Jordan Launches Massive Red Sea Desalination Project Amid Water Crisis

Jordan is finalizing "The National Water Carrier," its largest-ever water project, aimed at alleviating severe water scarcity and reducing reliance on external sources. The initiative involves desalting seawater from the Red Sea in Aqaba and transporting it across the country. Experts anticipate it will provide a strategic solution for water security until 2040, though significant financial, engineering, and environmental challenges remain, particularly concerning energy costs and construction expenses.

The project's total cost is estimated at $5.8 billion, with $4.3 billion allocated for capital expenditure. Funding is a mix of international grants ($663 million), investment loans ($2.9 billion), Jordanian bank financing ($1.1 billion), and a government contribution ($722 million). It operates under a public-private partnership, with the government assuming full ownership after 26 years of operation. While seen as a crucial step in water resource management, experts caution it may not be sufficient to meet future demand increases.

Energy costs are a major concern, with the project potentially consuming 7-8% of Jordan's electricity. The direct operational cost per cubic meter is projected at $2.70, potentially rising to over $7 after accounting for electricity, transport, and water loss. Experts suggest integrating renewable energy sources to lower operational costs, though this requires expensive storage technology. Delays in financial closure could further inflate costs due to rising material prices.

The National Water Carrier is expected to add approximately 300 million cubic meters of drinking water annually, meeting about 40% of the country's needs, but will not cover agricultural or other uses. This addition is intended to secure drinking water until 2040 and alleviate pressure on dwindling groundwater reserves. Environmental concerns include the disposal of desalination byproducts in the Gulf of Aqaba and their potential impact on marine life. The project also involves laying 450 kilometers of large-diameter pipes, presenting logistical challenges.

Experts highlight the project's political dimension, potentially granting Jordan greater autonomy in its decisions by reducing water-related dependencies. The project's scale is immense, with its annual desalinated water output equaling the total capacity of all Jordanian dams and tripling the output of the existing Disi water project. Construction is slated to begin after financial closure, with official pumping expected by 2030. This acceleration coincides with Jordan's efforts to bolster water security following the expiration of its water purchase agreement with Israel in May 2024.