Oman’s Role in Middle East’s Leading Desalination Industry: What It Means for Investors and Business Growth
MUSCAT, March 9 — Oman is recognized as a leading desalination producer in the Middle East, a region responsible for nearly half of the world’s contracted desalination capacity, according to a peer-reviewed study published in npj Clean Water, a journal from the Nature Portfolio.
The research reveals that by the end of 2023, the Middle East’s contracted desalination capacity reached 60.1 million cubic metres per day (m³/d), representing 46.9 percent of the global total. Operational capacity in the region stood at 28.96 million m³/d, or 41.8 percent of the world’s output, underscoring the critical role desalination plays in ensuring water security in this highly water-stressed area.
The study highlights Oman as a key contributor to seawater desalination within the region and notes a significant shift towards seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) technology. SWRO is increasingly favored over traditional thermal methods due to its substantially lower energy consumption, typically using 4 to 6 kilowatt-hours per cubic metre, compared to 18.3 to 28.5 kWh/m³ for multi-stage flash and 14.2 to 21.6 kWh/m³ for multi-effect distillation.
Oman’s move towards SWRO is reflected in its project pipeline. According to the Water 7-Year Statement 2026–2032 by Nama Power and Water Procurement Company, the main interconnected system sources predominantly consist of RO-based plants. These include Ghubrah II (191,000 m³/d), Qurayyat (200,000 m³/d), Barka IV (281,000 m³/d), Barka V (100,000 m³/d), and Sohar IV (250,000 m³/d). Additionally, the new Ghubrah III plant, with a planned capacity of 300,000 m³/d, is under construction and expected to commence commercial operation in February 2027.
The study also finds that over 70 percent of desalinated water produced by the region’s leading contributors is supplied to utility companies, primarily supporting municipal needs and industrial operations. While most desalination facilities in the Middle East are small to medium-sized, a relatively small number of very large plants account for a significant proportion of total production.
The authors conclude that desalination has become a strategic infrastructure cornerstone in the Middle East, driven by climate pressures, drought risks, population growth, and limited conventional freshwater resources. They forecast that between 2024 and 2028, the region will add approximately 20.9 million m³/d of seawater desalination capacity, constituting 53.1 percent of the anticipated global contracted capacity increase.
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Oman’s strong position as a key desalination producer in the Middle East highlights significant opportunities for businesses invested in water infrastructure and clean technology sectors, especially with the shift towards more energy-efficient seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plants. Smart investors should focus on expanding desalination capacity and integrating renewable energy solutions to capitalize on growing regional water security demands, while entrepreneurs can explore innovative water management services to support industrial and municipal growth. This transition not only reduces energy costs but also strengthens Oman’s resilience against climate pressures and population growth.
