To carry out a PPP purely with the aim of making an EPC profit is shooting yourself in the foot – you end up with all the wrong drivers, and that’s what we’ve seen in a series of companies in Asia and in Western Europe.
“Metito is strong on the design-build side, and it may make sense to go with them in some markets, but in others there are players that are clearly much more established, for example in India or China, and so it’s better to use somebody that’s established and able to provide services at a price that’s more attractive. But even in markets where Metito Overseas [the design-build business] may not be an existing player, we might bring them along because at least that’s an entity that we can communicate quite clearly with and ensure the delivery of the project happens.”
Ghandour said that the difficult and volatile conditions for the construction and delivery business have had the unexpected effect of clearing out what he believes to be some of the unsustainably low bids that had started to distort some PPP markets.
“I think one side effect of what’s happened in the course of the last year is that a lot of entities have stopped doing that. I’m not saying there aren’t people buying projects, but there was certainly a phase where people seemed to be buying them left, right and centre, and so we had to decline to bid on quite a few projects.
“We’re not willing to take on a project that’s loss-making at the end of the day, because what we’re doing is investing for the long term and making sure it works. It’s much better to give up on a project before it starts than take on something that’s going to make losses for 25 years.”
The company is now planning a return to markets in East and Southeast Asia. Metito was one of the last foreign holdouts in China before it sold its 1.8 million m3/d portfolio of concessions and contract operations to a joint venture of Fosun International and Nanjing Steel in early 2018. It had built up the holdings – which made it the largest international investor in the Chinese wastewater sector between 2008 and 2018 – in partnership with Berlinwasser, before the latter exited the market in 2011.
Metito also left the concessions business in Indonesia in October last year with the expiration of the contract for three desalination plants serving ports in East Sumatra.
The company has, however, now reopened its office in Shanghai, and is looking to build up a Chinese empire once again, focusing on the more sophisticated end of the market in terms of design than the municipally dominated portfolio it held in the past.
“We are back there, and we are looking forward to growing it,” Ghandour said. “We do not have any existing projects on the ground, but hopefully that can change in the not-too-distant future. We are right now in due diligence for one acquisition opportunity, and we are in advanced discussion for the development of more projects.”
Reference:
How Metito made water PPPs happen around the world
The Contract for the realization of the water treatment project in Zrenjanin was signed between Metito, the City of Zrenjanin and Serbia’s Public Water Company.
12 July 2022: The signing of the first public private partnership project for the realization of a water treatment plant facility in the Republic of Serbia, has been announced at an official ceremony earlier this week. Metito, a leading global provider of intelligent water and alternative energy management solutions, has been appointed by the City of Zrenjanin and Serbia’s Public Water Company (PWC), as the partner to develop, modernize and operate a state-of-the-art water treatment plant in the City of Zrenjanin.
The contract was signed by Metito Managing Director, Rami Ghandour, Mayor of the City of Zrenjanin, Simo Salapura, and PWC Acting Director, Predrag Bodiroga. The signing ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Ana Brnabic, H. E. Ambassador of the UAE in Serbia, Mubarak Saeed Burshaid Al Dhaheri, Metito Vice President for Business Development, Walid Madwar, and Metito Country Manager for Serbia, Branislav Zec.
“With the signing of the Contract for realization of a water treatment project in Zrenjanin, we have taken a huge step towards solving a decades-long problem for the citizens of Zrenjanin. I would like to thank the Mayor of Zrenjanin and his team for their persistent efforts to find a solution to such a complex challenge together, and I also thank the Public Water Company and especially Metito Company, which, based on its experience in the water sector around the world and the innovative technologies it applies, will be our true partner on this project,” said Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Ana Brnabić.
The water quality challenge in Zrenjanin is a complex case and after thorough due diligence, Metito devised a sustainable and innovative solution that will see the company integrating state-of-the -art technology and leveraging its global resources and expertise while committing to environmental stewardship. Such strategic projects will help the Republic of Serbia achieve its Water Management Strategy in support of the country’s 2020-2025 Vision and sustainable development goals.
The Mayor of Zrenjanin, Simo Salapura, stated: “This Contract represents a double gain. We have as our partner a renowned company that has innovative technology, and the investment value of at least 18 million EUR. The biggest guarantee of this project will be the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and we have invested maximum caution and made sure to minimize risks for the city and citizens to the lowest possible level.”
Rami Ghandour, Metito Managing Director, commented: “We are honoured to work alongside the Serbian Government, the City of Zrenjanin and the Public Water Company on this strategic project. Over the course of six decades of global experience, a growing portfolio of over 3,000 projects across 50 countries, we have partnered with governments, worked with industries and communities to secure and manage their water needs. We are confident we can deliver this project, while keeping the health, safety and environment central to our sustainable operations.”
Metito currently has two active projects in Serbia with a planned investment of approximately EUR 50 million. Earlier in 2021, Metito launched its strategic operations in the Republic of Serbia, through investing in the Zrenjanin Wastewater Treatment Plant PPP.
Rami Ghandour, Metito Managing Director, was a panelist at the Uzbekistan International PPP Roundtable held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on the 20th of May 2022. The event discussed the progress and achievements of the PPP program by the Government of Uzbekistan, including large-scale investments and reforms.
At the event, Ghandour said: “Metito pioneered PPPs in the water and wastewater sector in seven countries, including UAE, Egypt, Rwanda, Saudi, Serbia, and Qatar. Our latest project is the Uzbekistan PPP for the Namangan City wastewater treatment plant where we will implement the latest innovations in energy-efficient, low-emission treatment processes and incorporate anaerobic technology to generate biogas as a by-product. This could later be used in power generation.”
“The technology incorporated into the Namangan project is expected to save about 10MW of power each day, which will reduce the overall carbon footprint by 1,400 tons per year, consuming 35% less power” added Rami.
Metito’s work on the Namangan City wastewater treatment plant involves designing, building, financing, operating, and maintaining a 100,000 m3/day wastewater treatment plant and constructing a new 7.5km effluent discharge pipeline in the Namangan district. The project worth USD 100 million is the first wastewater project to be implemented under the country’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Law undertaken by the Ministry of Housing and Communal Services with the Government’s full support.
Rami Ghandour, Metito Managing Director, was a panelist on the ‘Raising Capital for Power and Water Projects’ panel at the World Utilities Congress hosted by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA).
Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, the first-of-its-kind event offered an unrivaled opportunity for the global power and water industry stakeholders to discuss the advancing technologies influencing the future.
Rami highlighted how the evolving COVID-19 pandemic saw governments encourage private sector participation in developing mega infrastructural projects, with a focus on efficiency, optimization, and sustainability.
“With the globally evolving fluctuations in traditional energy prices and growing environmental concerns, leaders, and decision-makers – especially in the MENA and Gulf regions are taking progressive action towards developing more hybrid water projects. Desalination plants powered by alternative and traditional energy are trending and able to secure needed water quantities, save on energy costs and become more environmentally friendly,” Rami commented.
