Sustainable Desalination Plant Construction Project in Erdemli

Filippo Verre - November 6 2024

The Turkish city of Erdemli, located in the Mersin province along the Mediterranean coast, exemplifies the challenges of managing water resources in regions characterized by a hot and arid climate. With an average annual rainfall of approximately 650 millimeters, mostly concentrated in the winter months, water availability is significantly limited, especially during the summer. During this period, high temperatures and prolonged droughts increase water demand, further exacerbated by a surge in population due to tourism. Erdemli, with a resident population of around 150,000 people, often sees its population exceed 200,000 during the tourist season, causing unsustainable pressure on local water resources.

To address this water crisis, an ambitious project has been launched to construct sustainable desalination plants powered exclusively by renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro-kinetic energy. These medium-scale plants, designed to collectively produce 20,000 cubic meters of potable water per day, aim to provide a stable and sustainable water supply for the city while minimizing environmental impact.

The decision to use a mix of renewable energies stems from the need to reduce operating costs and the ecological footprint. Solar panels installed on the plant buildings will take advantage of the region's high number of sunny days, while wind turbines along the coast will harness the regular marine winds in the area. Hydro-kinetic energy, generated by leveraging the constant movement of nearby ocean currents, represents an additional source of clean and continuous energy. This combination of technologies will allow the plants to operate with optimal energy efficiency while reducing CO₂ emissions by 50% compared to conventional desalination plants.

Once operational, the plants will cover about 30% of the city’s daily water demand, significantly reducing dependence on groundwater sources, which currently provide 70% of the water consumed. This reduction in groundwater extraction will help preserve local aquifers, preventing the lowering of water tables and the risk of saltwater intrusion.

From Nov. 4-6, 2024, Dr. Filippo Verre, president of AB AQUA, met with several city authorities to discuss the worrying situation regarding water supply in Erdemli. Specifically, Dr. Verre had the opportunity to speak with the city's vice-mayor, mr. Hasan Gubaroğlu, where potential collaborations between the municipality and AB AQUA Sustainable Solutions (AASS), a company formed by the for-profit arm of AB AQUA think tank, emerged. Concretely, AASS mentioned as a possible solution the construction of sustainable desalination plants that can give concrete support to city authorities in diversifying water supply sources.

The expected benefits of this project extend beyond water availability. Stable water supply will support the tourism sector, one of Erdemli’s main sources of income, with an estimated 15% increase in annual tourism-related revenue. Moreover, the creation of these plants will generate about 70 new direct jobs, including technical personnel specialized in plant management and operators for maintaining the energy infrastructure.

Despite its tremendous potential, the project is not devoid of challenges. Managing the saline residues produced by desalination requires advanced solutions to minimize impacts on surrounding marine ecosystems. To address this issue, the plants will be equipped with brine dispersion systems that ensure controlled and diluted release of saline by-products. Additionally, a public awareness campaign has been planned to engage the local community and promote responsible use of water resources.

In conclusion, the construction of sustainable desalination plants powered by renewable energy represents an innovative and forward-thinking solution to Erdemli’s water crisis. This project will not only ensure a stable and sustainable water supply but also transform the city into a model of resilience and responsible resource management, demonstrating how technology and sustainability can work together to address global challenges.