MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
In the heart of the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, where the desert meets innovation, TAQA Water Solutions stands at the forefront of a green revolution in water management.
In an interview with Aletihad, Eng. Ahmed Alshamsi, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TAQA Water Solutions, highlighted how the company is aligning its operations with the UAE's ambitious green agendas.
This took place on the sidelines of the 6th Arab Water Forum, which kicked off at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) on Monday.
The triennial event is held by the Arab Water Council, in collaboration with the League of Arab States, the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.
In addition to convening policy makers and industry leaders, the event features an international exhibition, offering a key platform for fostering collaborative action towards ensuring water security. Setting Global Benchmarks in Water Sustainability TAQA Water Solutions is focused on increasing access to clean water and maximising the recyclability of wastewater.
Alshamsi highlighted that the company oversees the collection and treatment of all wastewater in Abu Dhabi. Notably, it has achieved an 80% utilisation rate of recycled water within the Emirate, considered among the highest globally.
Initially focused on irrigation and green spaces, TAQA is now expanding the use of recycled water to industrial applications and cooling processes, according to Alshamsi. He noted that this shift was met with huge demand across various industries, which ultimately contributes to furthering the UAE's green efforts.
Cutting-Edge Technologies and Innovations
In tackling one of the industry's most pressing challenges - water leakage - TAQA Water Solutions invests in state-of-the-art technologies. Alshamsi explained that the company is deploying advanced trace-and-track systems to minimise losses throughout the extensive network of desalination and transmission lines.
The CEO added that TAQA Water Solutions is also in the process of implementing a sophisticated SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system for real-time monitoring of their infrastructure, enabling prompt decision-making and improved energy efficiency. Over Dh10 billion in Investments With a treatment capacity of 1.3 million cubic metres across 42 plants in Abu Dhabi, TAQA Water Solutions' investments in the water sector have already exceeded Dh10 billion.
Future plans include expanding both locally within the UAE and internationally, with a focus on the GCC region, particularly Saudi Arabia, and Central Asia. The company is also targeting CIS Central Asia countries. It has recently announced a project in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where TAQA Water Solutions, in partnership with the French firm Saur and Japanese company Marubeni, will develop the largest water treatment plant in the CIS countries.
The Power of Collaboration
Alshamsi underscored the importance of collaboration in addressing global water challenges. Partnerships with leading technology providers and competitive funding sources are crucial for achieving cost-effective solutions and advancing the water sector, he asserted. "Collaboration is essential for accessing cutting-edge technology and securing favorable financial conditions." Addressing Global Water Challenges Affordability and awareness are critical issues in the global water sector, according to Alshamsi.
He pointed out that the high costs of desalination and treatment often lead to inadequate access to clean water in many regions. Educating the next generation about the value of water is also vital to fostering responsible usage and appreciation.
"Education and awareness are key," Alshamsi said. "We need to instill a deeper understanding of where our water comes from and the importance of preserving it."
Looking Ahead
Alshamsi stressed that TAQA Water Solutions' journey towards sustainability is ongoing. While the company strives to minimise emissions and enhance efficiency, achieving Net Zero is a continuous process. One of the company's future projects involves developing innovative solutions for managing biosolids, a byproduct of wastewater treatment. This initiative is set to pioneer new methods for energy recovery and is expected to be launched in 2025.