The biggest seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant on the African continent was officially opened in Algeria this week.
Magtaa Desalination Plant, operated by Singapore-based Hyflux Ltd, has the capacity to desalinate 500,000 cubic meters of seawater per day.
According to Hyflux, the new plant incorporates the largest ultrafiltration pre-treatment facility in the world. It uses the company's proprietary ultrafiltration technology for the desalination pre-treatment process, and then the water goes through reverse osmosis membrane technology.
Magtaa Desalination Plant is located about 55 km east of Oran, Algeria's second largest city. It will supply water to consumers and industries in the city and in neighboring provinces under a 25-year water purchase agreement with L'AlgÈrienne Des Eaux and Sonatrach.
Olivia Lum, executive chairman and group CEO of Hyflux, welcomed the opening of Magtaa Desalination Plant and said that it will be instrumental in meeting Algeria's water needs.
The project also "demonstrates our technology as well as engineering and construction capabilities for municipalities in need of sustainable and cost-effective water solutions," Lum added.
Hyflux will operate and maintain the plant under the terms of the 25-year agreement.
Magtaa Desalination Plant is Hyflux's second desalination project in Algeria. Its 200,000 cubic meters per day Souk Tleta Desalination Plant started operating in 2011.
