20% of Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas production is devoted to supporting co-generation desalination plants

Saudi Arabia stands as the undisputed global leader in industrial-scale desalination—a paradoxical triumph in a water-starved landscape powered predominantly by its most abundant resource: oil. The same black gold that fuels its economy also sustains its fresh water supply through energy-intensive desalination—a defining success born of necessity.

Saudi Arabia relies heavily on thermal and co-generation desalination, fueled by fossil energy. Notably, the Kingdom consumes approximately 300,000 barrels of oil per day solely for its desalination infrastructure. In terms of electricity usage, desalination accounted for around 6% of the nation’s total consumption in 2020. More broadly, it’s estimated that 20% of Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas production is devoted to supporting co-generation desalination plants, with projections indicating that by 2030, half of its domestic oil and gas output may be allocated solely for water supply.

For instance, Riyadh located in the center of the country is supplied by desalinated water pumped from the Arabian Gulf over a distance of 467 km. It is estimated in this paper that almost 20% of oil domestic production is used for desalination plants in Saudi Arabia.

The government projected that Saudi Arabia needs to spend over 213 USD Billion over the next decade to meet the demand in both water and electricity.

Related: Red Sea Farms grows food using brackish water and dead aquifers

Renewables on the Rise

Despite the oil-driven legacy, the Kingdom is strategically shifting toward renewables. By the end of 2023, Saudi Arabia had installed approximately 2.8 GW of renewable capacity (primarily solar), with 5 GW planned under its National Renewable Energy Program.

The government’s ambitious target: 50% of electricity generation capacity from renewables by 2030. As of mid-2024, over 21 GW of projects were in the pipeline, with 9.7 GW slated for completion by 2026. Within the desalination sector, the Saudi Water Authority now sources 20 % of the energy for new plants from renewable sources, while aiming to shrink carbon emissions from 60 million to 37 million tonnes by 2025, partly through minimizing liquid fuel use.

Yet desalination is not without its drawbacks. In a Green Prophet article, Yale’s Menachem Elimelech cautioned that “even the most advanced desalination technologies… still use three times as much energy as conventional water treatment.” Thermal methods, common in Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, “use a lot of energy.” This echoes broader concerns that desalination should remain a last-resort measure, pursued only after emphasising conservation, reuse, and efficiency.

Top 5 Desalination Players

Here are five leading companies shaping the global desalination industry, with operations or influence in Saudi Arabia—and one prominently Israeli:

The Saudi Water Authority (formerly SWCC) is the state enterprise operating over 30 plants with a combined capacity of ~7.5 million m³/day. It’s the world’s largest fully owned desal producer.

ACWA Power is a Saudi-based developer and operator of power and desalination facilities, with a portfolio yielding 9.5 million m³/day across 14 countries and USD 107.5 billion in investment.

Veolia is a global leader profiting from the Gulf’s surge in desal demand. Veolia brings massive energy-efficiency innovations, delivering up to 85% gains and 90% cost reductions in desal water production.

Acciona is a Spanish company with a robust water division; its 2024 revenues hit €1.2 billion, with desal projects spanning from Australia to Qatar.

IDE Technologies is an Israeli pioneer in desalination since 1965, IDE has built dozens of plants globally. Notably, its Sorek plant in Israel is one of the world’s largest RO facilities. Inclusion of IDE addresses the requirement for an Israeli company. Israeli stocks are currently on the rise. IDE is up for public bidding.

The Future of Saudi Desalination

Saudi Arabia’s approach illustrates a pragmatic melding of resources and strategy: hydrocarbon wealth enabled its desalination network, securing water independence for decades. Renewables are now integral to its energy transition and desalination infrastructure.

Yet, energy intensity remains a critical limitation, prompting experts to urge diversification and conservation. Leading desalination players—local and global—continue to drive innovation and scale, with some like IDE transcending geopolitical boundaries through technical prowess.

Saudi Arabia’s success in desalination is undeniable—fueled by oil, powered by innovation, and now pivoting toward renewables. Yet voices like Gidon Bromberg and Menachem Elimelech’s highlighting in Green Prophet) remind us that desalination is resource-intensive and should not eclipse broader water-management strategies. The Kingdom’s trajectory, backed by heavyweights like SWA, ACWA, Veolia, Acciona, and IDE, may well serve as both model and cautionary tale for water-scarce regions worldwide.

