Power and desalination in the Arabian Gulf region: an overview

Most of the states constituting the Arabian Gulf region are so deficient in renewable water resources that they now rely almost exclusively on seawater desalination. The present overview considers the various options that are used to link together electric power production and desalination. The benefits and shortcomings of these options are outlined and the influence of the relative demand for electricity and water on the optimum type of plant is examined. The operational and commercial characteristics of the various desalination processes are summarized. The future prospects of both power and desalination production are discussed and the subsequent paths that desalination technology will follow in the region are suggested. The environmental impacts of power generation and desalination are explored and possible mitigating measures covering each type of impact are proposed. Finally, it is submitted that the social benefits of power and desalination in the area cannot be considered as having been truly realized unless regulatory standards relevant to these impacts are set up and adhered to.