Improved energy efficiency in the desalination plants of Alcúdia, Andratx, Santa Eulària des Riu and Ciutadella

The project

Desalination plants in the Balearic Islands are essential for supplying quality drinking water to the population where this resource is scarcer. However, these facilities have a high energy consumption which makes them costly with a high environmental impact associated with CO₂ emissions from extensive electricity use. 

In the context of a climate emergency, it is essential to take action to reduce emissions and ensure that water supply systems are more environmentally friendly. And from an economic perspective, implementation of more efficient technologies can offer significant savings and improve the management of the archipelago's water resources.

This project will install Isobaric Energy Recovery Equipment (ERI) in the high-pressure pumps of the desalination plants in Alcúdia and Andratx (Mallorca), Santa Eulària des Riu (Ibiza) and Ciutadella (Menorca). They will reduce energy consumption per cubic metre of desalinated water. The expected annual energy savings with this installation is 5,571 MWh/year, equivalent to half the annual consumption of Menorca airport.

In turn, this energy reduction leads to reduction of 1,515 tonnes of CO₂ per year, equivalent to the yearly emissions of 250 cars. In addition to the positive environmental impact, the improved energy efficiency will allow a payback period of 8 to 10 years, depending on the plant, making the project economically viable in the medium term.

Installing the new equipment will also improve desalinated water production capacity at the four plants. Modernising production lines will reduce drinking water lost in the process thanks to improved piping and pumping facilities. This will ensure a more efficient use of available water resources and will directly benefit the population of the Balearic Islands.

Thus, the modernisation of the desalination plants on the three islands is a key action to improve energy efficiency and the sustainability of drinking water supply in the Balearic Islands as it allows for a more efficient water desalination system, while contributing to the preservation of the environment and better management of water resources, benefitting the population and the natural environment.