Get a backgrounder on water issues from the last year in the MENA Middle East region:

1. Saudi Arabia’s $650M bet on desalination
2. Water conflicts in the Middle East region to watch in 2025
3. The Flash Flood Wave Redefining Policy in the MENA Region
4. Iran’s water mafia and thirst for war leaves the country on brink of being dry
5. Wastewater plants are a hidden climate issue, and we’re measuring it all wrong
6. Sinkholes and Shrinking Shores: The Race to Rescue the Dead Sea
7. Iran is sinking in sinkholes from overwatering
8. Ecomondo 2025: Italy’s Green Expo Powers Global Circular Innovation
9. Greta Thunberg Sails Toward Gaza as Israeli Navy Prepares Interception
10. Climate, Not Just People, Is Driving Central Asia’s Desertification, Study Finds
11. Jordan turns to ancient fire and mines volcanic soil to solve water crisis
12. Iraq’s Ancient Water Wisdom Faces a Modern Reckoning
13. A Solar-Powered Device Pulls Drinking Water from Desert Air
14. Global Progress and Setbacks: Tracking Water Quality Indicators Toward SDG 6 by 2030
15. They Call Her Madam Torti. She Might Be the Only One Who Can Save Seychelles Turtles

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In the misty folds of the French Pyrenees, something quietly extraordinary is happening.

At a remote site called Comminges in France, Mantle8, a pioneering natural hydrogen exploration company, has unearthed a breakthrough that could shift the balance of Europe’s energy landscape. Their soil-gas readings, peaking at 2,500 parts per million (ppm), have stunned the industry—seven times higher than the standard threshold needed to suggest serious hydrogen potential. If proven on a larger scale, this isn’t just a good day for the company. It’s a potential tipping point for how Europe powers its future.

“The Comminges block represents the perfect combo: an ideal pilot zone to validate our technologies, with a geological setting offering maximum hydrogen potential,” said Mantle8’s Founder and CEO, Emmanuel Masini. “With these highly encouraging early results, we are well on our way to make $0.80/kg hydrogen a reality by 2030.”

It’s not just the numbers that impress— Mantle8’s approach is different. Where traditional explorers search for hydrogen like needles in haystacks, Mantle8 has built what it calls a “hydrogen-generating system” model. Think of it as going beyond the treasure map to understanding the entire geology of the treasure chest, the locks, the keys, and even the pirates who buried it.

Their proprietary method fuses geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and cutting-edge numerical modeling—a first of its kind in the industry. This system doesn’t just find hydrogen; it traces its birth, movement, and entrapment deep underground. The company claims it can predict hydrogen volumes and quality with unprecedented precision, which could save millions in exploration costs and halve development time.

Mantle8 is operating in a space with companies like HyTerra, Natural Hydrogen Energy, and Gold Hydrogen who have made early strides in the race for natural (or “white”) hydrogen. Mantle8’s system-wide exploration model might just put them in pole position.

And the timing couldn’t be more urgent.

Europe, still reeling from geopolitical energy shocks and racing against climate deadlines, and the shutting down of Germany’s nuclear power plants, is hungry for cleaner homegrown alternatives to fossil fuels. Hydrogen—especially natural hydrogen, which occurs underground and requires minimal processing—could be a powerful answer. No electrolysis, no carbon byproducts, just natural H₂, ready to be tapped.

The potential is enormous.The potential is enormous. Natural hydrogen could reshape global energy systems with clean, abundant fuel sourced directly from the Earth. And Mantle8 is building the tools to unlock it at scale.

Currently awaiting the Permit Exclusif de Recherche (PER)—expected by the end of this year —Mantle8 plans to deepen its study of the Comminges block using low-impact exploration tools. The team aims to map entire subsurface hydrogen systems, from source rock to reservoirs, selecting optimal drill sites with surgical precision.

Mantle8, founded in 2024 and based in Grenoble, France, is redefining natural hydrogen exploration through a unique fusion of earth science and artificial intelligence. Led by geoscientist Emmanuel Masini, the company uses proprietary models to analyze and interpret vast layers of geological, geochemical, and geophysical data. Instead of relying on surface clues or isolated drilling, Mantle8’s system maps complete subsurface hydrogen-generating systems—tracing the journey of hydrogen from deep source rocks to trapped reservoirs.

Their tools simulate underground processes, predict where hydrogen is being generated in real time, and assess the volume and quality of potential reserves with unprecedented accuracy. The simulation of underground processes is performed by the third tool, which does not incorporate AI components, a rep from the company tells Green Prophet: Predicting where hydrogen is being generated in real time is the result of the core algorithm – the neural networks are used to accelerate processing and enable analysis across more potential sites, but they are not themselves making those predictions,” he notes.

Relying on experts in their field, “Assessing the volume and quality of reserves is also not done by AI – this too is handled by proprietary modelling tools without any neural network component.”

Backed by €3.4 million in seed funding from Breakthrough Energy Ventures Europe (BEV-E) and Kiko Ventures, Mantle8 is targeting hydrogen production costs as low as €0.77/kg. With competitors like Gold Hydrogen, Natural Hydrogen Energy, and HyTerra in the mix, Mantle8’s tech-led, predictive approach could make it a dominant force in Europe’s race for clean, local energy.

