Latest news with #BarkaIV
Zawya
30-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Barka 4 desalination plant sets global benchmarks
The Sultanate of Oman continues to leverage the Barka IV desalination plant as a cornerstone of its national development and a model for sustainable water management. Operational since 2018 under a 20-year Build-Own-Operate (BOO) agreement with Nama Power and Water Procurement Company (NWPPC), this Veolia-managed facility stands as the Sultanate of Oman's largest, producing a significant 281,000 cubic meters of potable water daily. This output is vital, supplying approximately 1.2 million people and directly supporting Oman Vision 2040's ambitious economic and social development goals amidst rapid population growth, urbanization, and the pervasive challenge of climate change-induced water scarcity. At the heart of Barka IV's impressive efficiency and environmental stewardship lies its advanced technological infrastructure, meticulously designed to optimise every stage of the desalination process. The plant's journey begins with a sophisticated seawater intake system, a crucial first step that sets it apart in terms of both scale and ecological consideration. Seawater is sourced via two independent intake towers, each located 1.5 kilometres from the plant, ensuring a robust and reliable supply. A key innovation here is the maintenance of a low intake velocity of 0.1 meters per second, a deliberate measure to minimise impact on marine life. Further safeguarding the rich biodiversity of Oman's coastal waters, the intake is equipped with 100mm bar screens and supplemented by air bubble curtains, effectively preventing jellyfish and other marine organisms from entering the system. This commitment to environmental protection at the very outset underscores a holistic approach to sustainable operation, a vital aspect for any large-scale industrial facility situated in ecologically sensitive areas. Following intake, the water undergoes a rigorous pretreatment phase, critical for protecting the delicate and costly Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes that form the core of the desalination process. Barka IV employs state-of-the-art technologies including Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) systems to remove algae and suspended solids, and 16 Dual Media Gravity Filters (DMGF) that further eliminate suspended particles while optimizing energy consumption through gravity-based operation. The DAF system, in particular, plays a pivotal role in preventing membrane fouling, directly contributing to the longevity and efficiency of the RO stage. The true technological marvel and the most important part of the Barka IV plant is its Reverse Osmosis (RO) system, coupled with cutting-edge Energy Recovery Devices (ERD). This combination is what truly sets Barka IV apart as one of the world's most energy-efficient large-scale desalination plants, boasting a specific energy consumption of less than 3 kWh per cubic meter. The plant is equipped with 20,000 high-performance RO membranes that effectively separate salt from seawater, operating at a pressure of 60 bar. Prior to the RO membranes, cartridge filters (CF) ensure that particles as small as 5 microns are removed, safeguarding the integrity and performance of the membranes. The integration of ERDs, achieving an impressive 97% recovery rate, is a game-changer. These devices recapture significant amounts of pressure energy from the concentrated brine stream, dramatically reducing the overall energy demand for the high-pressure RO pumps. This energy efficiency not only translates into substantial operational cost savings but also significantly lowers the plant's carbon footprint, aligning with global efforts towards climate action. Beyond the core desalination process, Barka IV's commitment to delivering high-quality potable water is solidified in its remineralisation process. Five limestone filters are utilised to increase the alkalinity and hardness of the desalinated water, ensuring it meets stringent international drinking water standards. This crucial step is further supported by two permeate storage tanks acting as buffers, guaranteeing continuous supply and consistent water quality for consumers. Finally, the entire operation is meticulously managed from a Smart Control Room utilising Veolia's sophisticated Hubgrade digitalisation tools. With over 3,000 pieces of equipment connected to a centralized control system, a dedicated operations team provides continuous 24/7 monitoring of plant performance and production. This digital integration ensures over 95% availability, allowing for real-time adjustments and predictive maintenance, thereby maximising operational efficiency and minimising downtime. This smart management system, powered by AI, embodies the future of industrial facility management, ensuring the plant's robust and reliable performance for years to come. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
05-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Barka IV strengthens Oman's water resilience with smart technology
