Saudi Arabia will begin local manufacturing of energy recovery devices (ERDs) for desalination plants in the first quarter of 2027, according to an announcement by the Saudi Water Authority (SWA).
The facility, established by Energy Recovery, will be the first of its kind outside the US. It is expected to produce 2,000 units annually, exceeding Saudi Arabia’s estimated domestic demand of around 1,200 units. About 40% of output is expected to be exported to markets across the GCC, Africa and Asia.
ERDs help desalination plants reduce energy consumption and operating costs. Local production is intended to reduce import dependence, improve supply reliability and speed up access to the technology.
The project targets a market worth more than SAR547 million ($146M), including SAR247 million in Saudi Arabia and around SAR300 million across wider MENA markets. It is expected to contribute approximately SAR137 million to Saudi Arabia’s GDP by 2033, create more than 50 direct jobs and achieve over 80% local content.
The initiative involves SWA, the Ministry of Investment, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority. It will also support technology transfer and local expertise in desalination manufacturing.
Source: Zawya