::Mantle8

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Exclusive Interview: Pioneer Scientist Moshe Luz Dispels Myths and Reveals How Ivanpah’s Failure Could Stall Bold Investments in Green Tech

California is shutting down its $2.2 Billion CSP solar energy project called Ivanpah. And we wrote last week that investing in things that fail is worthwhile. One of the key scientists behind this technology, Moshe Luz, reached out to Green Prophet to dispel some myths and answer some questions. He argued that claims of bird deaths from CSP are only myths and that Ivanpah’s closure could hinder future renewable energy projects by discouraging investors from taking risks.

Luz emphasized the need for bold investments to advance renewable technology. He suggested that smaller, modular CSP plants could reduce financial risks and attract more investors. Luz also highlighted the importance of balancing innovation with financial sustainability. He noted that government subsidies play a crucial role in supporting renewable energy but warned that dependency on them could jeopardize long-term viability.

The Ivanpah Solar Power Facility, a $2.2 billion concentrated solar plant in California, was once hailed as a breakthrough in renewable energy.

Regarding future energy sources, Luz expressed skepticism about the sole reliance on wind, solar, or hydro, pointing instead to nuclear and fusion energy as more sustainable alternatives. He emphasized the need for technological advancements in miniature turbines and molten salt systems to make CSP more cost-effective. His insights underline the challenges and potential of CSP in the evolving renewable energy landscape.

“A very interesting article,” he writes, “I’m not going to argue if the CSP is good or bad, but to reiterate the urban legend, ‘it is known to kill birds that pass by it,’ is absolutely bad because it is not true. All claims about ‘birds evaporating in the air,’ and other nonsense, were rejected scientifically. Whenever a white elephant such as Ivanpah is shutting down – it is bad.

“It means that the bankability of future projects is at risk, and without these daring initiatives the progress is going to be very slow. If investors are deterred from taking risks we will see only very small steps, playing safe. We need brave people and organizations that will be the first to cross the sea. For them it is not encouraging and they will tackle higher barriers,” he tells Green Prophet.

Moshe worked with BrightSource, the company that built the Ivanpah facility but left the company about 5 years ago.

CSP stands for concentrated solar power. It is a technology that uses mirrors or lenses to focus the sun’s energy to a receiver point which heats a fluid to produce steam that drives a turbine to generate electricity. When combined with molten salt, the heated salt stores energy, allowing power generation even when the sun isn’t shining, improving reliability and efficiency. To note, Ivanpah runs steam in its pipes (not molten salt) and it does not have storage (Thermal Energy Storage).

We asked Moshe about the future of CSP and the bankability of new technologies that widen the possibilities for renewable energy. 

Questions for Moshe Luz

You seem to suggest that the failure of Ivanpah is a blow to the bankability of future renewable projects. In your opinion, what could have been done differently to ensure its success, and how can future projects avoid similar pitfalls?

Some projects are “doomed” to end up as white elephants. If the technology is not mature enough, the results might fall below expectations, in some cases – while inflicting losses to the investors. This is the nature of the beast… It might be a result of bad design, wild assumptions, ignoring facts and data, very high and unjustified targets or going to the market before the “t”s are crossed and the “i”s are dotted – the designer / manufacturer freezes the design before the job is done because of the pressure to go to the market. There is no proven medicine for these diseases. 

What do you think needs to change in the approach to solar power development to make it more cost-effective and viable in the long term?

The present CSP is very expensive and the risks are high. This is why a failure (and there were several) might deter investors from giving money to such plants. Building much smaller plants, where the risk is much smaller as well, will enable more investors to consider the risk as “tolerable”.

So – the solution might be the development of small, modular CSP plants.

You mention that brave organizations should take risks. In your experience, how do you balance the need for innovation with the importance of financial sustainability in such large-scale projects?

There are 2 ways: in the private market the profit from a successful project should be high enough to tempt an investor to take the risk. At the state level, the benefit (not necessarily the profit) should justify the sacrifice of public money in order to promote a project that might lead to better ones. Such was the pilot of “Solar II” that was financed as a test bench for molten salt CSP. 

You believe that the future lies in nuclear and fusion energy rather than wind, solar, or hydro. Can you explain why you feel that way, and how do you see these technologies evolving in the coming decades?

The consideration should be balanced between the risks: all power sources affect the environment but the extent and magnitude should be calculated. We learn slowly about the influence of renewable sources on our planet.

For example: if the average efficiency of the PV after some degradation is 20%, it means that 80% is converted into heat. How is it in comparison to bare sand or even a green forest? Do we reduce the heat absorption or increase? What about the influence on fauna and flora? About birds, insects, wildlife etc.?

