Solving a water crisis for over 1m people: Almar Water Solutions to build Kenya’s first large-scale desalination plant
- First desalination plant in Kenya marks a major developmental milestone for the country and Almar Water Solutions
- New plant will be a major contributor to stabilizing supply for the development of the local economy
- Producing over 100,000 cubic meters of clean water per day, for over one million people, bridging the gap toward the 200,000 cubic meter demand
Almar Water Solutions, part of Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, has been awarded a contract to develop Kenya’s first large-scale desalination plant.
The project will be located in the North Mainland zone in the county of Mombasa and will have a capacity of 100,000 cubic meters per day, supplying clean drinking water to over a million people. The plant will be managed and operated for 25 years until it is handed over to the county.
The development of this desalination project will help to alleviate the ongoing water crisis that Mombasa County currently experiences, which has caused interruptions in the drinking water supply for several years. News of this milestone, achieved by the County Government of Mombasa, was officially released today at a recent press conference in the presence of the Mombasa Governor Honorable Ali Hassan Joho, Carlos Cosín, Chief Executive Officer, Almar Water Solutions, and Fady M. Jameel, Deputy President and Vice Chairman of Abdul Latif Jameel.
The Honorable Ali Hassan Joho commented that:
“Almar Water Solutions will build the desalination plant in the North mainland zone. Once constructed, it will be able to pump more than 100,000 cubic meters of water per day, giving quality water supply to over a million people in the county. The rising population has led to increased demand for water, while the supply from neighboring counties keeps fluctuating and cannot be relied upon. Currently the demand stands at 200,000 cubic meters against a supply of only 42,000 cubic meters”.
In turn, Carlos Cosín expressed his thanks to the Mombasa government for placing its trust in Almar Water Solutions, who will work to successfully develop this pioneering project, supervising the entire process from the beginning until it is transferred to the county. He commented:
“Almar Water Solutions is proud to be part of this project which will allow us to play a hands-on role in providing a sustainable source of fresh water for the residents of Mombasa County.”
Through Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, Almar Water Solutions has been present in Africa for some time and is particularly interested in developing innovative technological projects to supply both the municipal and industrial sectors. Sub-Saharan Africa is a region that poses significant challenges to the water industry with rising demand from population growth, urbanization, economic development and the impact of climate change. Desalination offers a method to help ease water stress in the region and will contribute to the progress of its community.
The contract awarded for the first desalination plant in Kenya is a major milestone for both the country and Almar Water Solutions, as it is an unprecedented project that will lead the way in the development and improvement of the African continent’s infrastructure network.