Gov't approves plan to boost desalinated water production using private companies

The Israeli government has approved a new long-term plan by the Water Authority that, for the first time, permits private entities to plan and develop large-scale desalination plants. This strategic move aims to significantly boost the nation's desalinated water production capacity.

The overarching objective is for Israel to produce 2.3 billion cubic meters of desalinated water annually by 2050, escalating to 2.75 billion cubic meters per year by 2075. This ambitious target is a proactive measure to address anticipated increases in Israel's population, accelerated urbanization, and the escalating effects of climate change, all of which place considerable pressure on existing water supplies.

Currently, the process for planning and constructing a desalination plant in Israel can extend up to eight years. To expedite this timeline and ensure the country can meet its desalination goals, the government will now authorize private companies to build plants with a minimum production capacity of 100 million cubic meters of water annually. This involves private entities securing approval from the Water Authority and the Energy and Infrastructure Minister, along with a recommendation from Israel's Planning Administration.

Conditions for private companies seeking to participate will be determined by a specialized team comprising representatives from the Planning Administration, the Water Authority, the Energy and Infrastructure Ministry, and the Finance Ministry. This collaborative approach aims to streamline the process while maintaining regulatory oversight for these critical infrastructure projects.