• The event was attended by the Spanish Ambassador and the CEO of the Water business of ACCIONA, Manuel Manjon, among others.

ACCIONA has organized a pivotal roundtable discussion titled “Exploring Sustainable Solutions for Water Desalination in Qatar”, marking the company’s first such event in the region.

This event underscores Qatar’s growing commitment to addressing water stress through innovative and sustainable desalination technologies. With Qatar facing increasing challenges in water scarcity, the nation has turned to reverse osmosis desalination as a key strategy for securing potable water for its population. Since 2016, reverse osmosis plants have played a crucial role in Qatar’s water infrastructure, with ACCIONA leading this technological evolution.

The event brought together esteemed experts and stakeholders to discuss advancements and future directions in water desalination, highlighting Qatar’s journey towards sustainable water management.

The Spanish Ambassador in Doha, His Excellency Mr. Javier Carbajosa, graced the event, emphasizing the solid ties and collaborative efforts between Spain and Qatar in addressing global water challenges. Mr. Jorge Malfeito, director of Innovation at ACCIONA Water Business, shared insights into the future trends in the Reverse Osmosis industry, drawing from Spain’s over 40 years of experience in this field.

Manuel Manjón, CEO of ACCIONA’s water business, emphasized the critical role of reverse osmosis desalination in Qatar’s water security strategy, stressing the importance of continuous innovation and international cooperation in the search for sustainable solutions for the water sector.

All speakers highlighted the evolving operational landscape at both plants, emphasizing the development of advanced data analytics systems and the integration of AI to increase the efficiency and potential long-term performance of these plants. All highlighted the need to improve water infrastructure in Qatar to ensure access to clean, safe drinking water for its growing population. This investment improves the quality of life of its inhabitants, helps reduce water-related diseases and promotes sustainable economic development.

The event also featured a panel discussion entitled “7 Years of large-scale reverse osmosis desalination in Qatar”, where Mr. Jamal al Khalid, CEO of Umm Al Houl Desalination Plant, Mr. Mubarak Al Nasr CEO of Ras Abu Fontas Desalination Plant and Fernando Cortabitarte, ACCIONA’s Water Cycle director, discussed Qatar’s increased reliance on RO technology since 2016.

The discussion underscored the strength of RO technology, not only in its ability to meet large-scale water production demands, but also in its adaptability to Qatar’s evolving environmental and sustainability goals. In addition, all speakers emphasized the importance of the relationship between Qatar and ACCIONA to adapt the learnings from the operation across all operating plants and adapt them across their evolving operations.

On the closing day, Juan Manuel Vázquez (Agriculture Water Dept.) and Dr. Ana Jiménez Banzo, director of Innovation MGT & Technology, shared insightful perspectives on the future of water sustainability in arid regions such as Qatar. They emphasized ACCIONA’s commitment to tailoring water treatment solutions to the specific needs of each area, highlighting ongoing efforts to innovate and address operational challenges in desalination plants. Dr. Jiménez Banzo explained ACCIONA’s research-based approach, citing the development of advanced reverse osmosis membranes and energy-efficient technologies as examples of its dedication to sustainability and efficiency in water management.

ACCIONA’s participation in the Expo concluded with a discussion on the importance of collaboration and innovation to ensure a sustainable water future in arid regions.