MUSCAT: Veolia Oman has announced the successful delivery of one billion cubic metres of potable water through its state-of-the-art desalination projects, marking a major milestone in the Sultanate of Oman’s journey towards sustainable water management. The achievement, celebrated at a high-profile event attended by key stakeholders and partners, underscores Veolia’s two decades of dedication to addressing water scarcity challenges in the Sultanate of Oman.
Speaking at the event, Erwan Rouxel, CEO of Veolia Oman, highlighted the significance of the accomplishment and its alignment with Oman Vision 2040. "This achievement underscores our commitment to providing safe, clean water and supporting Oman’s sustainability goals. Through collaboration, innovation and operational excellence, we are helping secure Oman’s water future," said Rouxel.
In an interview with the Observer, Rouxel added: "It is a great privilege to celebrate this remarkable milestone: the production of one billion cubic metres of water through plants operated by Veolia and its partners over the past 15 years. This achievement reflects Veolia’s unwavering commitment to delivering safe, accessible water through innovation and collaboration.
"Our projects are deeply aligned with Oman Vision 2040, focusing on decarbonisation, resource regeneration and sustainable practices. Initiatives such as integrating renewable energy into desalination plants exemplify this commitment. Looking ahead, we plan to adopt more advanced solutions to reduce and optimise energy consumption across our operations. Additionally, we remain vigilant in monitoring the environmental impact of our activities to ensure the protection and regeneration of vital resources."
The commemorative event brought together Veolia’s partners and stakeholders, recognising their crucial role in this achievement. Awards were presented to partners and clients, celebrating their contributions to Veolia’s operational success and innovative practices.
With a high Omanisation rate and an impeccable safety record, including zero Lost Time Incidents (LTI) since operations began, Veolia Oman continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering local expertise and upholding the highest standards in environmental and operational performance.
The Sur Desalination Plant, powered entirely by a 17 MWp solar photovoltaic farm during daylight hours, serves over 600,000 residents in Al Sharqiyah South Governorate. Generating more than 32,000 MWh of green electricity annually, the plant reduces CO₂ emissions by 27,200 tonnes per year, equivalent to removing 6,000 cars from the road.
This project exemplifies Veolia’s dedication to decarbonisation and aligns with Oman’s National Energy Strategy, which aims to derive 30 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Situated in Al Batinah South Governorate, the Barka IV plant accounts for approximately 23 per cent of Oman’s water supply, producing 281,000 cubic metres daily. Renowned for its energy efficiency, consuming just 2.8 kWh per cubic metre, the facility ensures water security for nearly one-third of Muscat’s population.
Looking ahead, Veolia plans to expand its focus to water network management, aiming to reduce distribution losses and ensure efficient delivery of potable water to end-users. Additionally, the company seeks to grow its footprint in wastewater treatment, promoting reuse and resource regeneration to further bolster Oman’s water sector resilience.
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