Remember the turmoil about the birds in Ivanpah – now there are claims that the blades of wind turbines are vibrating and affecting the birds as well. We have experience with nuclear power and it is not so bad although Chernobyl and Fukushima left a trail of devastation.

Imagine the possibility of a collapse of a huge dam, such as Hoover dam or Aswan dam – what will be the result? Can we guarantee that this will never happen? The 2 major advantages of nuclear power is the very small footprint they have and the ability to provide electricity with minimal pollution if maintained properly.

Could you share your thoughts on the role of government policies and subsidies in encouraging or hindering renewable energy advancements? Do you think current incentives are enough?

Please see my reply above about brave organizations. For sure a subsidy of renewable technology might promote their development. LUZ used the subsidy to justify the installation of its CSP plants, which were copied by dozens of other plants, but when the government stopped the money – the justification disappeared.

Yet – the technology survived. Ivanpah also used subsidies and the tower technology evolved from the innovative concept of heliostats field and power tower.

You’ve worked with BrightSource for many years. In hindsight, are there specific lessons learned from your time there that could help future CSP projects succeed?

One very important lesson: if you work on a technology that consumes so much money for each unit – you must work “lean and mean”. BrightSource was a very good place to work, but its burn rate was too high. In some cases it identified changes in the technology too late, which left it behind other competitors.

And above everything: these groundbreaking companies need A LOT OF MONEY!

You mention that climate change has always affected our lives and always will. What is your perspective on how human intervention through renewable energy can address current and future climate challenges?

I don’t hold myself to be an expert in climate changes or renewable energy. Yet, I’m old enough to remember the panic about global cooling in the 70s: it was assumed that the accumulation of ice in the poles will cause the seas to rise and flood the coasts… sounds familiar?

There was a plan to spread coal dust over the ice caps (from C130 airplanes) in order to increase the absorption of heat and thus melt the ice. Today, I’m not convinced that we are responsible for the changes. I read the book “Unsettled” by Steven Koonin and I am convinced that I’m not convinced: do we affect the changes that much, that it is in our hands to change the direction of the change?

I was also impressed by the book “The Famine Was Severe In The Land” by Arie Issar and Mattanya Zohar that claimed many years ago that the fluctuations in the climate in the Middle East caused geo-political changes – without human intervention in the climate. So – I hesitate to declare if we are the cause of the change and if we are a considerable factor in the direction and / or magnitude of the change.

As an expert in the field, what innovations in solar technology or energy storage do you find most promising for the future of CSP?

Without being an expert, I think that there are 2 technologies that might contribute to the CSP industry:

1). a miniature turbine or heat engine, not necessarily a steam  turbine, in the size 1-10 MWth (megaWatt thermal). This will enable local small modular CSP plants to be installed where needed and

2). a steady improvement in the equipment for molten salt: pumps, valves, instrumentation. This, together with a reduction in the cost of material (pipes, heat exchangers, solar receivers), will enable the small units to turn into commodities. I’m not aware of any major change that will guarantee the future of CSP.

More about Moshe Luz

Moshe Luz is an accomplished engineering professional specializing in renewable energy, with a particular focus on molten salt thermal energy storage and concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. His last position was as the Molten Salt Director at Luminescent Solar Power Ltd. in Israel, he brings over two decades of leadership and project management experience to the renewable energy sector. He currently works as a freelance consultant.

Previously, Moshe was the Director of Construction for the Northern Sectors at NTA – Metropolitan Mass Transit System Ltd., overseeing infrastructure development for the light train in Israel’s Dan District. His expertise in complex engineering projects was further honed during his tenure at BrightSource Industries Israel (formerly Luz2), where he spent nearly nine years in various strategic roles. These included Project Manager and Product Manager, where he supervised the design, production, and supply of Molten Salt Solar Receivers for the Dubai DEWA solar tower, part of the Noor Energy 1 – 700MW CSP Project.

Moshe also played a pivotal role as Owner’s Engineer for the Ashalim Plot A Solar Plant in Israel, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and performance standards. His leadership extended to managing the Solar Energy Development Center (SEDC) in Dimona, Israel, a test site for innovative solar receiver and heliostat technologies.

Earlier in his career, Moshe gained extensive project management experience in desalination and energy sectors with prominent companies such as Paz Oil Company, Bateman Litwin, and Oran Safety Glass OSG. His international exposure includes overseeing large-scale infrastructure and utility projects in Nigeria and managing multi-disciplinary engineering teams worldwide.

With a robust background in infrastructure, project management, and renewable energy innovation, Moshe Luz continues to be a driving force in advancing solar thermal technology and sustainable energy solutions.

In Hebrew, “luz” means almond, though in some editions of the Bible, it is translated as hazel.

The post Ivanpah’s Sunset: Why the Collapse of a $2.2 Billion Solar Dream Threatens the Future of Renewable Energy appeared first on Green Prophet.