MUSCAT: Amid increasing pressure on water resources caused by population growth, urbanisation, and climate change, the Barka IV Desalination Plant — Oman's largest desalination plant — has positioned itself as a key pillar of Oman's national water security strategy. Designed to align with Oman Vision 2040, the high-capacity plant produces 281,000 cubic metres of potable water daily—enough to serve more than one million people. Operated under a 20-year build-own-operate agreement with Nama Power and Water Procurement Company, Barka IV has been operational since 2018. The plant is run by Veolia, which has integrated advanced reverse osmosis technology and artificial intelligence tools to optimise performance and reduce environmental impact. In an interview with the Observer during a tour at the plant, Kirollos Sergyous, Plant Manager at Barka IV said, 'The goal is to ensure clean, safe water reaches people efficiently and sustainably. Every system we've adopted is focused on reliability, environmental care, and long-term resilience for the Sultanate of Oman.' Central to the plant's efficiency is its reverse osmosis system, which includes 20,000 high-performance membranes operating at 60 bars. Energy recovery devices, which operate at a 97% efficiency rate, help significantly lower energy consumption during the desalination process. 'We have achieved one of the highest energy recovery rates in the region,' Sergyous noted 'This not only supports Oman's sustainability goals but also makes the plant more economically viable over the long term.' The Barka IV facility takes environmental protection seriously. Intake towers located 1.5 kilometres offshore reduce the impact on marine ecosystems by operating at low velocities. In addition, protective air bubble curtains are used to prevent jellyfish and debris from entering the system, ensuring both ecosystem preservation and operational reliability. On the front end, the plant employs dissolved air flotation (DAF) and dual media gravity filters to remove algae and suspended solids. Fine cartridge filters trap particles as small as five microns before water enters the reverse osmosis phase. The treated water then goes through a remineralisation process using limestone filters to meet international drinking water standards. This ensures that the water delivered to consumers is not only clean but also safe and stable for everyday use. A standout feature of the plant is its digitally equipped smart control room, which connects over 3,000 individual components for real-time monitoring and diagnostics. Using AI-powered tools like Hubgrid, the plant can anticipate maintenance needs and fine-tune operations in real time. 'Digitalisation has given us a new level of control,' said Sergyous. 'We can detect issues before they happen, adjust our systems dynamically, and keep plant availability above 95 per cent—something that's essential for a critical utility like this.' As Oman moves to secure its water future in the face of environmental and demographic pressures, Barka IV stands as a benchmark for sustainable infrastructure powered by innovation and foresight. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
04-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
Barka IV strengthens Oman's water resilience with smart technology
MUSCAT, MAY 4 Amid increasing pressure on water resources caused by population growth, urbanisation, and climate change, the Barka IV Desalination Plant — Oman's largest desalination plant — has positioned itself as a key pillar of Oman's national water security strategy. Designed to align with Oman Vision 2040, the high-capacity plant produces 281,000 cubic metres of potable water daily—enough to serve more than one million people. Operated under a 20-year build-own-operate agreement with Nama Power and Water Procurement Company, Barka IV has been operational since 2018. The plant is run by Veolia, which has integrated advanced reverse osmosis technology and artificial intelligence tools to optimise performance and reduce environmental impact. In an interview with the Observer during a tour at the plant, Kirollos Sergyous, Plant Manager at Barka IV said, 'The goal is to ensure clean, safe water reaches people efficiently and sustainably. Every system we've adopted is focused on reliability, environmental care, and long-term resilience for the Sultanate of Oman.' Central to the plant's efficiency is its reverse osmosis system, which includes 20,000 high-performance membranes operating at 60 bars. Energy recovery devices, which operate at a 97% efficiency rate, help significantly lower energy consumption during the desalination process. 'We have achieved one of the highest energy recovery rates in the region,' Sergyous noted 'This not only supports Oman's sustainability goals but also makes the plant more economically viable over the long term.' The Barka IV facility takes environmental protection seriously. Intake towers located 1.5 kilometres offshore reduce the impact on marine ecosystems by operating at low velocities. In addition, protective air bubble curtains are used to prevent jellyfish and debris from entering the system, ensuring both ecosystem preservation and operational reliability. On the front end, the plant employs dissolved air flotation (DAF) and dual media gravity filters to remove algae and suspended solids. Fine cartridge filters trap particles as small as five microns before water enters the reverse osmosis phase. The treated water then goes through a remineralisation process using limestone filters to meet international drinking water standards. This ensures that the water delivered to consumers is not only clean but also safe and stable for everyday use. A standout feature of the plant is its digitally equipped smart control room, which connects over 3,000 individual components for real-time monitoring and diagnostics. Using AI-powered tools like Hubgrid, the plant can anticipate maintenance needs and fine-tune operations in real time. 'Digitalisation has given us a new level of control,' said Sergyous. 'We can detect issues before they happen, adjust our systems dynamically, and keep plant availability above 95 per cent—something that's essential for a critical utility like this.' As Oman moves to secure its water future in the face of environmental and demographic pressures, Barka IV stands as a benchmark for sustainable infrastructure powered by innovation and foresight.
