Oman approves funding for water desalination projects
MUSCAT, August 5, 2015
Oman has approved funding for research projects that aim to harness renewable energy sources for water desalination in the Sultanate, according to a report.
The move by the Research Council has been designed to alleviate Oman's overdependence on energy-intensive gas-based desalination to meet domestic water demand, said the Oman Daily Observer report.
It is part of the apex R&D institution’s newly unveiled Renewable Energy Research Strategy Programme, it said.
It seeks to unlock the Sultanate’s immense renewable energy potential in support of economic, social and strategic national goals.
“The Council’s vision is to encourage high quality scientific, experimental research to seek and propose real solutions for national challenges of renewable energy and energy efficiency,” Dr Ahmed Said Al Busaidi, programme manager of the programme, was quoted as saying.
“Pilot research initiatives planned as part of this programme will enhance capacity building and knowledge transfer, as well as contribute to the comprehensive sustainable development of Oman,” he said.
The research proposals likely to attract funding from the council include solar power member desalination using seawater; solar photovoltaic powered reverse osmosis brackish water desalination; and solar powered multiple effect distillation using seawater, said the report.
It will also include proposals that aim to enhance the performance of humidification and dehumidification units, and desalination technologies for irrigation, it added.
