The Line in February 2024. // Source: Neom
The project Neoma futuristic vision envisaged by theSaudi Arabia, promised to transform a vast expanse of desert into a technologically advanced megacity powered entirely by renewable energy. Among the planned infrastructure, an ambitious desalination plant was to be an essential pillar in meeting the water needs of the extremely arid region. Designed to produce up to 2 million cubic meters of desalinated water per day using cutting-edge technologies, the facility would have covered around 30% of Neom’s water needs.
However, a wind of difficulties has been blowing over Neom in recent months, affecting several of its flagship projects. The water desalination project planned in the Oxagon industrial zone was recently canceled. The decision came after a joint development agreement expired and was not renewed (JDA) established with international partners, including Enowa (a subsidiary of Neom), the Japanese company Itochu and the French group Veolia.
Initiated in December 2022, this project was not limited only to water production. It also planned to transform brine residue, the main waste of the desalination process, into various useful industrial materials such as high-purity salt and other valuable minerals. This approach aimed to minimize the environmental impact of the operation while supporting local and international industries.
The withdrawal of this project is explained by changes in Neom’s water needs over the past year, prompting stakeholders to cautiously reassess plans to expand desalination capacity. The evolution of demands and priorities has thus highlighted the fragility of some of the project’s initial commitments.
The cancellation of the desalination plant represents a major disappointment for Neom, especially in a region where the availability of fresh water is a significant criterion for success. However, Enowa continues to reaffirm its commitment to sustainability and maintains its collaborations with international partners, always seeking to innovate in the provision of ecological solutions.
This situation raises questions about Neom’s long-term viability and the effectiveness of its project management in such a demanding environment. The successive setbacks could mark a crucial turning point in the perception of the project by investors and the international community, scrutinizing the progress of this utopia of the sands with a mixture of hope and skepticism.
